Essex

[Jeapesy]

Hi i'm new to this forum and new to wildlife watching and i live in mid essex around the chelmsford area in a place called South Woodham Ferrers. I've recently bought a 2 man camoflauge hide and have set it up in the countryside around my home and have already seen a family foxes at very close quarters which was breathtaking. Just wondered if anyone could offer an advise for wildlife hotspots in this area where i can watch stoats/ badgers/ any kind of bird life basically wildlife in general. Also what is usually the best times to go watching? Any help would be much appreciated.

[Jeapesy]

Also the best habitats to see certain wildlife would be a big help aswell cheers.

[ron1863]

A warm welcome to WAB, sorry but I am not from your area but someone will give you advice

[Rebus]

Originally Posted by Jeapesy

Also the best habitats to see certain wildlife would be a big help aswell cheers.

Hi Jeapsy! Hanningfield Reservoir is great for bird watching, some good hides to use. Try Hylands Park but avoid the popular family bit and take yourself off to the more remote parts. I have seen stoats and foxes there. A word of warning though, delay your visit to Hylands for a week or so to give time for all the clearing up after the V festival! Langdon Reserve and Thorndon Park are good too, bit further away though. Hope this helps.

[shei111]

Hello welcome to the site. shei

[Ukwildlifeo]

Welcome fellow Essex resident

Im down in the South west Essex so may be a bit far away. As recommended beforeHanningfield is good for birds (and grass snakes I hear, never been there at the right time of year) and nearer to you, but down here we have RSPB Rainham -which is great for birds if you have a long lens/digiscope set up, but if you like me with less range planty of marsh frogs, water voles and inverts to keep you happy, and I have seen weasels there too. My local park, Bedfords Park, Ive seen foxes regularily and some stoats and a black rabbit, plus butterflies and dragonflies. Go to the Essex wildlife trust site, as they ahve loads of good reserves scattered all over the place

[Jeapesy]

Thanks for everyone's help i've joined the essex wildlife trust so hopefully they'll send me some decent information through. Walking round my local Fambridge Blue House Farm today i saw a Marsh Harrier, Kestrels, Grass Snakes, Lizards etc. It amazing how many species can be viewed literally just on your doorstep.

[Kayleigh]

Hi and welcome

[Dutchess]

Hi and welcome to WAB, Jeapesy

The only parts of Essex I am familiar with are Lea Valley/Epping Forest, but I make the most of any excuse to visit those areas!


D.

[ellen h]

Hello and welcome to WAB.
I am in Essex,overlooking the Thames estuary.
My haunts are Hadleigh country park,the sea wall from Benfleet to Leigh and occasionally two tree island nature reserve.We also have Belfairs nature reserve nearby.
All are good for wildlife,especially if you are interested in birds.The marshes and creek is full of waders and water fowl,and changes with the seasons.
Mammals seen locally include foxes,badgers,weasels,rabbits and sometimes if you are lucky the odd deer.Adders,grass snakes and lizards can be found too.As for the insect,well allsorts!!
For a very built up part of Essex we are lucky to have these open spaces on our doorstep!
ellen