Barling Magna Millennium Wildlife Park. Essex

[Claire Fifi]

Have any of you visited this lovely little park ? It is peaceful and quiet - a tidal creek runs along the bottom edge and there are plenty of reed beds and a small pond in the midst of managed meadow.

I would like to find out a bit more about it, as there does not appear to be a dedicated web-site, but sometimes appears in Birdwatching Blogs.

I often visit the park as my Mum lives in Southend on Sea, and it is only about 10 mins drive to get there. I went there for the first time about a year ago and have visited it about once a month since then and there is something of interest in all seasons. In the summer, there are lots of interesting wildflowers - in winter, lots of visiting birds.

I went on saturday - it was sheer heaven. Sun was out, blue skies and not a soul around. I could hear Curlews and Oyster Catchers calling in the distance, I spotted a male Reed Bunting (first time I have seen one) a huge flock of Field Fares and two Little Egrets. Plenty of other birds around but the dog was impatient to play ball, so I did not spend enough time there.

Does anyone know more about this place?

[rlchew]

Hi Claire

I live in Essex and know where Barling is but I have not heard of the Millenium Wildlife Park.

The site is not even mentioned on the Southend Ornithological Group website although Barling Gravel Pits are.

Southend Ornithological Group - bird sites

I would imagine that the site is fairly typical of coastal areas in south east Essex with plenty of waders, ducks, Brent Geese, birds of prey, etc. especially during the winter months i.e. another one of those "wild places" of Essex.

I hope next time your dog forgets about playing ball so that tyou can enjoy the area .

Richard

[Claire Fifi]

Richard, you live nearby, so take your camera and then post some fab photos on here!