Cooling Marshes, Kent, 7th December 2014

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Wading Wonders: Two Tree Island


Despite near-constant rain and drizzle, a trip to Two Tree Island NNR in Essex on Saturday turned out to be thoroughly enjoyable. Although for us the conditions meant a lot of time was spent huddling in the hides and de-misting binoculars, the birds thankfully, were not not deterred.  

Highlights included watching c30 Avocet skim their distinctive bills through the shallow waters of a lagoon and Black-tailed Godwits probing the mudflats for worms and molluscs. My favourite moment though was when this Curlew flew in and landed right in front of our hide:




Wader go...Curlew, Two Tree Island NNR, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
A trip to Two Tree Island is highly recommended; jutting out into the Thames between Southend and Canvey Island, the island acts as a catchment area for many bird species, both resident and migratory. This is due to the wide range of nationally important habitats in the vicinity which includes salt marsh, saline lagoons, inter-tidal mud flats and grassland.
Two Tree Island: looking west towards the lagoon
It’s less than an hour from London, easy to find and offers good opportunities to see waders up close. Why not share your favourite birdwatching day trips from London?

Species list, Two Tree Island, 26/2/11:
Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Grey Plover (after some debate!), Redshank, Brent Goose, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Teal, Black-headed gull, Great black-backed gull, Herring gull, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Mallard, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Blackbird, Starling, Shelduck, Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Magpie.


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