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This walk is around RSPB Wallasea Island, exploring the variety of trails which lead to several hides offering great views of the island and its winter wildlife. Here there are various habitats such as freshwater and brackish lagoons, grazing marshes, grasslands, mudflats, open estuary and even some scrub. The walk is timed to take advantage of the incoming tide which will push the birds towards us as the River Crouch and River Roach fill and the birds seek out their high-tide roosts. We will take a picnic lunch with us which can even be eaten in a hide if required as this site can be a little exposed.
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The day will conclude back in the car park at 5pm or dusk if earlier, with a total length of around 5 miles on level, easy-going paths and seawall with some muddy patches. Walking boots or shoes are advised. 

Birding in diverse habitats such as grazing marshes, mudflats, open estuary, scrub, freshwater and brackish lagoons
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Stonechat, Corn Bunting, Twite and other passerines
Waders such as Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher and Pied Avocet
Three types of egret species – Little, Great and Cattle 

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The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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Essex - RSPB Wallasea Island (Day Trip)

Tour Code: GBR360

Search for winter wildlife on a guided tour of RSPB Wallasea Island, along varied trails and hides, with views of lagoons, marshes, mudflats, and open estuary.

£60

Land Only

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Highlights

• Birding in diverse habitats such as grazing marshes, mudflats, open estuary, scrub, freshwater and brackish lagoons
• Possible birds of prey include Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Short-eared Owl and Hen Harrier
• Stonechat, Corn Bunting, Twite and other passerines
• Waders such as Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher and Pied Avocet
• Three types of egret species – Little, Great and Cattle 

Summary

This walk is around RSPB Wallasea Island, exploring the variety of trails which lead to several hides offering great views of the island and its winter wildlife. Here there are various habitats such as freshwater and brackish lagoons, grazing marshes, grasslands, mudflats, open estuary and even some scrub. The walk is timed to take advantage of the incoming tide which will push the birds towards us as the River Crouch and River Roach fill and the birds seek out their high-tide roosts. We will take a picnic lunch with us which can even be eaten in a hide if required as this site can be a little exposed.

This relatively new RSPB reserve created from spoil from the London Crossrail project has transformed an area of farmland into a winter bird wonderland. The stars of the show are undoubtedly the birds of prey with multiple Hen Harriers and Short-eared Owls wintering, but backed up with Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Marsh Harrier and Barn Owl. It is also a fantastic place to see wintering flocks of wildfowl and waders, particularly Brent Geese, Wigeon and Teal, plus Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Red Knot, Pied Avocet, Grey, Ringed and Golden Plovers, Northern Lapwing, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew and Redshank. Little and Great egrets will be present, with even the chance of wintering Cattle Egret, together with increasingly regular winter sightings of Spoonbill. Passerines are also well represented with Stonechat, Linnet, Corn Bunting and even the chance of Twite on the saltmarshes.

The day will conclude back in the car park at 5pm or dusk if earlier, with a total length of around 5 miles on level, easy-going paths and seawall with some muddy patches. Walking boots or shoes are advised. 

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Day Trip Location

Dates & Prices

2026

Thu 10th Dec

5 SPACES £60

Book Now

Land Only

£60

Tour Leader

Neil Murphy

Read more about Neil

Book Now

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

• The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
• Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
• Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

Why Choose Naturetrek?

50+ Trustpilot Reviews

45+ Google Reviews

Click any badge to read more reviews

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