Essex - Winter Wildfowl & Waders

Summary

This gentle walk is centred around Heybridge Basin at the western end of the Blackwater Estuary. We will explore the internationally important mudflats and saltmarshes for their rich birdlife, but other habitats will include a canal, grazing marshes, gravel pits and reedbeds as well as the pretty waterfronts of Heybridge Basin and Maldon. 

The day starts walking along the seawall towards Mill Beach, exploring the creeks and pools that overlook Northey Island where the mudflats will be full of wintering wildfowl and waders, which in turn attract possible predators such as Peregrine Falcon. The walk is timed to take advantage of the incoming tide which will push the birds towards us as the creeks fill and the birds ultimately seek out their high-tide roosts. After lunch, we will then walk around Heybridge Gravel Pits, towards the charming seafront of Maldon. This corner of Essex is a fantastic spot to witness spectacular winter flocks, with Black-tailed Godwit a particular highlight. The scene lends itself to great sightings of wading species such as Dunlin, Golden Plover, Redshank, and Ruddy Turnstone, plus dabbling ducks such as Wigeon and Teal. The mudflats and marshes around Northey Island are particularly good for Brent Goose, Northern Pintail and Rock Pipit. If we are lucky, we may see birds of prey such as Marsh and Hen Harriers, Peregrine Falcon and Short-eared Owls, gliding across their hunting grounds. The rising tide should provide us with good views of Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, and possibly Slavonian Grebe.

The walk will conclude back in the car park at 5pm or dusk if earlier, with a total length of around 4 miles on level, easy-going seawall with some muddy patches. Sturdy walking shoes or boots are advised.

• Explore internationally important mudflats and saltmarshes 
• Other diverse habitats such as reedbeds, gravel pits and canals
• Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Pied Avocet and other waders
• Ducks such as Red-breasted Merganser, Wigeon and Teal
• Peregrine Falcon, Short-eared Owl, Marsh and Hen Harriers possible