River Crouch from Wallasea Island
I checked out Wallasea Island last week to see how the new extentions to the land were progressing. It’s going to become as wonderful wildlife reserve once all the construction traffic has been removed. I think they are there till 2019, so don’t hold your breath! However, it is still a nice country, or rather sea wall walk, with some fine views. Birds are scarce where the paths are as they are close to the construction traffic. I did see a few waders and possibly some Avocets on the far bank of one of the new lgoons being constructed.
Getting to it is not easy. It’s not signposted until you see ‘Wallasea Island’ some way north of Rochford. The reserve is about 9 miles north of Southend on Sea and 12 miles south of Chelmsford. Best approach from the north is via the A130 and the bridge over the River Crouch at Battlesbridge.
During the winter I suspect there is a good chance of flooding on the approach road. The facilities consist of a shelter, one of the latest eco-shelters. (See photo below). That’s it and the car park is small right now, enough for about twenty cars or so.
More information can be found here