1) Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park

This expansive nature reserve is one of Europe’s top wetland sites, offering safe passage for thousands of birds due to its location close to East coast migration routes. As well as being a destination point for approximately 40,000 ducks, swans and geese each year, you may spot the unusual-looking but aptly named spoonbill stopping for a rest too. In recent years, these special visitors have favoured Abberton Reservoir, even choosing to successfully nest on site – resulting in some very cute chicks we affectionately refer to as ‘spoonies’, teaspoons or little spoons!

There are three accessible hides to choose from, each offering panoramic views across the reservoir. Sightings are regularly updated on our website so you can see what species you might be lucky enough to spot before you arrive.

Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park

Abberton Reservoir sightings page  

2) Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park

Wildlife hides aren’t just about bird spotting. The ‘Meles Meles’ hide at Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park offers visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of our most secretive mammals – the badger.

Dedicated badger-watching evenings are available for small groups to enjoy seeing these stripy characters in their natural environment. The cosy wooden hide is fronted by a large, glass viewing area offering unrivalled views of the badgers emerging from their sett, feeding, and socialising.

While the use of cameras/video is permitted, flash photography is not to ensure the badgers feel safe and relaxed as they go about their evening routine.

There are several other hides on-site, offering more traditional bird-watching opportunities. In warmer months, you could expect to see hundreds of black and white avocets shrieking and dive-bombing. Throughout the year, look out for brent geese, golden plover, grey plover, knot, lapwing, dunlin, peregrine, merlin, shoveler, teal, wigeon and red-breasted merganser to name a few.

To enquire about our badger-watching evenings please enquire at the Nature Discovery Centre or call us on 01206 729678.

Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park 

3) Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Discovery Park

The fully accessible Lyster bird hide is the perfect place to capture an action shot of some of the wildfowl that use the reservoir in the autumn and winter, including gadwall, tufted duck and pochard.

In summer months, witness the spectacle of thousands of swifts, swallows and martins diving and swooping over the water when insect numbers are at their peak

If you want to put your twilight photography skills to the test, Hanningfield is also a fantastic site for bat watching, with soprano pipistrelle bats being found in good numbers here – including around our dedicated maternity roost which is linked to our bat webcam for viewers to enjoy from the comfort of their own home.

Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Discovery Park

Bat webcam

4) Two Tree Island nature reserve

One of our newest hides, ‘Monty’s Lookout’, is not only a place to enjoy the spectacles of nature but also provides a habitat for some of the important species that call this reserve home. Insects, birds and even bats enjoy the shingle habitat roof and walls made from log and stone-filled gabions.

The colourful and unusual design of this hide has been a big hit with visitors and was made possible by kind donations from the Boulton family, in memory of Marion Frances Boulton and by Anthony Cooper otherwise known as ‘Monty’, who left us a generous donation in his Will.

Monty’s Lookout is situated on the serene western lagoon and is in pride of place to witness the fantastic bird life that the island supports throughout the year. Expect to see thousands of wildfowl and waders, noisy flocks of dark-bellied brent geese, curlew, dunlin, avocet, redshank and black-tailed godwit. You might even be fortunate enough to see a short-eared owl gracefully hunting throughout the autumn and winter months.

Monty’s Lookout is more than just a space for bird watching; it’s somewhere where families, people with disabilities and those who aren’t necessarily experts in wildlife can feel welcome and safe whilst immersing themselves in the unpredictable joy of nature.

Two Tree Island nature reserve

More information on the creation of Monty’s Lookout

5) Wrabness nature reserve

As you look out over the peaceful Stour Estuary, it’s hard to imagine that this site previously served as a mine depot, established by the Ministry of Defence until its closure in 1963. Over the years, and due to its favourable location, several planning applications have been submitted including to build a prison in 1968 and 1989. The site was almost lost to development in 1992 but due to the hard work of Wrabness Nature Reserve Charitable Trust, it was saved and has been managed by Essex Wildlife Trust for the benefit of wildlife and visitors since 2006.

Now a wild wilderness, Wrabness is a haven for hundreds of species of birds, insects and wildflowers with far-reaching views across meandering marshes, swaying grasslands and wonderful woodland.

As you sit in one of the peaceful hides, you might expect to be visited by overwintering wildfowl and waders during the colder months. Watch as black-tailed godwit, turnstones and knot forage in the invertebrate thick mud, and curlew, oystercatchers and lapwing congregate in good numbers. In warmer months, the site also attracts rare and exotic-looking turtle doves and sweet-singing nightingales. With huge skies and impressive sunsets on offer here, Wrabness is a site to delight all the senses.

Wrabness nature reserve

If you’re looking for more inspiration, you can find our full list of Nature Discovery Centres and nature reserves here -

Visit a Nature Discovery Centre or nature reserve

Don’t forget to enter our 2022 Photography Competition to be in with a chance of winning £200 and having your photo displayed at High Chelmer Shopping Centre as part of an exhibition.

Entry is free, and there are six categories to choose from. The competition closes at midnight on 30 November.

Enter the Essex Wildlife Trust Photography Competition 2022

If you need to brush-up on your photography skills, you may be interested in attending this workshop event at Hanningfield Nature Discovery Park on Saturday 12 November 2022, 9.00am-4.00pm. 

Hanningfield Photography Workshop – 'Know The Basics' with Daniel Bridge