Essex Wildlife Trust, Abbotts Hall Farm, Gt Wigborough, Colchester, Essex CO5 7RZ
Hanningfield Reservoir
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82 acres, Leased
Grid ref: TQ 725 971 (click for O/S map)
SSSI
Last updated 20/7/2008
This mixture of ancient and secondary woodland at the south-eastern end of Hanningfield Reservoir has been managed by Essex Wildlife Trust since 1992, on lease from Essex & Suffolk Water. The reservoir itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its important populations of wildfowl, and is among the top places in Essex to watch birds.
The spectacle of thousands of swifts, swallows and martins feeding over the water during peak fly hatches is one of the delights for the summer visitor, although most people will probably associate the reservoir with large numbers of waterfowl. Gadwall, tufted duck and pochard are three of the important breeding species and year-round coot numbers are nationally important.
Some 30 acres of the woodland, Well Wood and Hawk's Wood, are ancient in origin. Ditch and bank boundaries dating back centuries mark the extent of the old coppice and some of the original hornbeam trees survive. There is a great diversity of wildlife, with many species indicative of ancient woodland. The show of spring flowers, in particular bluebells, yellow archangel and stitchworts, is not to be missed. In summer, many dragonflies and damselflies can be seen around the ponds.
From the visitor centre waymarked trails lead through the woodland to four birdwatching hides. Much of the reservoir can be scanned from the hides, with especially good views over an island that is popular with wildfowl and a raft provided for terns to nest.
The conifer plantations have been thinned, then underplanted with native broadleaved species, hazel in particular. Woodland glades have been created, linked by grassy rides, and ponds have been restored. Coppicing of neglected hornbeam stools has begun again.
Visiting
Turn off the B1007 (BillericayChelmsford) on to Downham Road and turn left on to Hawkswood Road. The Visitor Centre entrance is just beyond the causeway, opposite Crowsheath Lane.
WickfordChelmsford bus to Downham village and walk 800m down Crowsheath Lane.
Visitor Centre open daily 9 am 5 pm, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day, serving refreshments and offering a wide range of optical equipment and gifts.
AprilJuly for breeding birds in woodland and on water and for wild flowers; winter and migration periods for wildfowl.
Disabled parking and toilets at the Centre; disabled pathway runs from there to a bird hide equipped for disabled users.
Sorry, no dogs except guide dogs allowed on site.