Ray Island Nature Reserve

About the reserve

The remote Ray Island rises out of a maze of saltmarsh next to Mersea Island, the atmospheric marshes inspiring a number of gothic novels including the classic literary novel, Mehalah, and the best selling The Essex Serpent, by Sarah Perry. For years the island has been the subject of ghost stories, from escaped bears to Roman centurion marching through, where the thunder of imaginary hooves can almost be heard.

Rough grassland covers the reserve, along with patches of Blackthorn and Hawthorn thickets, favoured by finches all year round, and a freshwater pond. Voles scurry through the thickets, attracting many birds of prey such as Long-eared Owls, Short-eared Owls, Barn Owls and the occasional Hen Harrier that passes over the island.

Fringed by saltmarsh and filled with Lax-flowered Lavender, Golden Samphire and Sea Rush, the cries of breeding Redshank, Oystercatcher and Shelduck fill the summer air across the island. 

Come winter and many wintering waders and wildfowl return to their seasonal home on the island, where they can be heard calling across the saltmarsh and displaying in incredible murmarations above the shingle beach,

Bonners Saltings, the marshland between the island and the Strood is private property, so access is only available via boat.