
Two Tree Island is a 630 acre reserve situated off Leigh on Sea and is managed by Essex Wildlife Trust. It is designated as a site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area and a National Nature Reserve.
In addition to a large area of salt marsh/mudflat its variety of habitats, including mixed scrub, rough grassland, reedbed and fresh water and saline lagoons ensure that it features a wide variety of species throughout the year.
All Year
Little Grebe
Grey Heron
Little Egret
Shellduck
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Peregrine
Water Rail
Avocet
Redshank
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Green Woodpecker
Reed Bunting
Linnet
Cetti’s Warbler
Song Thrush
Spring
Nightingale
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Common Whitethroat
Lesser Whitethroat
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Common Swift
Barn Swallow
Cuckoo
Summer
Nightingale
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Common Whitethroat
Lesser Whitethroat
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Common Swift
Barn Swallow
Cuckoo
Autumn
Greenshank
Grey Plover
Golden Plover
Knot
Dunlin
Whimbrel
Curlew
Little Stint
Curlew Sandpiper
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Teal
Wigeon
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Wheatear
Winter
Greenshank
Grey Plover
Golden Plover
Knot
Dunlin
Whimbrel
Curlew
Little Stint
Curlew Sandpiper
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Teal
Wigeon
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Redwing
Fieldfare
Kingfisher
Short-eared Owl
Past rarities include
Red-backed Shrike
Night Heron
Cattle Egret
From the car park beside the bridge
East side
This 1.6km (1 mile) walk takes you through rough grassland and mixed scrub, past fresh water lagoons and reedbed to the eastern tip of the island with its views across the saltmarsh and mudflats to the Thames Estuary beyond. Return by the same path or via the sea wall with the brackish borrow dyke on one side and the saltmarsh on the other (note that there are steps at the western end of the sea wall). There are two hides one overlooking the freshwater lagoon and reedbed and the other overlooking the Egret pools. The paths are unsurfaced and become muddy after rain.
West side
This 2.4km (1.5 mile) circular trail leads through rough grassland, overlooking a creek and saltmarsh on both its northern and southern sides. A spur at the western end leads to two wheelchair accessible hides, one looking out over the saltmarsh and creek to Canvey Island, the other overlooking the saline lagoon with views of Hadleigh Castle beyond. The paths are hard surfaced, the northern side of the loop has two slopes of 20% gradient. A grass path also runs west from the northern side of the main path to the lagoon hide which becomes muddy after rain.
From the southern car park beside the slipway
Both the east and west side trails above can be joined from this car park but are not suitable for wheelchair access. However, the car park affords views over the saltmarsh, creek and River Thames beyond.
Location
Two Tree Island
Nature Reserve
Leigh on Sea
Essex
Map reference
TQ824 852
Public Transport
Nearest train station and bus stop (train station): Leigh on Sea (1.2 km/0.75 miles)