Blackwater Estuary NNR
Although most NNRs are managed by Natural England, 88 are wholly or partly managed by other bodies approved by Council, under Section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
County: Essex
Main habitats: Coastal
Area: 1031 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
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Blackwater Estuary NNR is approximately 15 km south of Colchester and comprises two main areas: Tollesbury Flats and Old Hall Marshes.
View maps: Old Hall Marshes: (207kb)
and Tollesbury Flats: (159kb)
Tollesbury Flats is managed by Natural England and consists of a coastal strip close to the town of Tollesbury. This part of the reserve is closed to the public as it is a sensitive intertidal zone.
Old Hall Marshes is managed by the RSPB and comprises the Old Hall Marshes peninsula close to the village of Salcott. The marshes surround a lagoon called Pennyhole Fleet.
The two areas are separated by an estuary, the Tollesbury Fleet.
Tollesbury Flats supports a variety of invertebrates and is an important feeding area for many waterfowl including cormorants, brent geese, oystercatchers and plovers.
Old Hall Marshes is home to a range of breeding and over-wintering waterfowl and a population of breeding bearded tits. The site also supports a number of nationally important plant and invertebrate species.
Location and access
Although Tollesbury Flats is closed to the public the area can be viewed from the sea wall, accessed via a public footpath from Tollesbury.
The Old Hall Marshes is another sensitive area but the margins can be accessed via a public footpath on the sea wall, or via public footpath from Salcott. The RSPB has created other paths (most requiring access permission) leading to viewing screens that allow visitors to view birdlife on the lagoon. For more information telephone the RSPB on 01603 660066.
Facilities
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in Salcott and Tollesbury.
