Descrição
Colne Point is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and famous for breeding Andorinha-do-mar-anã, a very important species all over the country. Any breeding site is important and The Essex Wildlife Trust do all they can to protect this site in the Andorinha-do-mar-anã nesting season.
Also the marshes can be the hunting grounds for wintering raptors such as, falcão-peregrino, Tartaranhão-ruivo-dos-pauis, Tartaranhão-azulado, Coruja-do-nabal and Esmerilhão, all taking advantage of the large numbers of over wintering ducks, geese and waders.
The site overlooks the mouth of the Colne Estuary and the usual shoreline species such as Pato-branco, Maçarico-de-bico-direito, Fuselo, Perna-vermelha-comum, Ostraceiro, Merganso-de-poupa, Ganso-de-faces-negras and Piadeira can be seen. Also divers and grebes can be seen off shore in the winter months.
In the breeding season Andorinha-do-mar-anã will hopefully return to there shingle beach along side other species, Andorinha-do-mar-comum Borrelho-grande-de-coleira and Borrelho-pequeno-de-coleira. Other breeding birds include Ostraceiro and Perna-vermelha-comum.
Over the winter finches and other small passerines can be found in good numbers. for example Pintarroxo-comum, Laverca, Pintarroxo-de-bico-amarelo, Pardal-alpino and even the chance of Cotovia-cornuda.
This is a very important nature reserve and does have visiting restrictions , but would be well worth the time taken to arrange a visit to this very special area of the country.
Detalhes
Acesso
Colne Point is in an isolated spot of Essex. From the village of St. Osyth take the Point Clear Rd in a South Westerly direction, heading towards the village of Point Clear. Now as the road bends to the West, take a small private road, Leewick Lane, which travels through a farm, (Lee Wick Farm). The lane is now called Beach Rd. Travel passed a sewage works and then finishing up at a T junction of Lee-over-Sands. Turn Right or West, here passed the row of coastal properties on your left, too a small car park of the Essex Wildlife Trust. Drive slowly and be respectful on the private road down to the Colne Point Reserve. Press P on the map for directions.

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