Two Tree Island Sunday 17th December 2000 |
Two Tree Island is split into two areas, an eastern and a western side. The eastern part of Two Tree Island consists of a a small tidal island with the adjoining saltmarsh (170 acres) and a large area of inter-tidal mudflats (464 acres). It is part of Leigh National Nature Reserve and is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust.
Two Tree Island typifies the history of many Essex coastal sites. It was reclaimed from the sea in the 18th century when a sea-wall was built around saltmarsh, and was used for rough grazing until 1910 when a sewage farm was built on its eastern tip. In 1936 Southend Borough Council acquired the whole island and used it as a rubbish tip until the 1970s.
The island itself consists mainly of grassland and scrub, with the former rubbish tip supporting a number of interesting alien plants and 'escapes'. A wide variety of birds is seen, and particularly migrants. Kestrels hover over the grassland and Short-eared Owls visit during the winter, hunting for field voles.?
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