Two Tree Island

The scrape on Two Tree Island, seen from the hide

Two Tree Island is a small island lying north-east of Canvey Island and south-west of Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, England. It covers 257 hectares (640 acres)[1] and is connected to the mainland at Leigh by a bridge.

The island was reclaimed from the Thames Estuary in the 18th century and used as pasture until 1910 when a sewage works was built on it. From 1936, the entire island was used as a landfill site; this was later reduced to a single small site on the island in 1974. It is now a nature reserve, run by Essex Wildlife Trust, and the eastern half is part of the Leigh National Nature Reserve.[2] At the western end are two bird hides; one overlooks a purpose-built scrape or lagoon where waders feed. During the breeding season both waders (including Avocets) and gulls nest here. A nest watch has been organised for some years following a serious case of Avocet egg stealing. On the south side of the island, at the end of the island road, is a sloping concrete jetty, a boat storage area and two car parking areas.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Two Tree Island Nature Reserve". Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "Essex's National Nature Reserves". Natural England. Retrieved 19 November 2015.


Next island upstream River Thames Next island downstream
Canvey Island Two Tree Island Isle of Sheppey

Coordinates: 51°32′10″N 0°37′43″E / 51.53623°N 0.62858°E / 51.53623; 0.62858

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