Salcott Cum Virley

Salcott Creek is a simple ,level walk along side the tidal estuary creek. The site is best accessed from the Village of Salcott-cum-virley. A footpath from the village to the sea wall takes you across farmland where you may see Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Skylark and a selection of gulls feeding on the fields. Try and get to Salcott creek on a rising tide (see the link to the tide table below). This can give the best results from a bird moment aspect. When you step up on to the seawall the site and sounds of the Essex Marshland is very evocative. Listen as well as look. Common Redshank are nearly always the first bird you will be alerted to. Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal and Common Shelduck are a safe bet to be seen soon on. Eurasian Curlew are both sides of the wall, the Creek is to your left and the farmland to your right. Many birds can be seen feeding on the sensitively grazed grasslands. Species such as the thousands of Brent Goose which winter along the Blackwater Estuary. Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew and European Golden Plover, some of the grassland is flooded in the Autum and winter months. This will lead to many birds feeding on the water log soils.

Looking back over the estuary with high tide, Brent Goose on the water are often accompanied by Red-breasted Merganser and over the winter by grebes and divers. Red-necked Grebe and Great Northern Diver are recorded here. The barrow dykes often with sedge reed will have warblers in Summer and Reed Bunting, Bearded Tit and Cetti's Warbler in winter.

The whole site is hunted over by Western Marsh Harrier, Short-eared Owl and wintering Hen Harrier. Peregrine Falcon are much a bird which should be looked for sitting on low posts across the site. Merlin is always a delight to see resting on a fence post or low flight hunting. Large flocks of mix waders moving around the marsh waiting for the tide to uncover the rich feedings of the mut flats. These will include Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Avocet, Grey Plover and Eurasian Oystercatcher.

The grass banks of the seawall will often have a selection of finches such as Linnet, European Goldfinch and possible Twite. All in all making this coastal site a worthwhile visit.