Maldon Wick
23ac/9ha
Grid ref: TL 842 057
Updated 31/12/2023.
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This Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve consists of one-and-a-half miles of the former Maldon–Woodham Ferrers railway line, most of it on embankment. A meadow with a large pond was added to it later.
The reserve has earned a reputation for its butterflies, 28 different species having been recorded since it was established. They include purple, green and white-letter hairstreak, and large numbers of speckled wood and ringlet. Also, 17 species of dragonfly have been recorded in the meadow.
The central trackway is kept open and the Trust has created small clearings on the slopes, felled some trees and coppiced others. As a result flowering plants have increased dramatically. These include primrose, moschatel, sweet violet, field scabious and wild straw-berry. It also has spindle and wild service trees.
It has many breeding birds, sometimes including nightingales.
Visiting
On Limebrook Way (B1018) near the roundabout where it joins the A414 (Chelmsford–Maldon).
Close to the Maldon–Chelmsford bus route along the A414.
Accessible at all times.
May to July for flowers and butterflies.
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