Vange Marsh RSPB Site

A Nature Reserve Next to Benfleet

The farms that are out on the marsh have been purchased by the RSPB and the land use is in the process of changing from food production to wildlife habitat.  Paths have been constructed, the site should have been open to the public a while ago but as yet it is still closed.

The RSPB have invested a great deal of time and money in bridleways, footpaths and improved the wildlife habitat with the creation of ponds for migrating and resident birds.

A system of wind pumps have been installed and the windmills add to the vista.  Part of Pitsea tip has been capped and it rises as a hill on the Thames side of the site.

I understand there are plans to build hides on the lakes for bird watching and a bridge over one of the creeks so this area can be joined to the West Canvey Marsh RSPB site.

One of the farms out on the marshes.
Margaret March
One of the wind pumps, Benfleet and The Downs in the background. Benfleet looks rather impressive from the marsh as the tree covered Vicarage Hill and Downs rise above the flat land. Spring 2012.
Margaret March
One of the wildlife ponds with Benfleet in the background.
Canvey Way and the houses of Benfleet alongside a reed bed on the marsh, when this site is open to the public it will make a fantastic area for recreation, sadly there have been long delays to its opening.
This area at the bottom of Jotman’s Lane, south of the railway line used to be the Bowers Gifford Golf Course which failed to reopen after the Second World War. It has most recently been used as agricultural land, however a few of the bunkers and features of the golf course still remain.

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