Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 5, 2026

Howlands Marsh

Howlands Marsh is a 29.9-hectare (74-acre) nature reserve north-east of St Osyth in Essex. It is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust. It is part of the Colne Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest Special Protection Area and Ramsar site, and the Blackwater Flats and Marshes Nature Conservation Review site.

Last revised
Jul 5, 2026
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≈ 1 min
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Howlands Marsh
Map
Interactive map of Howlands Marsh
TypeNature reserve
LocationSt Osyth, Essex
OS gridTM 115 169
Area29.9 hectares (74 acres)
ManagerEssex Wildlife Trust

Howlands Marsh is a 29.9-hectare (74-acre) nature reserve north-east of St Osyth in Essex. It is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust.1 It is part of the Colne Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest2 Special Protection Area3 and Ramsar site,4 and the Blackwater Flats and Marshes Nature Conservation Review site.5

This site is marshy grassland, which is low lying and hummocky, and divided by water channels. There are also areas of saltmarsh, which has sea wormwood and golden samphire. Breeding birds include reed warblers, skylarks, lapwings and reed buntings.1

There is access by a footpath from the B1027 road.1

References

References

  1. "Howlands Marsh". Essex Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  2. "Colne Estuary citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  3. "Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2)". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  4. "Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS): Colne Estuary (Mid-Essex Coast Phase 2)" (PDF). Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  5. Ratcliffe, Derek (1977). A Nature Conservation Review. Vol. 2. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. pp. 7–8. ISBN 0521-21403-3.

51°48′40″N 1°04′01″E / 51.811°N 1.067°E / 51.811; 1.067