Benfleet and Southend Marshes

Benfleet and Southend Marshes is an 8.1-square-mile (21 km2) Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Essex. It consists of mudflats, salt marshes, scrub and wild grassland, and includes the Southend-on-Sea foreshore. It has been so recognised for its biological (including ecological) value, rather than geological.[2][3] A definition five percent larger forms the Benfleet and Southend Marshes Ramsar site[4] and Special Protection Area.[5][6] In the centre-west, more than ten percent of the Site is the Leigh National Nature Reserve (NNR),[n 1][7][5] which has been appraised in detail in A Nature Conservation Review as a site of national importance.[2] The SSSI and NNR include the eastern half of Two Tree Island, in Leigh on Sea which is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust.[7][8] A narrow majority of the Site is the Southend on Sea Foreshore Local Nature Reserve.[n 2][9][10]

Benfleet and Southend Marshes
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Area of SearchEssex
Grid referenceTQ854847
InterestBiological
Area2099.7 hectares
Notification1987
Location mapMagic Map
Designations
Official nameBenfleet & Southend Marshes
Designated14 February 1994
Reference no.648[1]

The marshes and mudflats have internationally important numbers of wildfowl and wading birds, including the dark-bellied brent goose, grey plover, redshank and red knot. Scarce invertebrates, such as the white-letter hairstreak and marbled white butterfly, have adapted to specific habitats in the marshes.[2]

Notes and References

Notes
  1. 257.5 hectares
  2. 1083.9 hectares

References
  1. "Benfleet & Southend Marshes". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. "Benfleet and Southend Marshes citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  3. "Map of Benfleet and Southend Marshes". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  4. "Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands: Benfleet and Southend Marshes" (PDF). Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  5. "Magic map". Natural England. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  6. "Benfleet and Southend Marshes" (PDF). Special Protection Areas under the EC Birds Directive. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  7. "Essex's National Nature Reserves". Natural England.
  8. "Two Tree Island". Essex Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  9. "Southend on Sea Foreshore". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 27 February 2013. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  10. "Map of Southend on Sea Foreshore". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
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