Colne Point nature reserve

Colne Point is a nature reserve of 276.4 hectares south-west of St Osyth in Essex. The Essex Wildlife Trust manages the site, which lies within the Colne Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest. It also belongs to a national nature reserve, a Ramsar site, a Nature Conservation Review site and a Special Protection Area. The reserve is part of the Essex Estuaries Special Area of Conservation as well. The land is mainly shingle with saltmarsh around Ray Creek, which flows through the middle. The reserve serves as a breeding ground for many bird species and a feeding area for migrants. It supports invertebrates listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Among its flora are the nationally rare golden samphire and small cord-grass. Some areas flood at high tide, so visitors should take care when walking near Ray Creek. Access to the reserve is from the road between St Osyth and Lee Wick Farm. Visitors find open shingle landscapes and saltmarsh vistas. The site offers quiet walking with opportunities to watch birds and rare plants. Ray Creek provides a natural watercourse through the reserve. Views extend across the Colne Estuary towards the sea.