Chigborough Lakes

Chigborough Lakes is a nature reserve near Maldon in Essex. It covers 18.6 hectares of former gravel pits. The site now holds lakes, marshes and grassland. Willow carr and scrub grow along the water’s edge. Eleven kinds of willow can be found here, along with several orchids. The reserve supports more than 120 bird species. Over forty of these have bred on site. Great crested grebes dive in the open water. Grey herons stand motionless at the marsh edges. Little egrets probe the shallows for prey. A path runs from Chigborough Road into the reserve. Visitors follow the lakeside and cross wooden bridges over wet areas. Marsh plants line the route, and dragonflies dart above the water. The view opens across open water to distant reedbeds.