Places to see birds

Cornmill Meadows (SSSI)

This is one of the best examples of a semi-natural habitat in Lee Valley Regional Park. It is situated off the B194, just north of Waltham Abbey. The slow flowing Cornmill Stream and Old River Lea border three sides of the meadow. Water filled ditches dissect the wet grassland and shallow floods, creating a mosaic of wetland habitats. Ancient ponds mark the south-east corner of the site, whilst hay meadows, hedgerows, scattered scrub and woodland surround the wetlands.

In spring and autumn this area attracts a wide variety of passage waders. In spring, Little Ringed Plovers visit the area, and in summer Hobbies are regularly seen feeding on the large numbers of dragonflies present. Wigeon and Teal overwinter here, with Snipe and Lapwing. Stonechat occurs most winters. In spring 2008, Avocets visited the site and in 2007, a Spoonbill briefly visited.

There is one hide, overlooking shallow water. There are no toilet facilities on site, and the terrain is uneven and can be muddy after rain. In the summer months cattle graze the meadows.