Places to see birds

Hall Marsh Scrape and Bowyers Water

Hall Marsh scrape is situated off the A121 between Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross. It is reached via the LVRPA Highbridge Street and Showground car park, the nearest postcade for this site is EN9 1AB.

This is an area of shallow water with shingle islands. Recently the area has been re-profiled, to allow water levels to be controlled easily by the LVRPA. There is a viewing screen and an open-backed hide.

Little Ringed Plovers arrive each spring, to raise their chicks on the shingle islands. Hobbies are seen flying over the water, and the area is popular with many ducks and gulls. There is a heronry near by and later in the year young herons can be seen fishing here. In Autumn, other seasonal visitors are Lapwing, Teal, Shoveler and Wigeon. Garganey were seen here in Autumn 2005, also Greenshank and Green Sandpiper.

The area has good paths, suitable for wheelchairs. There is a toilet block in the car park.

Bowyer Water:

This is one of the oldest pits in the area and it is very shallow in parts. During the winter large numbers of ducks and gulls can be seen here most days. There is an orchid area nearby.