Canvey Wick

We're working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities are not yet available. Some reserves remain closed for now. See our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

Address: RSPB Canvey Wick, 276 Northwick Rd, Canvey Island SS8 0PT, UK

Grid ref: TQ766837

See our updates page to see which reserves are open.

Canvey Wick is a 93.2 hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest on Canvey Island in Essex. Rich in plants, insects and animals, there are as many species per square metre here as there are in a rainforest. As such, it's one of the most important British sites for endangered invertebrates. The RSPB manage 18.5ha of the SSSI as a nature reserve in partnership with Buglife and on behalf of the Land Trust.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Car park cost: Free

Facilities

Car park
Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Canvey Wick is 6 km (3.7 miles) from Benfleet station where there are regular services from Shoeburyness and London Fenchurch Street. From the station, you can reach the reserve by foot, bike, bus or taxi. For more information about train times please visit the C2C website before you travel.

By bus

Take the number 21 bus, Canvey to Southend. The nearest stop is 'Canvey Village outside Morrisons'. Walk along Northwick Road with Morrisons on your left, cross over the roundabout and continue down the road until you reach the reserve entrance.

By road

Take the A130 south onto Canvey Island from the A13. At the Waterside farm roundabout, take the third exit to stay on the A130- Canvey Road. Take the second exit at the next roundabout and then the third exit at the next roundabout onto Northwick Road. The reserve car park is located on the left-hand side.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

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Contact Canvey Wick

RSPB Canvey Wick, 276 Northwick Rd, Canvey Island SS8 0PT, UK
southessex@rspb.org.uk
01268 498620
@RSPBEssex
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What will you see?

Our star species

Whitethroat

This summer visitor can be seen darting in and out of cover.

Stonechat

The striking black head and orange chest plumage of the male stonechat can be seen on the reserve in winter.

Reed warbler

This plain brown warbler is typically the victim of the cuckoo which lays its eggs in the reed warbler's nest.

Yellow wagtail

This vibrant summer visitor is drawn to hay meadow and wet grassland habitats.

Green woodpecker

The laughing call of the green woodpecker and its distinctive flight distinguish it from our other native species.

In spring, whitethroats sing from the bushes as they cautiously dart in and out of cover. Reed and sedge warblers call from amongst the reeds and ditches where they feed and prepare to make their nests. Listen out in case you can hear a nightingale at dawn.

During summer, pyramidal orchids and other wildlfowers blossom in this diverse plant habitat. During summer months, rare insects are the main attraction, with rare bees which include the shrill carder bee and brown-banded carder bee. Skylarks' persistent call provides the soundtrack to this unique habitat and there is always the exciting possibility of seeing a yellow wagtail here at this time of year.

Over autumn, you can hear green woodpeckers call as they blot from cover to fly across open ground in their distinctive up and down flight. Oystercatchers fly in over Holehaven Creek and their high call is a feature of habitats near estuaries and the sea.

In the winter, goldfinches move in to take advantage of seeds left by perennial plants such as teasel, hedgerow birds including wrens and blue-tits flutter among the scrub and stonechats can be heard making their distinctive call and seen flicking their wings as they perch.

About Canvey Wick

Habitat

A unique ex-industrial habitat, rich in rare plant and insect species, Canvey Wick also has grassland and scrub habitat and is adjacent to important estuarine habitats. Canvey Wick is fantastically rich in plant, insect and animal species with as many species per square metre as a rainforest. It is one of the most important sites in Britain for endangered invertebrate species. Canvey Wick also includes scrub and small wooded areas, and the nature reserve is adjacent to important estuarine habitats.

Conservation

The Land Trust, Buglife and the RSPB have been working together to restore and maintain this special place ensuring that it remains a safe haven for important Thames Terrace insects.

Site information

Canvey Wick is a 93.2ha Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is owned by the Land Trust and managed by the RSPB and Buglife. The RSPB and Buglife manage 18.5ha of the Canvey Wick SSSI.

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