Coastline
The District's coastline is one of the
jewels in our crown and we are home to a distinctive and
contrasting coastline. From open sea views, through to intricate
waterways, coastal marshes and dunes the District is privileged to
have unique surroundings.
This varied environment proves ideal for supporting an abundance
of wildlife, so much so that the District is recognised as being of
international importance, supporting a wealth of wildlife and is a
mecca for both bird watchers and naturalists
The extensive areas of grazing marsh and river valley grassland
attract a wide range of wildlife into the district, much to the
delight of keen nature lovers as well as local residents out
enjoying a stroll. A continuous coastal footpath runs around the
Rochford peninsula, and serves to give good access to the
coastline, with a number of sea walls providing the perfect vantage
point to take in the air and also the picturesque views.
Foulness Island and the adjoining Maplin Sands are
internationally famous as a haven for wildlife and have the second
largest colony of Avocets and is a winter home for thousands of
wading birds and Brent Geese. Foulness and the Roach and Crouch
estuaries have all been classified as Ramsar sites, which is only
given to sites which support 20,000 or more water birds or
regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one
species of water bird.
Please note that public access to Foulness Island and Maplin
Sands are restricted as they are owned by the Ministry of
Defence.
The districts coastline is also popular with water sports
enthusiasts, and a number of yachting clubs are dotted around the
Districts waterways, where they take advantage of the districts
calm waters.