Canewdon Marsh (EHER 48428)

An area of significantly ‘improved’ grassland located on the southern bank of the Crouch estuary.

An area of significantly ‘improved’ grassland located on the southern bank of the Crouch estuary. The marsh was reclaimed by the time of the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 <1>. The sea wall depicted on the 1st edition OS map survives, although it has been altered <2>. A trackway linked the small post-medieval farmstead of Lands End to the sea-wall and a landing-place on the river. The farm buildings are no longer extant, a sheep-fold now occupies the location, this is slightly raised above the surrounding area and is presumably built on the demolished remains of its predecessor. The drainage ditches are mostly regular with one central sinuous ditch. The aerial photographs show evidence of extensive drainage having been put in. Outside the seawall a row of oyster pits is visible in the saltings and the survey has recorded a wooden post structure of unknown date. Since 2012 the Essex Wildlife Trust has undertaken extensive work in the form of the digging of scrapes and water-filled channels in order to re-wet the site and provide a wider range of habitats for wading species. See <3>