Partial remains of early-mid 19th century decoy pond, 'Skinners Wick Decoy' (or 'Old Decoy'), south of Wycke Farm (EHER 12122)

The partial remains of a decoy pond which survives as a small body of water, the star-shaped external projections are vague cropmarks only. It is labelled as 'Old Decoy' on the on OS 6 inch map from 1960. It was visited in 1972 and 1998.

September 1972. Field survey. Filled in. <1> 1998. Field visit and photographic survey. Site visit as part of Monuments Protection Programme scheduling assessment observed central reed-covered pond only; no trace of any arms on the ground. <2> 'Old Decoy Pond' marked on OS 6 inch map. <3> MAFF aerial photograph of 1969 shows the central area only is still standing water. The star-shaped external projections are vague cropmarks only. <4> See aerial photographs <5> - <8> and cropmark plot <9>. Skinner's Wick Decoy is within a hundred paces of the shore and opposite to Gore Decoy (EHER 9996), across the creek in which are Gore Saltings. It is in Tolleshunt D'Arcy parish and takes its name from the farm on which it is situated. Payne-Gallwey gives it the additional name of Whitehouse Decoy, but Christy points out that no portion of this decoy is situated on Whitehouse Farm. Payne-Gallwey states that it was a very successful decoy, which had been given up thirty years previously, about 1856, and that it had been worked by Mr. Smith's father, who is referred to under Great Oakley Hall Decoy. It had eight pipes. Dr. J. W. Campbell points out that on the map in A History of the Birds of Essex this decoy is placed too far to the west and too far inland. <10> Old Decoy Pond. <11> Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import.