The Tables’ Tern!
Yes, it's that time of year again  ( when the breeding needs of our special shore nesting birds take priority at Shinglehead Point. This is just a gentle reminder to say the fence and notices will shortly be going up again. From the end of April to the end of July access by land or boat will be restricted, to encourage birds such as the rare little terns as well as ringed plovers and oystercatchers to attempt to breed here again.  We would appreciate everybody's continual co-operation in respecting our request to avoid this part of the reserve at this time.

Tide line tidy!
Please join us for a fun clear up of all the winter rubbish along the tide-line from the Marina to Shinglehead Point.  Just bring yourself; family and friends, gloves and a drink. Meet at Woodrolfe Green Car Park 9:30 a.m. Saturday 6th May We'll have it all done and dusted by 1:00 p.m. Contact the Warden for more information.

New Hedge Planting
This winter a new Hawthorn & Blackthorn hedge 34ometre long has been planted out into the field by Marsh House Farm. Another 60 metres of old elm hedge was coppiced to allow it to resprout with the gaps planted up with new elm. Orange-tip butterflies have already been seen exploring the bottom of   nearby hedges managed in earlier years. These are the first Heritage Lottery Fund Projects to be undertaken on the reserve.

Rare beetle found!
A little water beetle, Berosus spinosus, discovered in the reserve’s borrowdyke during an earlier survey by Colehester Natural History Society specialists, is now thought to be the only record for Essex!

Work Party Help
On two Sundays recently Basildon Natural History Society have turned out a keen team of volunteers to give much needed assistance to the Warden in fencing tasks on the reserve. Also, many thanks to the Trust’s 'Flying Squad' for all their recent and forthcoming help this summer They are a committed group of volunteers from all over Essex who specialise in giving practical assistance on many of the Trust reserves. If anyone would like to join us on these work parties contact the Warden.

New Kissing Gate
A generous donation from a former resident of Tollesbury, Mr. Paul Riley will enable the building of a new 'kissing gate' to replace the stile by the Leavings. The gate is of a special design to allow motorised wheelchair access, enabling disabled people to reach Shinglehead Point. The donation, much appreciated, is in memory of his brother Roger. The work will start shortly with the assistance of the Environment Agency.
 

Ditch studies start!
A Masters and a PhD student from London Queen Mary's and Essex Universities have just begun their fieldwork to research the range of chemical and biological diversity within the ditch systems of the reserve. The resident population of Water Voles and the even more elusive Water Shrew are being specifically targeted.
 

Tollesbury Reserve Walk
All are welcome to join the Warden and the reserves' Management Committee for an informative and interesting walk around the seawall. Meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Village Square, Sunday 21st May.