Introduction
Sewardstone Marsh is approximately 14.5 hectares (36.5 acres) in size. It comprises two areas known as Knights Pits and Patty Pool Meads. These combine and provide a good opportunity for the local community to experience a marshland, two small lakes with fishing available and a seasonally wet area, including its plants and animals and the landscape associated with the valley marshes. Along the pathways can be found a number of benches and picnic tables to encourage visitors to relax and enjoy their surroundings.
Background
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority has owned Sewardstone Marshes since the mid 1980’s when it was surrounded by open fields, nurseries and the Royal Ordnance Factory to the north and the Royal Small Arms Factory to the west.
The Marshes were originally grazing meadows but with the discovery of gravel in the use of road building, the area was excavated between approx 1940-1945. The land was then sold to the North Metropolitan Power Station, who used the area as a dumping ground for their pulverised fly ash and rubble, produced from the nearby Brimsdown power station.
The disturbed ground and poor soils encouraged Early Marsh Orchids to grow and the site was designated a Site of Specific Special Interest (SSSI), unfortunately these have since disappeared due to the woodland spreading out and shading these delicate plants.
Knights Pits
This area consists of two pits formed as a result of gravel extraction, a large wooded area and some grassland and scrub. The pits are a superb haven for dragonflies and common water birds including the Coot, Moorhen and Mallard. The surrounding water edges and wet woodland supports up to ninety species of birds recorded annually on the site. The larger of the two pits is an important Mirror Carp fishery with specimens up to 30 pounds, other fish include Pike and Bream.
Patty Pool Mead
This large field, just to the south of the site is particularly important for birds. It is a grazed meadow and regularly floods in winter and early spring to provide ideal conditions for wintering Snipe. Work is currently taking place to vastly improve the wetland and therefore attract many more birds.
Special Features
This varied area includes a woodland copse, an extensive area of couch dominated grasslands with invasion of Elder and Willow scrub. This, along with the rough grasslands attracts breeding birds species such as Whitethroat, Yellow Hammer and the occasional Reed Bunting. Cuckoos are regular spring visitors. Occasional visitors to the Marsh include Firecrest, Goosander, Stonechats, Little Owl, Water Rail, Gadwall, Tree Creepers, Fieldfare and Redwing. On the site as a whole, most of the typical Lee Valley butterfly species have been recorded. The Musk Beetle is also a rare find which depends on young Willow woodland for its breeding and development.
Site Information
New interpretation boards are currently being developed for the site and existing signage will be updated.
News
Sewardstone Marsh has just had the last tar and chip path laid along the west side to enable an easier circular route around the marshes and onto Epping Forest. Along the paths you will find two new benches and two areas for picnic benches which have been installed to attract visitors.