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Bird Watching & Rambling

Park Hall is a paradise for ramblers and birdwatchers where a wide variety of garden, farm, marsh, and sea birds can be seen. Being located near to the coast but also being in the middle of the countryside has great advantages when bird watching.

In the beautiful gardens of Park Hall can be seen many species including Greenfinch, Dunnock, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Green Woodpecker, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Turtle Dove as well as the old time favourites such as Robin, Wagtail, Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Wren, Blackbird, Thrushes and the lovely Mistle Thrush. Peacocks can also be seen wandering through, sometimes with their young in tow. The Cuckoo can be heard and seen every spring and under the eaves of Park Hall are the nesting sites of the many House Martins that return here every year along with the Swallows that take up residence in the farm outbuildings.

Out walking the dedicated paths around the fields you might spot Fieldfare, Skylark, Lapwing, Redwing and Corn Buntings to name but a few and of course the many rooks, starlings and seagulls that follow behind the tractors.

By the two lakes can be spotted the Grey Heron, the occasional visiting Swan, Ducks, Grebe, Plovers, Coot, Moorhen, Woodcock and many more.

There are many other fabulous places to bird watch and ramble especially along the coastline. Here are just a few near to Park Hall:

Colne Point Nature Reserve - Located on the outskirts of St. Osyth, best known for its summer population of the protected Little Tern. Large flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plovers can be spotted in the winter months. Short Eared Owls frequent the area along with Hen Harriers hunting. Peregrines and Merlins also frequent this area.

Hamford Water at Walton on the Naze - Over 2000 hectares of tidal inlets, islands and saltings of the Tendring coastline. Part of this is a National Nature Reserve and the area also supports a small population of grey and common seals.

Howlands Marsh - An area of coastal grazing marsh to the west of St. Osyth Priory with reed and sedge filled dykes and fleets and bordered by the fringe of saltmarsh outside the seawall. The two observation hides offer views of the waders and wildfowl on the reserve.

Holland Haven Country Park – Managed on the coast between Clacton and Frinton to conserve the landscape, coastal grazing marsh and wildlife.