Once destined to be used for development, Marks Hills Wood nature reserve has now been under the care of the Basildon Natural History Society for over 45 years. Rod Cole describes the history of reserve, its woodlands and meadows, and the spectacular array of wildlife found there, including some surprising rarities.
The Langdon Ridge, in Essex, is not short of beautiful and meaningful locations, and doubtless its admirers will have their own favourites, for all manner of reasons. A particularly significant location, however, is Marks Hill Wood Nature Reserve, for this is where the sustained efforts of the Basildon Natural History Society have been applied for over 45 years, in turn generating the most remarkable results in terms of wildlife richness.