Status: LNR LNR declared: July 2004 Owned by: Harlow District Council Area: 13.3 Hectares (LNR) Local Plan Ref. No: 21/2 OS Grid Ref: TL 454 118 BAP species: Water vole, Bittern BAP habitats: Reed beds, Urban

Raking up cut reeds

Maymeads Marsh (also known as Honeymead Marsh) is the easternmost of the three sites which form the Harlow Marsh Local Nature Reserve. Between 1983 and 1984 the site was changed from an expanse of damp grassland to include a large pond with reedbeds and marshland. The pond is visited by wildfowl and wading birds and has nesting islands in the centre. There is an observation hide so that visitors can watch wildlife across the pond and marsh. Over 100 species of bird have been recorded at this site, including rare species such as little ringed plover, ringed ouzel, greenshank, jack snipe, redstart, and bittern. The remaining grassland is also rich in wild flower species such as the southern marsh orchid and cowslips. The site attracts many insect species, and occasionally grass snakes can be spotted.