Status: LNR LNR declared: 1995 & July 2004 Owned by: Harlow District Council Area: 13.3 Hectares (LNR) Local Plan Ref. No: 21/2 OS Grid Ref: TL 441 111 BAP species: Des moulins whorl snail BAP habitats: Reed beds, Urban

Raking up cut reeds

Parndon Moat Marsh (formerly known as Parndon Mill Marsh) is the westernmost of the three sites which form the Harlow Marsh Local Nature Reserve, separated by the A414. A long triangular site that sits in between the River Stort and the railway line, the site used to be a 12th Century moated manor house and mill. The eastern side was once Burnt Mill Sewage Works. The site contains the existing moat, drainage ditches, sedge beds, and ponds in the main part of the site. The banks by the roadside have attractive meadow flora and a small woodland. The area is good for wetland birds such as the water rail, heron, moorhen, and kingfisher. During summer whitethroat and sedge warbler are found amongst the scrub, and in winter siskin will feed on the alder trees. Many species of insect, spiders, and dragonflies thrive in this unspoilt habitat.