Wilden Marsh

In the 1970s there was dredging of the River Stour, and a weir downstream was removed; this resulted in the marsh drying out, with an effect on plant life. Rock ramps have been put in the river to reverse this, and there has been work on sluices and drainage ditches. The situation continues to be monitored.

The area spans 38 ha. The marsh is alluvial soil over clay. It links to Spennells Valley nature reserve along Hoo Brook to the north-east, which also has marshland, and to the upper Hoo Brook pools beyond; areas linked in this way by corridors are beneficial for biodiversity. Cattle are sometimes put in the marshy fields in order to keep down coarser plants. The reserve also has reed beds, dry fields, and small woods of alder and willow. Plants include marsh cinquefoil, marsh arrow-grass and marsh pennywort. Many species of bird have been recorded, including warblers, kingfishers and woodpeckers. Snipe and water rail have occasionally been seen.