In 2013, the Essex Wildlife Trust (EWT) opened a new reserve. Perched on the very edge of Essex in Mucking, overlooking the Thames estuary, it is called Thameside Nature Discovery Park. It covers 120 acres of grass and shrubland and hosts wild creatures in abundance.
Rubbish dump
Its unusual feature is that the park sits on a bed of domestic waste. The area has expansive gravel deposits which historically were extracted and transported to London for building purposes. The London boroughs then returned their rubbish on the empty barges.
Remodelling this former tip into a nature park – done by EWT and waste management company Cory Environmental – was demanding.
Initially the layers of rubbish, in places dozens of metres thick, were compacted. On top was placed a thick clay layer, capped with a blanket of soil where the local flora and fauna could take up residence.
Over the 13 years since, the transformation from rubbish dump frequented only by gulls, to a natural haven for dozens of species, is proving itself a remarkable rewilding success.
Metamorphosis
The transformation has literally been a wild success, as the EWT acknowledges: “In the past 13 years, we have seen Thameside Nature Discovery Park transform into a haven for wildlife. The range of habitats offer wildlife a place to rest, breed and feed. From the wildflower meadows and grasslands bursting with flowers and insects, to the intertidal mudflats for insect-seeking waders and other coastal species, it’s hard to imagine this reserve as the landfill it once was.
“It’s been a joy to see people who live locally, or those visiting from afar, coming to the site and connecting with nature.”
Species now found
Birds: Breeding bird species numbered 61 last year, including Cetti’s warbler, corn bunting, buzzard, barn owl, green woodpecker, nightingale, skylark, swift and sand martin. Migratory species like avocet, black-tailed godwit, wheatear and sandpipers also visit.
Wildflowers: The thriving wildflower meadows support pollinators and nesting skylarks. Wildflowers include yellow rattle, ox-eye daisy, green-winged orchids and bee orchids.
Insects: An abundance – 27 species in 2025 – of butterflies can be spotted, including marbled white, green hairstreak, brown argus and small heath. Purple hairstreak were recorded for the first time last year.
Even more moth species – 57 – have been seen; notably dusky sallow, bird cherry ermine, fiery clearwing and orange swift moth.
Reptiles: Thameside is managed to support reptiles, with slow worms, common lizard, adder and grass snake all reported.
See Thameside’s 2025 ecological survey report for more.
Happy 100th birthday to David Attenborough!
On 8 May we mark the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough. He is one of the UK’s, and the world’s, most lasting and profound influences on how we view the planet and its wildlife.
But, you might ask, what has the Discovery Park at Mucking got to do with him – apart from the fact that he has always championed the efforts of people everywhere to preserve wildlife-rich landscapes.
Well, in 2013 the place had the great honour of Sir David speaking at the official opening ceremony. He described the transformation miracle and nature revival.
“This place has been created by the same power that human beings have in their hands, not to destroy, but to bring to life. This site is a miracle – for us all! It has been brought about by YOU!” he declared with emotion. “It could be a turning point.”
Legacy
Sir David’s influence over his lifetime is immeasurable. He has brought the natural world into our living rooms through award-winning programmes since Zoo Quest in the 1950s.
Undoubtedly, his infectious passion for nature has inspired generations to love, understand and protect the planet. His latest, the charming Secret Garden, reveals what animals are doing just outside our back doors.
His speech at Mucking was characteristic: engaging and inspiring people, convincing them they have agency to improve things.
So can we do better?
New hope
Professor Jules Pretty, Chair of Essex Climate Action Commission and President of the EWT, describes how nature is still under threat across the globe and in many places it’s continuing to get worse.
“This we can see and understand,” he says. “At the same time, people in every kind of place are bending back the arc to abundance. Out of the dark times comes regeneration. Wilder gardens, new nature reserves, forms of sustainable farming, whole connected landscapes. Species under threat are now back in our lands and seas: beaver, whale, butterfly and bee, swift and stork. What this means: there’s hope it can be better, once again.”
Visiting Thameside
The Nature Discovery Park is open seven days a week. Visiting is free, but donations are appreciated for conservation efforts.
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