Buntings Nursery

At the bottom of the slope go through the narrow kissing gate (wheelchair/buggy access is difficult) into a wildlife meadow.

Skipper butterfly

This part of the reserve was formerly a seed growing ground (Buntings Nursery) and is now managed for butterflies as part of the LNR. In the summer there are numerous species including skipper butterflies and hummingbird hawkmoths.

Teasle (Dipsacus Fullonum)

Wildflowers in the meadow include Ox-Eye daisy, pink mallow, yellow Lady's Bedstraw (so called because it used to be strewn on the floor to improve the smell of a room), Purple Hardheads and Teasles (once used to comb wool and part of an important Colchester industry) and Wormwood, used for medicinal purposes in Roman times.