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being cleared and dense hawthorn scrub has
already colonised the earthworks, bearing a
generous harvest of berries for many birds and
offering good cover to high populations of rabbit
and fox. The tram lines have been removed but
their route around the area is a major character
of it, forming wide grassy avenues through the
scrub and holding the promise of summer sun-
traps and many a visiting butterfly.
Beyond the scrub are other, more watery,
habitats - a stretch of open water called Pitseahall
Fleet, muddy creeks and saltings.
The saltings on the south-west, west and north-west
sides of the park are somewhat bleak and wind-
swept - an unfortunate factor which causes
unwelcome invasions of litter from the rubbish
tip beyond. Within a year, however, the tip
will be finished and reclaimed for the park -
approximately doubling its size - then the clean-up
operation can begin and the disturbing squeak
of polystyrene and crack of plastic bottle
underfoot will be removed.
On the opposite side of the park is a more
pleasant aspect: the Fleet. It is overlooked
by a small bird-watching hide (open in the summer)
and kingfishers, for example, have been spotted.
Walking on from the Fleet, the pathway leads to
another area of saltings and mudflats, covered
by the tide for only about two to three hours
each day and bearing a jumble of evidence of
passing waders and mammals - large and small.
There is a pleasant sound like that of a waterfall
or fast-flowing stream nearby, but the origin
of the sound will be found by looking up - to
those huge pylons striding above. Looking up
also brings to view the horizon, bedecked with
the Shellhaven, Coryton and Corringham refinery
and Cleanaway's waste disposal site.