In 1980 the Essex Naturalists' Trust purchased Copperas Wood and Stour Wood was bought by
the Woodland Trust, who subsequently leased it to the RSPB to manage in conjunction with the
interconnecting scrubland, tidal flats and woodland which the RSPB themselves acquired. Coppicing
has now recommenced to restore some of the sheltered glades and rides so beloved by
butterflies.
At the turn of the century the woods were a favourite haunt for one of Essex's most notable
lepidopterists, Chief Paymaster G. F. Mathew. More famous for his work on the salt-marshes where
he discovered the wainscot which bears his name, Mathew included many records for the "local
woods which were visited" in his publications.
Of the 31 butterfly species mentioned by Mathew, a few have disappeared, most notably five
species of the fritillaries, but 25 species have been recorded within the last ten years. These include the
graceful white admiral (Ladoga camilla) for which Stour Wood remains a stronghold. Flying at the
same time, and also high up in the canopy, the purple hairstreak (Quercusia quercus) is common.
Despite Dutch elm disease, its relative, the white-letter hairstreak (Strymonidia w-album) was to be
found up to 1982. The only species which has substantially increased in numbers is the comma
(Polygonia c-album) which was a rarity in Mathew's day.
Some 320 species of larger moth have been recorded, including one or two for which the site is
nationally significant Many disappearing species seem to have suffered less in Stour and Copperas
Woods than elsewhere and the marbled brown (Drymonia dodonaea), poplar lutestring
(Tethea or), slender brindle (Apamea scolopacina), old lady (Mormo maura), twin-spot carpet
(Perizoma didymata) and scallop shell (Rheumaptera undulata) are still readily obtained. An
unusual feature is that the woodland habitat merges with the estuary and coastal species such as
Mathew's wainscot (Mythimna favicolor) can be caught in the same vicinity as the woodland species.
BENFLEET DOWNS
by R G. Payne
From about 200 feet above sea-level, the south-facing slopes of Benfleet and Hadleigh Downs fall
away to the flat, moist pastures of Hadleigh Marsh. The marsh is crossed by numerous drainage
ditches and is bounded by the sea-wall, beyond which lie the saltings fringing Benfleet Creek.
The vegetation is very varied. On the upper slopes there is woodland with coppiced hornbeam, oak,
ash and hazel. The slopes are mainly covered by neglected, herb-rich grassland mixed with hawthorn
scrub. In many places the scrub has grown to form secondary woodland. The sheltered grassy slopes
harbour a number of rare plant species. There are also some marshy areas and ponds formed by
streams which run off the slopes and on Hadleigh Marsh itself the drainage ditches form valuable fresh
water and brackish water habitats.
Both the downs and the marshes have been given SSSI status although its boundaries are currently
under review. The area has long been a proposed country park, but the eventual area of the park may
be considerably smaller than was originally envisaged. A management plan for the land owned by
Essex County Council has been produced.
Hadleigh Downs and Marsh have suffered many changes in the last 20 years. Large stretches of
marsh have been drained and ploughed, ponds have been filled in and coppices bulldozed. The old
sea-wall and borrow-dykes have been destroyed and replaced by a higher wall constructed of
compacted refuse. Despite this, there are large unspoilt areas to interest the naturalist
The varied habitats support a considerable variety of Lepidoptera. Common blues (Polyommatus
icarus), Essex skippers (Thymelicus lineola) and burnet moths (Zygaena spp.) abound on the dry,
herb-rich slopes. The now scarce grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae) may occasionally be seen and
marbled whites (Melanargia galathea) sometimes wander from their stronghold further east. Along
the scrubby rides, the ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) and white-letter hairstreak (Strymonidia w-
album) can still be seen. Other notable species include the brown-tail (Euproctis chrysorrhoea),
emperor moth (Saturnia pavonia), oak eggar (Lasiocampa quercus), pale eggar (Trichiura
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