Oare Gunpowder Works

Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park is a magical place!  Its mix of old buildings and beautiful woodlands create quite an atmosphere to a walk.  The site is the second best condition Gunpowder Factory in the country, the best being the Royal Gunpowder Works at Waltham Abbey, and is a SSSI and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

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The works at Oare were closed in 1934, and for 70 years the gates have been shut; allowing nature to move in and take its course.  Since 2004, sensitive intervention was introduced to ensure conservation of the site as a wildlife habitat and its many old buildings, packed full of history!

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I am fortunate to spend some of my work-time there, and today I was joined by a class of Year 6 children!

There is plenty of wildlife to discover through the varied woodlands and maize of leats and water-ways.  This morning the following species were the highlights: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Firecrests, Goldcrests, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, a pair of Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher, and plenty of the more numerous Wrens, thrushes, Robins, finches and tits.

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
Grey Wagtail
(Motacilla cinerea)

A few dragonflies were also seen including Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker, and Common Darter.

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Exploring The Wild

We love to help share and create wildlife watching memories - raising awareness about how amazing nature is and how you can help conserve it. Exploring the wild places of the South-east and beyond!

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(2) Comments

  1. Mike Hook

    Hi Simon, also glad to see you back. Have added you to my favourites and who knows I may bump into you from time to time round your patch!

    1. Simon

      Thanks Mike!!!

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