| Lion Creek and Lower Raypits | |
| Type: | Nature reserve |
| Grid Ref Uk: | TQ 923 948 |
| Location: | Canewdon, Essex |
| Area: | 65.2 hectares |
| Manager: | Essex Wildlife Trust |
Lion Creek and Lower Raypits is a 65.2hectare nature reserve east of Canewdon in Essex. It is part of the Crouch and Roach Estuaries Site of Special Scientific Interest,[1] [2] and is owned and managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust.[3]
The former creek has been cut off from the Crouch Estuary by a seawall, and it has salt marsh plants such as golden samphire and sea-spurrey. There is a bird hide from which many species of sea birds can be seen. Lower Raypits can be accessed from Lion Creek by the seawall path. It has a variety of pasture, salt marsh and intertidal habitats, with nationally scarce plants such as beaked tasselweed, sea barley, grass vetchling and curved hard-grass. Invertebrates include Roesel's bush-cricket.[3]
There is access from the road between Canewdon and Wallasea Island.[3]