Cornmill Stream and Old River Lea

Cornmill Stream and Old River Lea
Site of Special Scientific Interest
The Cornmill meadows
LocationEssex
Grid referenceTL380013
InterestBiological
Area24.6 hectares
Notification1986
Location mapMagic Map

The Cornmill Stream and Old River Lea is a 24.6-hectare (61-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Waltham Abbey, Essex.[1][2]

Location

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The site is bounded by a channel of the Old River Lea to the north and west which formed a boundary with the former Royal Gunpowder Mills. To the east flows the Cornmill Stream and the southern boundary is formed by the B194 road (Abbey View).

Habitat

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The slow-moving Cornmill Stream and Old River Lea form a freshwater habitat with one of the most diverse invertebrate fauna in Essex. Eighteen species of dragonflies and damselflies have been recorded and includes the uncommon and nationally declining white-legged damselfly. The watercourses support a rich and varied aquatic and marginal flora and the site also includes rough grassland which provides feeding and breeding grounds for invertebrates and birds.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Cornmill Stream and Old River Lea citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Map of Cornmill Stream and Old River Lea". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

51°41′36″N 0°00′19″W / 51.6934°N 0.0053°W / 51.6934; -0.0053