LOSWA and KWCA join forces

In a ground-breaking agreement for wildfowling clubs on the East Coast, the Leigh-On-Sea Wildfowlers' Association (LOSWA) has merged with the Kent Wildfowling and Conservation Association (KWCA). Their combined membership exceeds 500, which strengthens the position of both clubs, and in particular helps to protect wildfowling in Essex.

The Essex club was formed in 1952 starting as the Leigh and District Gun Club but soon after changed its name to The Leigh on Sea Wildfowlers' Association (LOSWA).

Some of the original members

The original membership was made up largely of inshore fishermen, cocklers and longshoremen from Leigh Old Town, carrying on an old tradition of wildfowling in the Thames Estuary.

Jack Grisley leaves for Canada

Around 1966/1967 a joint approach with the Essex Naturalists' Trust (now Essex Wildlife Trust) was made to Southend Corporation to establish a Nature Reserve on Two Tree Island and the surrounding saltings. LOSWA would assist with the wardening of the reserve and would also control the shooting on the mudflats, locally know as Leigh Green. Although the Reserve is now held by the Natural England it is still managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust and two wardens are provided by LOSWA.

The Leigh mudflats are known locally as Leigh Green. This is due to the covering of eelgrass (zostera marina) which, in the Autumn, gives the mud a green sheen. The eelgrass helps to attract wildfowl to the area.

Views of Leigh Green

Views of Leigh Green

Views of Leigh Green

Views of Leigh Green

A view of Old Leigh

The main quarry species on Leigh Green are Widgeon, Mallard and Teal. Pintail, Shoveller and Pochard are occasional visitors.

Alan Hope with Jack Grisley's Punt

The Thames Estuary is strongly tidal, with an average rise and fall at Southend pier of around 19 feet at Spring tides. Leigh, once a small deep water port, is now so silted up that the tide goes out over about a mile of mudflats and on these mudflats grow the eel-grass which the wildfowl feed on at low water The Green is visited every year by large numbers of Brent Geese. There can be so many that the flocks look like dark clouds crossing the evening sky. They normally arrive in October and the main flocks leave during November but some stay to feed on the local farm lands.

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