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Thornwood Common is a 3.4-hectare (8.4 acres) Local Nature Reserve
Statutory designation allowing principal local authorities to protect areas containing wildlife or geological features of particular local interest. in Thornwood, Essex. Owned and managed by Epping Forest District Council, it is primarily a flood alleviation site for the River Roding, but is also managed for wildlife.[1][2][3]
The scrapes and ponds created on the site provide a wetland habitat for Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) and Kingfishers (Alcedo atthis), and the ditches have become home to Weasels (Mustela nivalis). There is also an area of wildflower meadow rich in species including Ragged-robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) and Ladies Smock (Cardamine pratensis).[3]