Habitats (Biotopes)
Middlewick consists of mainly Acidic Grassland, This type of habitat has been reduced, nationwide to about 25% of that we once had. It occurs on sand and ballast soils that are well drained. The Alluvial Gravels in the area were laid down by unique recent geology when the river Thames flowed past Colchester and the estuary was at Clacton on Sea, also by torrents of melt water from the last ice age Glacier the Southern most point of which was at Tiptree in Essex.
Heathland. Small patches occur within the boundaries of Middlewick, due to the same alluvial gravels.This type of habitat is also in serious decline.
Deciduous Wet Woodland. Probably the same melt water carved out the valley in which Birch Grove sits. The gravel in the fields either side drain into the valley and keep it constantly wet, countless years of fallen trees and leaves have decayed and contributed to a layer of rich soil on the floor.This woodland would not be developed but would be seriously affected by any development nearby.
