From dump to haven for rare species A skylark at the new Thurrock Thameside Nature Park (Warren Allott for the Telegraph) Many vulnerable species of bird have now made their home at the new Thurrock Thameside Nature Park including godwit, reed bunting, Cetti's warbler, skylarks and barn owls. On the nearby mudflats ringed plover and avocet, grey plover and red shank are also found. Harvest mice, brown hares, wasp spiders and great crested newts are among the other rare species that have been spotted by wildlife experts on the site. Orchids have also been discovered to be growing there while adders and water voles have also found a refuge, along with the extremely scarce bumblebee called the shrill carder bee. Thurrock Thameside nature reserve (Warren Allott for the Telegraph) Sir David Attenborough, president emeritus of The Wildlife Trusts, officially opened the new wildlife park on Saturday. He said: A new chapter has begun for this historic landscape beside the Thames - one which will bring joy to people and dramatically improve the fortunes of wildlife in this part of the Thames Estuary. Essex Wildlife Trust's project is visionary and one of many remarkable projects led by The Wildlife Trusts around the UK that bring benefits to the natural world and communities. It is fitting that it has begun a century after they founded nature conservation in the UK.