Capel Fleet Raptor View Point Road Works

[KentYeti]

I spoke to Kent CC Highways Department today and they confirmed what I had heard, i.e the whole of the Harty Ferry Road is to be resurfaced starting on Monday 23rd January.

They actually call it a "re-tread". It is planned to last for up to 3 weeks and entails 18,500 sq metres of road surface! Work that anyone who uses that road knows is very much needed.

They told me the road will just be "signed", which seems to be their code for still open, but dealt with by various signs. (And maybe lights?).

This is the road that goes to/past the Capel Fleet Raptor viewing point. And is a single track road so access to that view point is going to be very disturbed at times until approaching mid February.

As that location has been very popular recently, with a number of WAB'ers going there, I thought this might be of help.

The main road through to Leysdown and onto Shellness in not affected. And Shellness can give superb views of a greater range of birds. Although not quite so many raptors. But the public footpaths from Shellness and nearby onto the Marsh do take you back into raptor country quite quickly.

Whilst mentioning the area. Please do not park on the private track that leads to Muswell Manor unless you are a guest of that establishment. I am told there were some problems there a few days ago when birders parked there to walk down the nearby public footpath to view the Lapland Buntings. Not really the birders fault as the private nature of the track is not clearly signed. (So I am told).

End of Yeti News Bulletin!

Cheers,

Bryan

[Deb London]

Yes this is very useful Bryan. And thanks for the alternative suggestions. I love that area for birdwatching and a walk round there is always desirable if the time and opportunity allow. I probably will avoid the HF area for a while. Thanks.

[htcdude]

3 weeks!?!?!?!! To resurface that length of road round here would take 3 years!

Hopefully it won't disturb the wildlife too much, although there's a lot farm machinery and the new reserve being built nearby anyway so maybe they'll be used to it.

Nige

[Wild-Woman]

That road certainly needs some maintenance, the ruts are axle busters! When we were there, we managed to get a place in the carpark.
As for Shellness, there's plenty of parking along the sea wall and if you're birding, essential to see the tidal waders before walking inland past Muswell to see the LB's. There's really no point in parking anywhere along the track upsetting the residents.

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

LB's.

??

Nige

[pressld2]

Lapland Buntings!

Thanks for the update Bryan. I've been thinking of heading to Leysdown tomorrow morning for the waders and Capel Fleet in the afternoon for the SEOs and other raptors, but I'm currently being put off by the weather forecast. I'll check it again later tonight before making a final decision, although it sounds like it might be a good idea to get in before the resurfacing work. Plus the tide times are in my favour with high tide at 10:45 tomorrow morning.

Dave P.

[Adam Cheeseman]

We'll let you know how it is tomorrow. Cordaline and I are going down. Well timed so it seems.

Cheers,

Adam

[pressld2]

Might see you there! The forecast is not looking too horrible. Windy and cloudy but no rain.

Dave P.

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by htcdude

??

Nige

Sorry Nige- Lapland Buntings. Or could be lovely birds

[KentYeti]

My extensive observations of the SEOs there indicates that the chances of them turning up at Capel Fleet diminishes in relation to the increase in wind speed! And it is going forecast to be a bit windy tomorrow.

And even when they do hunt, they haven't been starting until well gone 3pm this week.

So, after that prediction they will turn up in large numbers from midday onwards! LOL!

Cheers,

Bryan