Where to go in Kent this month?

[Deb London]

Thanks Igswaff, will look that one up too.

[Littlesparrow]

I'm going to Sandwich in Kent this August, any nice birdwatching, dog walking areas near there?

[KentYeti]

Not been there yet, but am told this is quite good for birds at Sandwich.

http://www.sbbot.co.uk/docs/Reserves1.pdf

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by snake

Hi Deb,

If you decide to visit Sheppey get in touch. You can walk around my patch for a week and not see a soul.
Just the skylarks singing, marshland and wide open spaces,
Plenty of activity in the ditches with frogs and insects, Marsh Harriers about all day long and the Barn Owl out hunting on good evenings.
We also have a small family run hotel in the village where I can arrange preferential rates if required.

Phil

Having been out with Phil a couple of times I can confirm that his patch is stunning!

Another option is Northward Hill. It's a mixture of woodland, heath and marsh, it has a large heronry with good numbers of little egrets nesting as well as the grey herons. Loads of rooks too. There were at least three pairs of cuckoo there at the beginning of the month and most warblers are there so I'd be amazed if lesser whitethroat was not amongst them. It's another good site for insects, too. Dragons and damsels, crickets (including Rosel's) and butterflies. It's still the only place I've seen a green hairstreak.

The woods are good for bluebells but with everything being quite early this year they may be past their best by now.

And when you've finished with Northward Hill you've got Cliffe Pools just a short drive away.

Dave P.

[Deb London]

Thanks Dave. We are here today and the weather is stunning. Only thing is there is a poor signal so will have to have to go bird watching instead. It's a hard life. :-D

[Deb London]

Kent really does not disappoint.

Nothward Hills was lovely and also a great place for people that need to be close to a car park and toilet facilities. We saw lots of Little Egrets and my first Cuckoo, Marsh Harrier and Cinnabar Moth for years. There were lots of warblers (but I didn't hear a Lesser Whitethroat). There is a lovely place to sit and watch the drama played out on the marshes.

Stodmarsh was brilliant. We parked at the reserve CP. There were Turtle Doves everywhere and I finally managed to spot one. Also plenty of Nightingales, Cetti's and a very good view of a male Marsh Harrier. It was cold and blowy when we went but we still managed to see a Variable Damselfly.

Blean Woods was very characterful. Typical woodland in that it appeared to be quiet. Life is always hidden in woods like these I find. I must get Xeno Canto working on my mobile so I can use my ears to see.

But everywhere in Kent seems to be teeming with wildlife. We went on a river cruise and the Stour at Canterbury was just so full of eels - it was brilliant to see eels after so many years. We stopped to get out bearing on a roadside somewhere and there was a Nightingale singing. Just like that! We had a walk on the seafront at Sheerness and there were Linnets everywhere. And Kent must have the biggest House Sparrow population anywhere, ever.

Poor shots but fond memories. Thanks all for your suggestions.

[trixiedogclaire]

If driving around you could visit The Thames and Medway Canal from Gravesend to Higham. The frogs are in fine song at the moment and the canal at Higham has alot of wildlife. A working party of enthusiastic volunteers meet on Tuesday mornings along the canal and can give lots of information. For more info visit Home.

[KentYeti]

Originally Posted by Deb London

Kent really does not disappoint.

Nothward Hills was lovely and also a great place for people that need to be close to a car park and toilet facilities. We saw lots of Little Egrets and my first Cuckoo, Marsh Harrier and Cinnabar Moth for years. There were lots of warblers (but I didn't hear a Lesser Whitethroat). There is a lovely place to sit and watch the drama played out on the marshes.

Stodmarsh was brilliant. We parked at the reserve CP. There were Turtle Doves everywhere and I finally managed to spot one. Also plenty of Nightingales, Cetti's and a very good view of a male Marsh Harrier. It was cold and blowy when we went but we still managed to see a Variable Damselfly.

Blean Woods was very characterful. Typical woodland in that it appeared to be quiet. Life is always hidden in woods like these I find. I must get Xeno Canto working on my mobile so I can use my ears to see.

But everywhere in Kent seems to be teeming with wildlife. We went on a river cruise and the Stour at Canterbury was just so full of eels - it was brilliant to see eels after so many years. We stopped to get out bearing on a roadside somewhere and there was a Nightingale singing. Just like that! We had a walk on the seafront at Sheerness and there were Linnets everywhere. And Kent must have the biggest House Sparrow population anywhere, ever.

Poor shots but fond memories. Thanks all for your suggestions.

So pleased you enjoyed it Deb. Come again soon.

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by trixiedogclaire

If driving around you could visit The Thames and Medway Canal from Gravesend to Higham. The frogs are in fine song at the moment and the canal at Higham has alot of wildlife. A working party of enthusiastic volunteers meet on Tuesday mornings along the canal and can give lots of information. For more info visit Home.

Thank you trixiedogclaire.

Originally Posted by KentYeti

So pleased you enjoyed it Deb. Come again soon.

Will do KY.