Saturday, 04 February 2012

Stodmarsh NNR

Javascript is required to view this map.

Facts
Size (Hectares): 
241
Environment Type: 

Alluvial marshland

Site Managed By: 
English Nature
Contact Information: 
English Nature,The Countryside Management Centre,Coldharbour Farm,Wye, Ashford,KentTN25 5DBTel: 01233 812525Email: kent@english-nature.org.uk
Official Website: 
Website
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Canterbury
County: 
Kent
Grid Reference: 
TR 221609
Javascript is required to view this map.
Information
Place Description: 

This is a very scenic and picturesque nature reserve situated between the village of Stodmarsh and Grove Ferry. Its northern border is the River Great Stour. There is a car park with toilets at the Stodmarsh village side of the reserve but some parking is also available at Grove Ferry. There are five hides, all but one of which (Lake Tower Hide) are wheelchair accessible. Also at the Stodmarsh village side of the reserve there is an 1100 metre nature trail which passes through woodland (mainly alder and willow) and includes a section of boardwalk through the reedbed. There is a shorter (600 metre) route around the nature trail too and all of it is accessible to wheelchairs. Dogs are prohibited on the nature trail (except for guide dogs) but are allowed on the rest of the site provided they are kept on a lead. The paths are well maintained and sign-posted but can be very muddy in wet weather. A full circular walk around the reserve incorporating all five hides is approximately 6 kilometres.

Wildlife Description: 

Lots of wildfowl: mute swans, greylag and canada geese, mallard, teal, pochard, tufted duck, gadwall, shoveller and shelduck are all regulars. Coots, moorhens and great crested grebes are all common. Grey heron and little egret stalk the lagoons and cormorants are often in evidence too. Stodmarsh is famous for its marsh harriers and also for hobbies who pass through on migration. In May and early June you can often see hobbies in flocks of twenty or more birds. This is a good site for warblers too and, in addition to reed and sedge being regular breeders, Stodmarsh has the first UK breeding record for Cetti's warbler. Wrens, robins, blue tits, great tits and long-tailed tits are all common in the wooded areas of the reserve. There are kingfishers on the River Great Stour and on the lakes. Foxes, rabbits, hares and water voles are all resident.

Directions: 

The main reserve car park is reached by taking the A257 Littlebourne Road out of Canterbury then turning left onto Stodmarsh road until you reach Stodmarsh village. Here you should turn left at the Red Lion and follow the narrow track to the car park. (If you are using a sat nav system and want a post code to enter then the Red Lion's postcode is CT3 4BA). This route passes through some woodland which is thickly carpeted with wood anemones in spring. Alternatively, Grove Ferry can be reached by following the A28 from Canterbury towards Margate and turning right onto Grove Ferry Hill at the village of Upstreet. The nearest railways station is 5 kilometres away at Sturry and from there you can catch a bus to Upstreet which is a village on the opposite side of the river from Grove Ferry. Upstreet is on the bus route from Canterbury to Margate.

Best Time to Visit: 

There's always plenty to see: Winter for large flocks of wildfowl. Spring for breeding widlfowl, waders and marsh harriers as well as migrants returning to the UK. Summer for insects - dragonflies and damselflies, butterflies and moths. Autumn for migrants heading back to their winter destinations.