Overview

The North Kent Marshes stretch 35 miles from Gravesend to Whitstable. The area boasts high numbers of breeding waders and internationally important numbers of wintering waterfowl. Cliffe Pools comprises more than 237 ha of land with a range of habitats: brackish pools, grassland, scrub, saltmarsh and, most importantly, saline lagoons, which are favoured by breeding Avocets. The area was threatened by an airport proposal in 2001-03 – the ‘No Airport at Cliffe’ campaign, supported by Birdwatch, was one of the RSPB’s largest and most successful. Viewpoints and benches have recently improved the visitor experience and major visitor and education facilities will be developed in future years.

Birds

Little Egret, Garganey, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Avocet, Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, Green, Common, Wood and Curlew Sandpipers, Black Tern, Turtle Dove, Nightingale, chats, warblers. Past rarities include White-rumped, Pectoral, Stilt, Broad-billed and Terek Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs and Woodchat Shrike.

Bird news

Visit the Kent Ornithological Society website at www.kentos.org.uk .

Maps

OS maps: Landranger 178 and Explorer 163 (www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk ).

Contacts

RSPB North Kent Marshes, Bromhey Farm, Cooling, Kent ME3 8DS (tel: 01634 222480; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Accommodation

• Orchard Cottage B&B at Cliffe Woods (tel: 01634 222780).
• The Horseshoe and Castle at Cooling (tel: 01634 221691).

Food and drink

• Six Bells in Cliffe (tel: 01634 220609). Red Dog in High Halstow (tel: 01634 250336).
• The Horseshoe and Castle at Cooling (tel: 01634 221691).

First published in Birdwatch 169: 13-14 (July 2006). To order a copy featuring a full itinerary please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .