News archive

Sunday, 28 September 2008

New RSPB reserve at Seasalter levels

The RSPB's latest reserve at Seasalter Levels is now a reality. As early as the fourteenth century, a seawall had been dug to commence the task of reclaiming land from the sea at Seasalter, a task not completed until the 18th century. Much of the land is now farmed, and it is only the existing Local Nature Reserve (about 100 hectares), to the south-east of the railway line, that has been leased from Canterbury City Council. Between the railway line and The Sportsman pub much of the land is in multiple ownership, sold off more than thirty years ago as leisure plots, and now known as the Whitstable Estate or, more simply, The Plotlands. The RSPB hopes to acquire all this land in future, thus doubling the size of the reserve. With the benefit of a more copious water supply than other North Kent reserves, it should be possible to restore it to its former coastal grazing marsh glory relatively quickly, with breeding redshank and lapwing, plus wintering curlew, teal and wigeon. The wildlife interest at present is restricted, but the fields contain narrow-leaved water-dropwort and tubular water-dropwort, both indicators of a long tradition of hay meadow management without resort to chemicals. Unfortunately, a dearth of birdlife in the ditches points to a serious mink problem, which will have to be addressed. There is currently no access onto the reserve, which can be viewed from the seawall. The new reserve is a partnership between RSPB, Canterbury City Council, Swale Borough Council and Natural England.