Places to see birds

Blean Woods National Nature Reserve

This 509 hectare (1257 acres) reserve forms part of the very extensive woodland around Canterbury, known as The Blean. It is a mixture of mature oakwood and coppice, broken up by wide rides, glades and two areas of heath.

The best time to visit is in the spring, when you can expect to hear some of the 35-40 pairs of nightingales that breed here. The heathland and young coppice support up to six pairs of nightjars and two pairs of tree pipits. Hobby and buzzard now nest on or around the reserve. Other birds include willow warbler, chiffchaff, garden warbler, blackcap, whitethroat, three species of woodpecker, treecreeper, nuthatch, marsh tit and turtle dove, as well as all the commoner species. At other times of the year the wood may seem very quiet, but there is a chance of coming across a mixed flock of tits, perhaps accompanied by treecreepers and goldcrests. Winter is the quietest period, but with occasional visits by fieldfares and redwings, and usually an influx of blackbirds and goldcrests. The wood is also famous for its population of the very rare heath fritillary butterfly, which is on the wing from early June to mid-July. About 29 other species of butterflies occur here, including white admiral and silver-washed fritillary. Dormice and badgers are present, but seldom seen.

There are five waymarked trails (1-8 miles), and an information board in the car park. Access is from Rough Common, a village 1½ miles NW of Canterbury OS grid reference TR122594. Nearest railway stations are Canterbury West (1½ miles) and Canterbury East (2 miles). Hourly buses stop at the access track in Rough Common, whilst more frequent buses stop at the turnoff to Rough Common.