Trip reports

Cliffe

Sunday, 28 January 2007

Another mild day greeted us as we arrived at this reasonably new RSPB reserve on the North Kent marshes, just a few miles from the more established Northward Hill reserve. Both of these important sites are to the north of of the busy and highly populated Medway towns. Before the RSPB purchased this area of marshy land, it had been a very popular place for birdwatchers but, unfortunately, also for some other, rather unsavoury visitors. The reserve is now tidied up and made more user-friendly for those interested in natural history.

Starting from the south-western entrance, we made our way along the track, heading in an easterly direction towards an old chalk quarry that now houses a small industrial estate. The path diverts to the north, bypassing the estate entrance, and leads through a scrubby area, where small birds flit to and fro, using the small trees and bushes as cover. A few redwings took flight as we continued along the track, until we reached a high chalk bluff that has a fenced pathway leading about halfway up to a viewing area, affording a more panoramic scene. From here you can observe most of the reserve, which is mainly made up of about half a dozen large pools. The Thames borders the western edge, with grazing marsh to the north and east and the small town of Cliffe and the chalk quarry on the southern fringe. Descending once again and following the track, we came to another viewing area beside one of the pools. Little grebes bobbed about in good numbers, along with a few great crested grebes, and we were fortunate to see a black-necked grebe fishing in one of the busier pools. Duck species were varied, but the most spectacular of these was the goldeneye. We counted at least three males with their superb plumage shining in the winter sunlight. A good number of females were also busy feeding alongside the males in the slightly choppy water. Making our way further round, we stopped and had our lunch tucked away out of the cool breeze that slowly moved the thin layers of grey cloud across the pale blue sky.

Away from the shelter of the trees and hillside, the temperature was decidedly lower as we followed the main track that cuts across the flat marshland. There seemed to be very few small birds out on the marsh, apart from a flock of fieldfares gathered in a willow tree, and later a solitary goldfinch. A pair of stonechats put in an appearance after we came down from one of the viewing mounds that have been created. On reaching the seawall we scanned across the mighty River Thames, which didn't look so mighty as the tide was out and the expanse of muddy banks on either side was exposed. Hundreds of gulls dotted the boggy shoreline on the Essex side of the river, and a very large flock of knot flew low over the murky grey water. Two groups of gadwall ducks sat close to our side of the river, before flying off to the south. Following along the seawall for a while we then cut inland using a cinder pathway that led back to where the cars were parked. Luckily for us, a flock of long-tailed tits appeared before we reached the cars; these seemingly fearless little birds came within a few feet of us as they desperately searched for food in the slender branches of the willows. With one last look at the goldeneye, it was time to leave for home after a very pleasant day.