Capel Fleet

Address: RSPB Capel Fleet, Harty Ferry Rd, Leysdown-on-Sea, Sheerness ME12

Grid ref: TR022681

This small vantage point offers a commanding view across sweeping Isle of Sheppey farmland. Grab some binoculars and it can be the perfect place to watch a multitude of different raptors hunting over the fields. Watch out for peregrines in summer, merlins and marsh harriers in the autumn.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

No visitor centre
Car park
Toilets off-site
Accessible toilets off-site
Pushchair friendly
No Refreshments
Viewing point
Shop off-site

Accessibility

How to get here

By road

From the A2 M20, take the A249 north onto the Isle of Sheppey. A2500 eastwards towards Leysdown-on-Sea. This becomes the B2231 Leysdown Road. Turn right onto the Harty Ferry Road, there is a brown RSPB sign at the turn-off. Follow the road until you see the car park entrance on your left.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Contact Capel Fleet

RSPB Capel Fleet, Harty Ferry Rd, Leysdown-on-Sea, Sheerness ME12
01634 222480

What will you see?

Our star species

Short-eared owl

These mottled brown birds can be found in greater numbers around winter when they many come to the UK.

Peregrine

Our fastest raptor can be seen on the prowl for a meal on the wing.

Hobby

Smaller than the peregrine this bird of prey feeds mainly on insects. It is often seen over wetland.

Barn owl

The ghostly shape of the barn own can be seen flying low and smoothly over the land around dusk.

Marsh harrier

Marsh harrier are distinctive in their 'hanging' flight where they seem to pause in the air.

The viewpoint provides a place to sit, relax, watch and wait. Binoculars and/or a telescope are a bonus to pick out the raptors hunting over the fields around you. Marsh harriers are abundant, an opportunity to pick out the males striking tricolor plumage from the female's golden accents.

Kestrel and sparrowhawk are always about, this is a chance to really pin down the different wing shapes of raptors because hobbies and peregrines are also hunting the area.

The diminutive merlin is easily overlooked, perched on the ground or a fence post waiting to launch an attack from beneath a passing bird. Check the marsh harriers, the white 'ring tail' or dainty flight is the clue to the rare hen and Montagu's harrier which are in the area at this time of year.

This is probably the best place in Britain to see birds of prey. Short-eared owls hunt the fields right next to the viewpoint. Cold easterly winds bring rough-legged buzzards to Sheppey. If you are lucky it is possible to see two species of owl and eleven raptors.

About Capel Fleet

Habitat

Capel Fleet has a mixture of important habitats including reedbeds, wetland and marshland.

Conservation

Capel Fleet Raptor Viewpoint is simply a car park and raised viewing point maintained by the RSPB to provide visitors to the Isle of Sheppey with a strategic location to experience one of the foremost assemblages of raptors in the UK.

The assemblage is present all year round, but the species that can be seen changes with the seasons – so multiple visits are recommended.

Site information

Located in the heart of the Isle of Sheppey farmland, this small vantage point offers a commanding view from where, with optical equipment, a multitude of raptors may be seen depending on the time of year and the weather conditions.

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