ESSEX WEST CANVEY RSPB
Wide open spaces at a Thames Estuary wetland reserve
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: SS8 0QR
GRID REF: TQ 774 842
MAPS: OS Explorer 175, OS Landranger 178
PARKING: There is parking for at least 30 cars
TERRAIN: There are very good footpaths on the reserve ideal for wheelchairs, but a key is needed for kissing gates. The area is very flat
ACCESS: All year round
FACILITIES: Four viewpoints/ open hides and a limited number of seats other than in the car park/ play area
To the north of Folkestone, The Warren CP is crisscrossed by footpaths, providing spectacular views across East Wear Bay to the busy shipping lanes of the English Channel. Cliff-top woodland and scrub combine with a rocky foreshore, and at low tide a weed-strewn beach. A winter visit should give a chance of a Firecrest and resident Ravens. Copt Point is probably the best site in the region for observing Mediterranean Gulls that can number in the hundreds.
WHERE TO WATCH 1 hundreds of loafing gulls, mostly Mediterraneans, many of which will have colour rings from studies across continental Europe. Carefully check through the flocks for the likes of Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls, Kittiwake or even the occasional Little Gull, and Cormorant flocks for the occasional Shag. At high tide Mediterranean Gulls can be found on roof tops along Wear Bay Road and on adjacent playing fields, where in cold weather winter thrushes, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Sky Lark are also likely.
2
Goldfinch, Linnet and Black Redstart are often present feeding among scrub and along the weed-strewn rocks. At high tide check the bay for Great Crested Grebe, Red-throated Diver and Guillemot plus, given an onshore wind, the chance of passing seabirds such as Gannet, Common Scoter, Brent Goose and Kittiwake. 3
The country park woodland along the cliffs supports a range of woodland birds including Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk, Jay, Bullfinch and wintering Firecrest, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Check tit flocks for Treecreeper and Goldcrest. Scan along the cliffs for Raven, Peregrine, Rock Pipit and Black Redstart and maybe a Fulmar prospecting for a nest site. Scrub at the cliff bottom also attracts flocks of passerines.
INSIDE KNOWLEDGE: The best viewing conditions for gulls and waders at Copt Point is on a falling tide.
TARGET SPECIES AUTUMN
Passage raptors, warblers, thrushes, finches and buntings.
SPRING
Passage migrants including Wheatear and Firecrest.
SUMMER
Breeding Fulmar and Raven on the cliffs
WINTER Red-throated Diver Fulmar Peregrine Turnstone Sanderling Mediterranean Gull Rock Pipit Grey Wagtail Black Redstart Chiffchaff Stonechat Raven
TARGET SPECIES AUTUMN
Passage waders, terns and warblers
WINTER
Slavonian Grebe Brent Goose
Hen Harrier Mediterranean Gull Short-eared Owl Short-toed Treecreeper Shore lark Crested Lark Lapland Bunting Snow Bunting
SPRING Kentish Plover Little Tern Turtle Dove Nightingale Serin
SUMMER
Breeding terns and waders