KENT FOLKESTONE WARREN
Coastal walk overlooking the English Channel
PRACTICAL INFO
POST CODE: CT19 6BL
GRID REF: TR 239 365
MAPS: OS Explorer 138, OS Landranger 179
PARKING: Park along Wear Bay Road overlooking Folkestone Harbour. Alternatively, at the top of the road turn right by the Martello and follow the road to the lower parking area
TERRAIN: A variety of grass footpaths and tracks, some on steep and uneven ground. Do not approach the cliff edge. For those with mobility issues, limited viewing is possible from Wear Bay Road and the lower car park
ACCESS: Open access on public rights of way throughout
FACILITIES: Toilets and information boards, full range of facilities in town centre and around the harbour
Ashort drive from the Channel Tunnel terminal (east along the A16 between Calais and Gravelines) brings the birdwatcher to the coastal dunes and saltings north of Marck. The vast barrier beach is complemented by a series of inland freshwater lagoons, marshes, scrub and copses. The walk overlaps a section of Oye-Plage nature reserve with a hide. Waders winter on the foreshore, while an onshore wind should bring seabirds close to shore. A few parties of Snow Buntings and Shore Larks forage along the strandline where Twite and Lapland Bunting are sometimes reported. Crested Lark is also possible in the industrial complex to the west and a Richard’s Pipit has wintered.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
From the car park, check the scrub for mixed passerine flocks of mainly tits and finches that may contain Marsh Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper and Firecrest, plus the chance of a wintering Dartford Warbler, Blackcap or Chiffchaff. The inter-tidal section between the sand dunes and barrier beach is a favoured by Snow Buntings and Shore Larks foraging along the strandline along with White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Sky Lark, Turnstone, Redshank and Oystercatcher. Scan the sands for Brent Goose, Shelduck, Ringed and Grey Plovers, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit and Curlew.
2
Derelict buildings and fence lines around the old hoverport site often harbour a few Black Redstarts and Stonechats, plus flocks of Meadow Pipit, Sky Lark, Linnet and Goldfinch on open ground. Lapland Bunting can sometimes be seen here (Crested Lark is much rarer). Look for Merlin or Peregrine. At high tide with an onshore wind, a seawatch can produce Red-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Fulmar, Gannet, Red-breasted Merganser, Brent Goose, Common Scoter, Great Skua, Kittiwake, waders and auks. 3
The trees around the car park often attract flocks of finches, including Siskin and Brambling. Scan fields for Grey Partridge, Corn Bunting and Kestrel. From the double-decker hide, scan the freshwater lagoon for a range of wildfowl including Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, and Goldeneye, plus waders such as Snipe and Jack Snipe and Green Sandpiper. A few Brent Geese are often noted while a flock of wintering White-fronted Geese often roost here. Also likely, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Water Rail, Mediterranean Gull, Kingfisher, Water Pipit, and Reed Bunting. Plus, Short-eared Owl and Hen Harrier.