An autumn birding walk around the Isle of Harty
The open aspect of this eastern section of the Isle of Sheppey combines low intensity farmland and freshwater wetlands of the Swale NNR beside the foreshore and shingle spit of Shell Ness, along with the ever- changing tidal creeks of the Swale channel. A wide range of shorebirds, wildfowl and raptors are assured, while recent scarcities on the cusp of winter have included the likes of Crane, Rough-legged Buzzard, Richard’s Pipit and Lapland Bunting. The perfect walk to take along a wellbehaved canine companion.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
From the car park scan the country park fields for Redwing and Fieldfare, Sky Lark and Meadow Pipit, plus occasionally Curlew, Lapwing, Snipe, Golden Plover and even the odd Brent Goose. Check the stand of trees for passerines; typically tits and finches, Jay and Great Spotted Woodpecker, plus migrants such as Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and maybe a Yellow-browed Warbler. At low tide the foreshore attracts Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Sanderling, Ringed and Grey Plover, Oystercatcher and Turnstone, Brent Goose and Shelduck, with a chance of passing seabirds at high tide. 2
The wader roost in front of the blockhouse can attract thousands of shorebirds from their feeding grounds, while Wheatear, Rock Pipit and Black Redstart are often present and occasionally Snow Bunting. Check the North Sea side for seabirds during a northerly blow, typically Gannet, Red-throated Diver, Fulmar, Common Scoter, Great and Arctic Skuas, auks, terns and gulls, plus Red-breasted Merganser, Brent Goose, Wigeon and Shelduck in the channel.
A late afternoon spot for a hunting Short-eared Owl by the Hamlet.
3
A good area for Little Egret, Grey Heron and waders in the creeks at low tide from the sea wall along with Linnet and Goldfinch, plus Stonechat and Whinchat. The fields and meres inland can attract Lapwing, Golden Plover, Redshank, Jack Snipe, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Curlew and maybe Whimbrel, Ruff, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit, Teal, Wigeon and Yellow Wagtail. Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and Merlin are often present. Check small reedbeds for Bearded Tit, Reed Bunting and Water Rail.
4
Pasture, arable land and ditches attract more wildfowl and waders, plus raptors including Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and later in the season Hen Harrier, when also White-fronted Geese join the Greylag and Canada Geese, corvids and gulls. Also present should be Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Grey Partridge, Little and Great White Egrets, Stock Dove, Short-eared and Barn Owls, hirundines, Whinchat, Wheatear, Stonechat, Yellow & Grey Wagtails, Corn and Reed Buntings.
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: ME12 4RJ
GRID REF: TR 049 687
MAPS: OS Explorer 149, OS Landranger 178
PARKING: Park in Leysdown Coastal Park off Shellness Road, thereby avoiding the badly pot-holed track down to the reserve car park
TERRAIN: Mostly on the level with rough tracks and paths. Panoramic views across the foreshore can be had from Shellness Road for those with mobility issues
ACCESS: Fully accessible throughout the year
FACILITIES: Information boards and a hide. Full range of facilities in Leysdown-on-Sea
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE Aim to arrive at Shell Ness spit by the blockhouse at high tide for wader roost.
TARGET SPECIES AUTUMN/WINTER ● Red-throated Diver ● White-fronted Goose ● Brent Goose
● Hen Harrier ● Merlin ● Peregrine ● Whimbrel ● Greenshank ● Mediterranean Gull ● Grey Partridge ● Short-eared Owl ● Barn Owl ● Bearded Tit ● Redwing ● Fieldfare
● Corn Bunting
SPRING/SUMMER ● Little Tern ● Cuckoo ● Wheatear ● Yellow Wagtail ● Whinchat ● Hobby