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Fordwich - Westbere

Kent  >  United Kingdom

An area of reeds and willow scrub upstream from the better known Stodmarsh NNR.

Added* by John Cantelo
Most recent update 29 dubna 2020
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Description

As it's less well watched Westbere is a quieter destination than elsewehere in the Stour valley although the marshes attract many of the same species. The reeds hold rákosník obecný, rákosník proužkovaný (summer) and sýkořice vousatá and the scrub nearby cetie jižní. káně lesní breed nearby, sokol stěhovavý may pass overhead, moták pochop quarter the reedbeds and in spring/summer ostříž lesní can be seen hawking overhead. volavka stříbřitá are sometimes joined by volavka bílá and bukač velký occur in winter. The lakes hold polák chocholačka, polák velký, kopřivka obecná , potápka roháč and sometimes scarcer waterfowl. It can also be good for břehule říční, vlaštovka obecná and jiřička obecná. Check the Alders for čížek lesní and čečetka zimní

Details

Access

Easiest accessed via the footpath over the railway line in Westbere (in Walnut Tree Lane) although alternatively you can walk to the area from Fordwich (either catching the bus back to nearby Sturry or returning as you came). Most of the route is along a reasonably dry path but the walk along the riverbank to the east can be very swampy. Although it is possible to make this a circular route by taking a route through Westbere and a footpath beside the railway, the birding is more productive if you return along the river.

Terrain and Habitat

Lake , Reedbeds

Conditions

Open landscape , Wet

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

The marshes are home to a recently discovered colony Green-eyed or Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isoceles) one of the few in the UK outside East Anglia. Both Westebere and Fordwich have pubs where you can have a meal. The proximity of a rail station at Sturry and a regular bus service connecting Sturry and Westbere (along Canterbury-Thanet A 28 road) make this a good site for those without a car.

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