North Foreland

[Ruby]

Hi,

Is anyone familiar with an area between Margate and Broadstairs called North Foreland. I have heard that this is quite a good birding spot, but have never been there myself.

Any info regarding locations, birds etc gratefully received - I'm thinking of calling in on Saturday...


Thanks.... Ruby

[Mickymouse]

Hi
visit http://www.planetthanet.org/index.htm then go to bird news updates and scroll down, you should find what has been seen there and at other places nearby. Hope this helps.
Mick

[Ruby]

Thanks Mick - that's a very interesting site!!

Don't suppose you happen to have directions, map ref for the pumping station?? I don't see it marked on my map....

[robinm]

Thanks Mick - that's a very interesting site!!

Don't suppose you happen to have directions, map ref for the pumping station?? I don't see it marked on my map....
Hi ruby. Don't know that area very well but I think it is here (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=638000.000765788&Y=172000.881345811&gride=638400.000765788&gridn=171699.881345811&scale=25000&coordsys=gb&mapsize=big&lang=&table=)

[Mickymouse]

Yep, that map is spot on. the pumping station is hard to miss, it sort of sticks out like an ugly concrete blockhouse on the site of what used to be the coast guards lookout, in fact they still have a lookout station there but it is no longer manned round the clock.
Did you go there Ruby? I had a walk round there this afternoon but I didn't see anything special, but I am not much of a birder yet, keen but not very good.
Mick

[Ruby]

Hi All,

Thanks very much for the help and advice.....

Yes. I did pop along to Foreness Point first thing this morning and found the pumping station no probs - as Mick says... it's hard to miss!!

Managed to see several Purple Sandpipers (main point to the visit - life tick for me!!) in with a flock of a couple of dozen Turnstones - some very nice Summer plumage -and a similar number of Sanderlings.

Also lots of Fulmars nesting in the cliff, which might not be to evryone's taste I guess, but was an exciting novelty for me.

Didn't go to North Foreland as I wanted to get down to Oare and Elmley and time was pressing.

Highlights of those trips were :-

Oare
31 Whimbrel
2 Common Sandpipers
Garganey

Elmley
58 Avocet (from a single viewpoint)
2 Garganey
Probable Spotted Redshank (not definite enough to tick unfortunately!!)
Hunting BARN OWL!!! (life tick - this made my day!!)