michaelmacey
Saturday 2nd June 2007, 22:54
I spent the day checking out our new country park which is just outside Deal a couple of miles from my house. The rear entrance is only a short cycle ride from my home and has a nice track to ride on. The park has a tarmac road running around it, for the use of serious riders and a bmx type track in the centre on top of the slagheaps, which were created from the mining waste when the land was used for its coal mining.
At first, you can see the site needs to be given a good couple of years to mature, the work creating the paths and landscape have had an affect on the wildlife, which at times is hard to find. It took me 2 hours before i spotted a rabbit, even though i know there are thousands around the area. The cyclists and noise from the visitors will be having an affect too, and people are asked to keep to footpaths etc in order that new wildlife can settle when it arrives. And judging by what iv seen today, it should arrive quite soon.
The Bird life was quite good considering the amount of people using the park in these early days. The best today was a Cuckoo which flew past me only about 30 feet away, and 4 Ringed plovers which are nesting somewhere above the visitor centre. I got quite close to these, maybe 12 meters away and 2 were pairing up as i watched. With the Plover were a few Lapwing which showed no fear, walking near the carpark and paths. As i went in at the rear entrance i saw Wren Whitethroat Greenfinches Linnets Dunnock Reed & Sedge warbler, there are a lot of dykes near to the site which hold there own wildlife, so you see a fair bit before you reach the main gate. At the top of the meadows area, i saw a few Skylarks which perched on dry stickups and made themselves visible for a change, i watched these for quite a while, along with Swallows & House martins which were at the higher points of the park.
Part of the walk allows you to overlook the lakes at Cottington fishery where i saw Greylag Canada geese Mallards Moorhens Pheasant Magpie Song thrushes you also walk behind the farm house and stables.
Other birds noted were Colored Dove Blackbird Carrion crow Great tit Herring gull Starlings Wood pigeon Rooks Jackdaws and a single White Dove. Near the main entrance as you drive through the gates i saw Chaffinch Goldfinches Ferral Pigeon & Kestrel. I also heard a Cetti's on my way round. Over looking the fields i saw 2 Brown Hares.
The park has a few small lakes, which at present look very much man made, and a main lake which has been there since the pit was working. This bigger lake has been tidied up really nice, but i didnt see a single bird on any of the water. But im sure it will bring in a few species as the place settles down from all the work.
There are thousands of new Trees and Shrubs planted along with some older woodland. There is a wooded area that hasnt been touched, only enough to tidy it, and a nice path put through it. So it isnt all totally new, there are also many wild flowers as you would expect growing from the dry and rough coal waste, which play hoste to a number of different Butterflies and insects.
Before i left the site, i spoke to 1 of the helping hands at the visitor centre, he asked me what i thought of the park. There was 1 thing i had to take him up on. There are miles of paths and cycle track and its a very long walk in the hot sun, so i was surprised to find there wasnt a single Bench in which to rest and take in the views. Not even on the lookout tower. I hadnt been the first to make this point and its going to be looked at soon. There are lots of places screaming out for a couple of benches to sit with the binoculars for a while. Its open just at the weekends, but may open during school holidays every day.The visitor centre isnt finished yet, some decking etc still to do. But the toilets are good and have showers for the camp site. Im not sure what the rules are concerning camping. And providing the cyclists stick to the proper paths, and walkers too, the visiting public shouldnt pose too many problems for the wildlife. He told me they were looking for a balance between the recreational activites and the wildlife.
It doesnt cost anything as yet to go in, but he did stress that there may in the future need to be a payment, perhaps on the parking in order that the park funds itself properly. Il certainly be going there as a regular, and will visit again in a couple of weeks. When the park has matured it will be a good place for any outdoor lover to visit. Hope i havnt bored you too much, Mick
I will put photos of the site on a second post.
At first, you can see the site needs to be given a good couple of years to mature, the work creating the paths and landscape have had an affect on the wildlife, which at times is hard to find. It took me 2 hours before i spotted a rabbit, even though i know there are thousands around the area. The cyclists and noise from the visitors will be having an affect too, and people are asked to keep to footpaths etc in order that new wildlife can settle when it arrives. And judging by what iv seen today, it should arrive quite soon.
The Bird life was quite good considering the amount of people using the park in these early days. The best today was a Cuckoo which flew past me only about 30 feet away, and 4 Ringed plovers which are nesting somewhere above the visitor centre. I got quite close to these, maybe 12 meters away and 2 were pairing up as i watched. With the Plover were a few Lapwing which showed no fear, walking near the carpark and paths. As i went in at the rear entrance i saw Wren Whitethroat Greenfinches Linnets Dunnock Reed & Sedge warbler, there are a lot of dykes near to the site which hold there own wildlife, so you see a fair bit before you reach the main gate. At the top of the meadows area, i saw a few Skylarks which perched on dry stickups and made themselves visible for a change, i watched these for quite a while, along with Swallows & House martins which were at the higher points of the park.
Part of the walk allows you to overlook the lakes at Cottington fishery where i saw Greylag Canada geese Mallards Moorhens Pheasant Magpie Song thrushes you also walk behind the farm house and stables.
Other birds noted were Colored Dove Blackbird Carrion crow Great tit Herring gull Starlings Wood pigeon Rooks Jackdaws and a single White Dove. Near the main entrance as you drive through the gates i saw Chaffinch Goldfinches Ferral Pigeon & Kestrel. I also heard a Cetti's on my way round. Over looking the fields i saw 2 Brown Hares.
The park has a few small lakes, which at present look very much man made, and a main lake which has been there since the pit was working. This bigger lake has been tidied up really nice, but i didnt see a single bird on any of the water. But im sure it will bring in a few species as the place settles down from all the work.
There are thousands of new Trees and Shrubs planted along with some older woodland. There is a wooded area that hasnt been touched, only enough to tidy it, and a nice path put through it. So it isnt all totally new, there are also many wild flowers as you would expect growing from the dry and rough coal waste, which play hoste to a number of different Butterflies and insects.
Before i left the site, i spoke to 1 of the helping hands at the visitor centre, he asked me what i thought of the park. There was 1 thing i had to take him up on. There are miles of paths and cycle track and its a very long walk in the hot sun, so i was surprised to find there wasnt a single Bench in which to rest and take in the views. Not even on the lookout tower. I hadnt been the first to make this point and its going to be looked at soon. There are lots of places screaming out for a couple of benches to sit with the binoculars for a while. Its open just at the weekends, but may open during school holidays every day.The visitor centre isnt finished yet, some decking etc still to do. But the toilets are good and have showers for the camp site. Im not sure what the rules are concerning camping. And providing the cyclists stick to the proper paths, and walkers too, the visiting public shouldnt pose too many problems for the wildlife. He told me they were looking for a balance between the recreational activites and the wildlife.
It doesnt cost anything as yet to go in, but he did stress that there may in the future need to be a payment, perhaps on the parking in order that the park funds itself properly. Il certainly be going there as a regular, and will visit again in a couple of weeks. When the park has matured it will be a good place for any outdoor lover to visit. Hope i havnt bored you too much, Mick
I will put photos of the site on a second post.