Birding sites close to M20 (1 Viewer)

H

helenol

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2004

• #1

Are there any decent birding sites within a +/-20 minute detour of the M20 enroute to Dover?

TIA

 

Grousemore

Senior Member

• Sep 7, 2004

• #2

Oare Marshes,nr Faversham;

Stodmarsh/Grove Ferry, off A28 Canterbury to Margate road.

Dungeness RSPB reserve.

Those are my suggestions, Helen, just about fit the 20 minute detour bill.

 

robinm

Registered User

• Sep 7, 2004

• #3

Hi Helen,

Very close to Dover itself is Samphire Hoe which often has some good sightings. You will see signs for this near Dover itself. Also gives good sea views to France. Only 20 minutes from where I live.

Another site is the New Hythe Gravel pits north of the A228 junction west of Maidstone.

 

robinm

Registered User

• Sep 7, 2004

• #4

I think it fair to say that while the site Trevor names are better than the two I named they are all more than 20 minutes from the M20. Oare is about 25-30 minutes.

Sorry, Trevor !

Helen - when are making your trip?

 

Grousemore

Senior Member

• Sep 7, 2004

• #5

robinm said:

I think it fair to say that while the site Trevor names are better than the two I named they are all more than 20 minutes from the M20. Oare is about 25-30 minutes.

Sorry, Trevor !

Helen - when are making your trip?

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Not at all, Robin....but I must point out that I've seen first-hand evidence of Helen's driving and she can get a fair distance in 20 minutes

 

John Cantelo

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2004

• #6

Depends on season & time! Please advise so I can make an intelligent judgement! John

 

robinm

Registered User

• Sep 7, 2004

• #7

Grousemore said:

Not at all, Robin....but I must point out that I've seen first-hand evidence of Helen's driving and she can get a fair distance in 20 minutes

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You have the advantage over me, sir!

John C has a valid point - some sites are better at different times.

 

H

helenol

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2004

• #8

Grousemore said:

Not at all, Robin....but I must point out that I've seen first-hand evidence of Helen's driving and she can get a fair distance in 20 minutes

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LOL !! Enough said.

 

H

helenol

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2004

• #9

John Cantelo said:

Depends on season & time! Please advise so I can make an intelligent judgement! John

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It will be this week, probably Thursday morning/lunchtime...ish. Depends how busy the M25 is :C

 

robinm

Registered User

• Sep 7, 2004

• #10

Just a thought Helen. If you went to Oare Marshes you could carry on to Dover down the M2/A2.

If you wanted a guide around Oare I might be available on Thursday lunchtime.

 

H

helenol

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2004

• #11

Thanks for that Robin. Sounds a good idea. How long would it take from O.Marshes down the M2/A2 to Dover then?

If you are available send me a PM, and we'll go from there.

Regards

 

robinm

Registered User

• Sep 7, 2004

• #12

helenol said:

Thanks for that Robin. Sounds a good idea. How long would it take from O.Marshes down the M2/A2 to Dover then?

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Autoroute says 40 minutes. So, from what Trevor says, half an hour

helenol said:

If you are available send me a PM, and we'll go from there.

Regards

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I'll confirm for sure by tomorrow am.

 

H

helenol

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2004

• #13

So, Oare Marshes it is then.

What birds are likely to be seen there?

Thanks.

 

Grousemore

Senior Member

• Sep 8, 2004

• #14

helenol said:

So, Oare Marshes it is then.

What birds are likely to be seen there?

Thanks.

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Mainly Red Kites and Marsh Tits

 

H

helenol

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2004

• #15

Grousemore said:

Mainly Red Kites and Marsh Tits

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LOL !! Nice one.

 

Grousemore

Senior Member

• Sep 8, 2004

• #16

Sorry, Helen, couldn't resist it.
Seriously, I think you'll enjoy Oare...it's a small 'compact' site, where you can get close views of waders particularly. A search of recent Oare Threads will tell you the species that should be seen, but anything can turn up.
Bring something warm though, as the easterly wind there can be challenging!

 

robinm

Registered User

• Sep 8, 2004

• #17

Grousemore said:

Bring something warm though, as the easterly wind there can be challenging!

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It's certainly going to be breezy.

I have seen 88 species there in the last month - with a good selection of waders. I hope I can point out some good birds.

One thing is for sure we are more likely to see a Red Kite than a Willow Tit !