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Overview
This reserve is famous as the site of Britain's largest heronry but there is much more to be seen here, both in summer and winter.
Much of the reserve is covered with dense hawthorn scrub but there is also oakwood, Ash and elm on a ridge overlooking Halstow Marshes that stretch towards the Thames. The elms that formerly housed the heronry were killed off by Dutch Elm Disease but there is now extensive new growth. A footpath leads from the reserve north to the estuary.
Birds
Notable Species
In addition to herons there are breeding Turtle Dove, Western Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl and Long-eared Owl and all three British species of woodpecker.
Little Egret now roosts here in large numbers and has now begun breeding alongside the herons . There is also a large rookery and the reserve has good populations of breeding Nightingale, both Whitethroats and various other warblers.
In winter the dense scrub is used by large flocks of thrushes and finches for roosting and Woodcock are frequent visitors.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Merlin are regular in winter. The marshes below the hill have wintering Dark-bellied Brent Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose, various ducks and waders, often Short-eared Owl and Hen Harrier.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Little Egret, Grey Heron, Greater White-fronted Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Little Ringed Plover, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Woodcock, Common Snipe, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Stock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo, Western Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Common Wren, Dunnock, Eurasian Robin, Common Nightingale, Eurasian Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Common Treecreeper, Common Jay, Common Magpie, Eurasian Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Eurasian Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Hawfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
Other Wildlife
Mammals include a good population of Badger but the reserve is noted for its butterflies which include Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood and Essex Skipper, and a thriving colony of the rare White-letter Hairstreak, which can be seen in July.
Site Information
History and Use
To do
Areas of Interest
To do
Access and Facilities
The reserve has a public area and a sanctuary where visiting is by arrangement with the warden. The heronry is active from February to July.
Situated to the north of Rochester, Northward Hill can be reached from Northwood Avenue at the edge of the village of High Halstow off the A228 road.
Grid reference: TQ781757
Contact Details
Tel: 01634 222480
External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve
