Stodmarsh

Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve (Kent)

On the southern bank of the Great Stour River in Kent is one of south-east England's finest small wetland reserves, Stodmarsh. Created by the collapse and subsequent flooding of old mine-workings this area consists of shallow meres, reedbeds and flooded meadows with drier grassland and scrub and some Alder woodland. The old turf fields at Grove have now been developed as an excellent wetland area. About 160ha are protected as a National Nature Reserve.

Savi's Warbler, formerly one of the major ornithological attractions of Stodmarsh is, unfortunately, no longer to be seen here, at least not on a regular basis. This was its stronghold during the brief attempt at British recolonisation which now seems to be a thing of the past and its status at Stodmarsh, as elsewhere in Britain is that of a very rare migrant or vagrant. After disapearing after a series of cold winters in the 1980s, Cetti's Warbler, can again be found in good numbers as well as that other reedbed speciality, the Bearded Tit. Commoner warblers such as Sedge and Reed are abundant, but Grasshopper no longer breeds and is only a scarce migrant here. Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat and others nest commonly elsewhere on the reserve. Other breeding birds of Stodmarsh include Little and Great Crested Grebes and Garganey, a regular migrant, one or two pairs of which usually remain to nest. Gadwall, Common Teal and Northern Shoveler are present year-round as well as Common Pochard and Tufted Duck and feral Greylags and Canada Geese are common visitors. Great Cormorants regularly roost here, Common Kingfisher is usually present all-year as is the elusive Water Rail. Common Terns have been encouraged to nest on an artificial island. In late May Hobby are present in good numbers - usually in excess of 40 birds - and Marsh Harriers are no regular.

During passage periods a much wider variety of birds can be seen including many species of wader, Little and Black Terns and Marsh Harrier. Huge flocks of hirundines and swifts gather in autumn usually attracting one or two Northern Hobbies. Being one of the closest British wetlands to the Continent, Stodmarsh is one of the sites to see rare migrant species such as Spotted Crake, White-winged Tern and Purple Heron. Regular brief spring visitors are Golden Oriole and Osprey. In fact, Stodmarsh has hosted a long list of rarities including Whiskered Tern and Britain's first American Coot and Pallid Swift.

Winter is quieter and the reedbeds often appear rather birdless. However, Bittern is present and a great reward for the patient observer. Hen Harriers roost here, but numbers have declined and it is now out nimbered by Marsh Harrier. Merlin is occasional, but Short-eared Owl and Great Grey Shrike are now very unusual visitors here. Water Pipit is a regular winter attraction. In hard winters Bewick's Swan and Greater White-fronted Goose often put in an appearance. The alder trees provide food for finch flocks including Siskin and Lesser Redpoll and there is a regular wintering flock of Corn Bunting on the reserve.

Mammals found on the reserve include the now almost ubiquitous American Mink which is decimating the now nationally scarce Water Vole and also Water Shrew. Large numbers of bats including Noctule, feed over the reedbeds in summer. Insects and other invertebrates are well-represented on the reserve and scarce species such as Hairy Dragonfly and Red-eyed Damselfly can be seen. The plantlife is equally interesting with many freshwater specialities including Amphibious Bistort, Bogbean and Flowering Rush.

Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve is reached from the A257 Canterbury-Sandwich road, turning off about 2km out of Canterbury to the village of Stodmarsh. In the village turn left onto a rough track immediately after passing the Red Lion pub and a short distance down this track there is a car-park with toilet facilities and a very useful bird-log. From here the visitor can follow paths through the alder wood and onto the reserve leading to hides overlooking reedbeds, open water and marshes. The Lampen Wall is a raised path that forms a flood barrier and offers excellent views over the reserve. Grove Ferry is perhaps more easily accessed and can be reached off the main Canterbury Thanet road on the edge of Upstreet (to which buses run).

Birds

Birds you can see here include:

Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Great Bittern, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Bewick's Swan, White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Osprey, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Hobby, Water Rail, Spotted Crake, Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Northern Lapwing, Golden Plover, Ruff, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Little Tern, Black Tern, Woodpigeon, Common Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Common Kingfisher, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Common Wren, Dunnock, Eurasian Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Bearded Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Golden Oriole, Great Grey Shrike, Common Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Common Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting

Content and images originally posted by Steve