Site Map

Fordwich Lakes.

Canterbury Angling Club controls these lakes and access is restricted although some of the lakes can be seen from public footpaths. Understandably the lakes are under watched and no doubt good birds occur there from time to time. The site is one of the most reliable areas for Kingfisher in the valley.

Fordwich Lake - Marc Heath ©

Westbere.

This area has a diverse range of habitats and has possibly been under watched in recent years. The gravel pits are now well vegetated but in earlier years were a hot spot for rare grebes and divers. The pits are used for sailing, which probably reduces their attractiveness for waterfowl. East of the gravel pits there is an extensive area of reed beds although the quality of this habitat is deteriorating with the encroachment of scrub. Water meadows next to the river are attractive for dabbling duck and occasional flocks of geese. The area is good for dragonflies. Access is either along the river from Fordwich or from the far end of Westbere village. The water meadows can be viewed from the Stodmarsh Road at the junction with the Littleborne Road. This viewing spot is referred to as Cow Corner on this site

Westbere Lake - Marc Heath ©

Hersden Lake.

Since the river wall was breached some years ago, Hersden Lake has effectively become a semi tidal lagoon. Viewing of the lake is difficult and ornithological records are therefore are limited. The lagoon holds a large summer flock of Mute Swans.

Collard’s Lake.

A large stretch of open water just to the west of Stodmarsh holds significant number of wildfowl in the winter. Dabbling ducks including Wigeon, Shoveler and Pintail can be numerous. The lake is also a regular site for Goldeneye and occasional Smew and other duck. It is one of the best sites for Hobby and held six Red-footed Falcons in May 1992. The lake can only be viewed distantly from the road that runs immediately west of Stodmarsh village.

Collard's Lake view from Stodmarsh - Marc Heath ©

Stodmarsh.

A nationally famous nature reserve that was created by mining subsidence. The reserve includes five main habitats. The main lake which provides a large area of open water attractive to waterfowl; an extensive area of reedbeds interspersed with sallows and scrub; the Alder wood with has a range of breeding woodland birds and regular wintering finch flocks; water meadows along the River Stour and grazing land around the edges of the reserve. Access is from the car park at Stodmarsh (from the track immediately east of the Red Lion pub) or from Grove Ferry. Stodmarsh has been well watched for many years and there can’t be many inland sites that can lay claim to two firsts for Britain.

The Lampen Wall at Stodmarsh - Marc Heath ©

Grove Ferry.

This area has been an excellent birding spot for many years. Until the 1960’s Grove Ferry was an area of marshes and reeds with an impressive range of breeding birds including Savi’s Warbler. Subsequently the area was drained and was cultivated for turf until the mid 1990’s. In 1998, English Nature acquired the site and restored it to the wetland habitat that is present today. Grove Ferry came to national prominence in 1999 when a series of major rarities were discovered at the site. Grove Ferry has continued to provide excellent bird watching since that time and is now one of the most important ornithological sites in the county.