Reserve Information

A. History.
Cliffe Pools was acquired by the RSPB in October 2001 after many years of negotiations. The pools are flooded clay pits created by 20th century clay extraction for the local cement industry followed by the use of the site as a place to deposit Thames river dredgings, the latter an activity which continues to this day.

More recently in 2002 and 2003, Cliffe gained much publicity with the area being threatened with potentially catastophic airport development proposal. In partnership with the local communities this was prevented by the very successful 'No Airport at Cliffe Campaign'. Our thanks go to the local communities whose support has been outstanding.

B. Habitat and wildlife.
The reserves habitats support a range of wildlife. In addition to fresh pools, salt-marsh, mixed grasslands and scrub are 111 hectares of saline lagoons (c.3% of the UK total) they are a scarce European habitat important for breeding avocets and a range of invertebrates.

235 species of bird have been noted at Cliffe and the reserve supports good year-round bird-watching. Little egrets, great crested grebes and avocets are amongst the more notable species that can be all year. Birds of prey and owls can be seen year round including wintering merlin and hen harrier, summering hobbys and resident barn owls.

In the spring and summer over 50 species of bird breed including little and great crested grebe, gadwall, pochard, redshank, lapwing, common tern, turtle dove, nightingale, whitethroat, stonechat, reed bunting and 30+ pairs of avocet.

During the late summer and autumn Cliffe is notable for the range of migrant wading birds that can be seen, with 25 species recorded in 2003 & 2004. These include wood, green, curlew and common sandpipers, spotted redshank, little stint, ruff and hundreds of black-tailed godwits. Cliffe also has an impressive list of rarities recorded including stilt sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs and greater sandplover.

Thousands of wildfowl and waders winter on the reserve, dabbling ducks such as teal, wigeon, pintail and shoveler can be found on the northern 'Black Barn' fresh pools whilst the islands in tha main lagoons support notable high tide roosts of dunlin, lapwing , grey plover and redshank.

Additionally Cliffe supports good populations of other wildlife including water vole and a very rich insect faunae, the highlight of which is a large population of the nationally rare shrill carder bee.

C. Habitat management.
The primary means of reserve habitat enhancement comes via the work of our on-site partner Westminster Dredging Ltd, we have an agreement to allow them to continue to use the reserve as a location to deposit clean river dredgings into the saline lagoons. These dredgings will be sensitively deposited to make the lagoons shallower and to create islands, beaches and other features for nesting, feeding and roosting water-birds.

         (Volunteers and contractors removing years of fly-tipping! June 04)

Grazing with cattle is being introduced to the northern part of the reserve this winter. This will help to maintain the complex mosaic of grasslands and scrub so good for both ground nesting birds, like skylark and redshank, and insects such as grassland bumblebees and butterflies.

The thicker scrub in the east of the reserve will be sensitively managed to vary the age structure, this will entail cutting back blocks of old scrub to promote fresh dense growth favoured by breeding nightingales and scrub warblers like blackcap and lesser whitethroat. The vegetation alongside the tracks in this area will be cut back to create a woodland ride effect, letting in more light to encourage the growth of flowers and shrubs, themselves an important food source for butterflies and bees.

D. Reserve news and events.

2006

Habitat management work.

Recent habitat management work has been concentrated in the NW grassland area:

Over-winter grazing with cattle has helped tackle the vegetation succession that had started to occur in this area during the past few years. Sheep will spring-graze the area with the aim of maintaining/improving the mosaic of grass & scrub present. This grazing regime grazing will maintain areas of scrub & rough grass & should re-establish short grass areas suitable for nesting lapwings, skylarks etc plus encourage flowers like birds-foot trefoil, a key food-plant for the reserves nationally rare 2 bumble-bee species (the shrill & brown banded carder bees!).

Other winter habitat management work has seen encroaching vegetation cut back along the eastern track adjacent to the Radar Pool, this too has been undertaken to promote opportunities for flower growth, particularly black horehound, once again a key food source for bumble-bees & butterflies.

News

Although it has been a relatively quiet time as far as on the ground development is concerned behind the scenes we have been very busy working with regional staff, consultants & the council to develop the plans for visitor facilities on the reserve. This is a long & complex process and planning is likely to take up most of 2006 too. However it is essential that we get it right from the start in order to be able to deliver the Flagship Nature reserve envisaged in the future.

Events; July-December

 There are a number of free events at Cliffe as part of the current North Kent Marshes reserves event itinery. Meet at St Helens Church, Cliffe, unless stated otherwise. Call 01634 222480 if more information is required.

Sunday 23/7;KOS Guided walk. 9am-12pm

Late July is a good time to look for the first flush of late summer passage waders. In past years up to 30 species have been recorded from July to September, truly impressive! July is also a great time for insects with a range of butterflies, dragonflies & more to be seen. Suitable for beginners and more experienced birdwatchers. Meet outside St Helens church, Cliffe.

Wednesday 2/8; Safari Fun Day. 11am-3pm

Holiday fun for the kids - pond dipping, model making and much more. This event is being run with the help of the Thames Estuary Partnership - visit www.thamesweb.com for more information. Come at any time; cildren must be accompanied by an adult; Please note; entrance via Salt Lane.

Wednesday 9/8; Bats in the Belfry. 7.30-until late;

Discover the nightlife of Cliffe & Cliffe Pools with expert advice & bat detectors. Meet at St Helens Church, Cliffe for this guided walk followed by bay detecting session.

Saturday 12/8; Bird Quest at Cliffe Pools; Waders galore! 2-4pm

Join the warden for a guided walk around Cliffe Pools. Suitable for beginners to more experienced birdwatchers. Meet at St Helens church, Cliffe.

Saturday 9/9; Bird Quest at Cliffe Pools; Waders & wayfarers 2-4pm

Details as 12/8

Saturday 23/9; The History & future of Cliffe Pools. 10am-5pm

Find out more about the fascinating cultural & historical history of Cliffe Pools & our  plans for the future. Guided walks around Cliffe Pools with a local historian & RSPB wardens will take place at 10am & 2pm for 2 hours each. Historic St Helens church with its medieval wall paintings will be open from 10am-5pm with information & displays of hundreds of archive photographs - call in any time. Refreshments availableThBird quest; Turtle doves, nightingales & breeding avocets;

Saturday 7/10; Bird Quest at Cliffe Pools. 10am-12pm

Details as 12/8.

Saturday 4/11; Bird Quest at Cliffe Pools. 10am-12pm

Details as 12/8.

Saturday 2/12; Bird Quest at Cliffe Pools. 10am-12pm

Details as 12/8.