Cliffe Pools RSPB Reserve

INTRODUCTION

Cliffe Pools, on the south bank of the Thames just downstream from Gravesend, covers an area of 230 hectares of saline lagoons, fresh pools, rough grassland, scrub and mudflats and has long been known to birdwatchers for their important numbers of birds . Large flocks of wading birds move from the estuary onto the pools at high tide, and wildfowl gather during the winter months.

The site holds an incredible 10% of all the nation's saline lagoons, a rare coastal habitat. However, plans had existed to completely fill the pools which would have destroyed their wildlife value. Campaigns have been running for over 20 years to protect the site and management plans for the reserve were drawn up and agreed nine years ago.

For the last six years, the Cliffe Project, a consortium of land owners, councils, agencies and interest groups chaired by Medway Council and with Bill Oddie as its patron, have worked hard to secure agreement and funding for the whole area to sustain and enhance its wildlife, landscape, cultural and recreation value. Unfortunately, legal problems dogged the purchase ‑until now!

The purchase was made possible with generous contributions from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Robert Brett & Sons Ltd and English Nature, and by the RSPB working in partnership with the Westminster Dredging Company.  

Cliffe Pools RSPB is an integral component of the wider Thames Gateway Wild Heritage Area HLF Project. This is a programme put together by organisations and individuals working and living in North Kent, to improve and develop the magnificent and diverse heritage - both human-made and natural - that exists in the area.

The RSPB now faces the challenge of turning what many see as wasteland into a nature reserve with safe access, interpretation, educational and visitor facilities. h will be several years before everything is in place but the aim is to involve as many local people as possible from the beginning. With their help Cliffs Pools can be transformed for the better, both for wildlife and for people.

THE RESERVE

Terrain.

The tracks can get very wet in winter, but walking is almost wholly flat.

Facilities.

There are currently no facilities on the reserve. Cliffe Pools is a new and developing reserve, which in time will be the centre-point for visitors to our North Kent reserves. In the meantime local shops, pubs and public toilets can be found in Cliffe.

Where to go and what to see on the reserve.

From Cliffe church, go through the village, past the Post Office and down Pond Lane. This leads down to Pickles Way track to the fresh and saline lagoons, created as the result of clay extraction from the late 19th century until 1971. These pools together with the grazing marshes, extensive scrub and mature trees are why Cliffe Pools is such a magnet for birds.  

The Pickles Way track continues for 2 miles towards the Thames estuary where a public footpath follows the seawall to meet the Saxon Shoreway long distance footpath. This can be followed eastwards back across the centre of the reserve or westwards along the Thames to the RSPB reserves of Higham Bight and Shorne Marshes.

There are two viewing points along the track, the first just past the Black Barn. From these can be seen a wide range of waterfowl including feeding little egrets, breeding shelduck, pochard, avocet, redshank, grebes and lapwing and good wintering populations of shoveler, dunlin and grey plover. The site is also renowned for its spring and autumn passage of waders. A range of species including ruff, green, wood and curlew sandpipers and little stints join nationally-notable numbers of black-tailed godwits. In addition, rarities are regularly seen here.

Raptors can be seen throughout the year, the winter is particularly good with hen harrier, peregrine, merlin and short-eared owls all regular visitors.

VISITING

How to get there.

Map reference TQ729770

From junction 1 of the M2, take the A289 north 2½ miles to the junction with the B2000. Turn left towards Cliffe. After 3 miles, enter Cliffe village.

Where should I park?

There is parking in Cliffe in front of the church and along Pickles Way, a rough track that runs alongside the northern and eastern reserve boundaries.

Can I get there by public transport?

Contact Arriva buses on 01634 283600 or click here for the latest timetables.  

Some illegal activities still occur at Cliffe Pools, therefore we would advise visitors to avoid both the southern comer of the site until further notice and confrontation at all times.

For more information contact 

RSPB North West Kent Reserves, 

Bromhey Farm, 

Eastborough, 

Cooling, 

Rochester, 

Kent, 

ME3 8DS 

'phone 01634 222480

or 'phone the RSPB SE Regional Office : 01273 775333