Beschreibung
Cliffe Pools is a series of former gravel pits. Lots of flat paths around the pools - some exposed, some with scrubby bushes surrounding them (packed with common garden birds). Also large expanses of grassland - good for flocks of Kiebitz , plus hunting Sumpfohreule and Rohrweihe . Many resident waterbirds, including many grebes, Säbelschnäbler , Eisvogel , many other ducks and waders. In winter wader and duck numbers build up on the pools and lagoons, with impressive high-tide roosts of up to 7,000 Alpenstrandläufer, 2,000 Kiebitz, amongst other species such as Rotschenkel and Kiebitzregenpfeifer. Wet winters can see up to 3,000 dabbling ducks (teals, wigeons, shovelers, mallards, gadwalls and pintails) mainly on the northern pools.
Walks along the estuary mean lots more can be seen on the tidal mud - plus some interesting features of old/abandoned forts, and a working gravel/sand extraction site.
Details
Zugang
Follow directions for Cliffe village, take the second left after the round, stone 'Cliffe' village sign (into Rectory Road). Then turn right at the next T-junction and after 600 metres turn left into Salt Lane. Continue along Salt Lane until the road bends sharply to the right - the car park is situated on the left-hand side. Remote from much public transport, although there are buses: Bus 133 from Chatham, Rochester and Strood stops in Cliffe. The nearest trainstations are Higham (3 miles/5 km away), and Strood (5 miles/8 km away). The area is definitely easy to explore on foot. Paths are wheelchair/pushchair friendly. Address: RSPB Cliffe Pools, Salt Ln, Rochester ME3 7SX. Click on the P in the map to get directions. The circular walk around the area, indicated on the map below, is about 6 km long
Terrain und Habitat
Feuchtgebiet , See , Schlammflächen , Vereinzelte Bäume und Büsche , Grasland, Wiesen , FlussBedingungen
Flach , Hochwasser möglichRundweg
JaIst ein Spektiv nützlich?
Möglicherweise hilfreichGute Beobachtungszeit
GanzjährigBeste Beobachtungszeit
WinterRoute
Normaler Weg , Schmaler PfadSchwierigkeitsgrad der Tour
EinfachErreichbarkeit
zu Fuß , Fahrrad , RollstuhlBeobachtungshütten oder -türme
NeinZusätzliche Informationen
From the website: winter visitors include: The occasional Bergente or Rothalstaucher, Schwarzhalstaucher or Ohrentaucher may also make an appearance.

