ME12 3RN

Duration:  All day walk, bring lunch.  It is essential to pre-book a place on this trip by emailing me in advance at walks@rspbguildford.org.uk with your car registration number.  Tickets for entry will either be £5 per person if we have over 12 people, or £6.50 if we have over 6.  Payment preferably by card on the entrance gate on the day.  Please arrange to car share where possible.  We will meet at 10am in the main car park for the walk, but give yourselves time to arrive before this to do some birding along the entrance track.  (Reserve is open from 9am).  You can pull over to watch the birds but stay in your vehicles.

Leader:  Malcolm Toyer

Directions:  Take the A3 and join the M25 southbound, then join the M26 and M20.  At junction 7 of the M20 take the A249 exit to Maidstone merging onto the A249 to Sittingbourne and Sheerness.  Stay on the Sheppey crossing bridge (A249) and then take the second exit at the first roundabout and the third exit at the next roundabout onto The Sheppey Way.  Then turn left into the reserve.

Habitat:  Marshland with trails, hides and viewing screens overlooking the Swale Estuary.  Flat well surfaced paths.

Attractions:  Large range of waders, wildfowl and raptors.  Birding starts with a slow drive along the entrance track of almost 2 miles after the Gate Hut where you can pause to pull over and look, (but please don’t get out of the car). Bittern, Bearded Reedling and Marsh Harrier possible.  Brown Hare also present in addition to the birds.  Good site for Owls in winter with four species regularly present.

Amenities:  Toilets in the car park

Information:  https://www.elmleynaturereserve.co.uk