Elmley Nature Reserve on the Isle of Sheppey is only an hour’s drive from home and last year we stayed in one of their shepherd’s huts in January and again in May. Both visits were so completely enjoyable that we are doing the same this year as well.
The Isle of Sheppey is separated from North Kent by the Swale tidal channel although two shoulder-to-shoulder bridges now connect Sheppey to the Kent mainland. The 3,300 acres of the privately-owned Elmley Nature Reserve is the green area in the southwest of the island.We stayed once more in the Saltbox shepherd’s hut. It was a dull winter’s day with a cold north-easterly blowingBut even in the depths of January, the hut was cosy and with far-reaching views stretching north over the marshWatching the action out on the marshA view back towards Kingshill Farmhouse and the other buildings of the reserve that are positioned on slightly elevated ground. In the foreground is an artificial sand martin bank although this is yet to be discovered by the birds.
Thousands of waterfowl come to overwinter at Elmley and great flocks rise and fall over the marsh. It was wonderful to see such a density of birds in one place.
One of the two isolated buildings out on the marsh, both of which used to be farms but are now used for animal husbandry by the reserve staff. Both buildings will have pairs of barn owls nesting in them in the springA very large number of widgeon on the SwaleA flock of around two hundred and fifty black-tailed godwit. The industry on the North Kent coast alongside Sheppey provides a starkly contrasting backdrop to all the natural wonders of the reserveOne of the black-tailed godwitThis black-tailed godwit was colour-ringed and I was able to report the sighting to the relevant group. There are also bar-tailed godwit on the reserveSnipe amongst the grassesWe saw several kestrels hunting on the reserveLast year a curlew recovery project got underway at Elmley where the birds are ‘head started’ by being closely supported from egg to fledgling to increase the overall population
Elmley is known for its marsh harrier roost in the winter – last January there had been 110 of these birds of prey circling the reed beds at dusk, arriving from throughout northern Kent as the light starts to fade. On the night we stayed this week there were about 45 coming in to roost.
The reed beds at Elmley where marsh harriers gather in great numbers during the winter. The looming power station burning domestic waste is on the mainland across The SwaleWe returned to the reed bed the next morning and heard the pinging of bearded tits. Before long they made an appearance and we got great views – and of a Cetti’s warbler as well – although unfortunately no photos because they didn’t stay still. It was the first time that we had managed to properly see either of these birds:A bearded tit by Carles Pastor on Wikimedia CommonsA Cetti’s Warbler by Charles J Sharp on Wikimedia Commons
But perhaps the main draw for us, bringing us back to the reserve in the depths of winter, was the prospect of seeing owls.
We were definitely not alone in wanting to experience the owls. Alongside the car park is one of the three short-eared owl roosts on the reserve and people were gathering here all day hoping to see some actionThere are thought to be twenty to thirty short-eared owls spending the winter at Elmley this year. Foxes and other predators are controlled and perhaps this is one of the reasons why these owls, who roost on the ground, choose to comeThere is a theory that the short-eared owls that are out hunting by day are the ones that fledged in the Arctic where there is no darkness during the summer months. This photograph really shows the wing length of these long-distance fliersWe rather wished we had better camera equipment or, probably more accurately, knew how to properly use the kit that we haveAlthough I am rather pleased with this photograph The penetrating gaze of these owls is captivating
There are also seven pairs of barn owls resident on the reserve. We took a walk at dusk and saw three different barn owls hunting in the rough grassland around us. The next morning we returned at first light and were delighted to again see three barn owls.
They are beautiful birds with their heart-shaped facesI was surprised at how dark the feathers on their backs can beThe light levels were quite low but my camera just about copedLovely wing markings when in flight
We went on a walking tour with the warden of the reserve and he showed us a structure in the glamping area that was used as a camp kitchen last summer:
But this winter the barn owls have been roosting in it, producing a lot of white birds muck and fresh black pellets:
This is going to need a bit of a clean up if it is going to be used as a kitchen again this summer
We also saw a barn owl taking shelter in a kestrel box:
The old school house dates from the late 19th century when there was a small brick-making factory down on the banks of the Swale where the reed beds are today. The school is now in ruins but is home to one of the three pairs of little owls who are resident on the reserve:
The atmospheric ruins of the old school houseThe little owl box on the back of the school. I now notice that there is also a barn owl box in the treeA little owl, our third species of owl, sitting on the ruins. There are also long-eared owls on the reserve this winter but we didn’t see themWe got some good photos of these school house little owls when we stayed on the reserve last MayThere are a lot of hares at ElmleyLast May, several young hares were spending time around our shepherd’s hut, using the close proximity of us humans as additional protection against predators such as the marsh harriers
We were only at Elmley for twenty-four hours but, in that short time, we have been reinvigorated by immersion in the wonders of the natural world.
A friendly robin at our lunch stop in the cow byre – taken on my phone since my camera was otherwise occupied
We have returned home inspired and impatient for our next stay in May. The short-eared owls will be gone by then but there should be baby animals and invertebrates to compensate us for that.
Seems like an impressive reserve, well managed for wildlife. Can’t imagine seeing 45 marsh harriers in one evening!
Looks wonderful there and that shepherds Hut is so wonderfully cosy. Amazing to see all the wildlife especially all the owls.