About the reserve

This reserve is home to thousands of wildfowl and waders in winter, and some very special plants in summer. Visit on a calm summers day when it reverberates to the sounds of grasshoppers, beetles, skylark, reed warbler and breeding redshank. Amongst the reeds you may also hear the 'ching' of a bearded reedling or catch a distant view of a marsh harrier. On the beach, look for spectacular yellow horned-poppy. Saltmarsh plants grow best in Faversham Creek: goldern samphire, sea-lavender and sea-purslane together make a vibrantly colourful show.

In winter, the mudflats and tidal waters of the Swale estuary teem with shellfish, worms and certain specialised plants. These attract huge numbers of birds to feed, especially as the tide goes out. Wigeon and up to 2,000 Brent geese rely heavily on the eelgrass which grows below the high tide mark. You can also look out for the occasional short-eared owl or hen harrier hunting for small mammals or unsuspecting birds. The merlin is also a frequent winter visitor.

Kent Wildlife Trust are opposing the development of the Cleve Hill Solar Park because of the impacts it would have on wildlife. Find out more below.

Cleve Hill Solar Park