Oare Marshes
O.S Map 178 TR 013647: Nr Faversham
Postcode: ME13 OQA
The reserve consists of over 81 hectares of grazing marsh with freshwater dykes, open water ‘scrapes’, seawall and saltmarsh.The reserve is of international importance for migratory, over-wintering and breeding wetland birds. Suitable habitat is achieved through manipulation of water levels and livestock grazing. The reserve supports a spectacular and diverse range of wetland bird life.
The whole reserve may be observed from the nature trail and viewing hides. For those confined to a car or wheelchair, there is a disabled only car park 300m from the hide overlooking the east flood.
Directions
By Road:
Oare Marshes can be found at the bottom of Church Road, Oare, Nr Faversham ME13 0QA.
Public Transport:
Bus 333 from Faversham, Sittingbourne and Maidstone to Oare village (1¼ mi/2 km).
Download Reserve Map (PDF)
Key site for
The reserve supports an exciting and diverse range of birds.
- Amongst the breeding species found here are avocet, redshank, snipe, lapwing, water rail, bearded reedling, common tern and garganey.
- Migrating species - black-tailed godwit, ruff, little stint, curlew, sandpiper and whimbrel.
- Over-wintering - Brent goose, dunlin, curlew, wigeon, merlin, hen harrier, short-eared owl, bittern and twite.
Appeal update
- Our appeal for Oare Marshes, near Faversham raised a superb £65,000. These funds were urgently needed to protect and help pay for a 35-acre extension to the reserve to enable more endangered wildlife to be protected and preserved. The trust has already built sluices to help restore water levels for the benefit of birds such as wigeon and black tailed godwit. A hay cutting regime and grazing of the marsh land has been implemented to diversify the grassland sward for birds including lapwing and skylark.
- A huge thank you to all our members and supporters for your continued support.
Wildlife update
- The Trust commenced the conservation of Pheasant Farm extension in August using a local farmer to take a hay crop, which was followed by autumn/early winter cattle grazing.
