Recommended time of High Water: 8am

During late summer and autumn, many migrant birds begin their passage south. Many of these pass through our locality and an early morning walk during late September can reward the observer with an impressive list of sightings. To maximise this list, the route should include as many habitats as possible.

Start from Seasalter’s old church (TQ 093647). The surrounding trees and bushes offer plenty of cover for feeding migrants and breeding birds. An early start is essential to find the various warblers and finches: Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs have all bred in the vicinity. At this time they can be outnumbered by robins flocks of Goldflnches which feed on seed heads in the large field to the south.

Green Woodpeckers and Great Spotted Woodpeckers are both seen regularly, as are all the ‘garden birds’ such as Robins, Dunnocks, Tits and Thrushes. Migrant birds vary from year to year but Goldcrests and perhaps the occasional Spotted or Pied Flycatcher might be found. Ring Ouzels, Redstarts and Black Redstarts have also been recorded here. During this season of plenty, Sparrowhawks, Hobbys and Kestrels patrol the area, looking for an easy meal. After about an hour, with the number of species on the list approaching twenty-five, it is probably time to move on.

Walk northwards down Seasalter Lane towards Seasalter Cross (TQ 091648). A short detour left will give views over the Seasalter Levels and dyke system. Reed and Sedge Warblers might still be evident along the reed fringed dykes and there are usually Mallard and Moorhen on the main drain running north.

Backtrack to Seasalter Cross (TQ 091648) and continue northwards (away from Whitstable) along the Faversham Road for about quarter of a mile. A short stop just before the railway bridge brings another opportunity to scrutinise the trees and bushes for warblers and finches and another chance to scan the marshes.

The road bears left where it meets the coast (TQ 083651). High water presents good opportunities to search for seaduck and terns but the exposed mudflats are necessary to view the many waders which fly in as the tide begins to ebb.

Offshore, an old sunken barge is a favourite resting place for Cormorants and Euder. The first Brent Geese arrive during the third week of September, with wintering Wigeon and Teal becoming more conspicuous with the onset of winter.

Walk west along the beach. The large roost of Turnstones and Ringed Plover just east of the outfall will be dispersing as the tide continues to drop. Careful scrutiny of this roost can produce surprises: Common Sandpiper, Sanderling and Curlew Sandpiper have all been recorded. Out over the sea, Common, Sandwich and Little Terns are regular visitors during August, September and October - usually single birds or small groups, although flocks of over one hundred have been encountered. If the wind has been from a northerly direction for a few days, Gannets, Arctic and Great Skuas may make an appearance, and maybe the less predictable Long-tailed Skua.

At the Environment Agency’s pumping station and sluice (TQ 075651), it is worth looking inland across the marshes and main dyke. The patchwork of ‘leisure plots’ and smallholdings attracts finches, chats and other small birds. The dyke system supports breeding Moorhens, Mute Swans, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Reed Buntings and usually a pair of Coots.

By the time the Sportsman pub (TQ 061650) has been reached the falling tide should have exposed the mudflats, attracting a wide variety of waders. Oystercatchers, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwits, Grey and Golden Plovers should all be present, plus a handful of Knot and Dunlin.

The large shingle beach around the chalets is a regular site for Wheatears, Whinchats, Yellow Wagtails and Linnets, plus the occasional surprise. A male Redstart was recorded last September! As winter approaches, this area is a favourite haunt of Black Redstarts: one or two birds are recorded most years.

Continue along the grassy path along the sea wall. The reedbeds on the left are relatively quiet, now that the breeding Reed and Sedge Warblers have returned to Africa. The only activity is from the resident Reed Buntings, along with small groups of Bearded Reedlings which may be heard ‘pinging’ or glimpsed flitting over the tops of the reeds.

Marsh Harriers hunt regularly over the fields beyond. One pair actually nested on Nagden marshes during 1999 and last year four pairs nested, raising several youngsters. Other birds of prey include Kestrels, the tiny Merlin and the occasional Peregrine Falcon - and most years an Osprey can be included in this list. In September 1999 a juvenile bird was seen many times cruising along the coastline at Seasalter, its presence always preceded by gulls and waders taking to the air.

The Castle Coote shingle spit (TQ 035648), an important breeding area, is approximately km from the Sportsman. Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Reed Buntings and Skylarks will be evident, feeding amongst the vegetation and occasionally alighting on the sea wall. Wheatears and Whinchats are common here and, down on the beach amongst the rocks and breakwaters, a Rock Pipit may be found.

The walk ends at this point. The keen-eyed observer, on his return, may well have amassed a list of approximately 70-75 species.