New dawn for Oare Marshes - Kent Wildlife Trust

Oare Marshes, near Faversham, is one of the few grazing marshes left in Kent and of significant importance for migratory birds

Kent Wildlife Trust is now the proud owner of an Internationally Important Nature Reserve near Faversham after the company Tarmac transferred the deeds over to the charity as a gift.

The trust has leased and managed Oare Marshes since 1984 from the company Tarmac, it is one of the trust’s flagship reserves.

The new ownership has been described as a ‘Marsh Milestone’ by Kent Wildlife Trust who are delighted to have secured this precious jewel in the crown of Kent’s nature reserves for future generations to come.

A clause in the lease from Tarmac stated that Kent Wildlife Trust could purchase the freehold of the site after 25 years, and as that date approaches, the company generously agreed to hand over the 69 hectares of rare wildlife habitat to the trust, with the charity only covering the legal fees.

It is estimated that around 250 bird species can be found at Oare Marshes such as Bearded Tit, Avocet, waders and ducks. In summer the site is home to European Turtle Doves, Little Ringed Plover and warblers. As autumn closes its visitors can catch a glimpse of Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, Whimbrel and Common Greenshank.

Locals also travel to the site to bottle water from the fresh artesian well. The natural spring, which reaches 250 feet into the earth, was tapped by the local Mining Machinery and Improvement Company in the early 1900s. Local sailors were said to drink from the well, and the surrounding marshland and wildlife rely on the spring’s flowing water.