#keatfarmparks
Wetlands
What is a Wetland?
A wetland is an area of land that is either permanently or seasonally covered by water. These ecosystems are characterized by the presence of water, which influences the soil and the types of plants and animals that can survive there. Wetlands can be found in various forms, including marshes, fens, bogs, wet grasslands, wet woodlands, rivers, and ponds. They are crucial for biodiversity, supporting a wide range of species and serving as habitats for birds, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Additionally, wetlands play a vital role in water purification, flood control, and carbon storage.
Flood Control:
Wetlands act like sponges, soaking up rain water and slowing down water flow, reducing flood risk downstream, especially during heavy rainfall.
Carbon Sequestration:
Peatlands, a type of wetland, store large quantities of carbon, making them vital in mitigating climate change.
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Biodiversity Hotspot:
Wetlands provide diverse habitats for a wide range of plant and animal species, including birds, fish amphibians and insects.
Water Quality Improvement:
Wetlands naturally filter pollutants from water, improving its quality.
Recreational Value:
Wetlands offer opportunities for activities such as fishing, bird watching and nature walks.
Coastal Protection:
Coastal wetlands can help stabilise shorelines and protect against erosion caused by waves.
We are very lucky to have some wetland areas close by which you can visit!
Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve:
Sandwich Road,Cliffsend, Kent, CT12 5JB
Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve - a complex mosaic of habitats, which is of international importance for its bird population.
The site includes Pegwell Bay Country Park, a little gem with stunning sea views, a play area and picnic spot with mobile refreshments nearby - perfect for family fun in the fresh air
The Kent Wildlife Trust's largest and one of its most important national nature reserves, with the only ancient dune pasture in Kent. The reserve is made up of a complex mosaic of habitats: inter-tidal mudflats, saltmarsh, shingle beach, sand dunes, ancient dune pastures, chalk cliffs, wave-cut platforms and coastal scrubland.
The reserve is of international importance for its waders and wildfowl, best seen over winter or during the spring and autumn migrations from the bird hide. You also spot Highland Cattle, and occasionally Konik horses.
The site is 29 hectares in size and offers a range of opportunities for all visitors and user groups. Perfect for a refreshing coastal walk or bike ride. Route 15 of the Sustrans national network passes through the site, lining up with the Viking Coastal Trail around Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate and Active Ramsgate's Pier to Pier ride to Deal
Oare Marshes Nature Reserve:
Church Road, Oare, Faversham, ME13 0QD
Of international importance for migratory, overwintering and breeding wetland birds, the reserve consists of grazing marsh (one of a few left in Kent) with freshwater dykes, open water scrapes, reedbed, saltmarsh and seawall.
One of the most popular bird watching reserves in the southeast and of international importance for migratory ,overwintering and breeding wetland birds.
It consists of 89 hectares of grazing marsh (one of a few left in Kent) with freshwater dykes, open water scrapes, reedbed, saltmarsh and seawall. Suitable habitat is achieved by the manipulation of water levels and livestock grazing.
Amongst the breeding species found here are avocet, redshank, snipe, lapwing, water rail, bearded reedling, pochard, gadwall, little grebe and garganey. Migrating species include black-tailed godwit, ruff, little stint, curlew sandpiper and whimbrel. Brent goose, dunlin, curlew, wigeon, merlin, hen harrier, marsh harrier, peregrine falcon, short-eared owl, bittern and twite, all overwinter here.
Notable flora in summer includes golden samphire shimmering amongst the purple sea lavender. There are three bird watching hides and numerous interpretation boards on site.
Stodmarsh Nature Reserve: Stodmarsh Stodmarsh CT3 4BA
Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve (NNR), near Canterbury, is a unique area of wetland with marshes, reedbeds, lakes and woodland that is home to a rich variety of wildlife especially water birds.
The reserve has the largest reed bed in the south east of England, which supports a range of specialised birds and insects. The reed beds are an excellent sanctuary for migrating birds such as swallows and house martins in the summer and starlings in the winter. Bittern, marsh harrier, kingfisher, great crested grebe, coot, moorhen, reed bunting, bearded reedling can all be seen.
The reserve supports a large variety of invertebrates (including dragonflies and moths) and rare plants. It also has a strong population of water voles.
Stodmarsh has over 6 kilometres of footpaths, including a circular walk around the whole site. There are short and long easy access ‘sensory’ trails at the Stodmarsh end of the reserve, both with wheelchair access.
Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve is located just outside Canterbury between Stodmarsh Village and Grove Ferry Picnic Site and is one of the best places in the country to enjoy the outdoors and experience spectacular wildlife. It is owned by Natural England and managed for wildlife and visitors. The nature trails across the Reserve will help you get the most from your visit and take you past wildlife hotspots. You could bring a pair of binoculars to get a close-up view of the wildfowl from our bird hides, and you will be able to find out more about the special nature and places at this site from the interpretation panels.
Make your own Wetland habitat at home!
A Downpipe Garden can be Downright Beautiful
Do you wish you had a pond, but don’t have the space? Here’s a great idea to turn your drainpipe into a mini-pond with built in water supply – you’ll have your very own wetland reserve. And it’s virtually maintenance free.
Just like huge landscape-scale wetlands, a mini-wetland will slow the flow of water which creates great wildlife habitat and helps to regulate flooding, drought and pollution.
Think of it not so much as a bug hotel but more an eco-friendly spa resort that benefits the wider environment!
Most rain gardens are started by creating a depression in your yard or by using a natural low spot to collect rainwater. Once you have created or identified the slope, you have to ensure the drainage is right
Downpipe rain gardens are, at their simplest, shallow hollows that collect rainwater. What makes them different from ponds or bog gardens is that the water is allowed to drain away into the soil, so they will be dry when they’re dry and wet when it’s wet.
A good rain garden:
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Soaks up and stores surplus water, reducing the amount that runs off into drains, so helping to prevent flooding
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Helps reduce pollution - rain gardens are effective in removing up to 90% of nutrients and chemicals and up to 80% of sediments from rainwater runoff
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Uses clever water storage solutions making it less reliant on mains water and better able to survive periods of drought
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Uses plants that can cope with a variety of moisture conditions from droughts to floods
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Attracts and supports nature from bugs to butterflies, birds to bees
Positioning planters under downpipes is a great way to intercept and soak up water from your roof.
Rills and channels can help you divert the water to where you want it. They can also make fun features for kids to play with and they look and sound fantastic.
Using porous paving like paving stones with gravel or planting in the gaps is a great way of reducing runoff and allowing water to soak down to the soil beneath.
A rain garden is dry most of the time. It typically holds water only during and following rain, and they drain within 12 to 48 hours, so you need to choose plants that can survive a range of moisture conditions. Some colourful suggestions include: Yellow flag iris , Daylily , Purple loosestrife , Bistort, Coneflower, Meadowsweet, Primrose, Penstemon, and Granny's Bonnet.