Latest news with #ElmleyNatureReserve
BBC News
24-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Curlews 'flying beautifully' after Elmley Nature Reserve release
A flock of curlews has been released into the wild at a nature reserve in Kent as part of a major conservation effort to restore populations of one of the UK's most threatened wading chicks, hatched and reared in captivity at Elmley Nature Reserve on the Isle of Sheppey, are now young adults and flying free in their new release is part of a wider programme aimed at restoring breeding populations in areas where they have been Higgs, who oversaw their care and watched the release, said: "I'm over the moon. It couldn't have gone any better. All the birds we let go are flying beautifully." Over the past 40 years, populations of the Eurasian curlew – known for its distinctive long, downturned bill and haunting call – have plummeted, particularly in southern England and birds, which nest on the ground, are attacked by predators such as foxes and stoats. Philip Merricks, a farmer, landowner and conservationist, explained that rearing the birds in captivity "just gives the young curlew a chance". The eggs were collected from nests in North Yorkshire, which were in vulnerable positions such as next to footpaths. They were incubated there for three weeks before being transported to Kent. The young birds were then raised in specially designed aviaries before their release at eight weeks old. Another batch will be released next week. This is the third year that curlews have been reared and released this way at the reserve, but although they can currently be spotted at Elmley, they do not yet breed warden Simon Ginnaw said curlews tended to return to the place they were born to lay their own eggs as a survival strategy. He added: "They breed when they are three years old, the project is now three years old so next year, 2026, hopefully the first birds will come back and establish breeding here."The reserve is asking people to report sightings to them, including pictures of the special rings that have been attached to the birds' rings have letters on that can help experts map the distribution of the birds.
The Sun
19-07-2025
- The Sun
Kent's best campsite has its own private beach and 3,000 acres that feels like the savannah
PEACEFUL countryside, a private beach and glam shepherd huts - you'll find it all at the now award-winning Elmley Nature Reserve. The campsite on the Isle of Sheppey has scooped up a Muddy Stilettos Award for Boutique Stay in Kent for 2025. 6 6 Elmley Nature Reserve is just an hour from London, found in North Kent on the Isle of Sheppey. The site is so vast, set across 3,300 acres, that it felt less like Kent, and more like being in the middle of the African savannah. There are waterways and grasslands, but the real gem is the private beach. Called Cockleshell Beach, it's a small shell-covered beach at the eastern tip of the island. During the summer months, you can go there and take a dip in the water. At other times of the year, it's used for migratory birds, and there's even a viewing screen for guests to watch and get a closer look. For anyone wanting to stop and stay, there are lots of choices including a large campsite. On-site are four shepherd huts called Little Owl and Samphire sleeping two while The Saltbox, The Damson and The Ferryman's sleep four. The cabins are a great option for families as they sleep two adults and two children under the age of 10. These are called The Roost, Martha's Hut, James' Hide and The Isle. Other amenities include a wood burning stove and an outdoor bath. 6 6 For anyone wanting to get even closer to nature, you can camp out in one of the four bell tents. Or for larger groups there's Elmley Cottage which sleeps 10, or the Kingshill Farmhouse for up to 12 guests. As for food and drink, there's no on-site restaurant, but there are provided hampers and delicious meals. During the summer, the reserve supplies wood-fired pizzas with a drink or your choice. You can take it back to your accommodation, or enjoy it outside in the courtyard. There are breakfast hampers that will be delivered to your door, from bacon sandwiches to pastries and porridge. For anyone going exploring, you can pre-book picnics to take along with you. Or use the honest bar filled with snacks, drinks and complimentary tea and coffee. 6 If you're not completely relaxed already, there is even a spa where you can get treatments from messages to hydrating facials. Other activities include a Land Rover safari, it's an off-road adventure to see the wider reserve and spot rare wildlife. There's also a two hour walking tour at dusk where a guide will give you the best chance of spotting the local owls. You don't have to stay overnight, although, why wouldn't you? But you can book day tickets to the nature reserve too. For any camping fans, here are the UK's best that have perfect reviews and honesty shops. And these are the top 20 most idyllic camping destinations in the country. 6
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Curlew chicks hatch in Kent conservation project
A Kent nature reserve is playing a key role in efforts to revive southern England's dwindling curlew chicks have successfully hatched and are being raised in captivity as part of a project to save one of Britain's most iconic wading birds from local chicks, hatched from eggs collected in northern England, are being cared for at Elmley Nature Reserve on the Isle of Sheppey. They are due to be released into the wild later this summer. Curlews, easily recognised by their long, down-curved bills and haunting calls, are Europe's largest wading birds. They nest on the ground and are typically seen feeding on tidal mudflats and salt in southern England have plummeted in recent decades due, it is thought, to habitat loss and high numbers of predators such as manager Gareth Fulton said: "The reason for the project is that curlews in southern England, basically everything south of Birmingham, are down to about the last 200 pairs and they need to produce more chicks per year to sustain their population. "So they're going to go extinct here in 20 years if no one does anything." Elmley is one of three sites involved in the South of England Curlew Project supported by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). They have officially been granted a licence from Natural England to receive and rear curlew eggs. Mr Fulton said they are working closely with experts in the Yorkshire Dales, where the curlew population is healthier. They identify where nests have been made in vulnerable locations, such as near a footpath or in fields that will be cut for grass before the chicks are said: "The experts watch the nests, know when the eggs are laid and know when they're ready to move. "They're incubated in Yorkshire for a few weeks before being brought here." Conservationists believe captive-rearing gives the birds the best chance of survival during their vulnerable early stages. With 3,300 acres of wet grassland and meadows, alongside salt marsh and mudflats of the River Swale, Elmley offers a protected environment for the birds to thrive. Curlews typically breed in the same area where they themselves were raised. Therefore, the hope is the chicks will return to breed at the reserve when they are mature. With this being the third year of the project, conservationists are looking out for returning birds and hopefully nests in 2026.
