Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Kent |
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| Grid reference | TR222618 |
| Interest | biological, ornithological |
| Area | 604.4 hectares 1493.4 acres |
| Notification | 1951 |
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Designations
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| Official name: Stodmarsh | |
| Designated: | 16 December 1993 |
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| Reference #: | 646 |
The Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve is a special place for wildlife in Kent, England. It's located in the valley of the Great Stour river, between two areas called Westbere and Grove Ferry. This reserve is part of a larger protected area known as the Stodmarsh SSSI, which also includes the nearby Westbere Marshes. It's a fantastic spot to discover different types of nature and see rare animals.
Contents
What Makes Stodmarsh Special?
The Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve is important because it has many different natural areas. These areas provide homes for a wide variety of plants and animals.
Diverse Habitats for Wildlife
The reserve is made up of several key habitats:
- A large area of open water at Stodmarsh, like a big lake.
- Flooded gravel pits at Westbere, which are old mining areas now filled with water.
- Huge areas of reedbeds, which are wetlands covered in tall grasses called reeds.
- Alder woodland and carr, which are types of wet forests.
- Water meadows and rough grazing land at Grove Ferry, where the ground is often wet.
A "Spotlight Reserve" for Nature
Stodmarsh is one of only 35 "spotlight reserves" in England. This special title is given by Natural England, a government group that protects nature. It means Stodmarsh is one of the most important nature reserves in the country.
How Stodmarsh Became a Wetland
It's interesting to know that Stodmarsh isn't entirely "natural." Some parts of the area, especially near Grove Ferry, were changed back into wetlands by people. This was done by English Nature (now Natural England) to help wildlife. Also, some of the open water areas were created when places used for digging up gravel, or areas where the ground sank because of mining, became flooded. So, it's a mix of natural processes and human help!
Amazing Animals at Stodmarsh
Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve is famous for its incredible wildlife, especially its birds and other important animals.
Rare Birds and Birdwatching
The Stodmarsh NNR and the area around Grove Ferry are well-known for attracting rare and endangered bird species. Birdwatchers love to visit this spot because they might see birds that are hard to find anywhere else. If you're interested in all the different birds that have been seen here, you can find a full list on the Kent Ornithological Society's website.
Protecting Endangered Mammals
Stodmarsh NNR is a very important place for protecting critically endangered aquatic mammals. These are mammals that live in or near water. Two important species found here are the European otter and the water vole. The reserve helps make sure these animals have a safe place to live and thrive. It's a central part of the Kentish Stour Countryside Project, which works to protect the natural environment in this region.
Visiting Stodmarsh Reserve
You can visit the Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve and explore its beautiful landscapes.
How to Get There
There are two main ways to enter the reserve:
- From Stodmarsh village: This is on the south-west side. There's a car park here (grid reference TR220606).
- From Grove Ferry: This is on the north-east side.
Exploring the Reserve
The Stour Valley Walk, a long-distance walking path, goes right through the reserve. This means you can enjoy a walk and see the different habitats. The reserve is open to visitors at any time, so you can plan your trip whenever suits you best!
