Conservation
Little Murston Farm

This site is one the KWCA's most recent acquisitions, purchased in 2002. It represents one of 3 sites in the Swale area acquired during 2002, and reflects a period of increased growth for the Association.

It is a small site in a key position on the edge of the estuary, and supports a wide variety of habitat types. The site is within The Swale Special Protection Area and Site of Special Scientific Interest, as well as being within a RAMSAR site, and within the North Kent Marshes ESA.

It is likely that the first survey - to be carried out in 2003 - will reveal a wide diversity of species present. During the winter the site has been visited by mallard, wigeon, teal, pintail, shoveler, common pochard, tufted duck, goldeneye, Canada goose, grey-lag goose, snipe, jack snipe, coot, moorhen, little grebe, great crested grebe, kestrel, sparrowhawk, hen harrier, peregrine falcon, pheasant, red-legged partridge, fieldfare, redwing, magpie and carrion crow.

The most valuable feature of the site are extensive areas of phragmites reed - one of the largest beds in the area occurs on this site. Smaller areas of sea club rush fringe the ditches, whilst rough grazing and areas of thorn scrub and bramble provide variety.

The site provides limited shooting for a small syndicate of club members, whilst the adjacent seawall which is also in the ownership of the KWCA provides shooting opportunity for KWCA members under the normal permit scheme. The site also abuts the KWCA's extensive inter-tidal refuge at Emley Reach and the area has now become one the Association's key conservation sites.