Swanscombe Marshes

Upon entering Swanscombe marshes today, I experienced two distinct sensations. The first thing I noticed was the incredible noise, a thrum, emanating from crickets and other insects in the weedy grass, barely metres from the last block of river front apartments. My delight with this was quickly tempered though by something else, a feeling in my gut, an almost physical lurching, when I thought about the future of this important site. Walking through it, over the rocky, flower-rich embankment and along the many overgrown desire lines, on the verge of being reclaimed by bramble, buddleia, rank grasses and more, it was impossible to hide from the unpleasant distraction of the imminent planning application from London Paramount. But it is testament to this place that I could still wander, immersed and frequently amazed, happily for a few hours.

I wasn't the only one. A couple of guys fished on the bank of the river by the entrance, while their kids sat cross-legged in the tall grass. I asked what they were catching, "mud and boots so far", but they didn't seem to mind. Elsewhere, an elderly couple sat quietly on some steps, watching the river, and a few dog walkers made their way about the place. Between all this was that ever-present thrum.

Walking through the tangle of grass, clover and vetchling, butterflies flushed at every step; mobs of gatekeepers, common blues, the odd skipper, whites and a Small Copper. After one such step something bigger took flight with a silent clap of deep yellow wings and a Clouded Yellow butterfly swept across my path. This was my first in Britain this year and somewhat unexpected given it's relative scarcity. Later on, I saw several more, with at least two individuals present.

Clouded Yellow butterfly, Swanscombe Marsh, 27/7/14

Small Copper, Swanscombe Marsh, 27/7/14

By the derelict pier, two skylarks flushed from the bare, weedy ground and flocks of linnets and goldfinches buzzed overhead. The abundance of scrub here is ideal nesting habitat for birds like these so it was no surprise to see many juveniles in their midst. While admiring the pier and the manner in which nature has blossomed in its disrepair, a Common Sandpiper called and flew in to find a suitable roost for the high tide. A little further along I spotted a fine, male Stonechat perched up on a spiny limb of Dog Rose, shortly before he was joined by a female and a juvenile. This group were then joined by a never-ending parade of common whitethroats, with up to eleven appearing in the same bush at any one time. Again, it was good to see many juvenile birds, sandy-toned and with plainer features - I've never seen so many in one place before! A Kestrel shot across the sky in the distance before alighting on one of the pylons. Over a small, stagnant pond, a flock of house martins stooped and were joined by a couple of swifts, no doubt on their way back south. At the edges, I watched dragonflies chasing around endlessly. I was mesmerised by a pair Ruddy darters mating:

Ruddy darters, Swanscombe Marsh, 27/7/14

Emperor Dragonfly ovipositing, Swanscombe Marshes, 27/7/14

House Martins over Greenhithe

Stonechat and Common Whitethroat, Swanscombe Marsh, 27/7/14
- in the background is the Cobelfret ferry - familiar to estuary birdwatchers!

It was an excellent walk and great to see the wildlife thriving - long may that continue. Swanscombe marshes has a truly excellent variety of habitats and is an overlooked local gem. It is a wild classroom and in many of its parts, an excellent example of natural succession in an urban context. The blinded and irresponsible development proposed for it will punch a hole in the lungs of North Kent.