NEKMPA Coastal Wardens/Guardian Events & Activities 2018

Activity Survey Dates: The 2018 survey dates are shown below – with the first survey date ANY WEEKDAY during that first week of the month (only the Monday is shown below); and the second survey ANY WEEKEND DAY on the 3rd Weekend of the month (only the Saturday is shown below; 2nd weekend from November). BUT you can forward survey details for each time that you visit, as more the better! Remember if you cannot make a survey date, please try to complete one as close to the date as possible. All surveys can be entered online via the link on the Coastal Warden own webpage (below) via the Activity Survey link. http://nekmpa.org.uk/coastal-warden-survey/ Also, keep in touch via: nekmpa1 ThanetCoastProj plus the “Closed Group” site for Coastal Wardens: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NEKMPACoastalWardens/ and Coastal Guardians (All Kent): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1888061721465026/

Survey 1 (a weekday) Survey 2 (Sat or Sun) 2018 1st full week each month - commencing A weekend day; every 3rd full weekend: (Ramsgate times) Jan to Oct; (2rd weekend Nov to Dec) Mon 1 Sat 20 January High tide 10:23 (5.1) High tide 13:28 (4.8) Mon 5 Sat 17 February High tide 15:03 (4.8) High tide 12:34 (5.0) Mon 5 Sat 17 March High tide 13:51 (5.1) High tide 11:34 (5.0) Mon 2 Sat 21 April High tide 13:45 (5.2) Low tide 10:43 (0.8) Mon 7 Sat 19 May Low tide 11:17 (1.4) Low tide 09:55 (0.7) Mon 4 Sat 16 June Low tide 10:10 (1.1) Low tide 09:04 (0.5) Mon 2 Sat 21 July Low tide 09:20 (0.9) Low tide 13:38 (1.1) Mon 6 Sat 18 August Low tide 13:28 (1.4) Low tide 12:01 (0.9) Mon 3 Sat 15 September Low tide 11:51 (1.3) Low tide 10:43 (0.7) Mon 1 Sat 20 October High tide 16:12 (4.9) High tide 09:21 (4.2) Mon 5 Sat 10 November High tide 09:27 (5.0) High tide 12:57 (5.2) Mon 2 Sat 8 December High tide 08:09 (4.6) High tide 12:02 (5.0)

Note: Ramsgate High Tide times shown above (Add 7 mins = Broadstairs; 45 mins = ). For tide tables in the & area, sometimes on Canterbury City Council website or use: http://www.tides4fishing.com/

http://www.tides4fishing.com/uk/england/ramsgate http://www.tides4fishing.com/uk/england/herne-bay#_tide_table http://www.tides4fishing.com/uk/england/broadstairs http://www.tides4fishing.com/uk/england/whitstable#_tide_table http://www.tides4fishing.com/uk/england/margate#_tide_table

Trainings and Events Listings: KEY: If underlined = it means it is open to the public

January 2018

Shoresearch – Kingsdown (just south of Deal) Sun. 7 January (for times and meeting point please book) Join this survey of the shore to identify and record the species & their habitats. The results help build a baseline data set of the wildlife of Kent’s shores and help promote its conservation. All identification abilities welcome. Please email register to attend: [email protected]

The Turnstone population is one of only two species found in internationally important numbers within the NEKMPA & is used as our ‘indicator’ of how coastal birds are faring here. The surveys over the last few years have indicated a substantial decline in the local population. This winter’s survey is extremely important in order to reassess the condition of the current population numbers in and around our area. NEKMPA Turnstone Briefing 2018 Sat 13 January, 11am (2hrs) Drum Room, Droit House (Margate VIC), Margate Harbour, Margate CT9 1JD This briefing workshop is for volunteers that would like to help this winter on the two co-ordinated counts* of our local Turnstone population led by the Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust (SBBOT) in conjunction with NEKMPA Coastal Wardens/Guardians; RSPB local group & SBBOT. *COORDINATED COUNT DATES: to help establish the turnstone population within the allocated survey sections: Sat. 20 Jan Ramsgate High Tide is 13:28 (4.8m) & Margate 14.10 (4.5m ) ….. Sat. 17 Feb Ramsgate High Tide 12:34 (5.0m); Margate 13:13 (4.6m) …… Book online: https://doodle.com/poll/gxuc92mt26dh2sdz

Making a Buzz for the Coast - A chance to hear about work to conserve rare bumblebees in Thanet Wed 24 January, 7pm (2hrs) - Lauren Kennedy & Lawrence Sampson (BBCT) Drum Room, Droit House (Margate VIC), Margate Harbour, Margate CT9 1JD The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) has teamed up with the Thanet Coast Project, Thanet Council’s Open Spaces and other partners to enhance the area's bumblebee populations in and around Thanet. This is part of a wider HLF funded project in Kent called ‘Making a Buzz for the Coast’. This public talk will introduce local people to the work in Thanet, and to hear about opportunities to get involved. BOOKING ESSENTIAL: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/making-a-buzz-for-the-coast-conserving-rare- bumblebees-in-thanet-tickets-41499920379?ref=estw

Practical: CoastBuster Tasks (Non-native marine species project) These practical sessions involve the control of the spread of the Pacific Oyster around the Kent coast. One team in Thanet – mainly around Ramsgate Harbour & the Western Undercliff into Pegwell Bay & the National Nature Reserve). Tasks are led by volunteers & are run by Natural England. The other team is for the North Kent Coast – including work on Sheppey, Hamptons (Herne Bay) and Swalecliffe. These are part of the Guardians of the Deep project and the Kent Wildlife Trust. New volunteers can register their interest to get involved with us at [email protected] – to take the next ‘Coastbuster’ training session – in June; or for the North Kent Team with [email protected] 23 Jan 8.15am Western Undercliff, Ramsgate

February

Practical: CoastBuster Tasks (see above) 5 Feb 8.15am Ramsgate Harbour 21 Feb 8am Western Undercliff, Ramsgate 21 Feb, 8.30am Hampton Pier

Shoresearch – Louisa Bay, Broadstairs Mon 5 February (for times and meeting point please book) Join in with a survey of the shore to identify and record the species and their habitats. The results help build a baseline data set of the wildlife of Kent’s shores and help promote its conservation. All identification abilities welcome. Please email to register to attend: [email protected]

Thanet Coast Project - Planning Group 2.30pm Species Folder Project Group 4.30pm Wed 7 February, 2.30pm & 4.30pm, Thanet Council Offices Meeting of the volunteers taking part in the educational species project – researching & developing information on species around the Thanet Coast. If you would like to join in – please email [email protected] with ‘Species Folder Project Group’ in the title & Attn: Mandy Jarvis.

Shrub/Tree planting – Westbrook Undercliff Nature Park Sat 24 February, 10am Join this tree planting session to put back an area of scrub besides the chalk grassland currently being managed as part of the ‘Buzz for the Coast’ project with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT). Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for planting – tools provided, but worth bringing a spade if you have one! To register your interest to help – use the doodlepoll & we will forward to BBCT: https://doodle.com/poll/gxuc92mt26dh2sdz

March

Great British Spring Clean! (Keep Britain Tidy) Fri 2 to Sun. 4 March – various locations Why not help on a community group clean up – or run your own 2-minute clean? This spring campaign is coordinated by Keep Britain Tidy – click on poster (hyperlink} to get to their website for information

and to register! Thanet Coast Project & Thanet Council can loan out equipment to support local groups running clean-ups - or join an event. Please do let us know the time and location of a clean if you decide to run one!

Tales & Ales 8 March, 7pm - The Alma Pub, Deal Join professional storyteller Roisin Murray for an evening celebrating the rich seam of stories & legends from around our coastline. Hear tales of shipwrecks, smugglers and pirates. Find out what the connection is between a -master, Prince Philip and a 6 foot high “berg” of Vaseline & so much more in this evening of storytelling for grown ups. Free (HLF funded). Booking essential: https://guardiansofthedeep.org/events/tales-ales/

NEKMPA Coastal Warden/Guardian - Introductory Training Sat 17 March, 9.30am (3hrs) - Horsebridge Centre, Whitstable This is the first introductory module for new Coastal Wardens / Guardians for NE Kent coast. New volunteers will be taken through the marine protected area importance of the area and your role as a coastal volunteers and how you can help through various ways - including activity surveys and incident reporting. Booking essential: [email protected] NEW WARDENS ONLY

Two Coastal Warden volunteers needed to help new volunteers on this introductory training event: Please volunteer via: [email protected]

Shoresearch – Palm Bay, Margate Sat 24 March - for times & meeting point please book Join in with a survey of the shore to identify and record the species and their habitats. The results help build a baseline data set of the wildlife of Kent’s shores and help promote its conservation. All identification abilities welcome. Please email to register your attendance: [email protected]

Practical: CoastBuster Tasks (see previous – 23 Jan) 7 Mar 8.15am Ramsgate Harbour 22 Mar. 8am Western Undercliff, Ramsgate 4 Apr, 8am Western Undercliff, Ramsgate 6 March, 8am Hampton Pier 22 March, 8.15am Herne Bay Pier

April – advanced notice & chance to book on now

Great Eggcase & Scavenger Hunts (Volunteer Opportunity) Volunteer at these public events by helping participants look out for clues of life in our seas and the egg cases of sharks and rays - and then help to create a marine art masterpiece on the beach over the school Easter break. These hunts last for 45 minutes with another 45 minutes of ‘art-time’. These events are particularly suitable for 4-11s. . Tue 3 April, 11am - Margate Main Sands (CT9 1XN) Meet: Coastal Community Beach Hut (opp. Arlington House) . Wed 4 April, 11am - Viking Bay, Broadstairs (CT10 1EU) Meet: outside old Broadstairs Harbour Master Office (opp. Tartar Frigate pub) . Thur 5 April, 11am - Ramsgate Main Sands (CT11 8LP) Meet: By the ‘Needle’ or Obelisk (opp. The Belgian Cafe)

To HELP us run the event, please let us know at: https://doodle.com/poll/gxuc92mt26dh2sdz

Helpers will need to arrive on the day ½ hour before these events are scheduled to begin. A DBS is recommended if you are able to help at all 3 events (otherwise not essential, as adults have to accompany children).

Big Spring Beach Clean (Surfers Against Sewage) 7 to 15 April - Various locations Why not help on a community led clean up – or run your own event? This spring campaign is coordinated by SAS – click on poster (hyperlink} to get to their website for information and to register! Thanet Coast Project & Thanet Council can loan out equipment to support local groups running clean-ups – or you can join an event - look out on the ‘What’s On’ section of our website for more information. Please do let us know the time and location of a clean if you decide to run one!

Beach Clean - Pegwell Bay NNR, Cliffsend Sun 8 April, 10am (2hrs) Monthly beach clean at Pegwell Bay begins as part of the Guardians of the Deep project with the view that the responsibility for holding the beach cleans are taken on by a group of wardens/guardians. All equipment provided. Please dress appropriately for the activity and weather. All under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Meet: Viking Ship Hugin Car Park, CT12 5JD

Shoresearch – Samphire Hoe, Dover Sat 21 April - for times and meeting point please book. Join this survey of the shore life & habitats to build a baseline data set of wildlife of the Kent coast to help promote its conservation. All identification abilities welcome. Booking essential: Fiona.White@ken