thanet coast 14 spring/summer 2008 BEACH PLAYSCHEME

New school holiday scheme for kids Paul Keene – Avico Ltd Avico – Keene Paul

Switch to ‘on-line’ newsletter! Help us to save paper by opting to receive the twice-yearly Thanet Coast newsletter ‘on-line’! Email your details and request to [email protected] and we will let you know when Thanet Coast 15 is available. Coastal Project’s Log

his year, the Thanet Coast Project has gone T overboard and we have arranged more exciting events and activities than ever before. Look out, as we launch a brand new beach

playscheme (page 3) running over the school Strokes holidays for the next three years, to complement Beach playscheme – page 3 our programme of coastal activities. Events include wildlife sailing excursions from Birchington to see the seals, and a host of other wildlife and coastal art activities (pages 7 to 10). Learn more about how volunteers can help look after the coast (page 14) and how they receive free training to increase their marine knowledge through the Thanet Coastal Warden Scheme (page 4). Links with community groups Coastal Wardens – page 4 and schools continue to flourish (page 5). The future actions that were agreed by our coastal stakeholders during the revision of the coastal management are summarised on page 6. The draft marine bill is issued by Defra this spring, and goes through a detailed parliamentary scrutiny (www.defra.gov.uk). You can read about one of the most sensitive coastal nature conservation areas in North East Seashore Safari – page10 – at the Sandwich and Pegwell National Nature Reserve – where internationally important Coastal Project’s Log wildlife lives side by side with all our coastal activities (pages 12 and 13). Tony Child, Manager Naomi Biggs, Education Officer Coastal contents 2 Coastal Project’s Log – page 12 3 Coming up – Beach Playscheme 4-5 Community Action 6 Coastal Drift – Management Action 7-10 Coastal Events Listings 11 Shorelines – Arts 12-13 Sandwich and Pegwell Bay NNR 14-15 Coastal Drift – Snippets of news 16 Strandlines Shoresearch – page 8 2 BeachPlay over school holidays

he beach playscheme will T provide eight weeks of activities for children and young people during school holidays, including two weeks at Easter. The events will include many old favourites such as Great Eggcase Hunts and Rockpool Rambles, but don’t forget to look out for some new fun activities too. Supported by the Big Lottery Fund.

Rockpool Rambles 7-11 April Great Eggcase Hunts and Sand Art 14-18 April Seashore Safaris and much more From 23 July into August. All activities last 2 hours, and take place at various locations. (See listings pages 7 to 10). Coming up

The Thanet Coast Project can tailor events to the needs of young people and can provide free transport to events. So if you work with young people aged between five and 16 years, contact us on [email protected] or call now on 01843 577409 to find out more or to book an event for your community group. TDC / Valerie Cameron Valerie TDC / 3 4 Community Action beach clean andtooktotheseaswith Horizon Sea Safaris. shores by following Thanet’s Codes, thetourismteamgot stuck Coastal intoa session. As well ashearing how beach visitorscanreducetheirimpacttoour Seaside session V Marine MammalMedic • Advanced Shorelife Identification • Sandwich River Bus Wildlife Trip • National Nature Reserve Visit • Fossil Extraction • Shoresearch –NorthForeland • Optional modules Inductionand Survey Activity • Thanet Coastal Warden Scheme subsidised (BDMLR, 13 July) £40 Day (KWT, 3July) (SBBOT, 21June &20July) (KWT, 12 June) (Rock Doc,11 May) (KWT, 12 April) (3 May 2008) the coast,after staff joinedthe Thanet Coast Project team for a training isitors to Thanet’s Visitor Information Centrescan now learn moreabout Wardens Log Thanet Coastal Education Officer on01843 577409. [email protected] orcallour uson please contact scheme, ortovolunteer yourself, warden more aboutthecoastal in thebox onthispage. To findout knowledge. Training events arelisted run andpassontheirmarine events for Coastal Wardens tohelp year, withdoublethe usualamountof tour oftheCliftonville station. used inrescuesandfinishingwitha as well as explaining alltheequipment to thebeach withvolunteers in-tow, small cliff rescues by abseilingdown demonstrating how they execute coastguards didawonderful job, and Dealonatrainingexercise. The coastguards from Thanet, HerneBay the cliffs at Botany Bay with year saw thevolunteers going over bance occursattheirroostsites. birdsandwhatlevelcoastal ofdistur- tomonitortheabundance of ects were commissionedby Natural birdcount.Both researchcoastal proj- andacoordinated bance survey witha Observatory Turnstone distur- helping theSandwich Bay Bird T 2008 isshapinguptobeabusy 2008 Training activitiesattheendoflast sprung intoactionthis year by hanet’s Coastal Wardens have hacksaws fishingnetsoff tocuttwisted MinnisBay’s railings! Pegwell Bay, CharteredBank teamwent buttheStandard onestepfurther, using and Hartsdown schools’ off outdoorpursuitsgroupswheeledatractortyre C TIRELESS WORKERS! Brooks on07931 744788 of theircoast. To booka marineday withHorizon Jon SeaSafaris, contact to give children issues andenvironmental aninsightintothewildlife, history Stour andabeach walk for StLawrence CollegeJuniors. The projectaims and the Thanet withaboattriptotheRiver CoastProject isdueto start • A collaborationbetweenwildlife boat touroperator, Horizon SeaSafaris Melmoth andthe Thanet Coast Project’s EducationOfficer, Naomi Biggs. Thanet Leisure Force’s headlifeguard ChrisBetts, HMCoastguardDave safe onthebeach andprotectingwildlife, inwater safety lectures run by • Over of 4,500 Thanet’s school primary children have learnedaboutstaying mixed mediaart;tobookaworkshop callheron01843 591081. their inspirationfor sandsculptures. Ruth works withthecoastlinetocreate exploring Botany Bay’s chalk features, andtheafternoon usingthecoastas Project artistRuth andenvironmental Cutler. The pupils spentthemorning • Pupils fromSpires Academy tookto thebeach withthe Thanet Coast Coast onthecurriculum ready totackle therubbish washed upover winter. The UrsulineCollege groupsandbusinesseshave to ommunity beentaking Thanet’s shores 5 Community Action Coastal Drift 6 of the coast, and engaging diverse local community groups. of thecoast,and engagingdiverse local community green tourism, reducingunintentionalharm throughencouragingresponsible use champions’,or ‘coastal raisingawareness andconcernaboutwildlife through Business Plan2008-12. The main actionsincludethetrainingoflocalvolunteers and thesehave recently beenagreedby theManagementGroupwithinanew fossil extraction guidelines. collaborative work onproducing control ofnon-native speciesand such asrock-pooling, possible pressure fromincreasedactivities Other research willlookatthepublic Sandwich andPegwell Bay area. integrating theactivitieswithin kite-propelled activitiesand management of‘off-road’ vehicles, New measureswillexplore andDover areas. to theCanterbury codes from Thanet alongthecoast extend the shore-basedvoluntary management. There isaproposalto V-notching oflobsterasaway of andpossible of shellfishharvesting related research willlookintoeffects Works atForeness Point. Fisheries the Waste Waterof Treatment Management Planandcompletion oftheShoreline implementation Management Groupandthe Thanet CoastProject. points aresharedbetweenthetenrelevant authoritiesontheNEKEMS allowing the managementdecisionstothemadeby localpeople. The action monitoring component,recognisestheever-changing environment whilst coastal viewed onlineat andthesecanbe discussions, heldduringaseriesofthreeworkshops in 2006, of themarinesitesandsurrounding areas. these features. Itincludesspecificactionstoachieve the effective management wildlife whilstallowing placewithoutdamaging activitiestotake andhabitats, AAEETACTION MANAGEMENT T The majority oftheactionsfallThe withinthe majority Thanet CoastProject’s responsibility, Actions includethelocal All theactionsin users’Action Planareadirectoutcomeofcoastal Scheme 2007 –2012Scheme 2007 The North EastKent European marine sites (NEKEMS)Management www.thanetcoast.org.uk aims tosafeguard marineandcoastal important Safeguarding important marine and coastal and marine important Safeguarding wildlife and habitats, whilst allowing activities allowing whilst habitats, and wildlife to take place without damaging these features. these damaging without place take to The Action Planincludesastrong

Visit Britain SPRING COASTAL EVENTS lways wear suitable clothing C For cycle rides, please ensure your A and shoes for outdoor events. bike is roadworthy or the leader may Bring drinks, sun-block/hats in hot refuse to take you! We also weather or windproof and warmer recommend that riders wear helmets clothing in winter. Most are not too and this is compulsory for children. physically demanding and would suit a V For volunteer tasks wear stout variety of ages – but check details, as footwear and suitable clothing longer events may require more (waterproofs/wind proofs, depending careful preparation. on the weather). For beach cleans, gloves and bags will be provided. KEYS TO THE COAST F These activities are suitable for children and families. However, A Art event children must be accompanied by a C Cycle event responsible adult. F Family event G Guided walk M Meeting/workshop O Other events WHAT ELSE? V Volunteer task W Wildlife-related Look at the variety of events on www.visitthanet.co.uk/ or TCP – Thanet Coast Project children’s events at 01843 577672 www.engage.eu.com or try these www.thanetcoast.org.uk excursion operators from KWT – Kent Wildlife Trust ’s Royal Harbour: Coastal Events 01622 662012 • Capital Coastal Sailing 01843 www.kentwildlifetrust.co.uk 865057 www.capitalcoastal.com PBCP – Pegwell Bay Country Park • Galleon Cruises (from £25) 07889 822412 or 07747 608292 07740 071015 SBBOT – Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust www.galleoncruises.com 01304 617341 • Horizon Sea Safaris (from £18) www.sbbot.co.uk 07931 744788 Book Booking essential www.horizonseasafaris.co.uk • Sea Searcher Boat Trips (from For TCP events, you can reserve your £3) 07837 562076 place online. See the “What’s On” www.thebestof.co.uk/ramsgate section at www.thanetcoast.org.uk also If you do not have access to the • Sandwich Riverbus, Sandwich internet, you can book through the Quay (from £6; £20 seals) Thanet Visitor Information Centres on 07958 376183 0870 2646111, or through the Thanet www.sandwichriverbus.co.uk/ Coast Project.

7 Coastal Events 8 W V W W (TR351643). Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) and fossils. Meet:by Viking Ship‘Hugin’, Cliffsend Learn thelanguageofrocks, chalk cliffs, flints Rock Doc Walk –Pegwell Bay G V Meet: Joss Bay (KWT/TCP) carpark, ofthechalkSurvey shoretothesouthofJoss Bay. Shoresearch –North Foreland Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) offshore sandbank.MinnisBay, Birchington Minnis Bay. This superbtripincludesavisitontoan Wade onboarda‘Wildlife Sailing’excursion from Wildlife Sailing Trips to theSeals (TR353 643).Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) Meet: onbeach below former hoverport accessroad Pegwell Bay Spring Beach Clean See page14. Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) Ramsgate’s SeaGarden Creation andBeach Clean Birchington. Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) towards Reculver. Meet:outsideMinnisRestaurant, Along therefreshingseawall beaches (TR272393) Plumpudding Spring Beach Clean (KWT) Sun 13 April Sun 13 April migrant birdsofthespring. Join asearch for thefirstwildflowers and G WF Tues 8 April Mon 7 April accompanied). Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) for thefamilysuitable (under16s mustbe Come aboardCapt.Crabby’s holiday rambles, Fri 11 April Thurs 10 April Wed 9 April Thur 10 April, 11am (2hours) Sat 5 April, 10am (3hours)&2pm(2 Sat 12 April, 10am (3hours) Sat 12 April, 9.30am(3hours) Sat 12 April, 8.30am(4hours) Sun 13 April, 10am (3hours) First SignsofSpring Meet: next tothe West Bay Café Meet: next totheNayland Shelter Meet: next tothetidalpool Meet: bottom oftheslope Meet: outsideMaritimeMuseuminharbour Rockpool Rambles 10am -MargateMainSands 9am -Joss Bay, Broadstairs 9am -Ramsgate MainSands 9am - West Bay,- West 9am Westgate 1pm –Reculver Visitor Centre 10 am–PBCP(KWT) 10am -MinnisBay, Birchington (2 hours) (2 hours) www.thanetwalkingfestival.co.uk Festival Thanet Walking Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) (TR360715). Meet: Lidoformer poolsite,promenade, Family wildlife rock-pooling fun. Low Tide Day Exploration AF G AF O G AF G O WF Rocks 3 to11 May 2008 £3.50pp. (SBBOT) Led by birdingexperts. Meet:SBBOT fieldcentre. Sandwich Bay Guided Walk weather permitting. 01843 572103 shipsvisitRamsgate Harbour,Flotilla of20tall Heineken RaceoftheClassics Meet: West Bay Café(TDC01843 577032) Gardens andback, idealfor peoplewithdisability. A 2.8kmwalk from West Bay totheSunken Clifftop‘All Walk Ability’ Meet: carparkby clock tower. £3.50pp.(SBBOT) Led by birdingexperts. Ramsgate HarbourGuided Walk (TR360715). Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) See page11. Lidoformer poolsiteCliftonville The LidoCrab! (www.turnercontemporary.org/TCP) See page11. Book: 01843 280261. Family Workshop – Art andNature Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) Kingsgate. Meet by thechalk stack (TR391712). Botany Bay, artifacts! andrecordcoastal cameras toobserve Join artistRuth Cutlerand TCP armedwithyour Coast onCamera Walk Fri 18 April Thurs 17 April Wed 16 April Tues 15 April Mon 14 April Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) (under 16s mustbeaccompanied). for thefamilymarine masterpiece–suitable clues tolife below thesea,andhelpcreatea (2 hours)Scavenge theshore’s strandlinesfor WF Tues 29 April, 7pm Thurs 17 April Tues 15 April, 11am (2hours) Tues 6May, 7pm 4 -10 May Sat 3May, 2pm(3hours) Sat 19 April, 1pm(3hours) Sat 10 May, 10am (2hours) Sat 3May, 5pm(1 Meet: next totheNayland shelter Meet: outsideMaritimeMuseuminharbour Meet: next tothe Westbay café Meet: next tothetidalpool Meet: bottom oftheslope Great EggcaseHuntsandSand Art - MargateMainSands - Joss Bay - Ramsgate MainSands - West Bay,- West Westgate. (Art Festival) - MinnisBay 1 ⁄ 2 hours) See page14. Book: (TCP) Ramsgate SeaGarden £3.50. (SBBOT) Led by birdingexperts. Meet:SBBOT fieldcentre. WalkBirding Talk and pages 12 and13). PBCP(KWT) An insidelookattheNationalNature (see Reserve Behind theScenes (TDC 01843 577032) people withdisability. Meet:MinnisBay CarPark. 2km walk alongthe trail,idealforViking coastal Minnis ‘AllWalk Ability’ Dane Park (TDC01843 577534) Green Fayre W G V G G O G O G G W W park. £3.50pp(SBBOT) Led by birdingexperts. Meet:Reculver Towers car Reculver Guided Walk the month) Meet Albion StreetCarPark last (every Thursday of Smugglers TrailWalk £3.50pp. (SBBOT) Led by birdingexperts. Meet:SBBOT fieldcentre. Sandwich Bay Guided Walk Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) and fossils. Meet:atthetopofslope(TR395667) Learn thelanguageof therocks, chalk cliffs, flints Rock Doc Walk –Dumpton Gap Minnis Bay –see12 April Wildlife Sailing Trips to theSeals Reculver Visitor Centre(KWT) Seashore plusInvaders andSettlers Minnis Bay –see12 April Wildlife Sailing Trips to theSeals Butterfish Tues 13 May, 7pm Thur 29May, 7pm Tues 27May, 7pm Wed 28May, 11am (2hours) Sat 17 May, 10am (3hours)&2pm(2 Fri 23May, 1.30pm Friday 16 May 6.30pm(2hours) Fri 16 May, 11.30am (1hr) Fri 16 &Sat17 May Mon 26May 8.30am(4hours) Sun 25May, 10am (3hours) Sun 25May 07.45am (4hours) www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP/Thanet Cycle Forum) Margate Harbour(TR353702).Book: Sands toMinnisBay andback. Meet:by DroitHouse, Gentle evening cycle fromMargateMain coastal Sunset Cycle! (Start ofBike Week) field centre.£3.50.(SBBOT) Beachcombing withDave Kirkaldie.Meet:SBBOT Beachcombing Walk Celebrating ARTS inRamsgate. 01843 591081 Ramsgate Spring Festival 01843 298969 Historic vehicle run Medway toPalm Bay, Cliftonville. Great Bucket andSpadeRun Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) Bay Beach Kiosk(TR391712). Museum.Meet:byfrom theNatural Botany History Fascinating guidedtourby seaweed expert Ian Tittley Seaweeds andtheirSecrets! See page14. Sea Garden Launch www.broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk 01843 861827. Broadstairs Dickens Festival PBCP (KWT). Butterflies andother Wild Flowers Orchids, 01843 577167. Margate’s Big Event W G W O O GW A O O G O C Reculver Visitor Centre(KWT) Seashore Safari (TR396667). Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) our shores.Meet:KioskinDumptonGap,Broadstairs tofindcrabsandmarinelifegist IanHumpheryes on Meander acrossrocks andpoolswithmarineecolo- The Great Crab Hunton World OceanDay See page15. Kent CoastalConference camera Coast on Wed 17 June Friday 13 June, 6.30pm(2 Sun 8June, 9am Sun 1&Mon2June Sun 1June Fri 30May,11am 19 –22 June Sun 15 June, 10am (2hours) Sat 14 &Sun15 June Sun 8June, 10am (3hours) Sun 8June, 10.30am (1 Sat 31May, 3pm(2hours) 1 ⁄ 2 1 hours) ⁄ 2 hours) 9 Coastal Events 1 W Sat 21 June 06.30am (4 hours) GW Wed 9 July, 11.30am (1 ⁄2 hours) Wildlife Sailing Trips to the Seals ‘All Ability’ Walk and Rockpool Minnis Bay – see 12 April. 2.5km clifftop stroll, stopping at Walpole Bay to explore the rockpools. Ideal for people with disability. WGF Sat 21 & Sun 22 June, 10am (6 hours) Beach wheelchairs available on request. Meet: Palm This is your wildlife Bay Ave, opp. Palm Bay School (TR380714). Book: See pages 12 and 13. PBCP (KWT). www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP)

W Sun 22 June 07.00am (4 hours) G Sat 12 July, 11am (2 hours) Wildlife Sailing Trips to the Seals Rock Doc Walk – Pegwell Bay Minnis Bay – see 12 April. Learn the language of the rocks, chalk cliffs, flints and fossils. Meet: by Viking Ship ‘Hugin’, Cliffsend O Sun 22 June, 2.30-3pm (TR351643). Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) Margate Raft Race 01843 293733 MW Sun 13 July Marine Mammal Medic Training Day O 27 – 29 June See page 15. Cliftonville. Beach Volleyball Competition Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP/BDMLR) Margate Main Sands. 01843 577367 G Sun 13 July, 11am (2 hours) G Sat 28 June, 11am (2 hours) Butterflies, Dragonflies and other Insects Rock Doc Walk – Kingsgate PBCP (KWT) Discover the world of the rocks, chalk cliffs, flints and fossils. Meet: outside Fayreness Hotel. WF Seashore Safari (2 hours) Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP) Summer Rockpool Exploration around the coast. Book: www.thanetcoast.org.uk (TCP/KWT) M Sat 28 June, 10am Wed 23 July 10am Marine Mammal Training Day Joss Bay (south), Broadstairs. Meet: bottom of Identification course. Wildwood, near Herne Bay. the Joss Bay slope £20. (Details: Jon Bramley on Thurs 24 July 10am [email protected]) Minnis Bay, Birchington. Meet: next to tidal pool Fri 25 July 11am G Sun 29 June, 11am (2 hours) Westbrook Bay (east), Margate. Meet: Nayland Lizard Orchids and other Wild Flowers Rock Shelter PBCP (KWT) Sat 26 July 11.30am Walpole Bay, Cliftonville O Tues 1 and 8 July, 9.45am departure (£39.95) Sun 27 July 12.30pm The Balmoral – steamer excursion Louisa Bay, Broadstairs To London's Tower Bridge, return by coach (8pm). Mon 28 July 2pm Margate Harbour. West Bay, Westgate. Meet: next to the cafe Book: www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk Tues 29 July 3pm Western Undercliff, Ramsgate. Meet: by small O 5 – 12 July tidal pool Coastal Events European Water Skiing Championships Wed 30 July 4.30pm Ramsgate Harbour. 01843 572103 Joss Bay (north), Broadstairs. Meet: Bottom of Joss Bay slope W Sun 6 July, 10am (3 hours) Seashore Safari W Fri 25 July 09:15 (4 hours) Reculver Visitor Centre (KWT) Wildlife Sailing Trips to the Seals Minnis Bay – see 12 April.

O 25 - 27 July Big Sky Jazz Festival Margate 01843 297350.

W Sat 26 July 10.00am (4 hours) Wildlife Sailing Trips to the Seals Minnis Bay – see 12 April.

G Sat 26 July, 6.30pm (2 hours) Sandwich Terns at Sandwich Bay See the large flock of Sandwich terns. PBCP (KWT)

O 27 July Ramsgate Carnival

O 27 July-3 August Napoleonic Renactment Government Acre, Ramsgate

10 visitors attheentrancetoMargatetrainstation. people. The sculpture, sixfoot tall alongwithapoemby Jackie Young, welcomes was designedandcreatedby localartistIanDeSilva withhelpfromlocalyoung workshopspart oftheSeaART2007 thankstoSouthEasternRailway. ‘The Sea’ Margate Town Partnership found ahomefor sculpture anew metal createdas SeaART onshow! IsleArts has beensetup by Thanet’s Art Officer, HeatherSawney at The Thanet Coast Project links up with Lee Simmons for a free family free a for Simmons Lee with up links Project Coast Thanet The www.turnercontemporary.org/ to theenvironment fromtheprestigious Arts Councilcollection. new project spaceat53-57HighStreet,Margate,shows artworkswithlinks Nature isa Workshop the create to help your needs Project Coast Thanet The www.margaterocks.com relationship between ‘Art &Ecology’(2-11 May) Margate Rocks08 Nature andartfocus workshop on Saturday 19 April – just turn up at 2pm! at up turn just – April 19 Saturday on workshop Cutler, Ruth artist with bags sand of out crab’ ‘Lido who will lead this – before a ‘low tide exploration’ (both exploration’ tide ‘low a before – this lead will who 3 May) – and a ‘coast on camera’ walk (10 May). (10 walk camera’ on ‘coast a and – May) 3 AETAT NEWSFROMAROUNDTHETHANETCOAST ARTS LATEST shore lines Local artistsandartisans canlisttheirskillsonanew website that arts festival explores the exhibition runs until1June. Turner Contemporary’s Broadstairs Library during March Library 2008. Broadstairs Youth Offending alsowent onshow in Service the themeto “Leave nothingbut…” Mencap and Ashdown Housetocreate‘footprints’ for Coast Project, whereartistRuth Cutlerworked with fronts aroundMargate–includingonefor the Thanet help createnew artistichoardingsfor theoldshop link with local artists for summer exhibitions and exhibitions summer for artists local with link workshops with with workshops fifth year soon! year fifth Meanwhile, look out for the Thanet Coast Project’s Coast Thanet the for out look Meanwhile, More SeaART producedby the Thanet andDover The partnershiphaslinked upwithlocalartiststo SeaART2008 www.islearts.co.uk which returns for its for returns which 11 Shorelines 12 Nature Zone responsibly andwithwildlife inmind. activities out theircoastal therefore crucial that allvisitorscarry where wildlife comesfirst.Itis istosetasidean area Reserve however, ofaNationalNature environment. purpose, The primary site, andlearnmoreaboutitscoastal encouraged tovisitandenjoy the especially asthepublicare numbers reach annually, 250,000 little tern. ringed plover andformerly therare redshank, shelduck, oystercatcher, Pegwell Bay. Breedingbirdsinclude crustaceans andmarineworms in the rich supplyofshellfish, waders andwildfowl which feed on together withthousandsofother turnstones arepresentinwinter, numbersof internationally important plethora of nature designations. thesite holdsa flight path, unique locationonthemigratory mosaic ofcoastalhabitatsand Withitscomplex sites inBritain. important nature conservation Reserve isoneofthemost To findoutmore aboutthePegwell andSandwich Bay NationalNature Reserve contactth T Bay National Nature include: Reserve, enjoying thePegwell andSandwich reduce your impactonwildlife whilst Nature Reserve. A few tipsonhow to disturbance towildlife attheNational different andlimit usergroupstotry working from withrepresentatives It isnosurprisethatvisitor Up to12,000 goldenplovers and T Bay NationalNature he Sandwich andPegwell Thanet CoastProject have been he Kent Wildlife Trust and Sandwich and Prevent disturbance tofeeding, • Give birds space,alongthe • National Nat feed properly shoreline, toallow them torestand and mudflats allow your dogontothesaltmarsh Park atalltimesanddonot Country keeping tothecoastpathand breeding androostingbirds by

Cynthia Merriman, KWT Tony Swandale KWT he Kent Wildlife Trust on01622 662012 orvisittheirwebsite atwww.kentwildlifetrust.co.uk ure Reserve Pegwell Bay Take your rubbish home, andplease • Follow any requestsfromsignsfor • Avoid theknown birdroosts, • clean upafter your dog reserve your co-operationwithinthe their energy conserve period, whenthey needtorestand especially over thehighwater

Lucy Tuson (TDC) www.planetthanet.org Pegwell Park. Bay Country 22 June, 10am (6hours)atthe wildlife trust onSat21andSun of 50years ofthecounty’s celebration special anniversary 7 to10) andlookoutfor the events, view the listings(pages For Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) [email protected] or email from the Thanet CoastProject guidelines for ourarea. produce better fossil extraction workshop hasbeenidentifiedto around ourcoast. Another recording ofmarinewildlife wildlife andhelpwithscientific reduce theirimpactonmarine operators toagreeguidelines be heldfor localwildlife boat withlocalpeople.Onewill 2008 New workshops areplannedfor Workshops North EastKent Coast agreement withlocalusers. adding toaprevious kitesurfing baitdiggers andbirdwatchers, a new agreed actioninvolved local people.InDecember2007, arisen fromworkshops involving National Nature have Reserve within Sandwich andPegwell reduce disturbance towildlife Two localagreementstohelp Agreements Local Activity Further information available 13 Nature Zone 14 Coastal Drift missed by allon Thanet’s shores! Seashore Safaris for thelastsixyears andwill begreatly retirement. Hehashelpedlead immenselypopular Kent Wildlife Trust hashunguphiswellies toenjoy his Rockpoolers willbesadtohearthat ChasMatthews of the Crab manretires! main sourceoffood. co-incided withthemusseldredginginarea–their no apparentstrongwinds,tidesorpollutionalthoughdid (see Thanet Coast12) atRamsgate. This timetherewere Sandwich Bay, following lastyear’s strandingsofhundreds haveStarfish beenwashed upintheirthousandsalong Starfish startled! toilet block. units for localfishermenanda artstudios, catering, retail, the scheme isbeingledby PineappleProperties tocreate into use.Developed by theMargate Renewal Partnership, Work tobringMargate’s hasstarted historicHarbourback Harbour ArmRegeneration COASTAL DRIFT Volunteer –joinintheaction! www.margaterenewal.co.uk/ refreshments thanks to Broadstairs refreshments thankstoBroadstairs Tesco Extra. Protective gloves, pickers andbagsprovided, withfree with theCleanKent Campaign ups. The Thanet CoastProject isworking inpartnership Get your litter picker armreadytoassistthetidalclean Spring Beach Cleans and Thanet DistrictCouncil. Glanfield. This projectissupportedby Southern Water The new bench andpanelhave beendesignedby Will plants, andhelprestoretheflintsandfeatures. and localartistRuth Cutlertoclearlitter, unwanted at ready for its biglaunch by DrStephenLadymanMP Garden, onthepromenadeinRamsgate’s Eastcliff, May (see listings). Helpcreateandtidythenew Sea Ramsgate’s firstSeaGarden 11am onFriday 30May 2008 (see events 12 and13 April). www.cleankent.co.uk Saturday 5 April and17 . Join the designer

Tony Flashman Marine Mammal Rescue Training Learn how to assist with marine mammal rescue on the British Divers Marine Life Rescue training day in Cliftonville. (See listings 13 July, £80 per person). No butt, yeah but, no butt… The Marine Conservation Society has joined Surfers

Against Sewage and British Naturism to launch the ‘No Lewis Brett Butts on the Beach’ campaign. Surveys have found cigarette butts to be the number one item found at most beaches. The non-biodegradable filters have been found in the guts of whales, dolphins, sea birds, fish and turtles. Smokers and coastal businesses can find out more about how to help, or where to get portable ashtrays, at www.adoptabeach.org.uk or www.sas.org.uk Kent Coastal Conference The 2008 coastal conference will be held on 17 June at the Pines Calyx, St Margaret’s Bay. Further details contact [email protected] or visit www.coastalkent.net/ New ‘All Ability’ Walks New mixed ability walks take place this year around Kent,

including some for Thanet. (See events listings for details). Sykes Tony

Thanet Coast Project Coastal Drift thanet coast c/o TDC, PO Box 9 Cecil Street, Margate CT9 1XZ 01843 577672 [email protected] www.thanetcoast.org.uk The Thanet coast, together with Pegwell Bay, is an internationally important asset for wintering birds, the marine life associated with chalk caves, reefs and sandy bays. The area is a designated European Marine Site.

Editors: Tony Child, Naomi Biggs and Cheryl Pendry.

Please note: To the best of our knowledge, the information in these articles is correct, but errors may unfortunately occur from time to time. Thanet Coast Project cannot be held responsible for any changes to events and information listed in the newsletter. Please telephone the numbers listed to confirm information. This newsletter can be made available in other formats, including Braille, large print, audiotape or other languages on request.

15 Strandlines… Take a closer look at all the flotsam and jetsam that has washed up on Thanet’s beaches and see if you can match them to the right creature that lives under our seas?

D B

C

A E Willie McKnight Willie

The Shark Trust Catshark pictures

2 1 Paul Naylor www.marinephoto.co.uk/

3

4 Trust Sharrock/Shark Sally 5

Lobster. 3 and Claw Lobster E

Dog Fish. Dog 5 and Case Egg Fish Dog D Ray. Thornback 1 and Purse Mermaid’s C

Whelk. Whelk. 2 and Case Egg Whelk B Cuttlefish. 4 and Bone Cuttlefish A Answers: 16