Cliffe Airport Threat: the Wildlife

The Hoo Peninsula includes the low-lying ground of the Cliffe, Cooling and All Hallows Marshes as well as higher ground that supports ancient woodlans at Northward Hill and Chattenden. The Greater Thames Estuary—which includes the Hoo Peninsula—is of huge importance for wildlife, especially wild birds. It lies on a major migration route for wildfowl (ducks, geese and swans) and wading birds (long-legged birds of wetlands).
Some of these species spend the entire winter in this area, including large numbers of brent geese, pintail ducks, dunlin and grey plover, whereas others such as greenshank and whimbrel use this area as a kind of fuel-stop during their migrations.
The flat coastal grasslands (grazing marsh) are important breeding areas for various species including redshank and lapwing, and the same areas are hunted by birds of prey such as marsh harriers, peregrine falcons, merlins and short-eared owls.
These marshes are criss-crossed by ditches that are used extensively by water voles and support rich communities of aquatic insects including the scarce emerald damselfly, hoverfly species, and various aquatic beetles.
Because of the importance of the various wildlife habitats of the Hoo Peninsula, and the many rare animals and plants that occur in them, much of the peninsula has been protected for nature conservation under both UK and European law. A National Nature Reserve, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Areas and a RAMSAR site are all threatened by the airport proposals.
There are also threats to fish breeding grounds, oyster fields and other water-based nature areas in which respect the region affected by a new airport could extend right the way to Brighton.
Nationally-rare and scarce plant life includes least lettuce, golden samphire, small red goosefoot, slender hare's ear, sea clover, sea kale, and two species of eel-grass.

Some of the wildlife: click on a picture or name for a larger picture
Winter Dwellers	Brent Goose	Pintail Duck	Dunlin	Grey Plover
Re-fuellers	Greenshank	Whimbrel	Water Vole
Breeders	Redshank	Lapwing	Water Vole
Hunters	Marsh Harrier	Peregrine Falcon	Merlin	Short-eared Owl

Cliffe Airport Threat: the Wildlife

Some of the wildlife: click on a picture or name for a larger picture