Crayford Marshes

Crayford Marshes is an area of marshland alongside the River Darent just before it joins the Thames north of Dartford. It is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. map.

History
The site was originally grazing land with ancient trees (mainly willow).

Habitat
The site offers tidal mud and reedbeds. In winter, flooded areas provide high tide roosts for waders. The Darent Barrier at the river mouth is surrounded by areas of mud popular with waders and wildfowl.

Species
Birds

Resident species include Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Skylark, Reed Bunting, Kingfisher, Meadow Pipit, Ring-necked Parakeet, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Stonechat, Pied Wagtail, Greylag, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Little Grebe, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove and assorted gulls, tits and finches. These may be joined in winter by Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Snipe, Teal, Fieldfare and Redwing and in summer by Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat. Passage migrants include Swallow, Swift, warblers, Wheatear and Ring Ouzel. Rarities in recent years have included Common Scoter, Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser on the Thames, particularly in late winter and early spring

Mammals, reptiles and amphibians

Water Vole can still be found in the marsh channels.

Invertebrates

Various dragonfly species can be seen in the summer.

Practicalities
Directions

Crayford Marshes is best accessed from Slade Green, which can be reached by car, train or bus. By car, you will find street parking in the residential roads east of Slade Green station. Walk south to Moat Lane and then east into the marshes.

If arriving by train, walk south from Slade Green station on Forest Road and east on Moat Lane to reach the marshes after a couple of minutes. Good service from London via Abbey Wood (or occasionally Barnehurst (not Sundays) and to Dartford.

Bus routes 89 and 99 pass along the top of Slade Green and bus 428 passes nearby.

The site can also be reached from Erith by following the Thames Path east to the mouth of the River Cray and then south through the marshes. Alternatively, follow the River Cray north from Crayford.

Access

The marshes can be accessed by following the banks of the River Cray from Crayford or from Erith town centre, but the 6km out and back route from Moat Lane to Crayford Ness is recommended. Public footpaths on the marsh are part of the National Cycle Route and are well signposted. The path network is suitable for walkers of all abilities. Wheelchair users may find some sections difficult.

Facilities

None.

Information compiled from internet sources by someone who is not familiar with the site but is pissed off by the fact that local birders have not bothered to create a London Birders page and hopes that they will correct and expand the information he has provided.