The Spit

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Kent Canterbury

England

The Spit

The hen harrier's eye A detail of the mural painted on the Shellness blockhouse <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4109177">TR0567 : Hen Harrier: graffiti art at Shellness</a> by artist ATM. — The hen harrier's eye Credit: Stefan Czapski

The Spit is a prominent coastal marsh and saltings located in Kent, England. Covering an area of approximately 450 hectares, it is a significant natural feature of the region. The site is situated at the mouth of the River Stour, where it meets the North Sea, and is a part of the larger Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve.

The Spit is characterized by a diverse range of habitats, making it an important ecological site. The area consists of saltmarshes, mudflats, sand dunes, and shingle beaches, providing a unique environment for various plant and animal species. The marshes are home to a variety of salt-tolerant plant species, such as samphire, sea lavender, and glasswort, which thrive in the brackish conditions.

The site is also a haven for birdlife, attracting numerous species throughout the year. It serves as an important breeding ground for wading birds like avocets, redshanks, and oystercatchers. During migration seasons, it becomes a temporary home to thousands of waterfowl, including ducks, geese, and waders.

Apart from its ecological significance, The Spit holds historical importance as well. It was a vital defense location during World War II, with remnants of military structures still visible today. The area also boasts archaeological finds dating back to the Roman period, adding to its cultural heritage.

Visitors to The Spit can enjoy its natural beauty through various walking trails and observation points. The site is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and provides opportunities for educational activities, birdwatching, and wildlife photography.

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The Spit Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.369306/0.9692207 or Grid Reference TR0667. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The hen harrier's eye

A detail of the mural painted on the Shellness blockhouse TR0567 : Hen Harrier: graffiti art at Shellness by artist ATM.

Stefan Czapski

Fishing smacks competing in the Swale Match

Photo taken from the east-facing beach at Shellness, on the day of the Kentish Sail Association's 2015 Swale Barge and Smack Match. The nearer of the two vessels is the Colne smack CK21, 'Maria', whose skipper was putting in a spirited and dashing performance. I haven't yet, at the time of writing, heard the race results, but Maria simply flew along - surely the fastest vessel on the Swale. She is said to have been built by Harris's of Rowhedge (just down-river from Colchester) at a date variously reported as 1886 or 1866 Link

Stefan Czapski

View from Shellness beach on the day of the 2015 Swale Match

View a little to the north of east from a point near the Shellness blockhouse. The white-sailed vessels offshore are Dutch barges, the nearer being 'De Twee Gezusters'. In the far distance on the right can be seen the coast of the Kentish mainland, near Reculver.

Stefan Czapski

Shellness blockhouse and spit

Looking south-westwards along the landward portion of the spit towards the WW2 blockhouse. Beyond the blockhouse the spit curves out into the Swale. Visible in the far distance is the Kentish mainland near Faversham.

Stefan Czapski

The fishing-smack 'Game Cock' at the mouth of the Swale

Game Cock was built by Collar's of Whitstable in 1906 Link

and carries the Faversham registration F76, so this is where she belongs - just as much a part of this coastal landscape as are the oystercatchers on the muddy shore. The picture was taken shortly after the start of the Kentish Sail Association's Swale Match, looking south-east from Shellness in the general direction of Seasalter. TR0164 : A fishing-smack moored in Faversham Creek: 'Game Cock' is a closer view, taken at the end of the day's sailing.

Stefan Czapski

Shellness beach on the day of the 2015 Swale Match

Looking roughly ENE from a point north of the blockhouse. Photo taken at about 10.10 on the day of the Kentish Sail Association's annual Swale Match.

Stefan Czapski

Shells at Shellness

Marathon

Looking towards Shellness from Shell Ness

Marathon

Shells piled up at Shell Ness

The hamlet of Shellness and the promontory of Shell Ness to the south, as well as the dwellings at Shellbeach to the north are well named as there are millions of shells on the beaches here. This is at Shellness and the shells have piled up against the groyne, rather like sand or pebbles would elsewhere. Herne Bay to the left and Whitstable in the centre can be seen across The Swale.

Marathon

Keep out of Shellness

Shellness is a private estate and notices all around tell casual walkers to keep out. However, at the end of the path along the sea wall from Leysdown Country Park, you just walk along the beach below the high tide level and it brings you past the hamlet, still giving good views of the variety of interesting houses. This view is the approach from the southern end towards Shell Ness. For an account of the walk see Link

Marathon

The former coastguard cottages at Shellness

Shellness is a private estate and notices all around tell casual walkers to keep out. However, at the end of the path along the sea wall from Leysdown Country Park, you just walk along the beach below the high tide level and it brings you past the hamlet, still giving good views of the variety of interesting houses. These are the old coastguard cottages at the southern end. See also Link For an account of the walk see Link

Marathon

Odd building, Hamlet of Shellness

The 'Hamlet' is a private estate of small bungalows and larger blocks. This stands out from the norm, both in style and its location closest to the sea.

Robin Webster

Pillbox, Shellness

Those who know more about these things than I do have identified this as Shellness Extended Defence Officer's Post: a Royal Navy post responsible for the East Swale minefield.

Robin Webster

Swale mud and saltings

At the end of the shell beach of Shellness, saltings start. There appears to be a good deal more of these than mapped, bucking the usual trend of saltings loss. This may be because the projecting and protecting beach of Shellness has grown.

Robin Webster

Sandbank off Shellness

The tide is falling and the bank has been taken over by a large number of birds, mainly Oystercatchers.

Robin Webster

Former coastguard cottages, Shellness

Now absorbed within the private estate called the Hamlet of Shellness.

Robin Webster

Saltings channel, Shellness

Looking from the returned end of the Shellness shell beach up a channel which appears only to tidally supply and drain the extensive area of saltings here. The middle and right horizon is formed by the sea wall which is some way away.

Robin Webster