Samphire Hoe




	Birds
Insects Birds Reptiles & Mammals Plants	Since recording began in 1997 140 species have been recorded at the Hoe. Every season has its interest. Spring is heralded by the song of skylarks, and the display flight of meadow pipits over the grasslands. House martins feed over the ponds returning to their nest on the cliffs each side of the Hoe. Peregrines are regularly seen along the cliffs. The summer is a rush of nesting activity of pipits whitethroats and stonechats. The autumn brings the migrants heading south, stopping to feed at the Hoe before moving on. In winter the flock of rock pipits builds up and sea birds are often seen close in to the sea wall.

	All year– cormorant, kestrel, peregrine, Mediterranean gull, meadow pipit, rock pipit, stonechat, black redstart. Spring – Fulmar, house martin, skylark, wheatear, whitethroat. Summer - Fulmar, hobby, house martin, cuckoo, whitethroat, linnet. Autumn – Redstart, wheatear, whinchat, ring ousel, chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, goldcrest, firecrest. Winter – Shag, red throated diver, great crested grebe, guillemot, rock pipits, green woodpecker.

	A variety of more unusual species have been recorded including: white stork, spoonbill, honey buzzard, osprey, pomarine skua, long eared owl, shorelark, Icterine warbler, serin, and snow buntings. The Hoe is so recent there is always the possibility of discovering new species for the site.


© 2009 Eurotunnel and White Cliffs Countryside Project (WCCP)