Buzzards are still here, maybe their 7th nesting year. On warmer sunny days they can be seen or heard with their distinctive mewing call. Come and watch their graceful flight, at low level they look huge! Another good place to watch birds is on The Isle of Sheppey at the Elmley National Nature Reserve, about 14 miles by car. It is one of the most important UK sites for breeding wading birds, but also renowned for raptors, owls and hares, as well as rare bees, dragonflies and flora. Elmley is just a short drive from Palace Farm, or maybe go to The Oare Marshes Reserve on the south side of the Swale Estuary near Faversham, it is another of the best areas for seeing overwintering Raptors in the UK. Currently there are three Spoonbills on the Swale and in the early spring is a good place to see Barn Owls hunting in the late afternoon and evening. Oare Marshes makes a lovely cycle ride at just 7 miles from Palace Farm, make it a circular route of 15.4 miles or go by the Café at Rodmersham Green making it 20 miles. One of our favourite cycle rides.
