Dartford Marshes are a fragment of marshland that once stretched all the way along the Thames estuary. What remains is a collection of arable fields, grazing land, motorcycle trails and scrubland criss-crossed by drainage ditches. Dartford Creek (River Darent) meets the River Thames and there are some mud flats exposed at low tide. I have visited this site irregularly since I was about 13 years old and a surprising number of interesting species continue to turn up.

From Dartford town centre head towards Erith until reaching a large roundabout. Turn right here, along Bob Dunn way (the A206) towards the M25. One will cross Dartford Creek and on the left is an area of excavation that attracts some interesting birds. Shortly after this turn left at another large roundabout and bear left. Drive along this narrow lane onto the marsh. Park the car at the point at which it is not possible to go any further and walk to the Thames riverfront.

Quite a surprising selection of birds occur at this somewhat small area of degraded habitat, particularly during the spring and autumn migratory periods, although a good number of species winter here too. Breeding birds are restricted to mainly common species although Black Redstart and Peregrine Falcon have both bred at Littlebrook power station.

The mud exposed where Dartford Creek meets the Thames is often used by gulls all year round and seems to be a regular spot for finding Yellow-legged Gulls.

This small area doesn't have a huge amount of other notable wildlife although a good variety of common grassland plants are present on the flood defences of the Thames and the River Darent and provide a colourful distraction in the summer.

The drainage ditches are home to Marsh and Common Frog and in the past Water Vole was present although I am not sure if they still persist here.