Why is it important?
Some key points
Chalk talk
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Thanet is the eastern-most outcrop of chalk in Britain and one of the eastern-most in Europe
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Thanet contains some of the best chalk caves in Britain and chalk reefs in the south-east
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The Thanet Coast has the longest continuous stretch of coastal chalk in Britain
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It represents 20% of UK - & 12% of European - coastal chalk
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The chalk cliff and cave habitats and species are very uncommon in Europe and therefore internationally important.
Bird facts
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The intertidal reef, together with the mudflats and sandflats, provide valuable feeding grounds for wintering birds, which roost on shingle and sand above the high water mark. Of these, the Turnstone and Golden Plover occur here in internationally important numbers.
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In summer, shingle use to provide an important breeding site for Little Terns.
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Wintering Golden Plover roost on mudflats in Pegwell Bay
Thanet Coast (NEKMPA)
c/o Thanet District Council,
PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1XZ
United Kingdom
E-mail:
Tony Child
Thanet Coast (NE Kent Marine Protected Area) Officer
Telephone: +44 (0) 1843 577672
(based in Manston Road Depot)