Article by Bill Oddie

This was sent to a Hoo resident recently with permission to use where-ever considered appropriate, so I thought I would pinch it for the blog.

I moved to London in the early 1960's. I bought a book called Birds of The North Kent Marshes. As soon as I had a day off, I drove down to explore.It was an extraordinary mixture and also a contradiction. At that time,there were no "official" nature reserves, but nevertheless there were lots of birds, and apparently plenty of habitat that suited them. There was also an area round Cliffe pools some of which was inaccessible, other parts werefenced off, and -most incongruous of all- there was evidence of criminal activities. Abandoned cars, discarded goods ,and usually a noise that provided an apt sound scape of roaring motor bikes that skidded around so obtrusively that they were not just "off road" but almost into the water and marshes. I had never seen a habitat so suited to management and conservation.I vowed that I would do what I could to support such a scheme. I began by nagging the RSPB. For several years! The RSPB's attitude was -understandably - that it would need an awful lot of clearing up, rows with motor cyclists, and opposition that could well resort to violence.

Imagine my delight, when -several years later -I was invited to the official opening of Cliffe Pools Nature Reserve.

On subsequent visits,I have been serenaded by the Nightingales of Northward Hill, enjoyed the increasing presence of Little Egrets, prodding in Thames mud ,and wading in the ditches of Grain. I admit, I hadn't thought it would ever happen.But It had. It was saved. Or was it? Within a short time,there were sinister signs on the horizon,or should I say in the future? The area known as Hoo was clearly welcoming to nature, but perhaps not entirely to humans. Even birdwatchers! There were sections marked "no entry, private " and such. There were no motorbikes but they had been replaced by lorries, tractors, diggers, cars and no entry signs .
Fortunately,thanks to protest and enterprise ,Hoo is still a highlight of the North Thames Marshes. It has to share its horizon with industrial buildings, and its peace is sporadically disturbed by noisy machinery. However,it is a truism that nature -and birds in particular - are often more oblivious than humans.
Ever since I went there,The Hoo has represented a valuable example of how to develop a site to support both appropriate development and the wildlife, to which it really belongs. I am happy to say that in recent years I have been invited to several RSPB "opening ceremonies" , often along with representatives of local or national industries, who believe that the public - their customers -appreciate that it is now an approved partnership between expert conservationists and enlightened companies that gets things done. 
For development and destruction to be threatening a truly unique, preserved and productive area is contrary to the now widely accepted concept of cooperation, NOT confrontation. 

Cheers to you and all concerned.
Bill Oddie O.B.E.