Reserves: The Haven
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust (SBBOT)
Haven in Spring
Haven in Winter
The Haven:
Part of the Sandwich Bay and Hacklinge Marshes SSSI the Haven is leased to SBBOT under an agreement with Mr R Daw. It is part of the Ancient Cut, an abandoned canal dug by hand in the 16th century in an attempt to keep the Cinque Port of Sandwich fully operational, although the connection with the sea was never actually made. It is located between Guilford Road and the sea and is accessible from the footpath opposite the Observatory entrance.
The gully holds water in the winter and spring and remains damp for much of the rest of the year. A surrounding fence eliminates livestock grazing. It was planted with Willow and Sallow during the mid 1970s as cover to attract migrant birds.
Management aims to maintain the high structural diversity of wetland plants in line wih SSSI notification and where possible to provide shelter for migrant birds.
Notable species:
- Common Reed (Phragmites australis)
- Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus)
- Goat Moth (Cossus cossus)
As a man-made hedgerow, it is an excellent lure for migrant birds, including Wood Warbler and scarcities such as Marsh Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler and Pallas's Warbler.
Rarer sightings include Sardinian Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Radde’s Warbler, Melodious Warbler and Golden Oriole.
Click here for a map of SBBOT's reserves
