Restharrow Nature Reserve
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust (SBBOT)
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Big Gully
Little Gully
Waldershare Gully
The Gullies
The Gullies lie within the Estate, between Waldershare Avenue and the sea. They form the southern 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.
Waldershare Gully extends southward from Waldershare Avenue to the Big Gully which cuts into Restharrow Dunes for approximately 200 metres. The Little Gully runs more or less at right angles from these gullies towards the sea and was originally intended to be a turning area for barges.
They are botanically rich and hold several species of orchid, as well as providing shelter for migrant birds in spring and autumn.
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The Big Gully is the wettest of the three, flooding in most winters, lending it some fen characteristics despite occasional inundation by sea water, most recently in 1978 and 1987. Management aims to increase the diversity of wetland habitat, through control of encroaching trees and scrub. This is an important site for Sharp Rush (Juncus acutus) and Southern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa).
The Little Gully is the richest of the three, holding a range of uncommon plants, fungi and moths. Sea-Buckthorn, which dominates the rim of the Gully, has to be controlled for the benefit of several species that have statutory protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1984.
Notable species :
- Creeping Willow (Salix arenaria)
- Twayblade (Listera ovata)
- Adder's-Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum)
- Marsh Helleborine (Epipactis plaustris)
- Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii)
- Sea-Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)
- Early Hair-grass (Aria praecox)
- Sand Cats-Tail (Phleum areneum)
- A Micro moth (Stigmella repentillia) - only site in Britain for the record - found only on the Creeping Willow.
- Earth Star (Geastrum triplex)
The Little Gully has also produced spectacular birds over the years, including Red-rumped Swallow, Bluethroat, Marsh Warbler, Radde's Warbler and Penduline Tit.
Waldershare Gully holds shallow floods in most winters, ensuring a strong floral diversity. The area is managed to control the growth of sallow and willow.
This gully (and the Big Gully) are particularly productive for reptiles such as Grass Snake, Slow Worm and Common Lizard.
The scattered trees regularly attract migrant warblers in spring and autumn and notable rarities have included Great Reed Warbler and Icterine Warbler.
