Whitehouse Paddock
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust (SBBOT)
Whitehouse Paddock
Whitehouse Paddock:
Part of the Sandwich Bay and Hacklinge Marshes SSSI this Paddock is owned by Royal St. George's Golf Club and managed by SBBOT. It is located between Guilford Road and the sea .
This small area is probably the richest botanical site managed by SBBOT. Management aims to maintain the existing unimproved grassland which has high conservation value, through a grazing/mowing regime and minimising the spread of scrub, bracken and bramble. A small scrubby enclosure is maintained as a ringing site.
Notable species :
- Yellow Bartsia (Parentucella viscosa)
- Yellow Rattle (Rhinathus minor)
- Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa)
- Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio)
- Silver Hair Grass (Aira caryophyllea)
- Heath Grass (Danthonia decumbens)
It is an ideal location for migrant birds, including regular autumn scarcities such as Yellow-browed Warbler and Pallas's Warbler.
Rarer sightings include Subalpine Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Melodious Warbler and Dusky Warbler.
