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Gazen Salts Nature Reserve

Sandwich, Kent  >  United Kingdom

Small reserve that covers approx. 15-acres and includes woodland, a meadow and large and small ponds. It is in a loop of the river Stour adding further habitat.

Added* by Nicholas Smith
Most recent update 16 декември 2025
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Description

Although relatively small, the clever routing of the paths makes Gazen Salts Nature Reserve seem larger. The wooded areas are good for many species including сојка, голем клукајдрвец, зелен клукајдрвец, страчка, throughout the year, and during the spring and summer months, migratory species such as црноглаво грмушарче, обичен свиркач, and градинарско грмушарче to name a few. The winter months can bring in лисест дрозд, дрозд боровинкар, and жолтоглаво кралче.

The ponds and ditches attract зеленонога блатна кокошка, Дива патка, сива чапја, цуцулест кожувар, црвеноглав кожувар and патка лажичарка.

The closeness of the reserve to the town make it an easy visit, the well signed paths meander around the various habitats. Although separated from the river Stour by a fence, a small viewing platform and seat provide a good spot to view the larger area where waders might be on the mud banks or a рибарче flash by.

Details

Access

Gazen Salts Nature Reserve is located on the northern edge of the small historic town of Sandwich. It can easily be reached from the railway station or bus stops. The main road in from the Canterbury direction (A257 becoming Strand Street) passes the reserve and there is on-street parking for free immediately outside the reserve although this is popular parking spot. There are numerous time restricted or pay and display parking places around the town.

There are no facilities within the reserve but the town centre is only 8 minutes walk away. There are quite a few benches to sit and relax, and bird feeding station which attracts many of the species.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , Grassland , River , Reedbeds , Pond

Conditions

Flat , High water possible

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring , Spring migration , Autumn migration , Winter

Route

Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

The route marked on the map is a guide only as the paths do not show up on the map, they are well marked and obvious on site.

Some species listed will be seen overhead or viewed from the site - such as блатна еја - which has been seen in the area beyond the river outside the reserve.

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