The Reserve is also of international importance, with its complex mosaic of habitats supporting many rare plants and a number of scarce breeding birds.
As part of the Trusts’ programme of celebrations, Saturday saw the official opening of an innovative new bird watching hide for visitors. This is a converted steel shipping container, measuring 9m x 2.4m x 2.8m and weighing almost four tons. It will accommodate up to 28 people and has access and viewing facilities specially adopted for people with disabilities.
The hide’s official opening followed speeches by John Bennett, Kent Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive, and Chris Brown, one of GrantScape’s Trustees. The ribbon-cutting was then performed by Sheila Torrance (pictured below), another of GrantScape’s Trustees.
The new hide is just one element of the Kent Wildlife Trust’s Biodiversity Enhancement Project at Sandwich and Pegwell Bay. With the support of a £270,000 grant awarded under GrantScape’s 2005 Biodiversity Challenge, a range of habitat works are now being undertaken to benefit key plant and wildlife species, including the natterjack toad and sand lizard. Major improvements to the access trail around the Country Park have also been made which are now being enjoyed by all its visitors.
For more information on Sandwich and Pegwell Bay NNR visit:
http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/east-kent-coastal/sandwich-pegwell-bay/
