Redwing Marsh Bird Sanctuary: Visitor Map

About the sanctuary

Redwing Marsh Bird Sanctuary protects one of the last areas of coastal wetland in the county. More than 180 kinds of bird have been recorded here, and in winter thousands of geese and ducks arrive from the north. The sanctuary is managed by a local wildlife trust and relies on volunteers and visitors' donations.

Arriving

The entrance is on Marsh Lane, in the middle of the southern boundary, and leads directly to the Visitor Centre. Here you can pay the admission fee, collect a bird checklist and see which species have been spotted that day. Cyclists can leave their bikes at the Bike Racks, which are to the east of the Visitor Centre. To the west of the Visitor Centre, in the south-west corner of the sanctuary, is the picnic area; please take all rubbish home with you.

Exploring the site

From the north side of the Visitor Centre, the Boardwalk leads north and then divides, running east and west across the sanctuary, so that visitors can cross the wet ground without damaging it. Just north of the picnic area, beside a small pond, is the pond-dipping platform, where children can use nets to look for insects and tadpoles. A belt of alder trees lies on the eastern side, to the south of the Boardwalk.

The northern part

Beyond the Boardwalk, the western side of the sanctuary is covered by Saltmarsh, which floods at high tide. The feeding station stands in the centre of the site, directly north of the place where the Boardwalk divides; seed is put out every morning, so it is the best spot for seeing small birds close up. On the eastern side is the wildflower meadow, which is cut only once a year, in September, so that butterflies and bees can feed.

The far north

The Reed Beds stretch along most of the northern edge and are home to bitterns and reed warblers. In the north-west corner is the heron hide, which looks out over the Reed Beds and has room for about twenty people. Please keep quiet inside the hides so that the birds are not disturbed.

Opening times

The sanctuary is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Christmas Day. Admission is £5 for adults and free for children under sixteen. Dogs are not allowed anywhere on the site, apart from assistance dogs.