The Newport Wetlands Reserve is a beautiful and ecologically important area located in the city of Newport, South Wales. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.
The reserve covers an area of approximately 500 hectares, and is located on the estuary of the River Usk. It is made up of a mix of saltmarsh, mudflats, reedbeds, and grassland, which provide habitat for a variety of species.
One of the most striking features of the Newport Wetlands Reserve is its birdlife. The reserve is home to over 180 different species of birds, including waders, ducks, geese, and swans. The mudflats and saltmarsh provide an important feeding ground for these birds, and the reserve is an important stopover point for many species during their migrations.
The Newport Wetlands Reserve is also home to a range of other wildlife, including otters, bats, and several species of butterflies and moths. The reserve is an important habitat for these species, and helps to protect and conserve them.
In addition to its ecological importance, the Newport Wetlands Reserve is also a popular destination for recreational activities. The reserve has a number of walking and cycling trails, as well as a visitor center and a café. There are also regular events and activities organized by the reserve, such as guided walks and wildlife watching trips.
Overall, the Newport Wetlands Reserve is a valuable and much-loved part of the local community. Its importance as a habitat for wildlife, as well as its recreational value, make it a valuable asset for the city of Newport and the surrounding area.
Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve
For details of public transport visit the Parking The car park is managed by the RSPB. The Newport Wetlands project was funded by the European Union's Objective Two programme supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and secured via the Newport European Partnership, Newport City Council's allocation of the Welsh Assembly Government's Local Regeneration Fund, Newport City Council's Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, the Environment Agency Wales and Visit Wales — the Department of Enterprise, Innovation and Networks. © Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve NRW 2022. Below: The entrance to Newport Wetlands NNR Facilities There is a visitor centre with a car park, public toilets, a RSPB shop and a café with tables inside the centre and outside on a large decking area that overlooks one of the ponds. Primary school visits cost £4 per pupil for a half-day minimum charge £80 and £6. The site lies between the Severn Estuary and the River Usk on the South Wales coast within the Gwent levels which is the largest manmade drainage system in Wales reaching from Cardiff to the Severn Bridge and beyond. This will Include a relief model showing the historic drainage system and sea defenses.
Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve, Newport, Wales
At dusk around 50,000 birds fly overhead giving a breath-taking display before roosting in the reedbeds. The name of this buttercup, whose distribution is rather localised, is a reference to its basal leaves, which are divided into three lobes and which resemble the leaves of celery. Follow the A48 until you come to the Spytty Retail Park roundabout. In spring Redshanks Tringa totanus and Lapwings Vanellus vanellus breed in the grasslands, and Skylarks Alauda arvensis can be heard singing overhead. The dawn chorus at Newport Wetlands is incredible and the hour before dawn is the most magical time of day. This nature reserve offers a haven for wildlife on the edge of the city covering over 438 hectares from Uskmouth to Goldcliff, the reedbeds, saline lagoons, wet grassland and scrub, have attracted a wealth of wetland birds and other wildlife.
Newport Wetlands
Bird species seen at the reserve at various times of the year include bearded tit, lapwing, dunlin, avocet, little grebe, shoveler and little egret, a species which did not appear in significant numbers in Britain until 1988. In winter there are the largest flocks of birds - look out for merlin and peregrine falcons when the lapwing flock is startled. Ordnance Survey map Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve is on Ordnance Survey OS map 152. There is a network of excellent, gentle paths throughout the site all of which are suitable for wheelchair users and for prams and pushchairs. The Gwent Levels consist of a mixture of habitats such as coastal floodplains, drainage channels, saltmarshes and mudflats. It is also possible to combine a half-day session with self-guided activities free if entirely self-led or £1 per pupil if support is required in the form of information and resources. The RSPB manage the Environmental Education and Visitor Centre which is open every day except Christmas Day free of charge.
