Newport Wetlands
Newport Wetlands | |
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Wlyptiroedd Casnewydd | |
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Wetlands visitor centre, West Nash, Newport
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Type | National nature reserve |
Nearest city | Newport, Wales |
Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Area | 437 hectares (1,080 acres) |
Created | 2000 |
Operated by | <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/> |
Blog | rspb |
Website | rspb |
Newport Wetlands is a wildlife reserve covering parts of Uskmouth, Nash and Goldcliff, in the south-east of the city of Newport, South Wales.
Contents
History
The reserve was established in 2000 to mitigate losses of wildlife habitat when the Cardiff Bay Barrage scheme was undertaken.
The site is owned and managed by Natural Resources Wales, the successor body to the Countryside Council for Wales. A purpose-built visitor and education centre for the site was opened, in West Nash, in March 2008 by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) with help from Newport City Council and water level management assistance by Caldicot and Wentloog Levels Internal Drainage Board.[1]
The reserve covers 437 hectares (1,080 acres)[2] of the Caldicot Level, a low lying area of land bordering the northern shore of the Severn Estuary. Part of the site is a reclaimed fuel ash disposal site, although some farmland in Goldcliff and Nash has also had to be flooded to complete the work.
The reserve was made a national nature reserve on 16 April 2008.[3]
Entrance
Entrance is free, with car parking facilities open every day of the year from 9 am until 5:30 pm (except Christmas day), or dusk if sooner.[4]
Dogs and cyclists are permitted outside the visitor centre and along a specially marked 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) circular route around the reserve's perimeter.
Habitats and species
The reserve includes a wide variety of habitats which include grazed pasture with hedgerows, ditches, reens, reed beds and grasslands. These help to attract breeding birds such as lapwings, redshanks, oystercatchers, little ringed plovers and ringed plovers, as well as visitors such as wigeon, shovellers, teal, shelduck and pintails, bitterns, hen harriers and short-eared owls.
Im January 2012 two rarely seen glossy ibises were sighted near Boat Road at Goldcliff.[5]
Comprehensive observation data for the region can be obtained from, and submitted at eBird.
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Swans at Newport Wetlands Centre.JPG
Mute swans with male and female tufted ducks in the background
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Eurasian Coot and Tufted Duck at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Visitor Centre.PNG
Eurasian coot and tufted duck near Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve visitor centre/picnic and play area
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Tufted Duck at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Visitor Centre.PNG
Tufted duck near Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve visitor centre/picnic and play area
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Mallard Duck and Moorhen at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Visitor Centre.PNG
Mallard duck and moorhen foraging at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve picnic area
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Mallard Ducks Swimming on Waterway near Picnic Area at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Mallard ducks swimming on waterway near picnic area
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Ring-necked pheasants on shore of the Severn Estuary at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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Great Crested Grebe Calling on Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Fenced Pond.PNG
Great crested grebe calling on Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve fenced lagoon
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Little grebe on Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Fenced Lagoon.JPG
Little grebe on Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve fenced lagoon
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Grey Heron Fishing on Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Fenced Pond.JPG
Grey heron fishing on Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve fenced lagoon
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Eurasian Coot Near Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Floating Walkway.PNG
Eurasian coot Near Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve floating walkway
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Tufted Ducks at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Floating Walkway.PNG
Tufted ducks at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve floating walkway
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Canadian Geese Near Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Lighthouse.PNG
Canada geese Near Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve lighthouse
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Canada Geese and Tufted Ducks on pond at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve near Visitor Centre and Picnic and Play Area.JPG
Canada geese and tufted ducks on pond at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve near visitor centre and picnic and play area
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Little Egret and Teal Ducks on Pond near The Hide at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Little egret and teal ducks on Lagoon near the hide at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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Dunnock at Cycling and Dog Path around perimeter of Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Dunnock at cycling and dog path around perimeter of Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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Common shelducks foraging on mudflats of the Severn Estuary at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Common shelducks foraging on mudflats of the Severn Estuary at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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Reed Bunting on Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Fenced Pond.JPG
Reed bunting near fenced lagoon at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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Wren on branch facing Severn Estuary at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Wren singing on branch facing Severn Estuary at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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Carrion Crow on branch facing Severn Estuary at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Carrion crow on branch facing Severn Estuary
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Magpies foraging on field viewed from Woodland Trail at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Magpies foraging on field viewed from woodland trail
Visitor centre
The visitor centre provides a shop, refreshments, bathroom facilities, viewing facilities and guided tours.[6]
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Newport Wetlands Centre Sign.JPG
Nature Reserve and visitor centre sign in English and Welsh
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RSPB Nature Reserve Visitors Centre Exit Facing Car Park.JPG
Visitor centre entrance and exit facing car park
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve Visitors Centre Sign Outside Car Park in English and Welsh.JPG
Visitor centre sign outside car park in English and Welsh
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve Visitors Centre Sign in English and Welsh.JPG
Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve visitor centre sign in English and Welsh
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View of Play Area from Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Visitor Centre Bench.JPG
View of play area from Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve visitor centre bench
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Visitor Centre As Seen From Ridge and Furrow Landscape.JPG
Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve visitor centre as seen from picnic and play area
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Visitor Centre Seen From Hill.JPG
Visitor centre and picnic and play area seen from hill
Picnic and play area
The picnic and play area situated next to the visitor centre provides a children's play area, education zone, and benches for picnics. It is surrounded by wetlands and reed beds, home to many resident and migratory birds.
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Approaching Entrance.PNG
Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve approaching picnic and play area
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Approaching Exit.PNG
Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve exiting picnic and play area
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Approaching Play and Picnic Area of Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Approaching play and picnic area of Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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Playground at Newport Wetlands Centre.JPG
Children's playground
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Pond and Wildbird Scrape at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Visitor Centre.JPG
Pond and wild bird scrape near Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve visitor centre/picnic and play area
Hill
Past the picnic and play area is a hill, which continues directly ahead south towards the floating walkway and lighthouse (see below). Three lagoons are located on the top of the hill, immediately before approaching the floating walkway. These are R5, R6 (fully viewable from two fenced overpasses on the hill) and R8 (partially viewable from a fenced overpass on the hill but best viewed from the woodland trail viewpoint).
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Looking Down from Hill at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Looking down from hill at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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Junction at Hill at Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve.JPG
Junction at hill at Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve
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Northwards View From Hill at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Northwards view from hill at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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Fences Around Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Fenced Pond.JPG
Fences around Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve fenced lagoon
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Fenced Pond.JPG
Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve fenced lagoon
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Uskmouth Power Station from Newport Wetlands Centre.JPG
View of Uskmouth power station
Floating walkway
A new feature part of the reserve's development was an artificial floating walkway, which provides a direct route to the lighthouse over lagoon R7. This lagoon is part of a series of a total of three lagoons spanning the coastal path (east to west). The most eastward lagoon (R9) is overlooked by the bird hide in addition to being viewable from a fenced overpass (currently closed for the stated reason of protecting wildlife), and the most westwardly lagoon (R4) is viewable from a fenced overpass.
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Floating walkway with lighthouse in background at Newport Wetlands Centre.JPG
Floating walkway with lighthouse in the background
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Tufted Ducks at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Floating Walkway.PNG
Tufted ducks visible from Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve floating walkway
Estuary trail
The far end of the trail faces south towards the Severn Estuary, along which the East Usk Lighthouse is situated at and the bird hide lies at the end of.
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View of Severn Estuary From Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
View of Severn Estuary From Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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View of Severn Estuary Rocks From Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
View of Severn Estuary Rocks From Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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View of Severn Estuary Through Reeds From Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
View of Severn Estuary through reeds from Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
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View of Sun Setting Over Severn Estuary From Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
View of sun setting over Severn Estuary from Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve
Lighthouses
The East Usk Lighthouse is within the reserve on the estuary trail facing towards the Severn Estuary. It is a basic lamphousing with no accommodation. The more substantial decommissioned West Usk Lighthouse, currently operating as a hotel, is on the opposite (west) bank of the River Usk and can be viewed from the reserve.
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View of lighthouse across reeds, Newport Wetlands Centre.JPG
View of lighthouse across reeds
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East Usk Lighthouse at Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve.JPG
East Usk Lighthouse at Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve
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East Usk Lighthouse at Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve with Floating Walkway in the background to the right.JPG
East Usk Lighthouse with floating walkway in the background to the right
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East Usk Lighthouse at Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve Facing Eastwards Towards Bird Hide.JPG
East Usk Lighthouse at Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve facing east towards bird hide
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East Usk Lighthouse at Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve From Distance.JPG
East Usk Lighthouse at Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve from a distance
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West Usk Lighthouse Viewed From Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve.JPG
West Usk Lighthouse viewed from Newport Wetlands RSPB Nature Reserve
Bird hide
The bird hide is located on the far side of the trail and provides shelter for up-close viewing of birds on one of the trail's many lagoons (R9).
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Bird Hide.JPG
The bird hide entrance
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Bird Hide at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
The bird hide frontal exterior
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Pond Overlooked By Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Bird Hide.JPG
Lagoon R9 overlooked by Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve bird hide
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Inside View of Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Bird Hide.JPG
Inside view of bird hide
Cycling path
The cycling (and dog) path is entered by turning right (westwards, towards the power station) at the front of the reserve's car park exit. The 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) route follows alongside the power station past the East Usk Lighthouse and along the Severn Estuary (Wales Coast Path).
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Car Park Exit.JPG
View of car park exit from cycling path entrance
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Dunnock at Cycling and Dog Path around perimeter of Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Typical sight of a dunnock greeting visitors who enter the cycle path
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View of Lighthouse and Fenced Overpass at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
View of lighthouse and fenced overpass from cycle path
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Westward View of Lighthouse at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
View of lighthouse from cycle path
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Cycle Path.JPG
Typical stretch of cycle path
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Westward Path Alongside Power Station.JPG
Cycle path alongside power station
Woodland trail
The woodland trail is entered by turning left at the top of the hill, and travels past neighbouring farmland, through the reserve's woodlands, past a lagoon viewing platform and bird hide and onto the estuary trail.
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Newport Transporter Bridge viewed from Woodland Trail at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Newport Transporter Bridge viewed from woodland trail
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Field viewed from Woodland Trail at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Field viewed from woodland trail
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Cows resting in field viewed from Woodland Trail at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Cows resting in field viewed from woodland trail
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Stretch of Woodland Trail at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Stretch of woodland trail
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Bend at Woodland Trail of Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Bend at woodland trail
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Bench at Woodland Trail at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Bench at woodland trail
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Inside Woodlands at Woodland Trail at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Inside woodlands at woodland trail
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Approaching Bird Hide from Woodland Trail at Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve.JPG
Approaching bird hide/estuary trail from woodland trail
Woodland trail viewpoint
A notable feature of the reserve which may be missed by the hurried explorer is the viewing platform overlooking lagoon R8. It is located in a relatively secluded area of the reserve, found by turning right before leaving the woodland trail when heading southwards towards the bird hide/estuary trail.
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Path In Forest Before Turning Right To Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Forest Viewing Platform.JPG
Woodland trail before turning right onto viewing platform
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Forest Viewing Platform And Nest Box.JPG
Viewing platform and nest boxes
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Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Forest Viewing Platform.JPG
Viewing platform
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Lagoon R8 overlooked by Newport Wetlands RSPB Reserve Forest Viewing Platform.JPG
Lagoon R8 overlooked by viewing platform
References
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Use dmy dates from June 2015
- Use British English from June 2015
- Culture in Newport, Wales
- Education in Newport, Wales
- Visitor attractions in Newport, Wales
- Wetlands of Newport, Wales
- Nature centres in Wales
- Nature reserves in Wales
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserves in Wales
- Protected areas established in 2000
- Coast of Newport, Wales