Newport Wetlands

Newport Wetlands lies on the south-eastern edge of the City of Newport along the northern shore of the Severn Estuary. This reserve has extensive areas of lowland wet grassland, reedbeds, saltmarsh and saline lagoons. It is one of the best sites to see wild birds in Wales. This new wildlife reserve (opened in March 2000), on part of the tranquil Gwent Levels, was created as part of the compensation for the loss of the Taf/Ely Estuary SSSI mudflats of Cardiff Bay.

Its long list of protective designations – SPA, RAMSAR, SAC and three SSSIs – reflect the importance of the reserve both in itself and for the wildlife it sustains:
Ditches – Gwent Levels: Nash and Goldcliff SSSI, Gwent Levels: Whitson SSSI, Foreshore – Severn Estuary SSSI, SPA, RAMSAR, SAC

Grid Ref: ST351826 Area: 865.72 hectares

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Visiting

A 6km network of re-surfaced paths around the Uskmouth reedbeds allow access for all. There are benches approximately every 100m.

The paths are level with some gentle slopes and a ‘zig-zag’ ramp to climb the 5 metres up to the raised reedbed levels.

wetlands Photo ©CCW

reedbeds Photo ©CCW

Five of the reedbeds have viewing screens across the deepwater channels and two reedbeds have raised viewing platforms.

A floating pontoon also forms a direct route to the East Usk Lighthouse.

How to get there

From M4 Junction 24 or 28 take the A48 to Newport Retail Park then follow the 'Brown Duck' signs to the Newport Wetlands Reserve car park.

The reserve car park is on the West Nash road, just before the entrance to the Uskmouth Power Station.

Public Transport
There is a regular bus service from Newport to the visitor centre.

wetlands Photo ©CCW

For more information contact Traveline Cymru on 0871 2002233 or visit www.traveline-cymru.org.uk

Facilities

There is a car park with 40 to 50 spaces and 6 marked disabled bays and is open 8.30am to 5.30pm all year round.

A new Environmental Education and Visitor Centre (180 metres from the car park), owned by the RSPB, is open (free of charge) from 9am until 5pm, seven days a week.

The centre includes space for group and family activities, conference facilities, a large retail area and a Fairtrade/organic coffee shop. There are toilet facilities including disabled toilets.

The reserve hosts a full year-round programme of events.

swan Photo by Grafic House©

Who looks after it

CCW manages the reserve in partnership with Newport City Council, RSPB and others.

Contact RSPB Newport Wetland Visitor and Education Centre on 01633 636363 or Newport City Council on 01633 656656.

You can also contact CCW’s Southern Team via our enquiries helpline, 0845 1306229, e-mail, enquiries@ccw.gov.uk or write to us under the ‘Contact the team’ section on this website.

Wildlife

reeds Photo ©CCW

Reedbeds:
The reedbeds are one of the few places in Wales where the bearded tit breeds. It is also home to a significant proportion of Britain’s breeding Cetti’s warblers and water rail.

Spring is a busy and noisy time here – listen out for reed, sedge and Cetti’s warblers or even the occasional cuckoo as it searches for a nest. Mute swans build large nests from the dry winter reed and tufted ducks, coot and little grebe lead their broods around the pools in search of food.

dragonfly Photo ©CCW

Damselflies and dragonflies are a summer feature. Various species live here, but you are more likely to see the emperor dragonfly or the much smaller common darter. Other summer features are the six different species of orchid, which you should be able to spot along the side of the footpaths – the most common species are marsh helliborine, southern marsh, and pyramidal orchid.

The rare bittern winters in the reeds most years. One of the other winter highlights include the large starling flocks that come to roost here at dusk.

Otters use the reedbeds all year round, but they are seldom seen.

Saline lagoons:
The saline lagoons are home to Wales’ only breeding population of avocet. Five other species of wader breed on the lagoons – redshank, lapwing, oystercatcher, ringed plover and little ringed plover. The lagoons are the best place to see migrating waders, over 20 species can be seen in spring and late summer.

Wet grasslands:
The wet grasslands support large flocks of wintering wildfowl and waders including shoveler and black-tailed godwit in nationally significant numbers. Flocks of wigeon and lapwing can exceed 1900 and 2900 respectively.

In the spring the wet grasslands support important breeding populations of redshank and lapwing. Skylark and brown hare also use the grasslands.

SSSI ditches
The reserve's ditches support a diverse range of aquatic plants and invertebrates including the nationally important Wolffia arhiza, the smallest flowering plant in the world. In spring, the ditches burst into colour with white Queens Anne’s lace/cow parsley, yellow flag iris and celery leaved buttercups.

Saltmarsh & mudflats
The saltmarsh and mudflats are part of the wider Severn Estuary Ramsar, SPA and cSAC. There are approximately 80 hectares of Atlantic salt meadows within the reserve’s boundary.

The area hosts some of the estuary’s internationally important bird fauna. Nationally important numbers of dunlin (up to around 8000) visit the reserve. In winter you will hear curlews calling from this area. And when the tide is in your are likely to see flocks of wigeon grazing the saltmarsh at the waters edge.