The plan was simple drive four hours west to western Wales from London, to Haverdfordwest to be precise. So it was decided to break the journey almost two hours west to begin our UK birding trip at the RSPB reserve at Newport named, in English, the Newport Wetlands. It has another name in Welsh.Situated on part of the tranquil Gwent Levels, at the edge of the city of Newport, this wildlife reserve was created to compensate for the loss of the mudflats of Cardiff Bay.
The Countryside Council for Wales works in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Newport City Council to run the reserve.
Covering over 438 hectares from Uskmouth to Goldcliff, the reed beds, saline lagoons, wet grassland and scrub, have attracted a wealth of wetland birds.
The reserve is also an excellent place to see orchids, butterflies, dragonflies and otters.
From the car park, there are 3 way-marked trails varying in length from 2.74km (1.7 miles) to 4.36km (2.7 miles).
It turned out to be a good idea as we recorded a good haul of common species. First Chiff Chaffs chiff chaffing. Good common species on the water; Mallard, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, and juvenile Common Pochard. Good common species on the 'beach' - Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull plus Cormorant. Good common species in the reeds; Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting and Sedge Warbler also, plus, for some, Bearded Reedling, formerly named Bearded Tits. And a few good species in the woodlands; Blue and Great Tits, Whitethroat and Blackcaps, Wren and the strong song from the unseen Cetti's Warbler.
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| visitor centre |
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| Chiff Chaff |
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| Common Whitethroat |
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| Male Reed Bunting |
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| drake Tufted Duck - Our Bird of the Day!! |
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| Mute Swan |
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| Grey Heron |
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| Reed Bunting |
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| Bearded Reedling |
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