Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve

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Overview

The Newport Wetlands NNR was created in 2000 in mitigation for the loss of habitats in the area of the Taf/Ely Estuary SSSI when the Cardiff Bay Barrage was constructed. The huge reedbeds at Newport Wetlands provide an important breeding habitat for bearded tits, water rails and Cetti’s warblers. Other birds you are likely to see there in spring are reed and sedge warblers. Mute swans, coots, tufted duck and little grebes build their nests in the larger pools. The saline lagoons are the only breeding site in Wales for avocets, in addition to lapwings, oystercatchers, redshanks and ringed and little ringed plovers. In spring and summer, more than 20 species of migrating waders visit the lagoons. The wet grasslands host large flocks of wintering wildfowl and waders, such as wigeon, lapwing, shovelers and black-tailed godwits, while in spring redshanks and lapwings breed, and skylarks can be heard singing overhead.

Location

Nash

About the area

The area of Newport neighbours Monmouthshire and is home to a cathedral city of the very same name again. Situated 12 miles from Cardiff, on the mouth of the River Usk, the Normans built a castle here.