Sheepen Bridge

Follow the meandering river on either bank side to Sheepen Bridge. You can cross to the south bank by going over the footbridge and through the narrow kissing gate into the cattle grazing field.

Alder trees

As you follow the meandering river note how the outside of the bends erosion by the water cuts a vertical bank (good for nesting Kingfishers). On the inside of the bends, where the current is slower, sediment is deposited and there are beds of vegetation such as Watercress. Look out for Wood Pigeons and Green Woodpeckers, mature Oaks and Alders by the river whose roots grow in wet ground.

Cowpat

Cattle drink from the river and poach or tread the mud, creating an important habitat for rare fly species. Cowpats also provide a home for developing beetles and flies. Look out for Stag beetles, the biggest British black beetle.

Nearing Sheepen Bridge there is a young Black Poplar sapling protected by fencing. This rare tree was propagated with many others at the Borough Council's old tree nursery off Spring Lane as part of the Council's Black Poplar Biodiversity Plan.

cows

Stag beetle