Pwll Penarth
Last updated: 23 October 2007
Believe it or not, this reserve was once part of the sewage farm next door! Birds, who seem to be attracted to such places, were already regular visitors so when the Environment Agency and the Wildlife Trust remodelled the site in 1996 it was easy to encourage the birds to stay.
Careful landscaping of the lake provided shallow margins for wading birds like the curlew and deeper waters where ducks and geese could dabble. Islands were also created for birds to nest in safety.
Special gravel 'cliffs' were created for sand martins, and these purpose built homes obviously met with approval as the birds immediately moved in!
The old meadows are being managed to create habitats for endangered species such as lapwing and skylark. Crops grown to the north east of the lake are neither weeded nor harvested, which encourages wildflowers like poppies and corn marigolds.
The crops and flowers provide cover for birds and small mammals, whilst the plentiful supply of grain and seeds means they don't have to look far for food.
Other attractions are insects and butterflies, leaping salmon at the weir on the River Severn or running up the fish pass in the autumn and occasional sightings of otter.
There is a permissive path around the reserve which leads to a small dipping pond and two bird hides.
Grid reference SO 137 926
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