MAKE A VISIT: Now that spring has arrived there really is no excuse not to visit Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve. It is the ideal way to spend a day, offering something for all the family.

For youngsters there are activity backpacks available to hire, which contain wildlife identification sheets, booklets, a fabulous wildlife detective quiz and a magnifying minibeast viewer! Every week day during the summer holidays there will be pond dipping sessions to allow youngsters the chance to capture, observe and release the teeming wildlife in the water on the reserve. At £3 for RSPB members and £5 for non-members it’s a surefire way to excite, educate and enthral children for hours.

For fitness enthusiasts there are four colour coded walking routes, and a cycle route in and around the reserve. These range from a gentle one mile stroll to a more energetic 3 mile walk taking in a range of habitats and landscapes. With the delicious food and drinks available at the cafe, why not stay for a while and try several routes on the same day?  

If you don’t want to leave your beloved dog at home, there’s no need. Dogs on leads are welcome and there is a special route just for you. There is a lovely 6km walk around the perimeter of the reserve, taking in the lighthouse and stunning views of the estuary looking across to Cardiff and Portishead. At the end of the walk there are water bowls and a dog parking station outside the visitor centre, so that your dog has some welcome refreshment whilst you enjoy a well earned drink and cake from the cafe.

At this time of year families love visiting here and being able to get close to nature. It is especially wonderful to watch the birds, knowing that they are wild and natural.  With the best intentions some visitors bring along bread to feed the ducks and swans, thinking that this is helping the birds by providing food. Unfortunately this does more harm than good. Bread fills the birds stomachs with processed unnatural food, which means they do not then eat their ideal food, pond weed and seeds. This imbalance can cause illness and malnutrition. Uneaten bread sinks to the bottom of the ponds and lagoons, causing greater algae growth.  It also encourages pests, who we would rather not see on our nature reserve! All this bread in the waterways upsets the delicate natural balance of nature that makes the reserve such a magical place. 

Apart from the Easter holiday events for children, there is a Bat and Moth walk on April 21 from 7pm until late. Here you will be able to discover the species that make their homes here.  There will be a bonfire with toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate to keep you warm. It costs only £6 for RSPB members and £8 for non-members.

Now is a wonderful time to join the RSPB at Newport Wetlands as there are so many events and activities to enjoy. For more information please call 01633 636363 or visit Newport-wetlands@rspb.org.uk

Newport Wetlands
Rosi Hollister