Magor Marsh Reserve
This reserve is
last remnant of fenland on the Gwent levels and a Site of Special
Scientific Interest. It is a prime example of the succession
of plant communities from open water to marsh and scrub woodland.
Bronze age pottery fragments have been found and the present layout
of reens (drainage ditches) dates from the 14th century.
Geology
The soil is mostly
peat with a depth of around 15 feet. Under this is alluvium laid down
in the river Severn estuary. The water level must be kept near
the surface to preserve the peat.
Hay
Meadows and Pastures
Two hay meadows
are maintained using traditional methods. They are only grazed
during autumn and winter. The hay crop is mown in mid-summer to provide
winter feed. By late spring the fields are a mass of flowers
including Yellow Flag, Meadow Thistle, Marsh Marigolds, Yellow Rattle,
Ragged Robin and Lesser Spearwort. Snipe and Reed Buntings breed
in the rough pasture and the Cuckoo can be heard in the summer.
Ponds
and Reens
The pond has a large
bed of Common Reed (Phragmites) which provides cover for the many
bird species which can be seen from the hide. Birds seen include
Heron, Kingfisher, Water Rail and Bittern.
Migrant birds such as Garganey pass through to their winter feeding
grounds. Over wintering birds include numerous Teal.
Reedbeds
and Willow Carr
Ungrazed pasture
allows natural succession to Willow Carr. The dense cover provides
home to many small mammals and birds including Sedge, Reed and Grasshopper
Warblers.
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