|
20. Littleton Brick Pits
Grid ref: 590 912 / Area: 2.04 hectares
This reserve is in an unusual setting, next to a wild
stretch of the Severn Estuary and beside an industrial
site. The tall reedbed is an important haven for birds.
Access
Littleton is a restricted access site. It can
be viewed with a permit or on one of the specially
arranged guided walks. There are a limited number of
permits available to members.
Wildlife and conservation
One of a chain of reedbeds
close to the Severn Estuary, this reserve is an important
feeding and resting place for migrating birds. The
tall and vigorous reeds also provide a breeding ground
for reed and sedge warblers and reed buntings.
The best time to see the migrating birds is when they
arrive in spring, and late summer when they leave.
The reed warbler is one such summer visitor, completely
dependent on reedbeds for nesting, and returning to
the same breeding site each year.
In early autumn a variety of other migrant birds such
as blackcap, chiffchaff, willow warbler and whitethroat
visit the reserve.
The willows are occasionally coppiced, and invading
scrub removed.
Other points of interest
Once the site of clay extraction for brick making,
this pit was filled with surplus slurry which the
present reedbed has colonised.
|
