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Coombe Hill Nature Reserve

Gloucestershire  >  United Kingdom

Coombe Hill Canal and Meadows is a place of vistas and endless skies, of floods and farming, an ancient landscape fringing the River Severn.

Added* by LeicsBirder
Most recent update 20 травня 2022

Description

One of the best spots in Gloucestershire to see dragonflies and damselflies and to watch birds, with the Grundon hide overlooking the main wetland area. This nature reserve is an important haven for wildlife, it also acts a floodplain. The woodlands and grasslands here have adapted to being completely submerged by water in winter months, capturing water that would otherwise flood out other areas, while also trapping sediment and storing carbon.

It is a special site for wetland birds, particularly waders and migrating waterfowl, but also watch out for birds of prey, including Лунь польовий, Сапсан and Яструб великий. Баранець звичайний, Коловодник звичайний, Кулик-сорока, Чоботар синьоногий, Чайка чубата and Кульон великий are just a few of the many birds sighted here. The reserve is also good for ground-nesting birds, which are easily disturbed by dogs and people, for this reason dogs should be kept on a lead at all times and visitors are asked to stick to paths and waymarked trails.

Details

Access

The towpath is level and offers good views but it can become rutted and very muddy after wet weather. There are no kissing gates from the towpath along the canal, but kissing gates are at the entrance to other parts of the reserve. There are several bridleways, all of which are popular with horse riders. There are several waymarked walk options available for visitors at Coombe Hill, although the paths can be very muddy and not suitable for wheelchair or pushchairs.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , Plain , Lake , Agriculture , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , River , Reedbeds , City/village

Conditions

Flat , Hilly , High water possible , Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Autumn migration , Spring

Route

Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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