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Brithdir Nature Reserve
Brithdir Nature Reserve
Powys
The reserve consists of two canal-like lagoons constructed by volunteer labour adjacent to the lock cottage. They are lined with bitumainous membrane with planting shelves to accommodate the plant life beneath the water. The reserve is fed from the canal via the lock bye-pass channel. It is adjacent to the Horseshoe pub.
The reserve supports populations of two of the most important water plants on the canal. The grass-like floating water plantain can be seen on the bed of the ponds, and growing through the water towards the middle of the pond is grass-wrack pondweed. Both of these plants are internationally rare.
In addition are the resident pair of swans that can be territorial in the spring and early summer when they are nesting, and dragonflies and damselflies, which can be seen in the summer months when they emerge from the water to breed. The scrubby vegetation on the side of the ponds furthest from the canal supports many small birds and mammals.
Brithdir Nature Reserve is accessed via a small layby/parking area off the main A483, or alternatively for patrons of the Horseshoe Pub via towpath and footbridge across the canal.
Access for all/towpath condition
Entrance to the reserve is via a small layby (off B road) through a pedestrian gate (1.2 metres wide) and down a wide drive to the nature reserve. Note: this drive is potholed in places and it can get very waterlogged after rain. There is a grass path around the nature reserve.
Alternative pedestrian access can be gained at the side of the bridge or for patrons of the Horseshoe pub via grass towpath and footbridge over canal.
Nearest town
Berriew. Brithdir (Horseshoe pub) or Welshpool
Educational resources
Available on www.wow4water.net are Montgomery Canal - Bird Spotter Pack, and information on pond dipping as well as a general lesson plans on the Montgomery Canal
Public Transport
Nearest bus stop at Berriew and then to reach reserve walk north along Montgomery Canal towpath
Nearest railway stations: Welshpool and Newtown
www.traveline-cymru.org.uk
0870 608 2 608
Services offered:
- Nature reserve
