Teifi Marshes
We shall endeavour to keep you up to date on what is happening out on the reserve. Remember there are several walks around the reserve and maps are available in the visitor centre. Please dress accordingly for walking as there is not a lot of shelter (apart from the hides). Some paths are uneven so wear stout footwear. Guided walks (free) Sundays and Wednesdays Easter to December, meeting outside the cafe.
Water buffalo at square pond - photo by Rob Fox
Sorry, no water buffalo this year. Due to increased security measures and the impending badger cull the decision has been taken not to have the water buffalo grazing the reserve. Instead we have some Welsh Mountain ponies. Not quite the same we agree. Hopefully the buffalo will be back next year.
New Lagoon
Swans on new lagoon - photo by Rob FoxThe new lagoon created in 2009 has now settled in. It is on the Otter Trail, overlooked by the Mallard Hide. The work unfortunately created a considerable amount of 'muck' along the trail and this was dumped in the small field area to the right of the entry road approaching the centre car park. This is now being left to create its own habitat and we shall see what develops in due course.
As the year has moved on the new lagoon is taking shape. The reeds have begun to take hold and the lagoon is fitting well into the reserve and becoming a regular haunt for some of the birds. As you can see the swans are finding the new water very interesting!
New Sand Martin bird box
Sand Martin box - photo by Rob Fox
In May 2009 a new bird box was designed and constructed by Glyn Jones, a regular volunteer for the Wildlife Trust. This was sited the edge of the new lagoon and was designed to encourage Sand Martins to nest on the reserve in the future.
New Hide
Circular hide
A new circular hide was constructed in 2008 to replace one of the hides which was burnt down. It was build with wood from another of our reserves (Pengelli), a wattle and daub mixture for the walls using clay from near the new hide mixed with water buffalo dung (plenty available on the reserve!), reeds from the marshes and then a turfed roof. It is near to the access road, off the Otter Trail. Please go and take a look at its construction!! It is a little out of the ordinary!
Teifi Gorge Footpath
This footpath is a public right of way and has been difficult to pass at one particular point since last winter's flood which eroded part of the bank. Pembrokeshire County Council have now completed a diversion which involved much manual labour cutting a series of new steps into the side of the gorge and old quarries. The path is now much safer although there are now a few more steps to climb!
Badgers at nightBadger Watch
These have been suspended due to the impending badger cull.