Pembroke Upper Mill Pond

Little grebe

Tom Marshall

Pembroke Upper Mill Pond

No access is possible on the reserve due to the lack of direct access from a public highway or footpath. The reserve itself is small and sensitive to disturbance so access is only for management purposes.

A beautiful pond with developing reed bed, fen and carr, adjoining woodland.

Location

South Pembrokeshire.

OS Map Reference

Site centre: SM993016
A static map of Pembroke Upper Mill Pond

Know before you go

Size
5 hectares

Access

No access available. 

Dogs

No dogs permitted

When to visit

Opening times

No access available.

Best time to visit

No access available.

About the reserve

The pond was formerly part of a tidal creek which extended eastwards from below Pembroke Castle. The reserve forms the eastern extremity of this creek. Barriers to tidal movement occurred with the construction of a tidal mill in the 13th century and a dam in 1975.

The vegetation represents a transition from estuarine to freshwater conditions. Lesser Duckweed and Horned Pondweed occur in the open water with emergent vegetation dominated by Common Reed. Estuarine species present include Sea Club Rush, Salt Marsh Rush and Sea Arrow Grass. At the eastern end is an area of fen and carr vegetation, characterised by Grey Willow and Alder, with an understorey of Yellow Iris, Hemp-agrimony, Purple Loosestrife and Water Forget-me-not.

Birds are varied due to the change in habitats across the site. On the water can be seen Little Grebe, Heron, Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen, Cormorant, Teal, Coot, Kingfisher, Tufted Duck and Pochard. Treecreepers, Willow Warbler, and several Tits are among the woodland birds.

There is a wide variety of aquatic invertebrates such as Freshwater Shrimp and Water Louse, with gastropod molluscs including the Ramshorn Smail and Jenkins Spite Shell. Other invertebrates include pond-skaters, Waterboatmen and damselflies. Four species of fish have been recorded: Three-spined Stickleback, Common Eel, Trout and Flounder, and Frogs are also common. Otters can also be found using the ponds and reed bed.