Explore Cwm Ivy
Grab your binoculars and head out to this new wildlife rich salt marsh. This route takes in two bird hides and has plenty of chances for wildlife spotting. Look out for otters, kingfishers and wading birds. Please note that the path over the sea wall has been closed.
Map
Start:
Cwm Ivy car pak (SA3 1DJ)
1
Starting from the car park in Cwm Ivy, turn right onto the road and head down the lane (remember to put some money in the honesty box first).
2
Walk through the village until you reach the National Trust gate signed 'Cwm Ivy Wood'.
3
Go through the gate and follow the track down the hill. The track bears to the right and on your left is Cwm Ivy Tor.
As you walk down the hill, look out towards your left for views of the site. You’ll see Cwm Ivy salt marsh followed by the ancient sea wall and the Llanrhidian salt marsh beyond that. The Llanrhidian salt marsh is a common that’s grazed for salt marsh lamb.
4
Follow the track as it bears right through a gate and alongside a plantation. On your left you will pass Burrows Cottage. Continue along the track until you reach the Monterey bird hide on your right. Why not pop in and see what you can spot?
This bird hide is named after the twisted and bent conifers that flank the track. The Monterey pines are non-native coastal conifers. Look out for holes made by woodpeckers in the dead trees.
5
From here you can continue on towards Whiteford Burrows or you can retrace your steps back up the track towards Cwm Ivy village and the car park.
6
Just before you reach the gate back into the village, take a left and follow a footpath through Cwm Ivy broadleaved woodland (managed by the Wildlife Trust) until you reach Cheriton bird hide.
The area you view from the hide used to be lush green grazing fields in early 2013, with relatively low plant and animal diversity. Since the sea wall breached the transformation has been incredible. Today, the growing diversity in plants and tidal pools of fish are attracting more wildlife. If you’re patient and lucky enough you may spot otters, kingfishers and a host of wading birds. The marsh harrier, the rarest bird of prey can be spotted hunting here too.
7
Continue right as you leave the bird hide and follow the path through the broad leaved woodland managed by the Wildlife Trust.
8
When you enter the village, turn left onto the road and head uphill back to the car park.
End:
Cwm Ivy car pak (SA3 1DJ)
