Somerset Ornithological Society

Home\|About Us\|Contact Us

Home How to Join Photo Gallery Bird News Club News Where to go Birding County List Rarity Decisions Talks Walks Links		WESTON-SUPER-MARE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS Click here to open up a map of the site. Note that you can move around the area by using the buttons around the map and enlarge or reduce the scale by using the buttons below the map. Click on your back button to return to this page. MAP REFERENCES O.S. Landranger 182 Weston-super-Mare & Bridgwater AreaSite at approximately ST315575 INTRODUCTION The Wessex Water plc-managed Sewage Treatment Works has only been operational since 1999. During its construction it held two breeding pairs of little-ringed plover, which took advantage of the large areas of open gravel. The location of the site on Bleadon Level alongside the eastern bank of the Axe estuary means that migrants are often attracted to the mix of pools, saltmarsh and farmland. There are two hides overlooking a small pool, designed to attract wildfowl (the ‘wildfowl pool’!), and two other pools that form part of the sewage treatment works (known as the UV pools!) these are often better at attracting ducks and terns. ACCESS A footpath and cycle track crosses the site, and most of the pools and some of the saltmarsh can be viewed from it. The sewage works itself is out of bounds and is surrounded by a high green security fence. This fence should not be crossed at any time. If you do so, you will jeopardise any current access agreements and incur the wrath of local birders! The sewage treatment works can be reached by road. From the A370 south of WsM turn right at The Anchor pub. This is Accommodation Road, carry on along here and once over the railway bridge turn right. The access road to the sewage works is long and the blue entrance gate is often locked. Even if the gate is open, do not drive through it, or else you risk a very real chance of getting yourself locked in! Park sensibly outside the blue gate and do not block field gateways. Alternatively, and preferably, park at Uphill Boatyard and follow the cycle track south, passing excellent birding opportunities en-route. This is accessed about half a mile west from the A370 roundabout outside Weston General Hospital. SPECIES TO BE SEEN Despite being new and an ever-maturing habitat, the site has proved to be excellent for all-round birding. Unusual breeding species include yellow wagtail and little-ringed plover (but not any more!). Wintering species have included scaup, snow bunting, merlin, whooper swan and passage migrants. Vagrants include Sabine's gull, spoonbill, and four grey phalaropes in recent autumns, regular garganey, waders, and the famous first American black tern for the UK. Check the wildfowl pool from both hides and the adjacent gravel cycle track. The hide on the bank offers the only decent view of the reclaimed saltmarsh. The saltmarsh was once an arable field. If you continue along the track you reach Walborough Common, an Avon Wildlife Trust reserve. From the hill and saltmarsh you can view more of the River Axe. Nearby, Uphill Quarry has regular little owl, and the surrounding scrub has turned up wryneck and yellow-browed warbler.The UV pools can be viewed by following the cycle track back towards the sewage treatment works, and crossing the arable field onto the bridle-way. You will need to be content with views through the green fence, though most birds can be seen from here with patience. If you continue south towards the sluice over the River Axe, the fields on either side are good for grey partridge. Eventually the sluice will be open to the public and you will be able to cross the river, but at the time of writing the cycle track ends here. Views down the river often produce little egret and perhaps a wintering short-eared owl. OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST The site is excellent for brown hare and any visitor will be unlucky not to see them. The flora of nearby Walborough Common is exceptional, and includes some species found at only a few other sites in the UK. James Packer
(c) Somerset Ornithological Society

WESTON-SUPER-MARE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS

Click here to open up a map of the site. Note that you can move around the area by using the buttons around the map and enlarge or reduce the scale by using the buttons below the map. Click on your back button to return to this page.

MAP REFERENCES

O.S. Landranger 182 Weston-super-Mare & Bridgwater AreaSite at approximately ST315575

INTRODUCTION

The Wessex Water plc-managed Sewage Treatment Works has only been operational since 1999. During its construction it held two breeding pairs of little-ringed plover, which took advantage of the large areas of open gravel. The location of the site on Bleadon Level alongside the eastern bank of the Axe estuary means that migrants are often attracted to the mix of pools, saltmarsh and farmland. There are two hides overlooking a small pool, designed to attract wildfowl (the ‘wildfowl pool’!), and two other pools that form part of the sewage treatment works (known as the UV pools!) these are often better at attracting ducks and terns.

ACCESS

A footpath and cycle track crosses the site, and most of the pools and some of the saltmarsh can be viewed from it. The sewage works itself is out of bounds and is surrounded by a high green security fence. This fence should not be crossed at any time. If you do so, you will jeopardise any current access agreements and incur the wrath of local birders!

The sewage treatment works can be reached by road. From the A370 south of WsM turn right at The Anchor pub. This is Accommodation Road, carry on along here and once over the railway bridge turn right. The access road to the sewage works is long and the blue entrance gate is often locked. Even if the gate is open, do not drive through it, or else you risk a very real chance of getting yourself locked in! Park sensibly outside the blue gate and do not block field gateways.

Alternatively, and preferably, park at Uphill Boatyard and follow the cycle track south, passing excellent birding opportunities en-route. This is accessed about half a mile west from the A370 roundabout outside Weston General Hospital.

SPECIES TO BE SEEN

Despite being new and an ever-maturing habitat, the site has proved to be excellent for all-round birding. Unusual breeding species include yellow wagtail and little-ringed plover (but not any more!). Wintering species have included scaup, snow bunting, merlin, whooper swan and passage migrants. Vagrants include Sabine's gull, spoonbill, and four grey phalaropes in recent autumns, regular garganey, waders, and the famous first American black tern for the UK.

Check the wildfowl pool from both hides and the adjacent gravel cycle track. The hide on the bank offers the only decent view of the reclaimed saltmarsh. The saltmarsh was once an arable field. If you continue along the track you reach Walborough Common, an Avon Wildlife Trust reserve. From the hill and saltmarsh you can view more of the River Axe. Nearby, Uphill Quarry has regular little owl, and the surrounding scrub has turned up wryneck and yellow-browed warbler.The UV pools can be viewed by following the cycle track back towards the sewage treatment works, and crossing the arable field onto the bridle-way. You will need to be content with views through the green fence, though most birds can be seen from here with patience.

If you continue south towards the sluice over the River Axe, the fields on either side are good for grey partridge. Eventually the sluice will be open to the public and you will be able to cross the river, but at the time of writing the cycle track ends here. Views down the river often produce little egret and perhaps a wintering short-eared owl.

OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST

The site is excellent for brown hare and any visitor will be unlucky not to see them. The flora of nearby Walborough Common is exceptional, and includes some species found at only a few other sites in the UK.

James Packer