woodlands and reedbeds. and woodlands

of our ancient ancestors, exploring meadows, meadows, exploring ancestors, ancient our of

Rich in history and wildlife. Follow in the footsteps footsteps the in Follow wildlife. and history in Rich

(Opposite ) www.naturalengland.org.uk Wall) Ham (Opposite

BA6 9SX. 9SX. BA6 860120 01458 Tel:

out for the whole family. whole the for out

Glastonbury , Road,

Ham Wall nature reserve an unforgettable day day unforgettable an reserve nature Wall Ham

Reserve, Nature National Heath Shapwick

sounds of the reeds swaying in the wind make make wind the in swaying reeds the of sounds

Amazing wildlife, panoramic views and the the and views panoramic wildlife, Amazing

will love running through our willow grass snake! grass willow our through running love will

opportunities to experience wildlife. Kids Kids wildlife. wetland experience to opportunities

as they gather to roost in the reedbeds. reedbeds. the in roost to gather they as

Short, easy walks around the site give plenty of of plenty give site the around walks easy Short,

to see the starlings and their spectacular displays displays spectacular their and starlings the see to

(6.2 miles) rspb.org.uk/greylake miles) (6.2

In winter, make sure you hang around until dusk dusk until around hang you sure make winter, In

252805 01458 Tel:

weave their way through the mystical landscape. landscape. mystical the through way their weave

BG 9 TA7 , Greylake, RSPB

Glastonbury Tor and follow secluded paths that that paths secluded follow and Tor Glastonbury Other local attractions local Other

Enjoy the stunning views across the to to marshes the across views stunning the Enjoy

In this area… this In

all call this place home. home. place this call all

which newts, crested great and frogs

hear secretive bitterns, otters, water voles, voles, water otters, bitterns, secretive hear

01458 860494. 860494. 01458 call or wildlife. You might be lucky enough to see or or see to enough lucky be might You wildlife.

Ham Wall is a special place that teems with with teems that place special a is Wall Ham [email protected] e-mail

to volunteer at Ham Wall, please please Wall, Ham at volunteer to

on this site. this on

future events, or if you would like like would you if or events, future

RSPB when extraction ended ended extraction peat when RSPB

For dates, prices and full details of of details full and prices dates, For

magical wetland, created by the the by created wetland, magical

with visitors. with Enjoy the sights and sounds of this this of sounds and sights the Enjoy

knowledge their sharing about enthusiastic

can help out at our reserves and who are are who and reserves our at out help can Welcome

We are always looking for volunteers who who volunteers for looking always are We

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help give nature a home. a nature give help

spectacles. school holidays. Join us for a fun day out and and out day fun a for us Join holidays. school

We organise lots of family activities during the the during activities family of lots organise We

admire the wildlife wildlife the admire Family activities Family

coming here to to here coming

by coming along to one of our regular events. regular our of one to along coming by

of the world. I love love I world. the of

wildlife amazing its and wetland the Discover

Events A very special part part special very A Take part with us with part Take Bittern by Andrew Parkinson (rspb-images.com)

Top things to do How to get here Spring/summer Nearest town: Glastonbury By bicycle: the national cycle network (Route 3) A busy time for nature and a runs nearby. The old railway line through the reserve great time for you to explore. is now a local cycle route. Cycle racks are available around the reserve and in the car park.

1 Hear the “boom” of male bitterns. You By bus: nearest stops are in Meare and Ashcott. might even see one flying over the reedbed. Ham Wall By car: Ham Wall is on Ashcott Road, a minor road nature reserve 2 Admire great crested grebes as they that runs between Meare and Ashcott. The large perform their graceful courtship dance. RSPB car park (postcode BA6 9SX) is just over a mile 3 Watch hobbies, small, agile birds of prey, (2 km) south of Meare and 2 miles north of Ashcott. hunting over the ponds and ditches. Opening times 4 Look out for butterflies and dragonflies that The reserve is open every day from dawn until are out and about all over the reserve. dusk. Automatic gates for car park. Please check our web page and entrance signs for opening times. 5 Hear the strange croaking of marsh frogs. Alternative Natural car park 100m away. Admission charges Car parking charges apply: £2 for up to two hours, Autumn/winter £3 for more than two hours. RSPB Members free Five things not to miss RSPB Ham Wall office during the chillier months. RSPB Workbase, Avalon Marshes Centre, Shapwick Road, , Somerset BA6 9TT 1 Scan the skies to see marsh harriers hunting Tel: 01458 860494 for food across the reedbed. E-mail: [email protected] www.rspb.org.uk/hamwall Don’t blink: you might miss the blue flash of 2 The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation a kingfisher darting past. charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. 3 Keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of an Helping to give nature a home elusive otter. 4 Marvel at the thousands of starlings coming to roost in the reedbed at dusk. Explore a wonderful wetland 5 See roe deer foraging for food. Enjoy Look out Get amongst The RSPB is a registered charity in England & Wales 207076, amazing for elusive the swirling in Scotland SC037654. Front cover: John Crispin 870-0616-17-18 views across otters in starling flocks the marshes the water in winter

46387RSPB Ham Wall Trail Guide AW.indd 1 26/06/2017 11:55 Ham Wall Finding your way around

Ham Wall loop The Reedbed Walton Heath Loxton’s A scenic 1.7 mile circular walk starting from the car park and trail trail Marsh trail following a grass trail along the This trail is accessible for Stroll along 1.1 miles of grass Walk this 0.8 mile trail (about 10 canal. Cross the canal via a wheelchair users and children’s track and enjoy quiet, tucked- minutes) to discover one of the bridge to return along the old buggies. It takes about five away places to sit and watch for more secluded areas of reedbed railway track. Allow at least an minutes to reach the Tor View wildlife. It takes about 30 minutes and scrub. Please take care on hour to walk the loop, or 40 hide. to walk the trail, but longer if you this trail in winter, as the grass minutes to walk from the car stop to enjoy the surroundings. tracks may be wet. park to the Avalon hide and back. Keep your eyes peeled for marsh harriers flying low over the reedbed Try to spot grass snakes, roe deer Don’t forget to stop at the viewing In summer, look out for different in search of prey, and bearded tits and dragonflies. Though difficult to screen – it’s a great place to glimpse kinds of dragonflies, butterflies and clinging acrobatically to the reeds. see, Cetti’s warblers may make elusive wildlife like bitterns. Listen bumblebees. As you walk, you If you listen carefully, you might their presence known by belting for woodpeckers drumming on the might see roe deer, or if you are even hear the gentle “plop” of a out loud bursts of song from deep trees in spring, and look out for weird really lucky, an otter! water vole slipping into the water. within the reeds. and wonderful fungi in autumn.

Key

Water Car park

Grassland Disabled car park

Woodland Seat

Reedbeds Hide Footpath Meare Toilets

Viewing platform Visitor reception

To Natural England Viewing screen Natural England car park NNR Dogs are allowed on the Ham Wall loop but please keep them on a lead. To RSPB Registered assistance dogs are allowed on all parts of the reserve. Ham Wall For more information about the accessibility of RSPB Ham Wall, please visit rspb.org.uk/hamwall

Explore the wild side of Ham Wall. From the Avalon hide look out for barn owls hunting for food in summer.

Otters, grass Look out for hobbies oad snakes and catching and eating t R adders have dragonflies in flight Ashcott all been seen in spring.

shcot from the A From here, you can . often hear the loud, booming calls of bitterns in springtime. Meare

Ashcott Corner The canal bank is alive with a dazzling array of dragonflies and damselflies in summer.

Glastonbury Canal

Listen to Look for siskins croaking marsh and redpolls frogs along the Reedbed feeding in the and Loxton’s alder trees The Mini marshes Marsh trails during winter. play trail is great fun in summer. for young visitors.

t The Tor View hide is a great shcot Watch marsh A place to admire the harriers flying amazing view across low over the N the reedbed to reedbed looking Glastonbury Tor. for food. W E

S

0 200 m 400 m

Map © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787.

46387RSPB Ham Wall Trail Guide AW.indd 2 26/06/2017 11:55