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 Ham Wall) www.naturalengland.org.uk Wall) Ham (Opposite BA6 9SX. 9SX. BA6 860120 01458 Tel: out for the whole family. whole the for out Glastonbury Meare, Road, Ashcott 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 wetland 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 Somerset, 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 marshes 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 marsh 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 peat 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 Get involved Get , Frome , Dutton Lee 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 England 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, Westhay, 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 Shapwick Heath 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 Glastonbury Canal 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 boardwalk. 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.