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Withybeds & Wentes Meadow
Photo by Joan Payne
History
The Nature Reserve was secured by the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust in two parts Withybeds first in 1989 then Wentes Meadow in 1992. Wentes Meadow gets its name from its former owner the Wentes family. The Withybeds are managed as high forest and Wentes Meadow is grazed by livestock or in some years cut for hay. A circular path has been created which is suitable for people using wheelchairs as well as a tapping rail for the visually impaired.
Wildlife of Interest
Crack Willow is common, a single Broad-leaved Lime is here. Meadow Cranesbill and Ivy-leaved Duckweed are also present.
Birds: the 31 breeding species recorded include Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, Marsh and Willow Tits, Redstart, Stock Dove, Little Owl, Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Bullfinch, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Moorhen, Coot, Goldfinch. Visitors include: Dipper, Kingfisher, Swift, Curlew, Collared Dove, Tawny Owl.
Other species of interest include Wood and Yellow-necked Mice, Frogs and Grass Snakes. Invertebrates include the Hoverfly Episyrphus cylindricum, the Pond Snail Succinea putris, and a number of Dragonflies and Damselflies, including the Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula. Meadow Brown butterflies are common in summer.
Status
The Wentes Meadow area is leased from Presteigne and Norton Town Council and the Withybeds is leased from Radnorshire District Council. Both the River Lugg and the Withybeds are part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The reserve is approximately 2.3 ha (5.75 acres) in size.
Directions
The reserve can be reached by taking the Knighton road (B4355) out of Presteigne . After some 400m (before crossing the Boultibroke Bridge over the River Lugg) a small car park appears on the right-hand side of the road. There is enough space here for around 8 cars. Alternatively, on foot the reserve can be found by taking a left turn at the bottom of Pound Lane in Presteigne.
