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Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve is a regional wildlife site which falls within the greenbelt extension. It is located between Portishead and Royal Portbury Dock and adjacent to the foreshore of the Severn Estuary. The reserve acts as a gateway for wildlife into the Gordano Valley where a number of other nature reserves can be found.
The 117-acre reserve is particularly important as a wetland site with a range of species calling this area home. You can find great crested newts, otters and water voles as well as dragonflies, slow worms and grass snakes. Many wetland birds use the area over winter and a variety of species nest in the reserve throughout the summer. There are three hides on site which provide the perfect opportunity to see these birds without causing any disturbance to the wildlife. You may spot red list species such as curlew, lapwing, pochard and dunlin, or be fortunate enough to spot one of the resident barn owls or a hobby hunting over the marshland.
What we're doing
Since 2016, North Somerset Council has been managing the nature reserve with formal adoption taking place in 2024. Our ranger carries out a variety of activities throughout the year as well as undertaking general maintenance tasks. We also work with a local farmer whose cattle graze the site through the summer and hay cuts are carried out annually.
