Establish and Maintain Nature Reserves and Educate in Natural History and Nature Conservation
Establish and Maintain Nature Reserves and Educate in Natural History and Nature Conservation
YACWAG is dedicated to creating, protecting and managing a network of nature reserves across the parishes of Yatton and Congresbury for the benefit of local wildlife and the community. Our reserves encompass a rich variety of wet grasslands, meadows, wetland habitats and historic landscapes, each carefully managed to support biodiversity – from rare bats and barn owls to wildflowers, small mammals, insects and birds. These special places offer opportunities for wildlife appreciation, education and engagement, reflecting our long-standing mission to conserve and enhance nature close to home.
2022-2024
3.3
1999-2026
18.95
2017
0.2
2006 and 2025
3.39
2003
2.3
In addition to managing our own nature reserves, YACWAG also supports the care and enjoyment of other important local green spaces. We contribute time, funds and expertise to places such as Cadbury Hill and the Strawberry Line, both of which are designated Local Nature Reserves. While these sites are not owned by YACWAG we are proud to work alongside our partners to look after them for the benefit of wildlife and the whole community.
YACWAG manages the nature conservation interest of the Strawberry Line within Biddle Street SSSI by agreement with North Somerset Council and Natural England. The three-quarter mile stretch of disused railway line, now a cycle and foot path, has developed a variety of important habitats including scrub, rough grass, reedbed and wild flowers. As it is raised on an embankment the path gives good views over the surrounding countryside, including YACWAG’s Congresbury Moor Reserve with its nest boxes for breeding barn owls and kestrels. YACWAG also supports the management of the old Congresbury station site which includes a significant reedbed and secondary woodland.
Crossman’s Pond is situated on Wemberham Lane. It was created in the 1850’s when spoil was dug out to construct the bridge carrying the Lane over the railway to Clevedon. The pond is private and is used for recreational fishing, but it can be seen from the entrance gates.
Kingfishers are regular visitors with Grey wagtails in winter. In Spring, Reed warblers and Blackcaps nest and Tawny owls have nested in the past. They are resident in the local area. The pond is good for dragonflies and damselflies in late summer and bats hunt at dusk.
Cadbury Hill is a Local Nature Reserve and Scheduled Ancient Monument of international archaeological importance, with an Iron Age hill fort, ancient woodland and limestone grassland. Managed by North Somerset Council and the joint Yatton and Congresbury Parish Councils, who help protect this special place, the site balances archaeology, biodiversity and community.
YACWAG has an interest in St Mary’s churchyard in Yatton which provides a green space in the urban village. We provide nest boxes and bat boxes which are monitored by our volunteers. Blue tits and Great tits regularly nest in the boxes and our monitoring of bats has discovered Lesser Horseshoes, Brown Long-Eared as well as Serotine and Pipistrelle bats. In 2012 YACWAG planted four Prunus Pissardii trees to replace a row planted in the 1920s which had died.
