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Westfield Pill Nature Reserve is under the management of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and has flourished as a nature reserve, providing opportunities for the local public to enjoy the wildlife of the area, with greatly enhanced access improvements. Unfortunately the access improvements have not come without a price. The increase in visitor activity has put pressure on the nature reserve and threatens the very elements of the site that make it special. The main problem faced by the Wildlife Trust is he disturbance caused by dogs off the lead. Many dog walkers keep their pets under control, but it is the minority of owners whose animals are noisy, leap into the water and scatter the wildlife which are the problem. The only solution is to ensure that ALL dogs are on the lead. Additionally, the increased use by dog walkers has led to higher levels of dog excrement which is both a hazard to health and detrimental to plant life. Westfield Pill is located on the eastern hedge of Neyland on the Cleddau Waterway, forming a sheltered inlet from the main estuary that is particularly important as a sanctuary for birds during poor weather and oil pollution incidents. The Pill is leased from the Crown states over a 20 year period, with the disused railway track and adjacent habitat leased from Pembrokeshire County Council over a 45 year period. There are two points of entry, the southern entrance located at Neyland Marina car park (SM967054) and the northern entrance is from an unclassified lane (SM961073) Permissive access along the disused railway track provides opportunity for quiet public enjoyment by walkers and cyclists. Landuse history. The railway line linking south west Wales to London was built under the direction of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the famous Victorian engineer in 1856. The line terminated at Neyland at what is now the Marina. The railway closed in 1963. Many rare and common plant and animal species have colonised the disused railway corridor, many of which are limited to the loose limestone ballasts along the original rail tracks. The woodland and scrub habitats that have developed along the banks adjacent to the disused railway line also provided refuge and shelter for many species, butterflies in particular. Westfield Pill was once tidal but during the late 1980’s two bunds were created at the southern end of the pill to impound slurry originating from the construction from the construction of Neyland Marina. This resulted in the formation of a permanent fresh waterbody, although at high tides salt water occasionally spills over into the Pill. Since the development of the nature reserve incorporating the disused railway line and westland complex by the Trust in 1982, access for local walkers and naturalists has been considerably improved. Active site management, particularly by voluntary warden, Alan Hansen, now offers a safe and pleasant natural environment for local people and wildlife. In 1996, the Brunel Cycle Track was developed by Menter Preseli – the route starts at Neyland Marina and follows lanes and part of the disused railway track to Johnston. The use of the track through the Reserve as part of the cycle route has caused concern at times due to the increased pressure of access, but with a sensible response from visitors these difficulties can be overcome – otherwise the very thing that visitors wish to enjoy will disappear from before their eyes. Vegetation. A number of rare period occur along the disused railway track on the loose limestone ballast where soil is sparse including floracam
Green-Winged Orchid (Orchis morio) and Grass Vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia) also occur, together with Spindle (Eunonymus europaeus) and Tree gallery
Fauna A total of 131 bird species have been recorded at Westfield Pill. The wetland complex (openwater and reedbeds) attract visitors such as Ospreys Osprey, Little Egrets and Littlegrebe
Little Grebe. It is one of the most important winter refuges for this species in Wales, with recent numbers increasing to about 50 birds. Kingfishers, Shelduck, Muteswan Mute Swan and mallard Mallard breed on the reserve. Goldeneye and Mallard overwinter. Various waders, particularly Redshank occur and Water Rail has been recorded at the northern end of the pill using the reedbeds. otters Otters are frequently seen although it is not yet know whether they breed within the reserve’s wetlands. Otters are known to be present on this site and cavities in the roots of bank side trees, piles of logs, flood debris are essential for resting and breeding otters.
Small Blue occurs in low numbers. This species is declining in the UK and is uncommon in Pembrokeshire and is a priority species for this reserve. Opportunities exist at Westfield Pill to enhance this species by appropriate management to encourage its foodplant,
Please enjoy your visit, but remember to leave the Wildlife Reserve as you found it for successive visitors. (Presence of toxic blue green algae in the lagoons, especially during summer is toxic to domestic pets) |
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Bastard Balm (Melittis mellisophylum) which had increased in number (16 plants in 1980 to approximately 500 today) as a result of management (the most important site for the bastard balm in Wales). 
Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis)
The diverse sward that has colonised the limestone ballast attracts a variety of 
