Rushy Platt Nature Reserve

This area just South of Swindon was once part of a spread of Fenland, but because of agricultural drainage most of this has been lost. Rushy Platt is almost all that remains of the natural landscape on the banks of River Ray. The site was leased from Swindon Borough Council in 1999. Locally it was known as the Bog or the First Field.

Wildlife

There is a wide range of wetland plants in the area including the Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre), the fragrant Water Mint (Mentha aquatica), the poisonous Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) and the Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus). These in turn support a range of insects, many of which are specialised for the conditions. The Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) and the Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) are but a few of the species of damselfly that frequent the area during summer. There are also dragonflies, the Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) and the large Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) that prey on butterflies and other flying insects. Butterflies on this Reserve include the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and the Comma (Polygonia c-album).

Sites of this type are an ever diminishing resource in Wiltshire and the species would struggle to move to different habitats making it a vital area for biodiversity. These species include the Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris) that is slowly starting to recover from huge loses since the mid point of the last century. The Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus), Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) and the Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), can be seen here with other more common waterfowl that populate the area. There are other birds including the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) and Jay (Corvus monedula) on the Reserve along with finches and crows. 

History and Management

The site has had a boardwalk put in place which is the only area allowed to be walked on. This is so that the delicate nature of the wetland is not disturbed and to allow people easy access around the site. In the future we will be working on laying out new boardwalks and developing on the wider area with new funding as well as resetting the bridleway along the canal.

Other information

Dogs are allowed but must be on a short leash at all times of year.
Stay on the boardwalks at all times so not to damage the soft ground.
Best time to visit: All year round. Winter for birds such as Snipe, Woodcock. Spring for Great Crested Newts, toads and frogs. Summer for wetland flowers such as Common Valerian.
Habitat: Wetland Marsh.
Specialities of the reserve: Birds such as Jack Snipe, Reed Warbler. Dragonflies in pond.
Location: From Swindon town centre head towards Great Western Way. At the Mannington roundabout (Peugeot garage) take turning into Wootton Bassett road. Turn Redposts Driver at the traffic lights park on road. Walk along Juno Way, turn right at Dartmoor Close. (400m). Follow the path until you reach the boardwalk, which leads to Rushy Platt. Grid reference SU137836.