RODDEN NATURE RESERVE, FROME, SOMERSET,UK

Aerial view © 2009 Bryan Pinchen

The site has three main parts: a field to the north adjacent to the main road, the northern lake area and the southern lake area which is adjacent to the ASDA store building. Most of the reserve is a lowland floodplain bounded by the River Frome and Rodden Brook with two main lakes and areas of water-logged ground. A sloping hill along the southern edge which is north-facing features grassland and a new, fenced plantation of trees. A footpath provides lake-side access. The majority of the site lies on Forest Marble Mudstone although there is an area of cornbrash and limestone. The soil type is slowly permeable, seasonally wet and slightly acid but base-rich with loamy and clayey soils.

WELCOME

Rodden Nature reserve was created from an area of previously agricultural land adjacent to the A362 Warminster Road by the supermarket chain ASDA in 2004. Extensive work including reprofiling a hill, diverting the Rodden Brook, rerouting a private road and creating two main lake areas resulted in an 8.7 hectare wetland habitat which is part of the flood amelioration strategy for Frome. The reserve remains the property of ASDA and is open to the public from September to February.

The reserve is managed by Frome Area Wildlife Group (FAWG) who are a group of local naturalists and volunteers who undertake maintenance, enhancement and survey work. The main aims of which are to encourage species diversity, provide an 'island' between other wildlife sites, provide a resource for the community and to encourage breeding birds and the return of previously resident species such as otters and water voles.

The flora and fauna were originally surveyed in 2006 and are being continually monitored and surveyed both professionally and by volunteers. The species lists (linked at the top of the page) contain the most up to date records held currently.

The area floods regularly in autumn and winter months. Water levels in the lake pools became low in the summer months in previous years so have been corrected by the installation of a sluice at the western access to the River Frome. Himalayan Balsam is abundant on the river banks and is actively managed. Dog walking has been prohibited.

This website is maintained by Frome Area Wildlife Group (FAWG) as a means to share information about the site for visitors and to hold the current lists of species recorded on the reserve by the group.

NEWS

Full articles on the news page.