MOUNT PLEASANT
This area on the edge of town is fascinating both historically as well as naturally. Something like 10,000 years ago, the River Severn meandered round the area that eventually became the town of Shrewsbury. However, a few thousand years later, the river became larger and cut through the loop of the old river leaving a large area, usually called an oxbow, which, over the years, silted up and left us with a rather interesting nature reserve! So, the old riverbed is now a fairly broad swathe of marsh with lush growth of reed, sedge and horsetail being predominant. You will also see Meadow Sweet and Yellow Flag. Also, of course, there are many insects and, in summer, you will see dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies. And what about the birds? Of course there are other creatures and, in particular, the Barn Owl likes to find voles in the rough pasture. All the common birds are here with Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wren, Blue Tits, House Sparrow and Robin and, in the summer months, Swallows and House Martins whiz by and Swifts are high in the sky. Part of the walk joins up with Greenfields Woodland and here the walk goes through the wood, which adds to the range of birds.