Goldcliff Lagoons Guide
Welcome to my Goldcliff Lagoons Reserve Guide
Updated 02/10/2025
I have created a handy reserve map that shows the locations of the hides and viewing platforms that are located on-site.
Please treat the reserve with respect at all times. Do not wander into the out-of-bounds areas primarily located along the sea wall and Goldcliff Pill areas. Entry to those areas is prohibited to prevent disturbance to the wildlife, and the majority of the prohibited areas are dangerous underfoot in any case.
Do not climb over any fences, step on any platforms or climb over platforms and into prohibited areas of the reserve.
There has been a lot of change at the reserve in 2025, primarily for the following reasons:-
- NRW have installed a new electric anti-predator fence (prevents the likes of Foxes, Badgers and Otters) from entering the reserve.
- The Redshank Platform and Lapwing Platform have been dismantled because they were rotting and falling apart.
- Vegetation has been cut back late in the summer inside the electric fence, making viewing of the lagoons much better.
- A fire at the reserve on Monday, 25th August 2025, resulted in significant damage to the grassland and other vegetation around the periphery of the reserve, along the seawall, which spread to the Avocet (seawall) hide and totally destroyed it. The fire also spread away from the wall around the boundary fences/electric, damaging the Marsh and Snipe Platforms. You can read more in the blog post.
Various organisations such as the Gwent Ornithological Society, RSPB, and Friends of Goldcliff are liaising with the NRW about the maintenance of the reserve, future improvements and replacement of the hides, possibly with container-style steel hides, although nothing has been formally agreed yet.
(Updated - 02/10/25).
Goldcliff Lagoons Reserve Map
You are welcome to print the maps for reference.
Annotated Aerial View
The Hides and Platforms
1. Curlew Hide
This is the first hide that visitors find whilst walking the reserve from its entrance. It is a large well well-constructed wooden hide. There is enough space inside for approximately four people.
The hide has benches for seating that can be moved around.
Curlew Hide looks out onto Monks Lagoon.
Handy Tip - Never walk past this hide without checking it, as you can guarantee that if you don't, you will miss something special.
Key Species - Avocets, Dunlins, Lapwings, Redshanks, Ringed and Little Plover, Curlews, various duck species, Stonechats and Whinchats on the fence posts
Rarities observed - Little Stints, Little Ringed Plovers, Spotted Redshanks, Semi-Palmated and Pectoral Sandpipers, and Common Crane.
3. Greenshank Hide
The hide is large and most notably has a huge disabled ramp ( if anyone with a wheelchair can get this far, I would be impressed). It is built similarly to Hide 1 and can accommodate several people safely. The Hide looks out onto the left-hand side of Monks Lagoon, and you can also see Priors Lagoon and across to Becs Lagoon.
Handy Tip - It is always worth taking a look over the hedgerows at the rear of the Greenshank Hide. I once was watching a flock of Fieldfare and Redwings feeding on Hawthorn Berries, and then saw a Pallid Swift fly by ( A Gwent first).
Key Species - Black-Tailed Godwits, Dunlins, Greenshanks, Avocet, Knot, Redshanks, Shelduck, Curlews, Lapwings, Cetti Warblers and Greenshanks.
Rarities observed - Dartford Warbler, Hobby, Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, Baird Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Barn Owl, Short-Eared Owl and Pallid Swift.
5. Snipe Platform
The snipe Platform was expanded last year and is arguably one of the best places on the reserve to view birds. It offers a fantastic view of Priors Lagoon, and the expansion also provides a different view of Monks Lagoon, albeit at a distance.
Handy Tip - Always approach the platform quietly, especially at dawn. If you don't, you will disturb any birds that are roosting close to the platform, especially the ducks, as if they sense you, the whole lagoon will panic and clear of birds.
Key Species - Often used for roosting. Black-Tailed Godwits, Knot, Redshank, Sanderling, Ruff, Common Sandpipers, Little Egrets, Coot, and Herons
Rarities observed - Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Spoonbill, Wood and Green Sandpiper, Black- Necked Grebe, Baird's Sandpiper, Little Stints and Curlew Sandpipers
6. Marsh Platform
This is the newest viewing platform on the reserve, built by the NRW and Friends of Goldcliff. It's named after a veteran birder named John Marsh
The platform offers views over Priors Lagoon, and you get a nice panoramic view of the reserve.
Handy Tip - The platform is great for viewing roosting waders, which often huddle along the central reed bed
Key Species - Roosting waders such as Black-Tailed Godwits, Knot, Greenshank, and duck species.
Rarities observed - Garganey, Marsh Harrier, Glossy Ibis, Wood Sandpiper.
7. Sea Wall Viewing Place
There is no official platform on the seawall. You will have to walk up the grassy bank to get to the top of the wall. The views from you of the foreshore and beyond are amazing. You can walk further left towards Hill Farm over the styles. Walking beyond the viewing point right towards the pill along the wall is prohibited to prevent disturbance.
Handy Tip - Make sure you hold onto your tripod. It can get windy on the wall, and scopes have been known to be blown over the wall.
Key Species - Wader flocks on the foreshore. Curlew, Dunlins, Shelduck, Oystercatchers, and Gulls
Rarities Observed - Seawatching has resulted in Gannets, Porpoises, Manx Shearwaters, and Curlew Sandpipers on the mud.
8. Avocet Hide ( Destroyed by fire in August 2025)
Unfortunately, the hide was completely destroyed as a result of the fire that occurred in August. NRW wish to replace it, but this will take time, and due to birds wintering at the reserve, in order to not cause any disturbance, it is unlikely to occur before late summer 2026.
Key Species - Dunlin, Ringed, and Little Ringed Plovers, Avocets, and Oystercatchers. Curlews like to roost on this lagoon.
Rarities observed - Peregrine Falcon, Marsh Harrier, Grey Phalarope, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbills, and Curlew Sandpipers.
9. Boat Lane Seawall.
You cannot get to this location by walking through Goldcliff Lagoons Reserve. To reach this location, you need to walk up Goldcliff Road from where birders park their cars on the road. Continue past the farm on the left and walk through where the road narrows near a reen. You will then see a footpath and an NRW information sign. Walk along the path which runs on the other side of the pill.
Eventually, you will get to a viewing point on the sea wall. From here, you will have the only view that is possible of the mouth of the pill and foreshore.
Handy Tip - Wear some wellies and waterproofs as it's a bit of a walk and you can get wet if it rains.
Key species - In winter, the waders tend to hang around the pill foreshore at high tide. Avocets, Dunlins, Curlews, Lapwings, and Geese.
Rarities observed - Marsh Harriers and Hen Harriers flying down from Uskmouth and Redhouse Barns.
The Friends of Goldcliff Lagoons Webpage
I cannot write about the reserve without making mention of the Friends of Goldcliff. This is an informal group of volunteers who love the reserve and have worked with the NRW to improve the reserve, such as building the Snipe and Marsh Platforms.
There is a website maintained by my birding friend Brian Thomas, which has lots of details about the bird species that have visited Goldcliff Lagoons.
Please visit the website (CLICK ON THIS)
You may notice one or two photographs on my website of mine ;)
Aerial Views of Goldcliff
Visit my SkyPixel website for aerial drone footage.
