River Camel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| River Camel | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Origin | Bodmin Moor |
| Mouth | Padstow Bay |
| Length | 30 mi (48 km) |
The River Camel is a river in Cornwall, UK. It rises below Hendraburnick Down (UK Grid Reference SX135875) and issues into the Celtic Sea area of the Atlantic Ocean between Stepper Point and Pentire Point, a distance of approximately 30 miles. The river is tidal as far as Egloshayle and is popular for sailing, birdwatching and fishing. The name Camel derives from the Cornish language for 'the crooked one', a reference to its winding course.
Contents |
[edit] Estuary
| “ | The next five and a half miles beside the broadening Camel to Padstow is the most beautiful train journey I know | ” |
|
— John Betjeman, Betjeman's Cornwall
|
The Camel estuary stretches up as far as Wadebridge, and is considered by many to be the finest part of the river. From the quays at Wadebridge, now developed with apartments and retail space on the town side, the river passes under the new bypass and leaves the disused Vitriol quay then suddenly passing Burniere Point the valley widens dramatically on the right with acres of salt marsh where the River Amble flows in. Here the Cornwall Birdwatching and Preservation Society have hides on both sides of the river; that on the Camel Trail being open to the public. The main river follows the western side of the valley, while on the eastern side a barrage prevents the rising tide from entering the River Amble.
Moving downstream a small test bore into Dinham Hill is only accessible from the foreshore at low tide, and then you reach Cant Cove below Cant Hill, with the rotting ribs of a ship sticking out of the mud. Almost opposite Cant Hill on the western shore is Camel Quarry, the piles of waste rock clearly visible above the river with the remains of a quay visible at low tide. From here the mud gives way to sand and water skiers can be seen when the tide is in passing Gentle Jane, named after a legendary lady who treated the ills of all comers.
[edit] Wildlife
[edit] Animals
Although very few British animals rely largely on rivers for their habitat, one of the few that do, the otter, can be found on the Camel.
[edit] Birds
With the large areas of salt marsh on the estuary, the River Camel provides an excellent location for birds. Large flocks of waders can be seen in winter, preyed on by local Peregrines, and a migrant Osprey often pauses a few days to fish in Spring and Autumn. Mute Swans nest at several locations, particularly near to the bridge in Wadebridge where there is often a nest on a small island a few yards downstream of the bridge. Ducks are also found easily Shelduck, Shoveller and Mallard on the estuary, with Teal further upstream.
The Camel estuary was one of the first places that Little Egrets colonised in the 1990's, the birds being seen particularly around Petherick Creek. Other rarities include an American Belted kingfisher seen in the 1980's for only the second time in England.
Upstream on the River Camel, and on several of its tributaries, Kingfishers can be seen.
[edit] Fish
The Camel Estuary is a Sea Bass conservation area and these can be seen by surfers in summer. Flounders can be found in the brackish waters as far upstream as Cant Hill.
Salmon and Sea Trout can both be found in the River.
[edit] Flora
By the Atlantic Ocean the flora is distinctly maritime, characterised by Thrift and Bladder campion, with stunted Blackthorn and Gorse. The quarry on Stepper Point is home to many species of marsh plants.
Above Egloshayle there are beds of Yellow Flag Iris while the wooded slopes of the valley are filled with Bluebells in spring.
[edit] The Camel Trail
The Camel Trail, a favourite with walkers and cyclists, follows the trackbed of the old Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway from Wenfordbridge, past the outskirts of Bodmin at Dunmere, and through Wadebridge to end in Padstow.
[edit] Tributaries
Its main tributaries are the Allen, the Ruthern, the De Lank and the Stannon. Other tributaries include the River Amble, which joins the Camel near Burniere Point.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- Bere, Rennie (1982). The Nature of Cornwall. Buckingham: Barracude Books Limited. ISBN 0 86023 163 1.
- Duxbury, Brenda; Williams, Michael (1987). The River Camel. St Teath: Bossinney Books. ISBN 0 948158 26 3.
- Murray, John (1984). Betjeman's Cornwall. London: John Murray. ISBN 0 7195 4106 9.
- A Dictionary of English Place-Names, OUP, 1991
