The North Somerset Levels and
Moors is an extensive area of low-lying wetland adjacent to the Severn
Estuary between the Mendip Hills in the south and Bristol to the north.
It is an area rich in irreplaceable natural and historic heritage.
It contains many habitats and features which are important for wildlife:
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Grazing Marsh is the name given to wet grassland criss-crossed by
drainage channels. It is recognised as a nationally important habitat
in view of the large areas lost during the last century. It is important
for many species of wetland birds including snipe and lapwings. The
rare greater horseshoe bat can be found hunting for insects on the
Levels and Moors.
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Mudflats and saltmarsh along the shore of the Severn Estuary are
recognised as habitats of international importance. The Estuary is
also recognised for its large flocks of overwintering wildfowl and
waders.
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The network of rhynes provide habitats for a rich variety of invertebrates
such as dragonflies and plants including rare aquatic species. They
can also be valuable fisheries. The area is a frontier for recovering
otter populations expanding from their strongholds in the South West.
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An extensive network of hedgerows provide food and shelter for many
small mammals which in turn provide a meal for birds of prey including
buzzards and owls.
- Old orchards are historic landscape features and can be important
habitats for birds and invertebrates.
History
The North Somerset Levels and
Moors is a landscape largely created by human activity. The Romans
constructed the first artificial flood defences to keep out the tides
of Severn Estuary and started to modify channels to drain large areas
of marshland.
The area still retains evidence of these earlier settlements
and has important archaeological features.
Working with Landowners
Environmental Stewardship was launched in 2005 and
provides financial incentives for landowners to undertake wildlife sensitive
management (for example, by creating buffer strips along rhynes and managing
hedgerows correctly). To encourage a wide uptake of the scheme on the
Levels and Moors the project provides a free advice and support service
for landowners.
Education and Training
The Project runs regular educational and training events
to raise awareness of the importance of the Levels and Moors and to encourage
people to take part in initiatives. Examples of previous training courses
include dragonfly identification, amphibian survey techniques and wetland
bird identification.
Survey and Monitoring
The Project delivers a busy survey and monitoring programme
that enables us to paint a picture of biodiversity on the Levels and
Moors. Surveys range from simple ecological assessments of new sites
to more detailed species surveys such as investigating the distribution
of water shrews or identifying bat roosts. Some surveys require specialist
knowledge and the Project works with experts from a variety of fields
whilst others are designed so that anyone can take part.
North Somerset Otter Group
The North Somerset Otter Group is a network of volunteer surveyors set
up to monitor otter activity in North Somerset. The Otter Group, supported
by the North Somerset Levels and Moors Project, collects invaluable data
on the spread of recovering otter populations from their strongholds
in the South West.
If you would like to know more about the North Somerset
Otter Group or even train as a surveyor please contact James Field 0117
917 7270, nslmp@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk |
