West Sedgemoor
West Sedgemoor or West Sedge Moor is an area of the Somerset Levels, in Somerset, on the west side of King's Sedgemoor. It is found around eight miles east of Taunton.
The greater part of the moor, covering 2,510 acres (or about four square miles) been denoted as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest.[1] It is a flat, low-lying area (about 16 feet above sea level) of fields and meadows separated by water-filled rhynes and ditches. It is subject to controlled flooding in winter. It is drained by the River Parrett.
RSPB reserve
Part of the moor is a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserve. A rich invertebrate fauna is present including scarce water beetles, dragonflies and bugs. The site also supports good populations of waterfowl, especially waders.
Breeding birds include snipe, lapwing, redshank, curlew, water rail, yellow wagtail and whinchat.[1]
Swell Wood, an ancient deciduous wood on the southern edge of the reserve, has one of the United Kingdom's largest heronries, which is best visited between March and June.[2]
Location
- Location map: 51°1’41"N, 2°54’45"W
- Streetmap: ST361258
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 SSSI listing and designation for West Sedgemoor
- ↑ [ https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/west-sedgemoor West Sedgemoor]: RSPB Reserves