West Sedgemoor is part of England’s largest remaining wet meadow system. Set among the Somerset Levels and Moors, it has the largest lowland population of breeding wading birds such as lapwings, snipe, curlew and redshanks in southern England.
In winter, the controlled flooding on the wet meadows attracts birds in their thousands – ducks such as wigeons, teals, shovelers, pintails and mallards, and wading birds such as golden plovers, snipe and lapwings. The reserve has restricted access to protect ground-nesting birds and over-wintering flocks. Come on one of our guided walks to get special access to our winter viewing station.
West Sedgemoor is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. To keep the hay meadows and pastures special for wildlife, we control water levels and the grazing cattle create ideal habitats for ground-nesting birds. Our hedgerows are managed using traditional methods benefiting birds, small mammals and butterflies, and water voles and otters breed here too.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/w/westsedgemoor/about.aspx