North Somerset Levels and Moors Project - a celebrationdownload here (PDF)

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:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

The North Somerset Levels and Moors Project is a partnership between:

The project aims to safeguard and enhance the important natural heritage of the North Somerset Levels and Moors area. This is achieved by:

• Working with Landowners: e.g. Free Advice and Support Service for Environmental Stewarship Applications.

• Survey and Monitoring: e.g. Servicing the North Somerset Otter Group.

• Awareness Raising: e.g. Training Courses and Educational Events

• Landscape Scale Conservation: e.g. Planning and Mapping Exercises

• Developing Partnerships

For more information phone the Avon Wildlife Trust on 0117 917 7270 or E-mail nslmp@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

archaeological dig at Puxton Moor

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.

Clapton Moor • photo: Amy Wynn

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 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.

We would like to hear from you if you would like to become a volunteer otter surveyor - training provided.

The North Somersert Otter Group was established in 2000 and uses volunteer surveyors to collect important data on otter populations in North Somerset. During this time we have seen encouraging signs of the recovery of otters in this area.

If you would like to know more about the North Somerset Otter Group or even train as a surveyor please contasct James Field 0117 917 7270, nslmp@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk