North Somerset Levels and Moors - rhyne

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Happy birthday to the North Somerset Levels and Moors Project

The Levels and Moors is the name given to the expanse of flat, low-lying land bordered by the Bristol and Avon Ridges, Mendip Hills and Severn Estuary. The Levels (land nearest the estuary mostly on riverine clays) and Moors (inland on peat deposits) is characterised by flood-prone grassland and a network of rhynes and rivers.

Much of the landscape has been shaped by man through a process of drainage and enclosure which was begun by the Romans. It is also an area of extraordinary natural heritage. Grazing marsh is a habitat of national importance and the rhynes are home to numerous plants and invertebrates including the rare hairy dragonfly and fen pondweed. The Levels and Moors are also an important area for the country's recovering otter population whilst the greater horseshoe bat can be found foraging for insects on pasture land.

Just over ten years ago the Trust became concerned that this important landscape was changing. The intensification of agricultural practices since the Second World War and improvements in drainage were reducing the frequency and extent of seasonal flooding whilst the area of improved grassland was increasing. Just a few miles away on the other side of the Mendip Hills, the Somerset Levels had become recognised as an internationally important wetland but the North Somerset Levels seemed to have been forgotten. And so a partnership between the Trust and other concerned organisations was formed, a full-time project officer was employed and the North Somerset Levels and Moors Project (NSLMP) was born.

Today, at the end of its tenth year the Project has established a relationship with over 50 landowners on the Levels and Moors and encouraged many farmers to enter into the Countryside Stewardship agri-environment schemes (now replaced by the Environmental Stewardship Scheme). In the Gordano Valley the Trust now owns two large wetland reserves, Clapton and Weston Moor, with raised water level schemes which have encouraged a significant increase in the breeding bird population.

The Project has undertaken a number of important wildlife surveys - breeding birds, brown hares, water voles and water shrews are just a few of the species to have been investigated. In 2000 the North Somerset Otter Group was set up and this has since recorded otter activity across much of North Somerset. Other volunteers supporting the project range from members of the public submitting records of brown hare sightings to volunteers working part time with the project officer for up to year.

Looking forward
The launch of the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme in 2005 represents a major shake-up in the way farmers are funded and offers increased financial incentives for environmentally sensitive management. The Project will promote this scheme to farmers on the Levels and Moors and will continue to work to ensure the best deal for both wildlife and the farmer. An ambitious survey and monitoring strategy has been developed and a packed training program devised which will encourage new volunteers to take part in the project. The North Somerset Otter Group is preparing to move into a new phase of data collection extending surveys to a variety of species and habitats in the Project area.

Partnership working is central to the Project, which is currently supported by North Somerset Council, English Nature, the Environment Agency and Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre. The Project also works with a range of other organisations to enhance the landscape of the Levels and Moors and was also a lead partner in developing Action for Nature, North Somerset Council's Biodiversity Action Plan.

If you wish to know more about this project contact James Field, North Somerset Levels & Moors Biodiversity Officer on jamesfield@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Making a difference
Demetri Benfield has worked with the North Somerset Levels and Moors Project as a volunteer for almost two years

Nearly five years ago I found myself longing for a career change. I'd managed a stationery shop almost since I left school but had no idea what that change should be - other than I wanted to work in the great outdoors. Eventually I embarked on an Open University science course, my only option with a young family to support. After three years of studying part-time and working full-time, I started applying for various jobs but soon realised that I lacked the experience required. When I was finally successful in finding work at a local garden nursery that fulfilled some of my job aspirations a knee injury led to me having to leave that post. After nearly three months of being laid up at home, my wife spotted the voluntary position at Avon Wildlife Trust and I decided to apply. To my delight, I got it!

So now, here I am nearly 20 months later in my final year of an honours degree in natural sciences and still continuing with my volunteer work whilst looking for permanent employment. My placement has been in the Biodiversity team of the Trust working on the North Somerset Levels and Moors project.

I absolutely love my post here, the workload is varied and very interesting, combining lots of outdoor work as well as essential administration. I have learnt so much at the Trust that I still feel as a volunteer that they are doing me the favour! I started with no experience or skills and now am competent to carry out a large number of survey techniques for different species. I have worked on a varied range of projects including birds, mammals, crayfish, dormouse and plants.

The project closest to my heart has to be the North Somerset Otter Group, which aims to record the presence/ absence of otters in North Somerset. It is an excellent project to work on as it combines so many different aspects of wildlife conservation. Working on the project has also given me the confidence and skills to start an otter project in my local Cam Valley area. In addition to this the Trust encourages volunteers to attend free in-house species training courses, which are of an excellent standard. I've also been able to gain my white-clawed crayfish protected species licence and I am working towards my great crested newt and dormouse licences.

The best thing about working with the Avon Wildlife Trust undoubtedly has to be the staff, whether you are in the office or out in the field the staff are all extremely professional and committed to the work they undertake. They're also all eager to assist each other even when they have a full workload themselves - and they treat all the volunteers like heroes, which I suppose we are!