SHAPWICK HEATH (EAST) NNR
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MAP REFERENCES
O.S. Landranger 182 Weston-super-Mare & Bridgwater area
O.S. Explorer 4 Mendip Hills West
Car Park east at approx. ST449397
Car Park west at approx. ST423411
INTRODUCTION
Shapwick Heath (east), including adjacent Meare Heath, is part of Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, managed by English Nature. For SOS recording purposes this NNR has been separated into two parts, (east) and (west), the dividing line being the connecting road between the villages of Westhay and Shapwick. The NNR is based on old, worked-out peat diggings that have been subsequently improved under an ongoing habitat management plan. The (east) part that we are concerned with here covers almost a thousand acres (445 ha) and is bounded by two roads: the Meare / Ashcott Road to the east and the Westhay / Shapwick Road to the west. The South Drain flows between these two roads and bisects the area; to its north is Meare Heath, with Shapwick Heath to its south. Running parallel with this drain is the track-way of what was once the Glastonbury to Highbridge Railway. The area abounds with large stands of phragmites reeds and many carr-fringed lakes (some with islands) in a variety of sizes. There are two main areas of woodland, a large copse along the southern edge of Meare Heath and a mature wood at the western end of Shapwick Heath (east) alongside the Westhay to Shapwick Road.
ACCESS
There are two points of entry, the east and west gates. In terms of off-road parking the main one being the east gate at the English Nature car park at Ashcott Corner, map ref. ST449397. From Glastonbury take the B3151 westward to Meare, then a minor road on the left to Ashcott. In a mile and a half, just after the Railway Inn public house, cross the South Drain and the car park is immediately on the right. Park and walk west along the gravel track-way of the old railway. Immediately on the left is a series of carr fringed lakes - good for water birds, whilst the line of trees on the right can hold winter finches. At the end of this line of trees, the track-way joins and follows the South Drain. On the right, across the drain, is Meare Heath with its two shallow lakes - which regularly hold garganey in early August and can also be good for passage waders. On the left is a large area of phragmites and rough, waterlogged pasture, overlooked at its western end by a raised wooden observation platform. A walk of just over half-a-mile brings one to a footbridge over the drain, then a pathway leading through the copse to a hide overlooking Meare Heath. Retracing ones steps, the tree-lined footpath directly opposite the bridge leads to the previously mentioned observation platform. From the footbridge, for a third of a mile, stretches the wide expanse of Noah's Lake with its many islands, stunted dead trees and phragmites reed-beds. In the centre of this lake is a derelict peat-workers hut, often used by barn owls. This large lake is good for all types of water birds and osprey has been seen on passage. It is also a regular haunt of the elusive otters. Continuing on along the track-way, with phragmites on the left, after half a mile a marked pathway to the left leads to mature woodland and beyond to Decoy Lake (see west gate section).
For the west gate: from Glastonbury take the B3151 westward to Westhay, then a minor road on the left forks to Shapwick. In one mile, just after The Willows Garden Centre, park in 'pull-ins' on either side of the road immediately after the road-bridge over the South Drain, map ref. ST423411. The west gate is on the left, 35 metres from the road-bridge. Walk east through the gate along the track-way with the reserve on your right. In 150 metres a black-slatted footpath leads off to the right between reed-fringed pools, then continues eastward along the edge of mature woodland, which has an access footpath. The black-slatted footpath eventually reaches a t-junction, left rejoins the main track-way, right skirts the woodland and after half a mile or so reaches a large hide with wheel-chair ramp access overlooking the large Decoy Lake with its phragmites covered islands.
SPECIES TO BE SEEN
(W = winter; S = spring & summer; A = autumn) common grebes (WSA); cormorant (W); bittern (1 or 2 regularly winter); little egret (SA); grey heron (WSA); mute swan, greylag & Canada geese & common dabbling ducks, including pintail (WSA); garganey (S-scarce breeder. A-passage); common diving ducks (WA); common raptors (WSA); marsh harrier (SA-scarce, has bred); hen harrier & merlin (W-occasionally); hobby (S); peregrine (WA-scarce) water rail (WSA-heard more than seen); whimbrel (S-passage flocks); passage waders (scarce, depending on mud exposure); jack snipe (W-hard to see); common snipe (WA); commoner gulls (WA); black tern (A); cuckoo (S); barn & tawny owls (WSA-dusk); swift (S); kingfisher (WSA); great spotted & green woodpeckers (WSA); common hirundines (SA); tree pipit (S-scarce, has bred); meadow pipit (W); pied wagtail (WSA); grey wagtail (WA-uncommon); nightingale (S-scarce); stonechat (WA); fieldfare & redwing (WA); mistle & song thrushes (WSA-uncommon); Cetti's warbler (WSA-heard more than seen); common warblers (SA); spotted flycatcher (S-scarce, check overhead wires near car park); firecrest & bearded tit (W-occasionally); common tits & treecreeper (WSA); common finches, not linnet (WSA); brambling (W-scarce); siskin & lesser redpoll (WA); bullfinch (WA-scarce); reed bunting (WSA). Winter often sees an impressive roost of several million starlings. Rare birds have included: black-necked grebe, night heron, great white egret, purple heron, spoonbill, Bewick's (tundra) swan, ruddy shelduck, red-crested pochard, ferruginous duck, honey buzzard, goshawk, osprey, (THE) booted eagle, spotted crake, little ringed plover, pectoral sandpiper; long-tailed skua, little gull, yellow-legged gull, arctic tern, turtle dove, short-eared owl, nightjar, wryneck, lesser spotted woodpecker, Richard's & tawny pipits, and marsh warbler.
TIMING
The best seasons for visiting are spring (late April/May) and autumn through winter (mid-August to February).
OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST
Otters are resident, though only very occasionally seen and then with luck. Roe deer are also resident - best seen in the wooded areas. A good variety of damsel and dragonflies occur, the latter being a good food source for hobbies. The commoner butterflies can be seen in the varied habitat and the pathway to Meare Heath hide is particularly good for the larger species feeding on burdock. It passes through a 'glade' which is attractive to the white admiral.
Jeff Hazell