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Home How to Join Photo Gallery Ask the Committee Bird News Club News Where to go Birding County List Rarities Committee Talks Walks Links		SHAPWICK HEATH (WEST) NNR Click here to open up a map of the site. Note that you can move around the area by using the buttons around the map and enlarge or reduce the scale by using the buttons below the map. Click on your back button to return to this page. MAP REFERENCES O.S. Landranger 182 Weston-super-Mare & Bridgwater area O.S. Explorer 4 Mendip Hills West Car Park at approx. ST423411 INTRODUCTION Shapwick Heath (West), which includes Canada Farm Lake, 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 improved under an ongoing habitat management plan. The (West) part that we are concerned with here covers about 180 acres (80 ha) and stretches West from this road for ¾ of a mile until its common boundary with Catcott Heath. The South Drain forms a natural northern boundary and the drove to Canada Farm approximates its southern edge. Parallel with this drain is the track-way of what was once the Glastonbury to Highbridge Railway. The area immediately South of the drain consists mainly of phragmites fringed pools that are only viewable from the track-way. South of this is an area of ancient wet heath, then carr woodland interspersed with a few mature oaks, and some small meadows. Canada Farm Lake, with its reed-fringed islands, lies against its western boundary. The whole area is not easily accessible - see below. ACCESS There are three points of entry, the track-way beside the South Drain, a central drove through carr woodland, and Canada Farm Drove. 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 at map ref. ST423411. The track-way leads eastward from here, alongside the drain, and terminates at a small gated bridge with views overlooking Catcott Lows. To the north, across the drain, can be seen Westhay Heath marsh. Retrace your steps to the road and then walk south for 100 metres until a metal-gate is reached on the right. This is the central drove, which gives access to the wet heath and carr woodland. Further south along the road (about a third-of-a-mile) you'll reach Canada Farm Drove on the right. Here off-road parking is limited to just two cars. This tree-lined drove leads through several gates, passing the derelict farmhouse on the left, until after half a mile it bends sharply left. Just before this bend a grass footpath to the right leads 100 metres to a hide overlooking Canada Farm Lake. SPECIES TO BE SEEN (W = winter; S = spring & summer; A = autumn) common grebes (WSA); cormorant (W); little egret (SA-Autumn roost on Canada Farm Lake); grey heron (WSA); mute swan, greylag & Canada geese & common dabbling ducks (WSA), common raptors (WSA); marsh harrier (SA-occasionally); hen harrier & merlin (W-occasionally); hobby (S); peregrine (WA-scarce) water rail (WSA-heard more than seen); common snipe (WA); barn & tawny owls (WSA-dusk); swift (S); kingfisher (WSA); great spotted & green woodpeckers (WSA); common hirundines (SA); tree pipit (S-scarce breeder); 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); 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: bittern, purple heron, spoonbill, honey buzzard, pomarine skua, nightjar, roller, and hawfinch. TIMING The best seasons for visiting are spring (late April / May) and autumn through winter (mid-August to February). OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST The Otter is a resident, though only very occasionally seen and then with luck. Roe Deer is also a 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 flower meadows are good for the marbled white. Jeff Hazell
(c) Somerset Ornithological Society

SHAPWICK HEATH (WEST) NNR

Click here to open up a map of the site. Note that you can move around the area by using the buttons around the map and enlarge or reduce the scale by using the buttons below the map.

Click on your back button to return to this page.

MAP REFERENCES

O.S. Landranger 182 Weston-super-Mare & Bridgwater area

O.S. Explorer 4 Mendip Hills West

Car Park at approx. ST423411

INTRODUCTION

Shapwick Heath (West), which includes Canada Farm Lake, 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 improved under an ongoing habitat management plan. The (West) part that we are concerned with here covers about 180 acres (80 ha) and stretches West from this road for ¾ of a mile until its common boundary with Catcott Heath. The South Drain forms a natural northern boundary and the drove to Canada Farm approximates its southern edge. Parallel with this drain is the track-way of what was once the Glastonbury to Highbridge Railway. The area immediately South of the drain consists mainly of phragmites fringed pools that are only viewable from the track-way. South of this is an area of ancient wet heath, then carr woodland interspersed with a few mature oaks, and some small meadows. Canada Farm Lake, with its reed-fringed islands, lies against its western boundary. The whole area is not easily accessible - see below.

ACCESS

There are three points of entry, the track-way beside the South Drain, a central drove through carr woodland, and Canada Farm Drove. 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 at map ref. ST423411. The track-way leads eastward from here, alongside the drain, and terminates at a small gated bridge with views overlooking Catcott Lows. To the north, across the drain, can be seen Westhay Heath marsh. Retrace your steps to the road and then walk south for 100 metres until a metal-gate is reached on the right. This is the central drove, which gives access to the wet heath and carr woodland. Further south along the road (about a third-of-a-mile) you'll reach Canada Farm Drove on the right. Here off-road parking is limited to just two cars. This tree-lined drove leads through several gates, passing the derelict farmhouse on the left, until after half a mile it bends sharply left. Just before this bend a grass footpath to the right leads 100 metres to a hide overlooking Canada Farm Lake.

SPECIES TO BE SEEN

(W = winter; S = spring & summer; A = autumn) common grebes (WSA); cormorant (W); little egret (SA-Autumn roost on Canada Farm Lake); grey heron (WSA); mute swan, greylag & Canada geese & common dabbling ducks (WSA), common raptors (WSA); marsh harrier (SA-occasionally); hen harrier & merlin (W-occasionally); hobby (S); peregrine (WA-scarce) water rail (WSA-heard more than seen); common snipe (WA); barn & tawny owls (WSA-dusk); swift (S); kingfisher (WSA); great spotted & green woodpeckers (WSA); common hirundines (SA); tree pipit (S-scarce breeder); 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); 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: bittern, purple heron, spoonbill, honey buzzard, pomarine skua, nightjar, roller, and hawfinch.

TIMING

The best seasons for visiting are spring (late April / May) and autumn through winter (mid-August to February).

OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST

The Otter is a resident, though only very occasionally seen and then with luck. Roe Deer is also a 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 flower meadows are good for the marbled white.

Jeff Hazell