Animals and Nature

Nature reserve in Somerset near Bridgwater, wildlife, otter, deer and hares as well as birds.
One of the country’s largest new wetland reserves lies to the east of Hinkley Point, created by the Environment Agency to defend villages inland as sea levels rise. Managed by The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT), Steart Marshes have the added benefit of providing rare saltmarsh habitat and attracting wildlife. Since its completion, avocets have bred on the reserve and it has been visited by glossy ibis, spoonbill and ringed plover. Water voles and otters are resident as are the cattle and sheep that graze there. A network of paths lead you round the reserve, to the River Parrett and Combwich village.

Internationally famous as a haven for birdwatchers in particular, Somerset Wildlife Trust’s main site on the Peat Moors covers more than 100 hectares.