Somerset Nature Reserves

Spring is now finally under way!

Now the days are longer, there is even more time to connect to Somerset’s wonderful wildlife and inspiring landscapes and reserves. – From listening out for birdsong, catching a glimpse of a fluttering butterflies or spotting wildflowers there is plenty to see at this time of year and some really special places to explore

Which reserves to visit this Spring

Long Wood, Black Rock and Velvet Bottom are all part of our Cheddar Complex:

Long Wood, one of our oldest nature reserves, filled with ancient, semi-natural woodland dating back to the 13^th century and is a particularly great walk during Spring as Bluebells will have bloomed and make a striking contrast against the Wild Garlic

Black Rock is great for exploring rocky outcrops, as well as it’s flower rich limestone grassland. Wherever you go you won’t escape its intriguing industrial heritage.

Velvet Bottom lies on the floor of a dry river valley, and is filled with rough grassland and pockets of woodland and scrub. Walking through you will see lots of evidence of its lead mining history, and will easily be able to extend your visit to Ubley Warren reserve which is home to a wide variety of butterfly species.

Listen out for...

the chirps and tweets of the arrival of millions of summer visitors. Chiff chaff and WillowWarbler, two songsters heard throughout the county. They will be joined by Blackcap, Garden warbler and Whitethroat. In the reedbeds Reed and Sedge Warblers will join the resident Cetti's Warbler

Look out for...

Butterflies emerging. Orange tip, Peacock, Brimstone, Speckled Wood and Comma will be seen on sunny days, and soon the early dragonfly species will join them. The dragonfly nymphs that have wintered underwater will climb a reed stem, breaking out of their exuvial casing, and spread their wings to dry. May is the best time to see most dragonflies emerging.

Take a moment to...

take in the beauty around you, Lesser Celandine, Wood Anemone, Primrose and Cowslips will appear in woods and meadows. Flowering Bluebells will peak by the end of April, along with other flowering woodland plants.

Picture, Organge Tip Butterfly: Chris Chappell.

To find out more about what species to see this month, take a look at Chris Chappell's blog here.

Here’re a few things you can do at home to help wildlife this Spring

Spring is when wildlife bursts into action and garden birds will need a little extra help to get through the breeding season. To find an extensive range of feeders and food for our garden friends, please visit Vinehouse Farm –who will give you 10% off your first order, plus up to 5% of every sale goes to us to support our work. Find out more here: http://online.fliphtml5.com/deno/hbvp/

If you use birdfeeders, it is really important to make sure you keep your feeders clean to ensure disease doesn’t spread. Please click here, to find out how you can do this.

You might also like to build or set up a bird box in your garden to give breeding birds a home. Here’s how.

Also, the warmer weather is a great opportunity to start gardening for wildlife, click here to find out more.