Family birdwatching from hide at Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve - Guy Edwardes
Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve
Location
Westhay
OS Map Reference
ST 456 437
Know before you go
Parking information
Reserve car park at ST 456 437 is reached via the minor road between Westhay village and Godney. Paths lead into the reserve from the car park. Disabled parking is available.Bicycle parking
Bike rack available at the reserve. National Cycle Network Route 3 runs through the village of Westhay.Grazing animals
Yes - Exmoor ponies and cattle present in summer and autumn.Walking trails
Starting at the car park you will be met with the first signpost that will give you the choice of taking the 3km long Otter trail, marked by Otter footprints on way-markers, or the 1.6km Coot trail, marked by Coot footprints. Whichever trail you choose they both lead to the first hide of the reserve, the Viridor Hide, and following the Otter trail you will also be led to the Tower Hide, a great place to take in the view of reedbeds and wet woodlands of Alder and Willow.
Access
Access is along rights of way or permissive reserve paths only. There are some all weather paths but others can be very wet and muddy in winter. Several bird watching hides some with wheelchair ramps, see map.
Dogs
Facilities
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
All year roundAbout the reserve
Internationally acclaimed, Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve is one of the jewels in the crown of Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Nature Reserves and is situated in the centre of the internationally acclaimed and award-winning Avalon Marshes area on the Somerset Levels. Reclaimed from the remnants of industrial-scale peat extraction, and home to the largest surviving remnant of lowland acid mire in the South West.
It is a mecca for wildlife all year round but particularly in the Spring when Bittern can be hear booming, and where tens of thousands of overwintering birds make it their home. It is home to 7 of the 9 UK breeding herons and has fabulous resident populations of wading birds, wildfowl and is home to otters, beguiling numbers of dragonflies and also raptors such as hobbies, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and the odd Hen Harrier.
Peat can capture a whole load of carbon so it’s becoming increasingly important as part of a broader effort for natural climate change adaptation in Somerset.
Natural England’s Shapwick Heath reserve and RSPB Ham Wall are also close.