Shapwick Moor

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Shapwick Moor is an area of 138 acres (0.56 kmĀ²) of farmland on the Somerset levels bordering Shapwick Heath and Cattcot Heath.

It has been purchased by the Hawk and Owl Trust and will be their first reserve in south west England. The land will be farmed traditionally in order to recreate the habitats of the past.[1]

The management plan for the site is being overseen by Natural England. The first steps in the creation of the nature reserve are to reseed the land and then reintroduce Devon ruby red cattle cattle to the site. The priority is to encourage wildlife, not human visitors and there will be no visitor centre or permanent structures, but a public footpath which crosses the site will be improved and hides built along the footpath at key vantage points.[2]

Birds identified at the site include: buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, hobby,[3] Red kite, barn owl, lapwing, pheasant, cuckoo, woodpecker and skylark.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Latest News. Chris Sperring. Retrieved on 2007-11-01.
  2. ^ a b Adler, Mark (November 2007). "Where wildlife rules". Mendip Times 3 (6): 7. 
  3. ^ Shapwick Moor Newsletter - May 2007 (Word). The Hawk and Owl Trust - North Somerset and Bristol Group. Retrieved on 2007-11-01.

[edit] External links