Somerset Levels (wetlands rich in wildlife)
One of England’s most important wetland habitats is the Somerset Levels, shaped by rivers and peat to provide lowlands that are haven for local wildlife, thanks to reed beds and shallow lakes.
Bitterns, marsh harriers and thousands of winter starlings call this place home. Along with cranes (England’s tallest birds) who have returned after 400 years. And it’s one of the few places in England where raft spiders live (they sit near bogs and ‘float’ while catching prey.
Out walking? Follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and other toxic plants/trees) and on leads during nesting season (and near barnyard friends and wild ponies).
At the coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel).
How to protect England’s wetlands
There are few things we can collectively do to help restore our wetlands:
Avoid buying peat compost
Peat bogs form over thousands of years and store massive amounts of carbon, and retain water (and are home to many endangered species. So choose peat-free compost for gardening (also buy peat-free whisky).
If you garden alongside animals, read our post on pet-friendly gardens. Keep fresh compost away from pets (contains mould – and some mulches contain cocoa, pine and rubber – all unsafe).
Restore reedbeds and seagrass beds
Reedbeds and seagrass beds work like giant sponges, cleaning water and giving safe cover to fish, birds and insects. Many have been ruined through over-fishing and boat anchors.
Seagrass beds are also ‘watery meadow’ homes to endangered seahorses and sea turtles (who eat seagrass, known as ‘ocean lawnmowers’). Advanced mooring systems has developed an alternative to boat anchors, that is safer for seagrass beds and marine wildlife.
Ban lead ammunition
Many water birds and wetland creatures suffer from abandoned lead shot, which also poisons endangered water voles, ducks and predators higher up the food chain. At present, there is only a voluntary ban, which is not working. Join the campaign to ban lead ammunition.
Volunteer for local clean-ups
Not dropping litter is of course vital. But to remove litter, plastic waste and dumped tyres that are already clogging up our streams and marshes, is vital to unblock water flow and avoid trapped wildlife.
Set up or join litter-picking groups (litter picking-tools included!)
Support those buying wetland sites
Not big business! But some rewilding charities are now buying precious wetland sites, simply so that once they own the land, nobody can come along and build on it.
This keeps water voles, dragonflies, lapwings and curlews on land that is safe from development. You can help by donating to Natural World Fund and Heal.
