Westhay Moor, National Nature Reserve in Somerset, England
Westhay Moor is a national nature reserve in Somerset that spans several hundred hectares of lowland wetland habitat, including raised bogs, fens, reed beds, and areas of open water surrounded by damp woodland. The landscape is shaped entirely by water and peat, creating a mosaic of different environments that support many species of birds, insects, and plants.
Wooden trackways from the Stone Age have been uncovered here through excavation, revealing how early people navigated and used these wetlands thousands of years ago. The most famous discovery, the Sweet Track, demonstrates that inhabitants engineered solutions to move across the boggy ground.
The site holds meaning for local conservation efforts, as the Somerset Wildlife Trust works here to restore damaged peatlands and teach visitors about wetland life. People come to see how water-dependent ecosystems function and to observe the birds and plants that depend on these habitats.
The reserve is reached from the B3151 road between Glastonbury and Wedmore, with car parking available and paths suitable for wheelchairs. Visitors should expect wet, muddy conditions underfoot and weather that changes quickly, particularly during damper seasons.
Millions of starlings gather here during winter months and perform synchronized flight patterns across the sky in a remarkable natural display. These coordinated movements, known as murmurations, attract observers who come specifically to witness this visual spectacle.
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