Description • Monitoring • Effectiveness of the scheme • Further information

Bridgwater Bay , Somerset

Description

Bridgewater Bay National Nature Reserve is located on the north Somerset coast within Bridgewater Bay, which lies on the south side of the Severn Estuary and the eastern edge of the Bristol Channel. Sheep grazing as a management technique on the marshes has been practised since the 1960’s. The main objective of using grazing for management at Bridgewater is to attract large numbers of wintering wildfowl, in particular Wigeon.

Grazing on the saltmarshes is carried out between April to October, with the aim of maintaining a sward height of two inches during the grazing months. The intensity of grazing is not strictly managed but, rather, is dependant on local conditions. For example, during particularly dry years the number of sheep grazing on the marsh is reduced and, similarly, during particularly wet years the numbers are increased. In general, however, numbers are not strictly regulated.

Monitoring

The numbers of waterbirds are monitored regularly as part of the national Wetland Birds Survey (WeBS) organised by the British Trust for Ornithology, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Effectiveness of the scheme

Although sheep grazing has proved effective in maintaining a suitable sward height for wintering wildfowl, English Nature would prefer a mixed grazing regime to be implemented. However, due to the relatively high cost of cattle and the associated risks of grazing in a tidal situation, the practice of cattle grazing has been restricted.

Further information

Bob Corns
English Nature
Somerset & Gloucestershire
Roughmoor
Bishop's Hull
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5AA