Shapwick Heath NNR

[Jeapesy]

Hi guys i was hoping some of you may be familiar with this nature reserve?

I'm taking my missus to bath for the weekend as a birthday suprise and thought i'd pop to the sommerset levels notably shapwick heath for some wildlifing. I've never been here and am not at all familiar with the area so am unsure of what this area has to offer.

I've done alittle research and have discovered that Meare Heath Hide & Noah's Hide are probably the best two hides to focus my attention. I'm hoping to see the local otters as i've never seen them in the wild before.

Anyone who lives locally and has some helpful info i would be much obliged.

cheers
Paul

[ChrisJB]

I've only been to Shapwich once and thought it a brilliant reserve. I was there in mid-April 2007 and Cetti's warblers sang from seemingly every thicket. They have bitterns there too these days I believe and in season it is an excellent place to see hobbies. Best of all for me, it was the first time I saw an otter. Someone told me to go to Noah Hide about half-past nine in the morning and sit and wait and that I would be almost certain to see one. I've heard of these 'certainties' before and thought to myself 'it seems a bit of a long shot'! O me of little faith.....two otters appeared right on cue in front of the hide. I was thrilled.
Ham Wall nearby is worth a look too.

Regards, Chris

[Jeapesy]

Cheers chris, fingers crossed for a good viewing.