| Catcott, Edington and Chilton Moors | |
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  Shown within Somerset
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| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Somerset |
| Grid Reference | ST390420 |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 1,083 hectares (10.83 km2; 4.18 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1967 |
| Natural England Website | |
Catcott, Edington and Chilton Moors SSSI is a 1083 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Somerset, England notified in 1967. It is close to the villages of Edington and Catcott.
The site consists of low lying land south of the River Brue, which floods on a regular basis; land north of here is included in the Tealham and Tadham Moors SSSI. The site is managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust and includes the Catcott Lows National Nature Reserve,[1][2] Catcott Heath[3] and Catcott North.[4]
A variety of fauna are found due to the varied soil types and management practices. Unimproved swards include meadows dominated Meadow Thistle (Cirsium dissectum), Meadow Rue (Thalictrum flavum) and similar species, and Southern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa). In the wetter areas Rushes and Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) are found. Catcott Heath is noted for its rare vascular plants including Marsh Pea (Lathyrus palustris), Milk-parsley (Peucedanum palustre) and Marsh Fern (Thelypteris thelypteroides). A total of 127 aquatic and bankside vascular plant species have been recorded in the field ditches, Internal Drainage Board maintained Rhynes and deep arterial watercourses.[5]
The botanically rich water channels support a diverse invertebrate fauna including water beetles Haliplus mucronatus and Hydrophilus piceus. The rare soldier fly (Stratiomys furcata) is found, and there are good numbers of dragonflies and damselflies.[5]
The range of plants and inverterates support many bird species including Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricota), Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) and Dunlin (Calidris alpina). Other vertebrate species present, include the Otter (Lutra lutra), Grass Snake (Natrix natrix) and Common Frog (Rana temporaria).[5]
References
- ^ Brown, Alan. "Catcott Lows NNR". Avalon Marshes Reserve Guides. http://www.glastonbury.eclipse.co.uk/web_site_with_me_00009f.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
- ^ "Catcott Lows". Somerset Wildlife Trust. http://www.somersetwildlife.org/reserve.php?name=Catcott_Complex. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
- ^ "Catcott Heath". Somerset Wildlife Trust. http://www.somersetwildlife.org/reserve.php?name=Catcott_Complex. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
- ^ "Catcott North". Somerset Wildlife Trust. http://www.somersetwildlife.org/reserve.php?name=Catcott_Complex. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
- ^ a b c English Nature citation sheet for the site (accessed 6 August 2006)
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