Wildlife along the River Parrett

River Parrett. © Adrian and Janet Quantock - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Without a doubt, the Somerset Levels are one of England's most important wildlife sites. A vast area of reedbeds, meadows, wet grasslands and marshes, they are intersected by 5,000 miles of rivers and drains - including the River Parrett.

This unique landscape attracts birds and unusual plants in great numbers, from spectacularly enormous flocks of starlings to solitary herons, from rare butterflies to the giant fen marsh spider. A network of nature reserves under the care of the RSPB and English Nature provides the best way for the car-borne visitor to experience the area, but walkers along the River Parrett Trail will enjoy the character of the district so much more.