The bittern is a cryptic and secretive member of the heron family. But listen closely for the male’s "booming" call – a deep groan like blowing across a bottle!

Historical status: Between 1952 – 1980 bitterns were occasionally heard in Somerset, with successful breeding in late 1960s. However, by 1997 there were only 11 left in the UK.

Status today: The Avalon Marshes, including Westhay Moor, have become a bittern stronghold! Annual bittern surveys have been conducted in Somerset for over 10 years, and feed into the national figures. These have shown encouraging increases. The 2023 count saw 38 bitterns recorded on the Avalon Marshes, and 39 in total in Somerset.

What are we doing? “We have developed large wetland areas packed full of reeds and water channels which are just the right depth for their favourite fish – rudd and eel,” explains Mark Blake.

“However, Somerset's bittern potential is a puzzle in progress. Therefore, this spring we asked the public to listen for booming males and record them on iNaturalist so we can map the county’s bitterns!”

The great white egret is a large white heron-size egret. Moving north from increasing breeding populations in France, the great white egret has been quick to colonise Somerset and continue its spread across the country.

Historical status: “Over the last 30 years great white egrets have been travelling north and west”, explains Alison Morgan, Avalon Marshes New Colonists Coordinator. “1994 saw the first breeding record in France and in 2012 a pair nested for the first time in England – on the Avalon Marshes.”

Status today: Since then, the population has exploded, with year-on-year increases until in 2023 we recorded an amazing 53 successful nests, with no fewer than 88 chicks fledged.

What are we doing? The extensive reedbeds and adjacent willow stands on the Avalon Marshes provide ideal nesting habitat for great white egrets. While they preferentially forage in shallow waters, even the deeper sections of Westhay offer suitable feeding opportunities along the margins.

Great white egrets from the Avalon Marshes are also helping to populate other parts of the country. “As soon great white egret chicks can fly, they vanish. So where do they go?”, asks Alison.

“In 2016 we started a colour ringing programme to find out and now aim to ring up to 15 chicks annually. Each chick gets a bright red ring with three white letters and within weeks people are sending in sightings from all over the country. Our birds have now been reported from 33 different counties in England as well as from Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and western Ireland.”

The marsh harrier is a buzzard-size raptor with a longer tail and wings held in a distinctive v-shape as they cruise over reedbeds and fields.

Historical status: Marsh harriers were once regular breeders in Somerset, but their numbers dwindled in the 19th century due to illegal persecution, egg collecting, disturbance and habitat loss. In the 1950s/60s they also suffered from the effects of organo-phosphate pesticides. Marsh harriers began increasing in the 1970s, with recruits from the Netherland population breeding in the UK. There was at least one active nest in Somerset between 1986 and 1999.

Status today: Marsh harriers nest and roost in reedbeds, although in the east of England they may also use arable fields such as oilseed rape. Since 2009, these graceful raptors have nested on the Avalon Marshes and 2023 saw a record-breaking breeding season: 11 nests produced 26 fledglings. While many are increasingly choosing to stay year-round, others embark on southward journeys to Spain, Portugal and occasionally northern Africa.

What are we doing? “Though currently limited to the Avalon Marshes, the growing population and expanding reedbeds may lead to wider nesting opportunities across the county”, explains Mark Blake.

“Westhay Moor's reedbeds provide the perfect nesting habitat for marsh harriers and there is plenty of food including waterbirds and small mammals that live here and on neighbouring farmland.”

The long-tailed tit-sized bearded reedling is Europe's lone member of Asia's parrotbill family. This wetland specialist relies on the phragmites reed found in marshes and around lakes.

Historical status: For centuries, drained wetlands, disappearing reedbeds and harsh winters kept the bearded reedling scarce in Somerset. Only recently has this wetland specialist begun to make a comeback.

Status today: Thanks to the creation of reedbeds and milder winters, the UK's bearded reedling population doubled between 1994 and 2019, expanding its range by 84% since the 1960s. In the Avalon Marshes alone, autumn counts revealed a peak of 510 individuals in 2022. On Westhay Moor we recorded a peak of 72 individuals on one morning in September 2023.

What are we doing? “Over the past 60 years, bearded reedlings have benefited from the succession of reedbeds – having stands of different ages – on the Avalon Marshes”, explains Rebecca Hardwick, Reserves Assistant.

“We cut the reedbeds on rotation with an amphibious reed cutter (truck saw) to create the age structure necessary for these birds to nest and feed. Older uncut stands are good for nesting in and younger stands are better for finding insects for their young."

"In the autumn they switch their diet to seeds and swallow grit to help grind them up. It is very important to monitor bearded reedlings on our reserves to compare results to previous years and get a better understanding of their population size. We have a dedicated team of volunteers who survey these birds during September – when they are most visible.”

Somerset's largest rodent and a keystone species, the beaver is making a comeback!

Historical status: Once a very common sight across Somerset in the Medieval period, beavers were extinct in England by the 14th century, hunted to extinction for their fur, meat and scent-glands (used for making perfume).

Status today: In October 2022, beavers became a protected species in England. In the same year, a survey in the Avon and Somerset Frome catchment revealed an estimated population of 50 free-living individuals based on signs such as food caches, burrows, dams, canals, scent mounds, tracks and sightings. However, we also have anecdotal sightings of them in other river catchments across the county. We are trying to get a better understanding of where our free-living beaver populations are currently: if you spot a beaver or any signs of them, please report through somerc.com (remembering not to disturb the beavers which is illegal now they are a protected species!).

What are we doing? “We welcome the return of beavers in our 60th year”, says Simon Clarke, Head of Nature Recovery. “Not just for nostalgia, but for their future potential as an established part of the ecology throughout Somerset’s wetland landscapes. These amazing animals can naturally reduce flood risks, keep streams and rivers running during droughts and create valuable wildlife habitats. They will help deliver nature recovery and climate adaptations.”

“Beavers are really industrious and so useful in responding to the interlinked climate and ecological crises”, explains Alicia Hallatt, Human-Wildlife Co-Existence Officer, “However, they can be described as lazy and their impacts are quick and sudden. They challenge us to rethink what we have come to expect nature to look like in our very heavily managed landscapes, and how we relate to nature. To help us capitalise on the many positives beavers provide, while also supporting people through any challenges that may arise, the trust is co-developing a Beaver Management Strategy with partner organisations and the public, ensuring everyone benefits.”

Eels make remarkable journeys, swimming from Somerset to the Sargasso Sea to spawn. Their young then swim back here to grow into adults.

Historical status: Sixty years ago eels were teeming in Somerset’s waters. They were once so abundant that they were used as moorland currency during the time of the Domesday Book.

Status today: Since 1980, Somerset's eels have plunged 95%, with major threats such as barriers, water quality and habitat loss.

What are we doing? In Somerset, efforts are underway to save declining eels. “At Westhay Moor we have been reconnecting different areas with larger pipes and incorporating eel tiles and ladders so eels can move around the reserve more easily”, explains Mark Blake. “In 2014, we also worked with the Sustainable Eel Group to release one million glass eels onto Catcott Moor and another million onto Westhay Moor to bolster numbers.”

“We want to ensure Somerset remains an eel stronghold for another 60 years and beyond”, explains Jane Brookhouse, Coordinator for the Adapting the Levels Landscape Recovery Project.

“Through the Somerset Eel Working Group we are researching eel recovery solutions to try and create more seamless journeys for them as they travel from the Severn Estuary into Somerset’s rivers.”

16 of the UK's 18 bats call Somerset home, from tiny pipistrelles to starling-sized noctules. From caves to woodlands, the county’s diverse habitats cater to their unique needs.

Historical status: While historical data is scant (national surveys only began in 1997), in Somerset, the distribution of lesser and greater horseshoe bats was 145km2 1990-2000. Over the following 20 years, this more than doubled to 329km2.

"60 years ago, there were hardly any bat surveyors in the county and data on bat distribution was minimal," explains Edward Wells, Somerset Bat Group (SBG). "The SBG was formed in the 1980s as a training and recording group. The increase in bat records since then reflects a huge increase in human attention making it hard to identify population changes."

Status today: “Today, many bat species are prospering”, says Edward. “Serotines, rarely recorded in the West before 1980, are now abundant in Somerset. Both species of horseshoe bat are extending their range and there are new residents such as Leisler’s, Bechstein’s and Nathusius’ pipistrelle bats. While noctules are declining, the rare grey long-eared bat, is moving north into Somerset from southern Europe.”

What are we doing? “On Mendip, two Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) protect endangered horseshoe bats,” explains Lila Morris, Nature Recovery Officer. “We are also talking to farmers here about the opportunities for positive habitat management for bats; many are keen to try to help these species. For example, greater horseshoe, serotine and noctule bats benefit from organic cattle-grazed grasslands. Cattle dung – without any anti-worming dugs – attracts dung beetles which are important food for these bats. Promoting uncut, "frothy" hedgerows provide aerial highways to feeding areas for bats such as the lesser horseshoe. In woodlands, careful ride and track-side management can create a buffet of insects for many bats. Towns help too, with events like Big Bat Count empowering people to monitor bat populations.”

The large blue butterfly is one of the most iconic species to benefit from grassland restoration.

Historical status: Declared extinct in the UK in 1979, the butterfly was successfully re-introduced to Green Down in the 1990s and Collard Hill in the 2000s.

Status today: Up to 3,000 butterflies may be flying at one site in a good year. Careful management, including grazing, has helped the butterfly to spread along restored grasslands. One important stepping stone site, New Hill and Tannager, is positioned between the core populations. With continued care, this site has the potential to support another core population.

What are we doing? Working with us and our partners in the East Poldens for four decades is David Simcox, the Large blue butterfly Project Officer and has been . “Back in the 1980s, I worked with Professor Jeremy Thomas, who first discovered the very specific needs of the large blue butterfly, including living in the nests of the sun-loving red ant Myrmica sabuleti. The caterpillar seduces its way in and feeds on the ant grubs for 10 months to complete its unusual lifecycle. These ants prefer short grassland, ideally 1cm long. By understanding how land use and grazing patterns affect the ants, the habitats can be managed to make them more favourable, including plenty of wild thyme and marjoram, also eaten by the caterpillars.”

“By working together with dedicated partners and the local community across the eastern escarpment of the Poldens, the grassland habitats are better joined up and providing a larger continuous corridor for wildlife compared to 60 years ago”, explains Mark Green, Reserves Manager (South Somerset). “Looking ahead, as we get hotter summers, large blues may benefit. Taller grasses may be warm enough for the ants that the caterpillars rely on for survival. However, if south-facing slopes get too hot for them, we may need to prepare cooler, shadier places.”