Clapton Moor Nature Reserve
Clapton Moor during summer
Clapton Moor is located in North Somerset
Clapton Moor
Location within North Somerset
TypeNature Reserve
LocationNorth Somerset
Nearest townWeston-in-Gordano
OS gridST 458 735
Coordinates51°27′27″N 02°46′48″W / 51.45750°N 2.78000°W / 51.45750; -2.78000
Area40 ha (99 acres)
Managed byAvon Wildlife Trust
PathsThe Clapton Circuit
DesignationSite of Nature Conservation Interest
WebsiteAvon Wildlife Trust

Clapton Moor is a 40-hectare (99-acre) Avon Wildlife Trust nature reserve and part of the Gordano Valley, Clapton Moor, Middle Bridge and rhynes Site of Nature Conservation Interest in Somerset, England.[1][2]

Clapton Moor is located in the Gordano Valley region of North Somerset. Precisely, north of Clevedon lane, in between the two villages of Weston-in-Gordano and Clapton-in-Gordano. The nature reserve lies within the borders of the Clapton-in-Gordano civil parish.[3]

Access to the reserve is restricted for non-permit holders, but a public footpath passes through the reserve from Clapton Drove to Clevedon lane. There is a path which leads to a bird hide in the south of the reserve, and a bridge across a large rhyne near the eastern boundary.[4][2][5]

Geography

Clapton Moor consists of flat, peaty, low-lying fields of wet meadows with hedgerows and ditches throughout. The south-east of the moor consists of fields of rough and wet grassland which is often grazed by cattle. The grassland of the moor is kept wet by several rhynes, some of which are deep and steep, some of the rhynes are filled with dense reed beds. There is tall grassland along the boundaries of the southern fields. A large rhyne runs along the northern boundary of the reserve.[6][7][2][5]

Structures in the rhynes such as sluices and culverts are used to artificially change water levels to provide attractive conditions for various species, a high water table is maintained during summer, and the moor is intentionally flooded during winter to attract wildfowl and waders.[6][7][8]

The Gordano valley (including Clapton Moor) was likely to be formed by erosion of the extensive alluvial deposits which extend from the moor to Avonmouth. Clapton Moor was historically part of an estuary of the Severn.[9][10]

History

Although Clapton Moor is located near ancient sites like Cadbury Camp, and Clapton-in-Gordano (in which a hoard of Roman coins dated 253-270 AD were discovered), the moor itself was of very low importance, being unmentioned in literature up until the 18th century.[11][12][13][14][15]

In the 1700s, trapping of wildfowl took place at Clapton Moor, indicated by a duck decoy constructed in the northern part of the moor.[16]

Avon Wildlife Trust management

The land making up the nature reserve was purchased in the late 1990s by the Avon Wildlife Trust, with funding and support from various trusts, charities, and donations from the general public.[8][7][12]

In 1998, a planning application to dredge the rhynes and to construct the sluices and culverts in the reserve was accepted by the North Somerset Council.[8]

At around 2000, a bird hide was set up at Clapton Moor.[17]

Biodiversity Action Plan for the Greater Water Parsnip

In 2003, in partnership with Bristol Zoo Gardens, the Avon Wildlife Trust launched a conservation project to re-introduce the nationally scarce greater water parsnip to Clapton Moor, its former stronghold, via planting manually pollinated seeds acquired from other native water parsnip populations across England.[18]

The initial project which took place in 2003 was unsuccessful, failing to re-introduce the water parsnip to Clapton Moor, with the seeds taken from Southlake Moor failing to germinate.[18]

In 2005, with cooperation from the Norfolk Greater Water Parsnips Biodiversity Action Plan team, the Bristol Zoo horticulture team managed to germinate seeds which were collected from Cantley Marsh.[18]

In 2006, 60 greater water parsnip seeds were prepared for re-introduction to Clapton Moor.[18][19]

"The reasons for the rapid population decline and failure to produce seed are not clear. It might be changes in weather, in rhyne management, or modern agricultural practices reducing the number of insect pollinators." -Tim McGrath, Head of Nature Reserves of the AWT[18]

It is not clear whether the Greater Water Parsnip has been successfully reintroduced to Clapton Moor.

Conflict of interest with the Avon Model Radio Aero Club

in Early 2006, the AWT strongly objected to plans to create a site for flying model aircraft on the territory of a former dumping ground off Weston Drove, 160 metres (520 ft) from the Clapton Moor Nature Reserve.[20]

Avon Wildlife Trust claimed that the model aircraft with their resemblance to birds of prey would disturb nesting birds and frighten others away from the area.[20]

The Avon Model Radio Aero Club, which had already been using the site for 3 years prior, replied saying that the club only flies model aircraft within the boundaries of their own site, and not over the nature reserve. The club also said that they be happy with one year of planning permission, and for a study to be carried out to see if there would be an impact on wading birds.[20]

The North Somerset Council planning officers recommended a one year planning consent to be agreed under certain conditions, such as not allowing more than 4 aircraft to fly at any one time, and for restrictions on the weight and wingspan of the aircraft.[20]

The Avon Model Radio Aero Club eventually received a construction permit to the site, with strict conditions concerning the nearby wildlife at the Clapton and Weston Moors.[21]

North Somerset Levels and Moors Restoration Project

In April of 2018, with funding from a Biffa Award grant, the AWT started a project to begin work on Clapton moor and Weston moor to restore wetland habitat for Lapwing, the population of which had decreased by ~90% in the area. The project would in-turn also create habitat for other wildlife.[22][23]

“Where once we’d see and hear the unique call of lapwings above us in this landscape, these wading birds are now rarely seen. We’re now working hard on our Weston Moor and Clapton Moor nature reserves to create the habitat that will not only bring them back, but will also benefit other plants and wildlife which flourish in wetland areas.” - Eric Heath, AWT Head of Land Management.[23]

the work included: cooperation with a local farmer to manage grass height, digging of shallow dips in the grassland to provide a place for lapwings to nest, hedge-laying, removal of trees to increase visibility of the landscape and to reduce perching sites for potential predators.[24][23]

Flora and fauna

A rhyne running through the reserve

The several rhynes which run through the site serve as an important habitat for many species of bird, such as wintering wildfowl and breeding waders. northern lapwing, common redshank, and common snipe arrive to the reserve during spring and summer to breed.[2][7][6]

Rare plant species can be found growing in the rhynes, such as Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Ranunculus lingua, and Potamogeton coloratus.[5][7][2]

Buzzard, peregrine and hobby have been observed at the reserve, often seen chasing Swallows and Swift that also live off the moor.[6][2] Barn Owls have been observed on the site as well, hunting small rodents in the tall grass near the southern boundary of the reserve.[7]

Clapton Moor is also noted for its dragonflies, such as the Sympetrum sanguineum, and Brachytron pratense species.[2][7][5]

The Clapton Circuit

A public footbridge constructed across a rhyne at Clapton Moor

The Clapton Circuit, created by the Avon Wildlife Trust, is a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) recreational circular walk offering panoramic views and passing various points of interest in and around Clapton-in-Gordano. Starting and ending at the Black Horse Pub in the village, the walk features Clapton Moor as it runs along the eastern boundary of the nature reserve and past a path leading to a bird hide overlooking the moor. The circuit is supported by YANSEC and the North Somerset Council.[25][26][27][28][2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Conservation areas | North Somerset Council". n-somerset.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Clapton Moor | Avon Wildlife Trust". www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  3. ↑ "Town and parish council map | North Somerset Council". n-somerset.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  4. ↑ "Planning constraints portal". map.n-somerset.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Clapton Moor Nature Reserve, Somerset". www.uksouthwest.net. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Clapton Moor Nature Reserve". Visit Bristol. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Clapton Moor | Reserves and species". data.wildlifetrusts.org. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  8. 1 2 3 "98/0758 | Rhyne dredging, construction of flexi-pipe sluices, replacement of field access. Points and culverts to allow for raised water-level management enhancing biodiversity of nature reserve | Clapton Moor Nature Reserve Clevedon Lane Clapton-In-Gordano Somerset". planning.n-somerset.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  9. ↑ PHELPS (F.S.A.), William (1836). Observations on the Great Marshes and Turbaries of the County of Somerset; with suggestions for their improvement, etc. p. 7.
  10. ↑ National Character Area Profile: 118. Bristol, Avon Valleys and Ridges (PDF). Natural England. 2014. p. 23. ISBN 978-1-78367-139-7.
  11. ↑ Eyton, Robert William (1880). Analysis and digest. Reeves & Turner.
  12. 1 2 Gordano, Clapton in (2023-12-21). "Parish History". Clapton in Gordano Parish Council. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  13. ↑ Collinson, John; Rack, Edmund (1791). The History and Antiquities of the County of Somerset: Collected from Authentick Records, and an Actual Survey Made by the Late Mr. Edmund Rack. Adorned with a Map of the County, and Engravings of Roman and Other Reliques, Town-seals, Baths, Churches, and Gentlemen's Seats. R. Cruttwell. p. 15.
  14. ↑ "Heritage Gateway - Results". www.heritagegateway.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  15. ↑ Salisbury, F. S. (1927). "A Find of Roman Coins at Clapton-in-Gordano, Somerset". The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Royal Numismatic Society. 7 (27): 209–218. ISSN 0267-7504.
  16. ↑ Stuff, Good. "Duck decoy, 250m south of Black Rock Villas, Portishead, North Somerset". ancientmonuments.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  17. ↑ "00/P/1295/F | Erection of hide for observing wetland wildlife | Clapton Moor Nature Reserve, Clevedon Lane, Clapton In Gordano". planning.n-somerset.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 "Rare plants to be hand-pollinated". 2006-06-06. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  19. ↑ "Report reveals true loss of Somerset species". Somerset County Gazette. 2010-03-11. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "'Aircraft will disturb birds'". Weston Mercury. 2006-05-17. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  21. ↑ "ABOUT US – AMARC". Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  22. ↑ "Avon Wildlife Trust wins grant to entice rare birds back to Gordano Valley". North Somerset Times. 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  23. 1 2 3 "Avon Wildlife Trust Working to Bring Lapwings Back to the Gordano Valley | Avon Wildlife Trust". www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk. 2018-04-02. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  24. ↑ "North Somerset Levels and Moors Restoration Project | Avon Wildlife Trust". www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  25. ↑ "Wonderful Walks Around Portishead". Visit Portishead CIC. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  26. ↑ "The Clapton Circuit". Posset Wanderer. 2019-05-11. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  27. ↑ Clapton Moor (PDF) (Leaflet). Avon Wildlife Trust.
  28. ↑ Gordano, Clapton in (2023-12-21). "Parish History". Clapton in Gordano Parish Council. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
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