Local nature reserves (LNRs) are designated by local authorities under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The local authority must have a legal control over the site, by owning or leasing it or having an agreement with the owner. LNRs are sites which have a special local interest either biologically or geologically, and local authorities have a duty to care for them. They can apply local bye-laws to manage and protect LNRs.[2][3]
The dunes, west of the village of Berrow, have a golf course, and is a noted site for various unusual plants, including a strong colony of lizard orchids. A 200 hectares (490 acres) area, which includes the reserve, was designated in 1952 as a SSSI.[7] Berrow Marsh, contained within the dunes between the village and the beach, is a mixture of reedbed and salt marsh.[8] Birds found here include many wetland species such as reed and sedge warbler and in winter occasional jack snipe among large numbers of common snipe.[7]
The spoil heap or batch is a result of coal mining on the Somerset Coalfield in the 19th century. Camerton New Pit survived to be nationalised, eventually closing in 1950. In the centre of the village is Camerton Batch which is now covered with conifer. It is important for geology.[16]
A 36.97-hectare (91.4-acre) reservoir which is owned and managed by South Somerset District Council.[19] It is a recipient of the Green Flag Award.[20] The reservoir was built on the river Isle in 1842 to provide water for the Chard Canal which closed in 1868.[19] The site is used for dog walking, fishing and birdwatching, with a bird hide having been installed.[21] Birds which are spotted regularly include herons, egrets, kingfishers, cormorants, grebes, gulls, ducks and also a wide range of woodland birds including nuthatch, treecreeper and woodpeckers. Rarities have included ring-necked duck, great white egret, cattle egret and yellow-browed warbler. The water is stocked with carp.[20][22]
This reserve includes a hill fort dating from the Iron Age on Wain's Hill and Church Hill. It has calcareous grassland, coastal scrub and woodland.[25]
The Eastwood area is broadleaf woodland on a coastal limestone ridge which leads to Battery Point which had a defensive gun position and Portishead Point Lighthouse is on the promontory.[27] There is also geological interest in the fossils, folds and faults found in the area.[28]
Folly Farm is a traditionally managed visitable farm and nature reserve run by the Avon Wildlife Trust. The farmhouse is 17th century and the surrounding land includes neutral grassland, flowery meadows and woodlands. The 250 acres (100 ha) nature reserve includes the Folly Oak which is over 400 years old.[31][32]
Landscaping and ponds in three areas next to the River Tone created when the park and ride was created. The woodland and grassland supports aquatic and marginal vegetation.[48] There are also a variety of birds, bats, reptiles and invertebrates.[49]
Open grassland around a disused quarry.[59] There are a range of flowers including cowslip, primrose and green-winged orchid.[60] This site is adjacent to Walborough Common and together they cover 38.14 hectares (94.2 acres), which is partly coterminous with Uphill Cliff SSSI.[61]
^Unless otherwise stated, the area is taken from the Natural England map of each site. (Click on the identify icon (i) in the "Feature Tools" and then click on the site.)[4]
^The location is taken from the Natural England details page for the site.
^The maps are on the Natural England database of Local Nature Reserves.
^Details are on the pages on each site in the Natural England database of Local Nature Reserves.[4]
^ abThe areas of Uphill Hill and Walborough Common are not given by NE as although there are separate information pages for the sites, the map shows them as a single site with an area of 38 hectares. The areas for these sites are based on the Visit Weston-super-Mare site Uphill Local Nature Reserve,[59] which states that Uphill has an area of 17 hectares (42 acres), which leaves 21 hectares (52 acres) for Walborough.