Editing River Parrett (section)

== Ecology ==
[[File:Burrow Bridge.jpg|alt=Arched bridge with metal railing. Sign showing River Parrett, Burrow Bridge.|thumb|left|1826 bridge at [[Burrowbridge]]]]
The river flows through several areas of ecological interest and supports a variety of rare and endangered species.

From January until May, the Parrett provides a source of [[European eel]]s (''Anguilla anguilla'') and young elvers, which are caught by hand netting as this is the only legal means of catching them.<ref>{{cite web|title=The European Eel |url=http://www.eelregulations.co.uk/pdf/Elver_Poaching.pdf |publisher=Environment Agency |access-date=11 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518080824/http://www.eelregulations.co.uk/pdf/Elver_Poaching.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Morris |first1=Steven |title=Poachers devastate Somerset's elver fisheries |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/may/28/poachers-devastate-elver-fisheries |access-date=11 May 2015 |work=Guardian |date=28 May 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090446/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/may/28/poachers-devastate-elver-fisheries |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref> A series of eel passes have been built on the Parrett at the King's Sedgemoor Drain to help this endangered species; cameras have shown 10,000 eels migrating upstream in a single night.<ref name="eelodyssey"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/articles/2008/09/03/eels_feature.shtml |title=Groundbreaking project saves glass eels |date=4 September 2008 |work=Nature Features |publisher=BBC Somerset |access-date=21 December 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113192806/http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/articles/2008/09/03/eels_feature.shtml |archive-date=13 November 2012 }}</ref> The 2003 [[BBC Radio 4]] play ''[[Glass Eels]]'' by [[Nell Leyshon]] was set on the Parrett.<ref>{{cite news|last=Spencer |first=Charles |title=Glass Eels&nbsp;– a whirlpool of emotion |date=11 July 2007 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/drama/3666439/Glass-Eels-a-whirlpool-of-emotion.html |access-date=11 May 2015 |work=[[Sunday Telegraph]] |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007162523/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/drama/3666439/Glass-Eels-a-whirlpool-of-emotion.html |archive-date= 7 October 2014 }}</ref>

To the north of the river bank northwest of Langport are the Aller and Beer Woods and Aller Hill biological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Aller and Beer Woods is a [[Somerset Wildlife Trust]] reserve. It consists of large blocks of semi-natural [[ancient woodland]] along the west-facing slope of Aller Hill, overlooking King's Sedgemoor. The reserve is about {{convert|40|ha|acre}} and the underlying geology of most of it is [[Lias Group|Lias]] [[limestone]]. Prior to the 20th century it appears to have been managed for centuries as traditional [[Coppicing|coppice]] woodland,<ref>{{cite web|title=Aller and Beer Woods|work=Wildlife Trusts|url=http://www.somersetwildlife.org/aller_beer_woods |access-date=11 November 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109114122/http://www.somersetwildlife.org/aller_beer_woods |archive-date= 9 November 2010}}</ref> and it provides an outstanding example of ancient escarpment woodland. The woodland is a variant of the calcareous [[Fraxinus|ash]]/[[Ulmus glabra|wych elm]] stand-type, with [[Quercus robur|pedunculate oak]] (''Quercus robur''), and ash (''Fraxinus excelsior'') the dominant canopy trees throughout, and with scattered concentrations of wych elm (''Ulmus glabra''). Ancient woodland indicators include [[Tilia cordata|small-leaved lime]] (''Tilia cordata''), and [[Sorbus torminalis|wild service tree]] (''Sorbus torminalis''), both of which are locally common. Plants of particular interest include [[Neottia nidus-avis|bird's nest orchid]] (''Neottia nidus-avis''), [[Platanthera chlorantha|greater butterfly orchid]] (''Platanthera chlorantha'') and the very rare Red Data Book species [[Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum|purple gromwell]] (''Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum'').<ref>{{cite web|title=Aller and Beer Woods |work=English Nature |url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003646.pdf |access-date=12 August 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013122127/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003646.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2006 }}</ref> Aller Hill contains three species of plant which are nationally rare and a further three which are of restricted distribution in Somerset. The central area contains a sward dominated by [[Festuca ovina|sheep's fescue]] (''Festuca ovina'') in combination with [[Trisetum flavescens|yellow oat-grass]] (''Trisetum flavescens'') and [[Briza media|quaking-grass]] (''Briza media''). [[Sanguisorba minor|Salad burnet]] (''Sanguisorba minor'') forms a major component of the sward with the two nationally rare species [[rough marsh-mallow]] (M''alva setigera'') and [[Gastridium ventricosum|nit-grass]] (''Gastridium ventricosum''), also present.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aller Hill |work=English Nature |url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1005494.pdf |access-date=12 August 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013121732/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1005494.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2006 }}</ref>

Southlake Moor is another SSSI. The marshes and ditches provide grazing. At certain times of the year sluice gates can be opened to flood the moor.<ref name="southlake"/> [[Sium latifolium|Greater water-parsnip]] (''Sium latifolium'') is among the 96 aquatic and vascular plant species on the moor.<ref name="southlake"/> Numerous wildfowl visit the flooded moor; up to 22,000 [[Eurasian wigeon|wigeon]] (''Anas penelope''), 250&nbsp;[[Tundra swan|Bewick's swan]] (''Cygnus bewickii'') and significant populations of [[Common pochard|pochard]] (''Aythya ferina''), [[Eurasian teal|teal]] (''Anas crecca'') and [[tufted duck]] (''Aythya fuligula''). Signs of [[European otter]]s (''Lutra lutra'') have also been seen on the river banks. [[Palmate newt]]s (''Triturus helveticus'') have been found in surrounding ditches.<ref name="southlake">{{cite web |title=Southlake Moor |work=Natural England |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1002426.pdf |access-date=21 August 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013122149/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1002426.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2006 }}</ref>

[[File:Mudflats at Combwich.jpg|alt=Muddy bank in the foreground before an expanse of water, with a concrete wall just visible on the right hand side of the water. In the distance is a line of low hills.|thumb|Tidal mudflats at [[Combwich]], near the mouth of the River Parrett on [[Bridgwater Bay]]]]
[[Langmead and Weston Level]] is nationally important for its species-rich neutral [[grassland]] and the [[invertebrate]] community found in the ditches and rhynes. The terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates recorded on the site include four nationally
rare species: the [[Hydrophilus piceus|great silver diving beetle]] (''Hydrophilus piceus''), the soldier fly ''[[Odontomyia ornata]]'', which is now called the ornate brigadier,{{sfn|Stubbs|Drake|2001|p=310}} and two other [[Fly|flies]], ''[[Lonchoptera scutellata]]'' and ''[[Stenomicra cogani]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Langmead and Weston Level |work=Natural England |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1005918.pdf |access-date=17 August 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013121442/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1005918.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2006 }}</ref>

The Parrett then flows through the Somerset Levels National Nature Reserve, which contains a rich [[biodiversity]] of national and international importance.<ref name="ncprofile">{{cite web |url=http://www.naturalareas.naturalengland.org.uk/Science/natural/profiles%5CnaProfile85.pdf |title=Somerset Levels and Moors Natural Area&nbsp;– A nature conservation profile July 1997 |access-date=4 July 2011  |work=English Nature |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029184747/http://www.naturalareas.naturalengland.org.uk/Science/natural/profiles/naProfile85.pdf |archive-date=29 October 2013 }}</ref> It supports a vast variety of plant species, including common plants such as [[Caltha palustris|marsh-marigold]] (''Caltha palustris''), [[Filipendula ulmaria|meadowsweet]] (''Filipendula ulmaria'') and [[Lychnis flos-cuculi|ragged-robin]] (''Lychnis flos-cuculi''). The area is an important feeding ground for birds including Bewick's swan (''Cygnus columbianus bewickii''), [[Eurasian curlew]] (''Numenius arquata''), [[common redshank]] (''Tringa totanus''), [[Eurasian skylark|skylark]] (''Alauda arvensis''), [[common snipe]] (''Gallinago gallinago''), common teal (''Anas crecca''), Eurasian wigeon (''Anas penelope'') and [[Eurasian whimbrel]] (''Numenius phaeopus''), as well as birds of prey including the [[western marsh harrier]] (''Circus aeruginosus'') and [[peregrine falcon]] (''Falco peregrinus'').<ref name=defraramsar>{{cite web|title=Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands |url=http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/RIS/UK11064.pdf |publisher=DEFRA |access-date=11 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010203902/http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/RIS/UK11064.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2012 }}</ref> A wide range of invertebrate species is also present including rare insects, particularly the [[hairy click beetle]] (''Synaptus filiformis''), which until recently was only known in Britain from the Parrett,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arkive.org/hairy-click-beetle/synaptus-filiformis/range-and-habitat.html |title=Hairy click beetle (Synaptus filiformis) |work=Arkive |publisher=Natural History Museum |access-date=4 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220082701/http://www.arkive.org/hairy-click-beetle/synaptus-filiformis/range-and-habitat.html |archive-date=20 December 2009  }}</ref> and other insects, including the [[lesser silver water beetle]] (''Hydrochara caraboides''), ''[[Bagous nodulosus]]'', ''[[Hydrophilus piceus]]'', ''[[Odontomyia angulata]]'', ''[[Oulema erichsoni]]'' and ''[[Valvata macrostoma]]''. In addition, the area supports an important European otter (''Lutra lutra'') population.<ref name=defraramsar/> 282 [[American mink]] (''Mustela vison'') have been captured after their escape from breeding farms, which is encouraging [[European water vole|water voles]] (''Arvicola amphibius'') to recolonise areas of the Levels where they have been absent for 10&nbsp;years.<ref>{{cite web|last=Marshall-Ball |first=Robin |title=The Somerset Levels Green Shoots Project |url=http://basc.org.uk/conservation/green-shoots/green-shoots-in-the-south-west/ |publisher=BASC |access-date=9 May 2015 |page=10 |year=2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317124956/http://basc.org.uk/conservation/green-shoots/green-shoots-in-the-south-west/ |archive-date=17 March 2015 }}</ref> The Levels and Moors include 32 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (twelve of them also [[Special Protection Area]]s), the Huntspill River<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?nnr_name=&C=0&Habitat=0&natural_area=&local_team=0&spotlight_reserve=0&X=&NNR_ID=216 |title=Huntspill River NNR |access-date=9 June 2007 |work=English Nature |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610053517/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?nnr_name=&C=0&Habitat=0&natural_area=&local_team=0&spotlight_reserve=0&X=&NNR_ID=216 |archive-date=10 June 2007 }}</ref> and Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserves,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?nnr_name=&C=0&Habitat=0&natural_area=&local_team=0&spotlight_reserve=0&X=&NNR_ID=28 |title=Bridgwater Bay NNR |access-date=9 June 2007 |work=English Nature |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610052822/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?nnr_name=&C=0&Habitat=0&natural_area=&local_team=0&spotlight_reserve=0&X=&NNR_ID=28 |archive-date=10 June 2007 }}</ref> the Somerset Levels and Moors [[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar Site]] covering about {{convert|86000|acre|km2|0}},<ref name=defraramsar/> the Somerset Levels National Nature Reserve,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?nnr_name=&C=35&Habitat=0&natural_area=&local_team=0&spotlight_reserve=0&X=&NNR_ID=143|title=Somerset Levels NNR|access-date=10 June 2007 |work=English Nature |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610051646/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?nnr_name=&C=35&Habitat=0&natural_area=&local_team=0&spotlight_reserve=0&X=&NNR_ID=143 |archive-date=10 June 2007}}</ref> [[Shapwick Heath|Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?nnr_name=&C=35&Habitat=0&natural_area=&local_team=0&spotlight_reserve=0&X=&NNR_ID=141 |title=Shapwick Heath NNR |access-date=10 June 2007 |work=English Nature |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610051615/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?nnr_name=&C=35&Habitat=0&natural_area=&local_team=0&spotlight_reserve=0&X=&NNR_ID=141 |archive-date=10 June 2007 }}</ref> and numerous Scheduled Ancient Monuments. In addition, some {{convert|72000|acre|km2|-1}} of the Levels are recognised as an [[environmentally sensitive area]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/SLM%20Information%20Sheet%20updated_tcm6-11844.pdf|title=The Somerset Levels and Moors |access-date=26 December 2009 |work=Rural Development Programme for England|publisher=Natural England|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227111428/http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/SLM%20Information%20Sheet%20updated_tcm6-11844.pdf|archive-date=27 February 2012}}</ref> while other portions are designated as [[Area of archaeological potential|Areas of High Archaeological Potential]]. Despite this, there is currently no single [[conservation designation]] covering the entire area of the Levels and Moors.

On the outskirts of Bridgwater at Huntworth the river passes several local nature reserves which provide roosts for thousands of [[common starling]]s (''Sturnus vulgaris'') each winter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wild Guide to the South West|date=May 2013 |url=https://issuu.com/wildswimming/docs/wild_guide_sample|publisher=Wild Things Publishing|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Somerset Levels – A Beginner Birdwatching Tour|url=https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/reports_new/GBR40_report_150121_The_Somerset_Levels_A_Beginner_Birdwatching_Tour.pdf|publisher=Naturetrek|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007021142/https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/reports_new/GBR40_report_150121_The_Somerset_Levels_A_Beginner_Birdwatching_Tour.pdf|archive-date=7 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The mouth of the river is where it flows into the National Nature Reserve at Bridgwater Bay on the Bristol Channel. It consists of large areas of [[mudflat]]s, saltmarsh, sandflats and shingle ridges, some of which are vegetated. It has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1989,<ref name="sssicitation">{{cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1001145.pdf  |title=SSSI citation sheet for Bridgwater Bay |access-date=12 November 2008 |work=Sites of Special Scientific Interest |publisher=English Nature |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910045332/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1001145.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2008 }}</ref> and is designated as a wetland of international importance under the [[Ramsar Convention]].<ref name="NNR">{{cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?NNR_ID=28 |title=Bridgwater Bay NNR |access-date=13 November 2008 |work=National Nature Reserves |publisher=Natural England |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911222029/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?NNR_ID=28 |archive-date=11 September 2009 }}</ref> The risks to wildlife are highlighted in the local Oil Spill Contingency Plan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1549&p=0 |title=Oil spill contingency plan |access-date=13 November 2008 |publisher=Sedgemoor Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603235219/http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1549&p=0 |archive-date=3 June 2011 }}</ref>