A variety of species can be found at Brimley Hill Mire, some of which are nationally rare.
Round-leaved sundew, oblong-leaved sundew and pale butterwort, can be found here. These are insectivorous, that is they eat insects, worms, and other invertebrates. You can also see the striking, frilly, pink spikes of marsh spotted orchids. There is a rich community of sphagnum mosses too, particularly suited to the water-logged terrain. We’ve also spotted a very rare little sedge, known as the white beak-sedge, only found at one other site in Somerset, and the rare marsh St John’s-wort, present at only a few sites in Somerset.
Bare in mind it is very wet indeed underfoot!
Type of habitat:
Springline mire
Look out for:
Common lizards, heathers, ragged robin, lousewort, lesser spearwort, marsh violet, cotton-grass.
Noteworthy species:
Marsh St. John’s wort, pale butterwort, oblong-leaved sundew, white beak-sedge, many-stemmed spike rush, lesser skullcap, bog pimpernel, bog asphodel, keeled skimmer dragonfly.
Designation:
Somerset Wildlife Trust nature reserve
Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Managed/owned by:
Somerset Wildlife Trust
Best time to visit:
May to September
Location:
Grid reference: ST175140
Nearest postcode: TA3 7QH
Parking/access:
Open access. Parking for one or two cars in the layby. The terrain is very wet.
