bridgwater bay

Bridgwater Bay is on the estuary of the River Severn, near Bridgwater in Somerset, United Kingdom at the mouth of the River Parrett. Several of the man-made drainage ditches from the Somerset Levels also drain into the bay. At low tide extensive areas of mudflats (the Steart and the Berrow Flats) are exposed, providing important feeding and over-wintering grounds for waders (shorebirds). Consequently Bridgwater Bay is a National Nature Reserve, and is managed by English Nature. Rarer species spotted in the area include Avocets, Wilson's Phalarope, the White-rumped Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Montagu's Harrier (in spring), Ortolan Bunting and Richard's Pipit (in autumn). The mud flats are, however, potentially dangerous, and it is not uncommon for the emergency services to mount rescue operations. Following the death of Lelaina Hall off Berrow in 2002, a local fundraising campaign succeeded in purchasing a Swedish built BBV6 rescue hovercraft.

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