Our work at Fyne Court

Green moss on an old sessile oak branch with green ferns behind — Moss and Bryophyte growth in Atlantic sessile oak woodlands | © National Trust Images/John Malley

The Somerset landscape around Fyne Court is home to an array of birds, butterflies and insects. Find out about the work the National Trust does to care for the hills, woods and meadows so that they’re effective habitats to help nature thrive.

Ancient Atlantic oaks at Willoughby Cleeve

The Atlantic oak woodland at Willoughby Cleeve on the Quantock Hills is an ancient habitat of increasing rarity. It stretches up Hodder’s Combe from the Village of Holford and is a unique woodland covering the steep slopes of the valley. The ancient trees host a range of ferns, mosses and lichens.

The dense crowns of the oaks show signs of ancient woodland management that were cut as pollards centuries ago. The woodland is still managed today to preserve its fragile state: techniques include holly clearance, opening up the area around ancient and veteran trees as well as monitoring the birdlife.

A rusty red and black bird known as a redstart resting on a branch — A redstart bird perched on a tree branch | © National Trust Images / Douglas Holden

Providing homes for redstarts

The redstart is one of the key species here and there are bird boxes in place so they can be monitored. Did you know, the name redstart comes from the Anglo-Saxon for ‘red-tail’, appropriately describing the rusty tail of the male bird, which restlessly flickers when it perches?

Large blue butterflies on the Polden Hills

Collard Hill on the Poldens is famous for its population of large blue butterflies. If you visit during June and July you can meet with the specialist volunteer ranger dedicated to monitoring the population and learn all about their life cycle as well as hopefully catch a glimpse of a large blue.

A large blue butterfly, with wings opened, resting on grass — Large blue butterfly at Polden Hills in Somerset | © National Trust Images/Phil Bruss

All of the Polden Hill surveys provide accurate ecological information, which feeds into the National Trust management plan. This invaluable data directly informs our habitat management work such as hazel coppicing at Walton Hill woods and scrub control on Collard Hill.