Reveal...

We are blessed at Longbottom with a diversity of geology and ecosystems in the local area - from the karst topography to the south (riddled with caves, sinkholes and underground streams) to 400 million year old Devonian sandstone ridges (upon which the farm sits). Local mineral deposits (lead and zinc) provided opportunity for mining from pre-Roman times through to the 20th century. Within close proximity - limestone grassland, woodland and scrub, moorland and heath, wet meadows and fens support a wide variety of species.

Adders

Mendip is one of the last strongholds for the adder, the reptile suffering the greatest and most dramatic decline in numbers, but even here it has faced issues with habitat loss and fragmentation.

This is exacerbated by the fact that we have a limited understanding of what these amazing and elusive reptiles need to survive and thrive in our landscape. This is particularly true regarding their overwintering and hibernation needs and how, where and with what they need to create hibernacula.

This chap seems to be a permanent fixture at Longbottom Farm - but you'd have to know his favourite sun bathing spot to find him.

Dormouse

One of Mendip’s most-loved species, the hazel dormouse, is in trouble. The National Dormouse Monitoring Programme highlighted a 72% decline in numbers recorded between 1993 and 2014.

Dormice are often regarded as ‘canaries in the coalmine’ – as a woodland-specialist, a drop in dormouse numbers can reflect a loss or fragmentation of good-quality woodland habitat, something that is likely to impact many other woodland species. Restoration, creation and linking-up of woodland habitats is needed to help dormice populations recover, bringing benefits for other wildlife also hard-hit by the loss of woodland and hedgerow habitats and other changes in the landscape.

At Longbottom Farm, we are fortunate to be flanked by woodland known to be a sanctuary for dormouse - and these are naturally a focus for conservation work - new hedgerows and woodland acting to reverse fragmentation and extend suitable habitat across the farm.

Birdlife

The Mendip Hills in Somerset, UK, are home to a diverse range of wild birds, thanks to their mix of habitats. We're not birders - but we have seen and heard the following at the farm:

Buzzard – commonly loitering around the farm buildings or scouting Cuck Hill;

Kestrel – we have a resident breeding pair who live over the hill;

Red kite – an occasional visitor;

Tawny owl and Little owl – hooting through the night;

Barn owl - hunting across the meadows.

We've grey heron in the pond and a very healthy population of swallows nesting in the barns and flitting across the fields. I'm sure we can add to this list over time (and let us know if you see anything)!

Flowering plants

The majority of grasslands on the site are in ‘good’ condition - and areas of lowland meadow (a 'priority habitat') provide particular interest.

Yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor), meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis), eyebright (Euphrasia sp.), agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), glaucus sedge (Carex flacca), compact rush (Juncus conglomeratus) and field woodrush (Luzula campestris) were recorded in 2024.

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