West of England
State of Nature
The West of England is a region rich in natural assets—our rivers, landscapes and green spaces shape not only our environment, but our economy, our health, and our shared sense of place. They are fundamental to what makes this region successful and distinctive.”
Helen Godwin – West of England Mayor
Sumita Hutchinson – Chair, West of England Nature Partnership
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The State of Nature in the West of England
The West of England State of Nature report is the most ambitious and comprehensive study of our region’s wildlife ever undertaken. Over 53,000 records across 456 species were collected to give us the most up to date picture of how our species numbers are changing. These records were pulled together and analysed in the West of England’s first Wildlife Index. This report uncovers the mounting pressures facing our species and habitats, while highlighting practical and inspiring ways we can restore them.
Our landscapes and habitats
Despite being relatively small in size, the West of England is a region of remarkable contrasts: from the World Heritage Site of Bath to the internationally important Severn Estuary, the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and the Mendips national landscapes.
Bathscape
The stunning landscape of limestone valleys and plateaus surrounding Bath contains an exceptional concentration of species-rich grasslands, ancient woodlands and sites protected for nature. The landscape is one of the best bat hotspots in the country, hosting at least 15 of the UK’s 18 bat species, including 15% of the UK’s population of greater horseshoe bats and the extremely rare Bechstein’s bat. Its limestone grasslands are also home to several butterflies that are scarce in the West of England, such as the chalkhill blue, small blue and marsh fritillary.
Chew Valley Lake
Our region is home to Chew Valley Lake, the largest lake in South-West England. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area and is one of Britain’s most important sites for wildfowl. More than 30 species of mammals, including several bats, also live along its shores whilst its waters are alive with abundant water plants and aquatic insects.
The North Somerset Levels
Covering around 8,000 hectares, the North Somerset Levels and Moors is an extensive low-lying wetland landscape that lies beneath the Mendip Hills. The Levels and Moors is an important area for wading birds such as lapwing, redshank, and snipe, and includes a significant amount of lowland peat. The Gordano Valley SSSI and National Nature Reserve, which contains rare lowland fen habitat, is a hotspot for rare wetland plants, a rich and diverse invertebrate fauna, wading birds, water voles, and newts.
Avon Gorge
The Avon Gorge's limestone rockface makes it an exceptional place to find nationally rare plants, with over 30 different kinds of scarce plants growing here. This includes the unique Bristol onion and Bristol rock-cress, alongside multiple whitebeam tree species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. Peregrine falcons also nest in the Gorge, and the silky wave moths here are found in only two other sites nationally.
Mendip Hills
The Mendip Hills, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are defined by a striking, dynamic landscape of steep slopes, rolling plateaus, breathtaking gorges, flower rich grasslands, and wooded combes. The Hills are a rare stronghold for adders and support a wide number of rare plant species and internationally important bat populations. The North Somerset and Mendip Bats Special Area of Conservation is home to 3% of the UK greater horseshoe bat population.
Severn Estuary
The Severn Estuary is designated as a European Marine Site due to its international ecological importance as a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and a Ramsar site. Its waters sustain more than 100 fish species and spectacular numbers of invertebrates. Every winter, more than 74,000 migratory birds flock to its saltmarshes and mudflats, including six internationally important species and 11 species of national importance.
Lower Woods
Lower Woods is one of the largest ancient woodlands in the South West and is renowned for its bluebells, early purple orchids, and 32 butterfly species, including the white admiral and marsh fritillary. Its rich woodland is home to over 2,500 species including hazel dormice, Britain's most elusive native mammal, and 57 different types of birds.
The state of our habitats and threats
Across the region, communities are seeing with their own eyes how wildlife is changing around them.
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Habitats
Our habitats are under multiple, intensifying, and interconnected pressures.
Barriers in waterways
There are 635 man-made barriers in the West of England’s rivers, including culverts, weirs and dams. These structures obstruct fish migration from the Severn Estuary through the Avon catchment, posing a serious threat to critically endangered European eel and Atlantic salmon populations.
Barriers in waterways
There are 635 man-made barriers in the West of England’s rivers, including culverts, weirs and dams. These structures obstruct fish migration from the Severn Estuary through the Avon catchment, posing a serious threat to critically endangered European eel and Atlantic salmon populations.
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Barriers in waterways
There are 635 man-made barriers in the West of England’s rivers, including culverts, weirs and dams. These structures obstruct fish migration from the Severn Estuary through the Avon catchment, posing a serious threat to critically endangered European eel and Atlantic salmon populations.
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Barriers in waterways
There are 635 man-made barriers in the West of England’s rivers, including culverts, weirs and dams. These structures obstruct fish migration from the Severn Estuary through the Avon catchment, posing a serious threat to critically endangered European eel and Atlantic salmon populations.
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Barriers in waterways
There are 635 man-made barriers in the West of England’s rivers, including culverts, weirs and dams. These structures obstruct fish migration from the Severn Estuary through the Avon catchment, posing a serious threat to critically endangered European eel and Atlantic salmon populations.
Barriers in waterways
There are 635 man-made barriers in the West of England’s rivers, including culverts, weirs and dams. These structures obstruct fish migration from the Severn Estuary through the Avon catchment, posing a serious threat to critically endangered European eel and Atlantic salmon populations.
Stats for the region
The intense pressures are having consequences for the wildlife in our region.
Our species analysis shows that in the West of England region:
Species in the West of England
The intense pressures are having consequences for the wildlife in our region. Our species analysis shows that in the West of England region:
Species
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European eel
European eels are oneof the most endangered UK species Whosenumbers have declined 21% per decade since 2000. They face threats fromoverfishing, poor water quality, dam building, climate change, and habitatloss.
Swift
Swifts have declined sharply both locally and nationally, falling locally by 32% per decade since 2000. Steep declines in insect numbers and loss of traditional nesting nests, plus added stress from climate change, have caused populations to collapse.
Hedgehog
Nationally, hedgehogs declined significantly between the 1980s and 2000s, although connected gardens with compost heaps and supplementary food is helping some urban populations stabilise. Roads are major risk with between 167,000 and 335,000 hedgehogs killed on UK roads each year.
Bats
Positively, our greater horseshoe bats have increased 76% per decade since 2000, while lesser horseshoe bat populations have remained stable. However, the noctule bat is still declining, owing to declines in insect prey numbers, loss of feeding habitats, and the loss of roost sites in mature trees.
Chalkhill blue butterfly
Regionally, 30% of our grassland butterfly species are declining, with some of the strongest declines seen in the chalkhill blue. The major factors are agricultural intensification involving heavy use of fertilisers and herbicides, and converting grasslands to arable fields, plus added stress from climate change.
Dunlin
The Severn Estuary supports internationally important populations of migratory species, including the dunlin, which flock to the Estuary and its surrounding wetlands in Autumn. Since 2021, Dunlins are listed on the UK Red List owing to worsening declines in non-breeding wintering populations. Locally, dunlin populations have fallen 32% per decade since 2000.
The value of nature
Nature cleans our water and air, produces food and raw materials, and moderates the impacts of extreme weather. It sustains healthy lives, offering beautiful, tranquil places of calm, connection and exploration. The Government’s 2026 assessment of biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse outlines how continuing ecosystem degradation is a real threat to our national security and prosperity. Many of our local businesses – from the region’s famous natural history sector, to agriculture and tourism – depend on a thriving natural environment.
If we act now it is not too late
Reconnecting and restoring habitats
Wildlife can be supported through a variety of tried and trusted methods, which have many added benefits for our communities and businesses.
Woodland creation and management
European eels are oneof the most endangered UK species Whosenumbers have declined 21% per decade since 2000. They face threats fromoverfishing, poor water quality, dam building, climate change, and habitatloss.
Sensitive grazing
Swifts have declined sharply both locally and nationally, falling locally by 32% per decade since 2000. Steep declines in insect numbers and loss of traditional nesting nests, plus added stress from climate change, have caused populations to collapse.
Re-wiggling rivers
Nationally, hedgehogs declined significantly between the 1980s and 2000s, although connected gardens with compost heaps and supplementary food is helping some urban populations stabilise. Roads are major risk with between 167,000 and 335,000 hedgehogs killed on UK roads each year.
Native hedgerows
Positively, our greater horseshoe bats have increased 76% per decade since 2000, while lesser horseshoe bat populations have remained stable. However, the noctule bat is still declining, owing to declines in insect prey numbers, loss of feeding habitats, and the loss of roost sites in mature trees.
Wildlife gardens
Regionally, 30% of our grassland butterfly species are declining, with some of the strongest declines seen in the chalkhill blue. The major factors are agricultural intensification involving heavy use of fertilisers and herbicides, and converting grasslands to arable fields, plus added stress from climate change.
Wildlife measures on farmland
The Severn Estuary supports internationally important populations of migratory species, including the dunlin, which flock to the Estuary and its surrounding wetlands in Autumn. Since 2021, Dunlins are listed on the UK Red List owing to worsening declines in non-breeding wintering populations. Locally, dunlin populations have fallen 32% per decade since 2000.
Taking action
Inspiring stories are emerging from all corners of the region – examples of communities, farmers, business and volunteers reconnecting natural corridors and restoring the habitats around them.
Western Forest
The Western Forest is the UK’s first new national forest in 30 years, spanning Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and the West of England. Its vision is a thriving landscape of woodlands, farmland, and communities connected by trees. By 2050, the project will plant 20 million trees, landscape-scale change and major green investment.
Chew, Cam and WellowFarm Clusters
The Bristol AvonRivers Trust is bringing farmers and landowners together to share knowledge,receive expert tailored support, and restore nature across the Cam and Wellowand Chew catchments. as This is part of their Farm Clusters project to fostersustainable agriculture and has been funded by the West of England CombinedAuthority.
Healthier with Nature
Healthier with nature was part of a national programme funded by the UK Government and NHS, delivered across seven test and learn sites in England. The programme supported people to improve their health and wellbeing by connecting them to nature-based activities through social prescribing.
Mobilising Nature
Five locations alongthe region’s motorways have been identified as high-impact wildlife crossings,to help connect critical wildlife corridors. South Gloucestershire Council andBristol Zoo have been recording animals using wildlife corridors to betterunderstand our regional nature connectivity.
Linking the Levels
Linking the Levels is a programme spanning 17,000 hectaresbetween the Severn Estuary and the M5. It aims to restore the estuary’s wetlands and increaseclimate resilience, working closely with local communities. Wildlife surveysare already underway, alongside plans for projects to tackle invasive speciesand restore habitat for rare wildlife, including the critically endangeredEuropean eel.
Bristol NatureTogether
Eastside Community Trust, Bristol Older People’s Forum, and Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust have each secured £100,000 to deliver community-led nature projects by 2027. This funding will support urban wildlife and improve access to local green spaces. A new scheme for community planting across Bristol City Council land is also planned.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy
The West of Englandwas the first region in England to publish its Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). This strategy sets out the localpriorities for nature, and maps ‘focus areas’ where action for nature wouldhave the biggest impact. This strategy forms the foundation for nature recoveryin the West of England and over time, it will combine with similar strategiesacross England to create a national nature recovery network.[SG1] [SG1]Haveupdated to be consistent with the updates I made for SoN report
Our most important sites for nature have beendesignated or protected by law, such as Ramsarsites, National Nature Reserves, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. This includes the region’s network ofmore than 850 Local Wildlife Sites, also known as Sites of Nature ConservationInterest, which cover around 13% of the West of England’s land area. Thesesites form a mosaic of vital sanctuaries for wildlife, which act as steppingstones for wildlife across the landscape, whilst playing important roles inmanaging air quality, water quality and climate resilience.
The Vision
We want the West of England to be a place of re-connected landscapes where people and nature can thrive side by side, through a joined-up network of natural habitats and wildlife corridors, and greener, more resilient neighbourhoods, wherever we live.
Get Involved
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