Mount Fancy Reserve
Blackdown Hills
Mount Fancy Reserve
Our Mount Fancy Reserve is in the Blackdown Hills south of Taunton at OS reference ST251163. It is divided into 2 areas which we know as; Mount Fancy and Shutes.
About
Our Mount Fancy Reserve is 13 hectare of species rich meadows, wet grassland, scrub and semi-ancient woodland plus ancient oaks all located on the lower slopes of the Blackdown Hills, facing north but open to the sun.
The site has many small springs, creating rivulets and patches of wet rushy ground that are colonised by willow thickets.
The reserve is grazed by Exmoor ponies.
The 'bowl', a part of Shutes is the jewel in the reserve with its succession of primrose and cowslips, followed by the orchids and culminating in devils bit scabious.
Butterflies & Moths
Orange-tips will be seen in spring followed by lots of the grass butterflies later in the summer. Silver-washed Fritillaries can be seen in July and August.
The Common Blue and the day flying Chimney Sweeper moths can be seen in the 'bowl' (Shutes).
The Brown Hairstreak eggs have been found annually, but in declining numbers.
After an absence of six years, the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary was seen in the 'bowl' in Shutes reserve in 2021 - so never give up looking and please record any sightings.
Reserve History
Mount Fancy Reserve forms part of the far wider SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) known as ‘Ruttersleigh’. It was set up because of this rich mosaic of habitats that are now so very rare in England.
Butterfly Conservation took on a lease to manage and improve these habitats about twenty years ago.
Unfortunately, the Wood White and Marsh Fritillary that were found in the reserve have not been reported for a number of years.
Management
To keep the reserve in the condition most suitable to butterflies, a strenuous programme of scrub clearance has been undertaken.
This has been carried out over several years in order to increase the potential for grassland and wetland species.
This work is carried out by contractors, supported by volunteers in the difficult access areas.
Volunteers
The Neroche Conservation Volunteers cover alot of the work at the reserve.
In 2023 a regular volunteer work party was set up on the second Tuesday of the month to assist in the many practical tasks.
Visit the Fancy Volunteers page to find out how you can join in.
If you would like to get involved and help with the many tasks, please contact the branch by email.
Conservation
Without careful sensitve management the drier ground reverts to bracken and bramble cover before also turning to scrub.
When taking on the lease, Butterfly Conservation hoped to investigate and demonstrate how to manage the site to benefit the key butterfly and moth species of the area along with other priority nature conservation features.
The grazing by the Exmoor ponies play a key part in the management, but there is still a large amount of manual work carried out by contractors and volunteers.
Mount Fancy Reserve
A map showing the two areas of Mount Fancy Butterfly Reserve and the Staple Hill car park.
The two areas are referred to as Shutes and Mount Fancy.
Gallery
Directions
There is no car parking next to the reserves access point.
Take the B3170 from Taunton and turn left at the cross roads junction towards Chard (and Castle Neroche). and the Staple Hill car park is signposted on your left after about 2 km at OS reference ST 246159. (Three Words: pretty.accordion.washing)
Walk down the track for 600m until you reach a junction.
Turn left and then enter the gate on your left to access the Mount Fancy part of the reserve.
Honorary Reserve Warden: Ian Walker
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