Haddon Moor
This is a small reserve of 5 hectares (12 acres), which is a County Wildlife Site owned by Butterfly Conservation. It is a wet site of culm grassland with some scrub, but is predominately covered in purple moor grass (Molinia). It is about 250m above sea level and facing in a northerly aspect. There is no real path around the reserve only the tracks the animals leave; so you need to pick your way carefully. It can be very wet at times with water lying in the ditches. It is grazed through the summer by two Exmoor ponies, which helps keep control of the Molinia.
One of the best times to visit is June, July and August when the Heath Spotted Orchids, Bog Asphodel, Pale Butterwort and Devilsbit Scabious are in flower.
How to get there
Haddon Moor is opposite the church in the village of Upton (SS995290).
Visitors can use the church car park (limited parking); please park with care as visitors to the church will need to use it. Enter the reserve opposite the far end of the church over the stile.
From the centre of Wiveliscombe take the road to Langley Marsh/ Huish Champflower. When you get to Huish Champflower (approx 3 miles) take the 1st left to Upton/Brendon Hill and follow until you get to the crossroads (Sperry Cross), turn left onto the B3190, which will take you to Upton.
If you are coming from Taunton take the A358 towards Minehead. Just after the Bishop’s Lydeard by-pass and by Cedar Falls turn left onto the B3224 towards Lydeard St Lawrence and follow until you get to the crossroads at Elworthy: go straight across and up the hill to Raleigh’s Cross (B3224). Keep going along this road, which will turn into the B3190 at Brendon Hill Chapel, do not turn off this road, which will take you to Upton.
Butterflies recorded on the site include the following
Orange Tip (May-Jun) Green-veined White (May-Aug) Common Blue (Jun-Sept)
Speckled Wood (Jun-Oct) Small Pearl- bordered Fritillary (Jun-Jul) Meadow Brown (Jun-Sept) Large White (Jun-Sept) Small White (Jun-Sept) Large Skipper (Jun-Jul)
Small Skipper (Jun-Aug) Green Hairstreak (Jun-Jul) Small Copper (Jun-Sept)
Silver-washed Fritillary (Jul-Aug) Gatekeeper (Jul-Sept) Ringlet (Jun-Aug)
Clouded Yellow (Jun-Oct) Painted Lady (Jun-Oct) Marbled White (Jun-Aug)
Red Admiral (all year) Peacock (all year) Comma (all year) Small Tortoiseshell (April-Oct.)
Moths: Lead Belle (May-Jun) Mother Shipton (May-Jun)
