
Chapter one
Dialect
The old Somerset dialect word ‘Arsyvarsy' (pronounced aa'rsee-vaa'rsee) means simply, upside down!

Chapter two
The Gurt Steart
The Steart peninsula, pronounced ‘ste-urt' to rhyme with fiat, is a unique spit of land which has been inhabited off and on for the best part of 2000 years. It has witnessed Roman, Saxon and Dane invaders using the Parrett to take flat bottomed boats deep inland. There have been ancient battles on the waters right here and sailors sadly caught in terrible flood tides.
The marshes, which we will walk beside today are part of the most recent landscape interventions. These new breeding habitats were created by an EU directive to displace those lost through national industrial developments.
Today, you may spot a wide variety of wildlife here, from herons, cormorants, skylarks and curlew, to rare ducks, dragonflies, moths and rushes. Some of the birds are resident all year, many pass through to feeding or breeding grounds on other landmasses. It is important to see these marshes as part of a wider ecosystem designed and managed to support a broad diversity of birds and insect life in these ever changing times.
The marshes, which we will walk beside today are part of the most recent landscape interventions. These new breeding habitats were created by an EU directive to displace those lost through national industrial developments.
Today, you may spot a wide variety of wildlife here, from herons, cormorants, skylarks and curlew, to rare ducks, dragonflies, moths and rushes. Some of the birds are resident all year, many pass through to feeding or breeding grounds on other landmasses. It is important to see these marshes as part of a wider ecosystem designed and managed to support a broad diversity of birds and insect life in these ever changing times.
Directions - Walk out of the WWT Steart Marshes car park, cross the road and then take a slight left to the circular welcome area. But as you walk perhaps discuss what the old Somerset dialect word ‘backsunded’ (pronounced baak-zundud) might refer to. Note - refresh this page whenever the distance counter gets a little sleepy or use the 'help' button on the bar below.