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birding...
England Somerset
The county of Somerset covers an area of about 3,500 square kilometres in the south west of England. While it can claim no major migration hotspots, it has a range of habitats that have attracted over three hundred species of birds, of which about a hundred species breed. Habitats range from the mudflats of Steart Point and flat marshes of the Somerset Levels to the high moor lands of Exmoor with steep-sided, oak-clad valleys. The north coast provides some sea watching points and several reservoirs provide refuges for storm-driven seabirds and winter ducks. Somerset suffers from having ideal birding spots in other counties such as Portland and the Exe estuary within a short drive and is probably under watched by all but a dedicated few of its resident birders. It has a lot to offer and not much could beat a May walk along the Horner valley on Exmoor, serenaded by Redstart and Pied Flycatcher or a winter trip to Steart Point for the high-tide wader roost, with clouds of waders being harried by Peregrine and Merlin and the evocative call of Wigeon drifting across the salt marsh. NB 25-08-2002 |
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top sites |
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Berrow Beach
(ST290524)This site is mentioned because of the dune slack pool just behind the tide line which has Bearded Tit and Water Rail and attracts passing Jack Snipe in the winter. At the back end of the slack there is a stand of Sea Buckthorn that often attracts winter thrushes and has a fair population of wintering Blackcaps in some years. The beach is good for waders and has been host to rare migrants such as Short-toed Lark.Brean Down
(ST296587)Brean Down is caused by the westward extension of the hard Mendip limestone into the Bristol Channel. It is a steep climb from the car park to the footpath on top of the down and it is not recommended for those of a weak disposition. The path then goes along the top of the hill and gradually falls until you reach the old fort at the end. The promontory is a good place to see spring and autumn migrants though it is hard work to do it thoroughly and regularly. Rock Pipit can be seen foraging among the cliff-top plants and Peregrines are often seen overhead. Sea duck can sometimes be seen off the point along with passing terns and skuas in the right wind conditions. From the inland end of the down you can look into the estuary though the views are distant.Catcott Lows Reserve
(ST401417)This reserve is superb for seeing wintering ducks and passage waders when the water levels are maintained properly. Unfortunately, the schedule followed by the trust for flooding and draining the area does not always coincide with birders’ interests. The hide offers views across a flooded area of fields which can hold large flocks of Wigeon, Lapwing and Mallard with good numbers of Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail and a few diving duck in the main channel. In spring, Garganey are regular and Whimbrel numbers can be very good when water conditions are favourable at their migration time. Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Hobby and Peregrine regularly hunt over the area. A second hide is visible across the field, and following the drove out to this hide in winter is a good way to find flocks of Redpoll and Siskin. Grasshopper Warblers can be found in this area in summer.Chard Reservoir
(ST336094)Chard Reservoir was once the balancing lake for the Chard to Taunton Canal. The canal is long gone but the reservoir is still attracting birds including the annual Osprey, Great-crested Grebe, Little Egret and various duck species. It is also one of the few places to glimpse Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the county and was a site for Willow Tit, another fast disappearing Somerset species. The South Somerset District Council has erected a hide and there are footpaths through the surrounding woods where a variety of common woodland species can be seen.Cheddar Reservoir
(ST 438544)Lying at the foot of the Mendip hills this is an almost circular concrete bowl. There is virtually no marginal vegetation but when the water level is low a muddy shoreline and gravely islands become exposed. This is a very good winter waterfowl site. Sailing and windsurfing occur at weekends and on Wednesdays so these times are not the best for birding. No permit is required. So, Cheddar Reservoir is mainly a winter birding spot but if the water levels are low can provide a good passage wader stopover and is often used by migrating terns for a short stay in spring or autumn. In winter it is a major spot for ducks and has other species such as Great Northern Diver almost annually. Because of its position and depth it is often one of the last stretches of water to freeze over and in hard weather can be spectacular. I have watched large flocks of ducks including Goosander, Smew, Ruddy Duck, and Scaup crowded into a shrinking patch of open water and oblivious to the watchers standing close by on the reservoir banks. It is a good place to visit after violent storms in the autumn and winter when wind blown species such as Grey Phalarope or Long-tailed Duck may be seen. It has large a large population of wintering Great Crested Grebe and other grebe species often turn up.Ham Wall Reserve
(ST449397)This RSPB reserve is being managed to encourage Bittern to return to the area as a breeding species. Walk east from Ashcott Corner along the track of the old railway and view the areas of reed bed and open water to the north. As the reserve is still being created, public access is limited at present. The fields and peat diggings to the south are worth checking out for Red-legged Partridge and have held wintering Richards Pipit. If enough time is available, walking in the opposite direction from Ashcott Corner will bring you to Shapwick via an interesting walk along the old railway track that offers views across many pools to the south. Cross a bridge across the drain to the north of the track at about half distance and you will reach a hide through the wood that looks out over pools. Near the bridge, a track along the woodland edge to the south brings you to a reed screen hide overlooking another stretch of water.Hurlstone Point
(SS898481)To say that Hurlstone Point is one of Somerset`s premier sea-watching spots is not saying much if you are comparing it to Pendeen and on some days even Tring! It is, however, the best place to add seabirds to your Somerset list and is a nice walk even if you see nothing. You must park in the car park at Bossington which is the closest approach by car, then walk to the sea, turning left then climbing uphill until you reach an old building along the cliff path. Some people watch from here, the hardier souls climb down from here until they are nearer sea level. Like Brean, this is not for the faint-hearted. While the birds are not prolific, they are all possible. In spring, Wheatear and Black Redstart are often seen along the cliffs here.Porlock Marshes
(SS864479)Porlock Marshes are a good area to find passage waders. Recently, the local council has given up the fight against the sea here and the marshes are now part of a managed retreat scheme so may improve over time. Wader numbers are never huge but some of the less common species often turn up. This site gave me views of the most immaculate summer plumaged Wilson’s Phalarope anyone could hope to see. Spoonbill and Little Egret are also fairly regular here.Shapwick Reserve
(ST421405)This English Nature Reserve is similar in habitat range to Westhay. The ducks can be harder to see as they hide in the large areas of reed bed and are sometimes not viewable from the one drove way that crosses the area. There is a new hide on one of the stretches of water and this pool recently held a fair sized flock of Little Egrets. Hen Harriers are frequently seen in winter.Steart Point
(ST274458)Steart is probably the best place in Somerset to see large concentrations of waders. Success does depend on being there at the correct time which is just before high tide, preferably when the tide is at the highest point in its cycle of springs and neaps. From the Somerset Wildlife Trust car park, either walk to the beach and turn right or follow the road along until it becomes a footpath out to the hides. There are several hides out on the point including the amazing Tower Hide, which is part of the artistic Parrett Trail. The best for seeing the high tide wader roost are the two on the end of the point but the others can have their delights including roosting Short-eared Owl on islands in the lagoons or a Merlin perched on one of the posts on the salt marsh. Passage waders can be very good here and have included Wilson’s phalarope, Kentish Plover, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Long-billed Dowitcher. Skuas and terns can sometimes be seen from the hides as they fish in the estuary or migrate up the Bristol Channel and small parties of geese sometimes drop in to the salt marsh in winter.Sutton Bingham Reservoir
(ST549112)Sutton Bingham reservoir is a moderately large expanse of water, which is viewable from a number of vantage points around its shores. A good site for wintering wildfowl, with large numbers of several duck species being regular, and rare ducks have been noted among the more common species, a recent example being an American Wigeon. Spring passage usually turns up at least one passing Osprey annually, and low water levels in summer attract passage waders. The site also provides opportunities to see several warbler species, including occasional Cetti`s warbler. Facilities at the reservoir include a car park with toilets at the northern end, and a hide at the south of the reservoir.Swell Woods and West Sedgemoor
(ST361238)The RSPB reserve at West Sedgemoor is an important site for wintering wildfowl and waders and breeding species such as Snipe and Redshank. The major focus for the site is to provide secluded feeding and resting places for the bird species that winter or breed on the marshes here and consequently human intrusion onto the site is peripheral and views from the hide generally distant. Swell Woods is a breeding site for Grey Heron and a hide has been erected in the wood so that visitors can watch the breeding birds. The RSPB also provides food for small birds in the winter and the car park is a great place to see Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and Jay as they come to within feet of the parked cars to feed.Webber`s Post
(SS902439)Webber`s Post car park looks out over a fantastic vista of wooded valleys and high moor land tops. A visit in May, when the migrant woodland birds have arrived and the trees are alive with the songs of Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Tree Pipit, is a memorable experience. You can either park in the car park and walk down the footpath into the valley below or there is limited parking in the valley bottom just after the road crosses the stream. You can then follow the footpath along the stream where Dipper and Grey Wagtail are often seen. This is also a good spot for all three of the woodpecker species though you will need luck to see Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. The trees around the upper car park attract Redpoll, Siskin and Crossbill. Further up onto the moors, Ring Ouzel, Whinchat and even Red Grouse can be found, though this last species is very near to extinction in Somerset. In a few years, wandering Dartford Warblers can be seen on the tops but they don`t often survive the harsh winters so don`t become established. The valley below the car park also holds the majority of the British breeding bat species.Westhay Reserve
(ST457437)This reserve is part of a complex of interlinked wetlands including Catcott, Shapwick and Ham Wall that form one of the most important wetland areas in the southwest. Westhay has open water, reed beds and scrub and attracts a wide variety of wetland birds. It regularly has wintering Bittern and one winter hosted a pair of Penduline Tits that enthralled hundreds of birders as they decimated the reed stems in search of food. Wintering Goosander are regular and Smew are frequently seen. In December and January, the reserve is often the site of a monumental Starling roost numbering a few million birds. It is well worth a visit for this spectacle alone. The reserve owes its existence to the extensive peat diggings that cover the area. Once exhausted of peat, the holes are left to flood and regenerate to reed beds. As the peat extraction industry finishes with this area it will continue to grow in importance as a stronghold for wetland species.contributor |
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Tim Farr
TFarr@sherborne.com
Bill Urwin
bill@birdbox.freeserve.co.uk
county recorder |
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Brian Gibbs
23 Lyngford Road, Taunton, Somerset. TA2 7EE
01823 274887
brian.gibbs@virgin.net
numbers |
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County Bird - Goldeneye Bucephala islandica [...at a dinner marking a Somerset Ornithological Society anniversary, Peter Scott, who was the guest speaker, drew a Goldeneye on his napkin and everybody thought that it would be a brilliant symbol for Somerset!]
useful reading |
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A History of the Birds of Somerset
David K Ballance 372 pages, 40 colour plates, 2 maps. Isabelline Books 2006ISBN: 0955278708
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Where to Watch Birds in Somerset, Gloucestershire & Wiltshire
by Ken Hall & John Govett 3rd edition Helm ?Where to Watch? series. 2004 ?14.99pSee Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 0713666145
Buy this book from NHBS.com
useful information |
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Proact
Coordinator: none (why not apply?)
see http://www.proact-campaigns.net/coordinators
Members: None!
Join us now at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team
clubs |
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Cam Valley Wildlife Group
http://www.somersetmade.co.uk/cvwg/An independent wildlife conservation group covering Midsomer Norton, Radstock and surrounding villages. Its aims are: the conservation of local wildlife, promoting awareness and understanding of wildlife, encouraging enjoyment of wildlife...
RSPB - Weston-Super-Mare Local Group
http://www.rspb.org.uk/england/southwest/localgroups/bristol.aspThrough the winter months the Weston-Super-Mare group meets at monthly intervals (from September to April) at St Paul`s Church Hall, Walliscote Road, Weston-Super-Mare on the first Thursday of the month at 19.45, where people can meet fellow bird lovers and listen to a wide variety of illustrated talks on birds and wildlife in general. Group Contact/Newsletter Editor: Eric AllcockMeetings are held at: 28 Canberra Road, Weston-Super-Mare, Bristol, BS23 4PW Tel: 01934 418162
RSPB - Crewkerne and District
http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/crewkerne/The aim of it is to inform members and non-members of the activities of Crewkerne Group. It will be updated regularly with What`s On, Field Trip Reports, Fund Raising and other interesting items of News...
Somerset Environmental Records Centre
http://www.somerc.com/links.phpThe Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC) is the centre of reference for all information relating to wildlife and biodiversity in Somerset. It maintains an up-to-date record of sites, habitats and species found in the county and makes the data available for decision making, conservation, research, monitoring and education...
Somerset Ornithological Society
http://www.somersetbirds.net/Miss Sarah Beavis, The Old Surgery, 4 The Barton, Hatch Beauchamp, Somerset TA3 6SG. 01823 480948. Take a tour of our new website. The site is still being developed but we hope you find something of interest on it`s pages. We`d also like to read your constructive comments and ideas for future improvement, so please use the feedback form in the Guest Book.
Somerset Wildlife Trust
http://www.somersetwildlife.org/We have a simple aim – to safeguard the county`s wildlife and wild places for this and future generations. Help us achieve this aim by becoming a supporter...
Somerset Wildlife Trust
http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/index.php?section=localtrustsites&trust_id=000032Address: Fyne Court, Broomfield, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2EQ. Tel 01823 451587 Fax 01823 451671 Email enquiries@somersetwildlife.org Website www.somersetwildlife.org
reserves |
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Chard Nature Reserve
http://www.batesplace.co.uk/Some images of the reserve and the activities it can offer... by Lewis Bates
Chard Reservoir
http://chardreservoir.forumarena.com/Chard Reservoir Chaffcombe Lane, Chard, Somerset. Approx 40 acre disused Reservoir tree lined banks, nice place to be. Car Park. FISH Lots of skimmers! And hybrids, good Carp and Eels... Mostly about fishing but some decent bird photographs...
Chard Reservoir
http://www.chardres.totalserve.co.uk/Chard is a small town in Somerset, England, UK. These pages are an introduction to the reservoir at Chard and some of the wildlife that may be found there. The reservoir is only about a mile from the centre of Chard town and so is regularly visited by local people. The surrounding meadows are much used for dog walking. That said, the site is actually well hidden from all but the closest houses and many shoppers in Chard may be completely unaware of the existence of this substantial (20 hectares) stretch of water.
North Somerset Levels & Moors
http://www.countryside.gov.uk/Images/JCA142+143%20-%20Somerset%20Levels%20and%20Moors%20+%20Mid%20Somerset%20Hills_tcm2-21220.pdfThe North Somerset Levels and Moors is an extensive area of low-lying wetland adjacent to the Severn Estuary between the Mendip Hills in the south and Bristol to the north. It is an area rich in irreplaceable natural and historic heritage...
RSPB Reserve - Ham Wall
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/h/hamwall/index.aspLots of wildlife has already been attracted to the land we have restored since 1994. Marsh harriers, garganeys and reed buntings breed here and water voles, otters and dragonflies can be seen on the open water...
RSPB Reserve - West Sedgemoor
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/w/westsedgemoor/index.aspThis reserve forms part of the Somerset Levels and Moors, one of England`s largest remaining wet meadow systems. Large numbers of wading birds breed here and the winter floods attract Bewick`s swans, and thousands of teals, wigeons and lapwings...
Sutton Bingham Reservoir
http://www.geocities.com/suttonbingham/Sutton Bingham Reservoir is a relatively small area of water situated about 5 miles to the south-west of Yeovil in Somerset, England. Created in the 1950`s the reservoir provides water for the surrounding area, as well as good habitat for a number of birds and other wildlife, and recreational pursuits, including sailing and fishing. Whilst the northern end of the reservoir is set aside for these past-times, the southern half of the reservoir is a designated wildlife reserve, complete with hide...
trip reports |
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Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can’t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page… give them a try!
tour operators |
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Birding Pal
http://www.birdingpal.org/Unitedkingdom.htmLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
Somerset Birder
http://www.somersetbirder.fsnet.co.uk/I am a full time professional wildlife consultant and experienced birder, and am also keen to act as a bird guide for visiting or inexperienced birders. Visitors may wish to see particular British species, or just spend some time at a popular site or habitat...
places to stay |
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Gurney Manor Mill
http://www.gurneymill.freeserve.co.uk/Gurney Manor Mill Bed & Breakfast is an Old Watermill and Barn conversion alongside a stream with rural views and wildlife. We are close to several bird reserves along the Somerset coastline.
Orchard House
http://www.oldorchardhouse.co.uk/A home-from-home, which we invite you to share. Where we aim to source as much as possible locally. Food is bought from local growers and suppliers wherever possible - some comes from the garden.
Packhorse
http://www.thepackhorse.netThe Pack Horse is situated in Allerford, a picturesque National Trust village within The Exmoor National Park and takes it name from the ancient Packhorse Bridge it sits beside.
other links |
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Birding in Porlock
http://homepages.tesco.net/~N.Faulkner/birding/porlock.htmIt must be admitted, Porlock is hardly a 5 Star Birding Hotspot brimming with rarities, so twitchers can give it a miss. It`s not exactly well placed for migrants, and all my attempts at seawatching have drawn a total blank...
Birds and Moths of Burnham-on-Sea
http://mysite.freeserve.com/burnhambirdsBurnham-on-Sea in Somerset lies in Bridgwater Bay on the eastern coast of the Bristol Channel. To the north is the village of Berrow and Brean Down. The Brue Estuary and Steart Island are to the south. The Birds and Moths of Burnham-on-Sea Web site aims to introduce visitors to the diverse habitats found within this stretch of coastline and to highlight some of the species of birds and moths that have been recorded here...
BLOG – Joe Cockram - Joe's Birding Blog
http://joesbirding.blogspot.com/Somerset Blogger’s tales of twitching, photo-jaunts in Somerset, and overseas…
Chew Valley Lake Birding
http://www.cvlbirding.co.uk/Chew Valley Lake, ten miles south of Bristol, is the largest reservoir in south-west England. This website contains regularly updated news and information on its birds and wildlife.
Clevedon & Portishead Birds
http://www.clevedon-portisheadbirds.com/A website dedicated to birdwatching in Clevedon & Portishead, North Somerset concentrating on the area of coastline from the Congresbury Yeo through Clevedon and up to Portishead and other areas in between such as the Gordano Valley and Portbury Wharf. The site will be regularly updated with the latest birds sightings and other pieces of natural history information...
Hankridge Farm
http://www.11redlac.freeserve.co.uk/Hankridge Farm is Tauntons answer to Weymouth! With v detailed descriptions of birds & as it is updated every day you are sure to catch that rarity!
Monitoring of Breeding and Wintering Birds in the Somerset Levels
http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/pdfs/esaspdfs/stage1/SOMBIRD.pdfA pdf file of a report
River Parrett Trail
http://www.riverparrett-trail.org.ukThis is comfortable walking through the gentle hills of the Dorset and Somerset borders and across the wetlands of the Somerset Levels and Moors. It is also a fascinating journey through orchards, woods, withy beds and the watery haunts of birds.
Rode Bird Gardens
http://www.pigpen.org.uk/rode.htmNot my sort of thing but maybe you can bone-up on the exotics ...hundreds of exotic birds, many at liberty in 17 acres of beautiful surroundings, including woodland, lakes and flower gardens. The collection at Rode Bird Gardens numbers approximately 1200 birds in over 200 different species. Many of these species are rare or endangered and form part of captive breeding programmes...
Somerset Birder
http://www.somersetbirder.co.ukThis web site is devoted to birding and natural history. The site has a bias towards Somerset birding in the UK, but hopefully this is not all that will appear here.
Somerset Cameras
http://www.somersetcameras.co.uk:80/brand/hawke/19/1/We traditionally have a lot of business through our shop from local birdwatchers and we are an official stockist of Hawke binoculars, spotting scopes and range finders...
Somerset`s Birds of Prey
http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/gallery/birdsofprey.htmlAll images on this page are record shots of wild birds, as the quality reflects...
Taunton Wildlife
http://tauntonwildlife.com/I have always been enthusiastic about nature, birdwatching and environmental issues but, since I have recently taken up wildlife photography, I thought it was about time I published a website...
West Country S.W.I.F.T. (Society for the Withholding of Information From Twitchers)
http://web.onetel.net.uk/~wcswift/SWIFT consists of a small band of active birders in the West Country. It is not anti birders who enjoy rare birds, nor is it pro suppression per se. It is against the increasingly disruptive aspects of twitching, where common sense, civility and the aesthetic enjoyment of observing a natural creature has been largely replaced by boorish, sometimes even aggressive behaviour and an often total disregard for the welfare of the bird involved, habitat, fellow enthusiasts, the general public and property...
artists |
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Bird Photographs - Tim Taylor - Wild Imaging
http://www.wildimaging.co.ukUK bird and other photography by Tim Taylor…
Photographer - Brian Phipps
http://www.brianphipps.net/Welcome to my website. My name is Brian Phipps and I specialise in Wildlife Photography, although I have been known to take an interest in motor sport photography too...
Photographer - Chris Trott
http://members.lycos.co.uk/christrott/I have been digi-scoping for about 6 or so months and the pictures included represent some of my best efforts up to now...
Photographer - Paul Bowyer
http://www.birdlist.co.uk/Mostly British birds and rarities plus trip reports...
Photographer - Paul Burrows
http://www.btinternet.com/~c.p.burrows/intro.htmI set up this website to show some of my better wildlife photos. Mostly these are shots of birds but insects, mammals and plants also get a look in. For me a well composed image of a common species is probably more pleasing than a record shot of a rarity and you will find something of both here. There are over 400 images including over 200 species of birds on the site...
Photographer - Simon Mackie
http://www.sjmackie.com/frontpage.htmlThis web-site`s primary roll is to showcase examples of Simon`s work...
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