Somerset Birding Forum

Levels 24/09/2026

2026-09-25T11:22:36Z

Two Kingfishers providing much entertainment at Westhay Heath - North Hide.

35 Cattle Egrets in field at Blakeway Farm.

Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers, 8 Snipe, a Glossy Ibis, a Hobby and the Purple Heron in flight at around 1745 from Avalon Hide - Ham Wall. Interstingly the heron caused a panic amongst the wildfowl when it landed; pehaps they mistook this dark-plumaged bird for a raptor? Better get their ID skills better honed for when the eagles arrive!

Some pics of yesterdays proceedings on my flickr pages.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9095732@N05/

Wood Sandpiper Ashford Reservoir

2026-09-18T16:48:34Z

A Wood Sandpiper was still present this morning at the dam end along with 4 Green Sandpipers. Also a Common Sandpiper elsewhere. Originally found on Wednesday by Brian Gibbs.

A telescope is essential to see this bird. There is strictly no access to the banks.

My latest birding video from 30-Aug & Early Sep-2016

2026-09-16T11:20:31Z

My latest video: Birding Ham Wall, Cheddar Res and CVL, where distant Lesser Yellowlegs, can be seen on this YouTube link below.
https://youtu.be/PQPjo6LQDPc
If necessary click on small gear wheel in bottom RH corner, click on Quality and set to 1080p

Swifts

2026-09-12T23:13:49Z

I counted 14 today amongst lots of Swallows and House Martins over Stockmoor.

Lesser yellowlegs

2026-09-12T11:54:44Z

Paul Marshall found it at steart about 8am, presumably same now at herriotts’, chew
(Gary thoburn) since 11.15

Whinchats

2026-08-31T20:10:24Z

5 Whinchats at Heal around midday today.

Ham Wall meeting

2026-08-30T19:10:58Z

A date for your diary: we have a meeting at RSPB Ham Wall on Saturday 19th September, full details on our Events page. Hopefully the recent good selection of waders and other birds will continue. A visit today produced brief views of the purple heron which has been at Avalon hide for 2-3 weeks, several sightings of osprey, the almost resident group of glossy ibis, several ruff and black-tailed godwit.

Ham Wall 27/08/26

2026-08-27T17:27:56Z

4 Curlew Sandpipers, 6 Ruff, 6 Green Sandpipers and 2 Glossy Ibis all from the Avalon hide and Osprey over the Tor hide.
Plus 2 Clouded Yellow made a excellent afternoon visit at Ham Wall

Ham Wall Field Meeting Saturday September 19th at 10.00

2026-08-26T10:16:26Z

A Field meeting has been arranged to Ham ~Wall RSPB on Saturday 19th September at 10am , Full details are on the events page. New members and new birders particularly welcome Leader Mat Ridley.

Avalon hide RSPB Hamwall

2026-08-22T19:15:23Z

An interesting afternoon at the Avalon hide today. Very low water level which has attracted a few waders and Egrets.
Spotted Redshank- 2
Ruff -2
Green Sandpiper- 2
Lapwing- 25
Black-tailed Godwit - 2
Cattle Egret- 1
Little Egret - 7
Great White Egret- 3
Glossy Ibis- 2
Water Rail- 1
With a passing Osprey at 15.10, it came in from the southwest flew over the lagoon, then flew back the way it came (more or less).