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    <title type="text">Somerset Birding Forum</title>
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    <updated>1970-01-01T00:00:00Z</updated>
    <rights>Copyright (c) 2026</rights>
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    <entry>
      <title>Steart</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/3865/" />      
      <id>tag:https:,2026:/somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/.3865</id>
      <published>2026-05-22T16:17:36Z</published>
      <updated>1970-01-01T00:00:00Z</updated>
      <author><name>Roger Ballantine</name></author>
      <content type="html">
      <![CDATA[
        <p>1 Wheatear and 1 Yellow Wagtail on mount at the second car park yesterday.</p>
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    </entry>

    <entry>
      <title>Nightjars on the Blackdowns</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/3864/" />      
      <id>tag:https:,2026:/somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/.3864</id>
      <published>2026-05-22T15:00:59Z</published>
      <updated>1970-01-01T00:00:00Z</updated>
      <author><name>Stephen Foster</name></author>
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      <![CDATA[
        <p>At least three nightjars were at Sampford Point on the Blackdowns yesterday evening on private land on the Somerset side of the border. Churring started at 9.22pm when it was still reasonably light, and the birds were quite active, resulting in a few good flight views.</p>
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    </entry>

    <entry>
      <title>Ham Wall</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/3863/" />      
      <id>tag:https:,2026:/somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/.3863</id>
      <published>2026-05-21T08:57:01Z</published>
      <updated>1970-01-01T00:00:00Z</updated>
      <author><name>Alan Ashman</name></author>
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      <![CDATA[
        <p>A  p.m. visit Wed.&nbsp; on a grey breezy day. <br />
1 Whimbrel, 7 Black Wits, A Great Crested Grebe carrying to youngsters()first I&#8217;ve seen this yea). No Garganey and no sign of a Woodsand that was reported on Tuesday. Good numbers of Swifts, plus Male and Female Marsh Harriers and a flyby Cuckoo ( there were two calling together at one stage) . All from VP1<br />
. Up to 5 Hobbies seen in the air together in the Street Heath direction but they stayed in that sheltered area out of the S.W. wind. maybe the Dragon flyis were doing the same thing.<br />
Very pleased to meet up with Brian Hill and Tom Raven neither of whom I had seen for some time!</p>
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    </entry>

    <entry>
      <title>Montagu&#8217;s Harrier</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/3862/" />      
      <id>tag:https:,2026:/somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/.3862</id>
      <published>2026-05-19T14:37:01Z</published>
      <updated>2026-05-19T14:38:08Z</updated>
      <author><name>Jeff Hazell (Levels-birder)</name></author>
      <content type="html">
      <![CDATA[
        <p>19-May-2026<br />
Late morning: Female Montagu&#8217;s Harrier on Tealham Moor (found y&#8217;day afternoon) and still present. Mostly hunting on both sides of Jack&#8217;s Drove &amp; just south of Jack&#8217;s Drove jct with Totney Drove (the main single-track road across the Moor).</p>
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    </entry>

    <entry>
      <title>Levels&#45;Birder: My latest video of birding in Somerset in April &amp;amp; Early&#45;May 2026</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/3859/" />      
      <id>tag:https:,2026:/somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/.3859</id>
      <published>2026-05-16T14:26:49Z</published>
      <updated>2026-05-16T14:37:48Z</updated>
      <author><name>Jeff Hazell (Levels-birder)</name></author>
      <content type="html">
      <![CDATA[
        <p>My latest video of birding in Somerset, April &amp; Early-May 2026, can be seen by clicking on this YouTube link below&#8230;</p>

<p><a href="https://youtu.be/u1_CxssUMkE">https://youtu.be/u1_CxssUMkE</a></p>

<p>If neccessary click on small gear wheel icon in bottom RH cnr and set Quality to 1080P HD</p>


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    </entry>

    <entry>
      <title>Quantocks &#45; 10/05/26</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/3858/" />      
      <id>tag:https:,2026:/somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/.3858</id>
      <published>2026-05-12T19:39:06Z</published>
      <updated>1970-01-01T00:00:00Z</updated>
      <author><name>Matt Hull</name></author>
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      <![CDATA[
        <p>Nice selection of birds on a 10-hour walk across the Quantock Hills on Sunday.</p>

<p>Hodder’s Combe:<br />
Stock Dove (1), Jay (1), Coal Tit (2), Willow Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (1), Blackcap (1), Goldcrest (5), Nuthatch (2), Treecreeper (2), Mistle Thrush (1), Pied Flycatcher (10), Redstart (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Chaffinch (1).</p>

<p>Slaughterhouse Combe:<br />
Cuckoo (1), Tawny Owl (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Coal Tit (6), Wood Warbler (4), Willow Warbler (3), Chiffchaff (2), Garden Warbler (1), Goldcrest (5), Nuthatch (1), Treecreeper (1), Song Thrush (4), Mistle Thrush (2) Spotted Flycatcher (2), Pied Flycatcher (7), Redstart (7), Stonechat (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Tree Pipit (1), Chaffinch (2).</p>

<p>Stert Combe:<br />
Coal Tit (1), Willow Warbler (4), Garden Warbler (1), Whitethroat (1), Pied Flycatcher (1), Redstart (1), Stonechat (5), Tree Pipit (1).</p>

<p>Somerton Combe:<br />
Cuckoo (1), Buzzard (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Jay (1), Coal Tit (5), Willow Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (1), Blackcap (1), Goldcrest (6), Treecreeper (2), Song Thrush (4), Pied Flycatcher (9), Redstart (3).</p>

<p>Hare Knapp:<br />
Willow Warbler (7), Whitethroat (1), Goldcrest (1), Mistle Thrush (1), Stonechat (4), Meadow Pipit (1), Yellowhammer (1).</p>

<p>Holford Combe:<br />
Wood Warbler (2), Chiffchaff (2), Blackcap (1), Goldcrest (5), Treecreeper (1), Song Thrush (7), Pied Flycatcher (7), Redstart (1), Grey Wagtail (4), Chaffinch (1), Siskin (2).</p>

<p>Lady’s Combe:<br />
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Coal Tit (2), Wood Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (1), Blackcap (1),&nbsp; Treecreeper (1), Song Thrush (1), Mistle Thrush (1), Pied Flycatcher (4), Tree Pipit (1), Chaffinch (1), Siskin (2). </p>

<p>Govett’s Wood:<br />
Coal Tit (4), Wood Warbler (1), Willow Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (1), Blackcap (1), Goldcrest (3), Song Thrush (1), Pied Flycatcher (1), Chaffinch (1), Siskin (3).</p>

<p>Cockercombe:<br />
Jay (1), Coal Tit (2), Wood Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (8), Blackcap (7), Goldcrest (6), Nuthatch (1), Treecreeper (1), Chaffinch (2), Siskin (6).</p>

<p>Great Wood:<br />
Coal Tit (5), Wood Warbler (2), Chiffchaff (1), Blackcap (2), Goldcrest (5), Spotted Flycatcher (1), Chaffinch (2), Siskin (3).</p>

<p>Rectory Wood:<br />
Coal Tit (4), Wood Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (2), Blackcap (1), Goldcrest (1), Siskin (2).</p>

<p>Duke’s Plantation:<br />
Coal Tit (1), Wood Warbler (4), Chiffchaff (1), Blackbird (1), Spotted Flycatcher (1), Robin (4), Pied Flycatcher (1), Chaffinch (2), Siskin (2).</p>

<p>Overall, Wood Warblers seem to be having a better year in the oak-wooded Combes on the north side of the Quantocks but relatively low numbers in the Quantock Forest. <br />
Speaking to a friend of mine from Poland, he suggested that beech masting years and subsequent booms of rodent populations can facilitate Wood Warblers moving from oak woodland and into more conifer-dominated areas. This may be what is happening on the Quantocks at the moment but I would like to see more research on the matter.</p>

<p>Spotted Flycatchers present in lower numbers than this time last year but may just be late arriving (only had one at Sand Point so far this year).</p>
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    </entry>

    <entry>
      <title>Yellow Wagtails/Tealham</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/3857/" />      
      <id>tag:https:,2026:/somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/.3857</id>
      <published>2026-05-09T15:39:43Z</published>
      <updated>1970-01-01T00:00:00Z</updated>
      <author><name>Paul Smith</name></author>
      <content type="html">
      <![CDATA[
        <p>3 at Steart yesterday, obvious pair joined by a second male<br />
5 definitely, possibly 7 on and over muddy Wagtail field at western end of Tealham 12.30 today. Included 2 pairs together including the Blue headed/Channel type male with a singleton flying about behind. Just before seeing this group two had flown across the road into the cow field but not sure if they had circled back without me seeing. Also 1 Lapwing, male Marsh Harrier over and 21 mute swans there. two singing Willow Warblers further east plus a good number of Sedge Warblers.</p>
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    </entry>

    <entry>
      <title>Exmoor 5th May</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/3856/" />      
      <id>tag:https:,2026:/somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/.3856</id>
      <published>2026-05-07T09:57:50Z</published>
      <updated>2026-05-07T10:43:29Z</updated>
      <author><name>Geoff Dicker</name></author>
      <content type="html">
      <![CDATA[
        <p>Some fairly &#8220;slim pickings&#8221; from what is an annual visit with some notable absences (&#8220;Groppers&#8221;, Wood Warbler etc).</p>

<p>Dunkery Beacon and Chetsford Water: 3 Whinchat - pair near Aller Combe and one at Chetsford, 3 Cuckoo heard around Dunkery and one at Chetsford.&nbsp; Commoner species included: Stonechat, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, good nos of Willow Warblers and a couple of Ravens overhead.</p>

<p>Horner/Wilmersham Woods from Pool Bridge: just 2 male and 1 female Pied Flycatcher, a Grey Heron, 1 Dipper, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Siskin. I noticed also Blue Tits usng nest boxes.</p>
      ]]>
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    </entry>

    <entry>
      <title>Nightjar</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/3855/" />      
      <id>tag:https:,2026:/somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/.3855</id>
      <published>2026-05-06T21:20:55Z</published>
      <updated>1970-01-01T00:00:00Z</updated>
      <author><name>Adrian Ludlam</name></author>
      <content type="html">
      <![CDATA[
        <p>Staple Plantation, Quantocks 5.5.26 20:30hrs heard my first churring Nightjar of the year. Two brief churrs (?) only but very happy to hear they’re returning.</p>
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    </entry>

    <entry>
      <title>Cetti&#8217;s warbler, Wells</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/3854/" />      
      <id>tag:https:,2026:/somersetbirding.org.uk/forum/viewthread/.3854</id>
      <published>2026-05-04T20:37:21Z</published>
      <updated>1970-01-01T00:00:00Z</updated>
      <author><name>G West</name></author>
      <content type="html">
      <![CDATA[
        <p>Cetti&#8217;s warbler heard singing loudly from in the trees along Gate Lane in Wells, roughly opposite the junction with Alfred Court. Friday, May 1st.</p>
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    </entry>


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