Somerset Birding Forum

Levels-Birder: My latest video of birding in Somerset in May & Early-June 2026

2026-06-15T15:12:40Z

My latest YouTube video, THE SOMERSET LEVELS - Birding May to Early-June 2026, can be seen by clicking on the link below.
If necessary, click on the small gear wheel icon in the lower RH cnr and set Quality to 1080p

https://youtu.be/XeGoC6ejBJc

Savi’s Warbler

2026-06-15T08:20:48Z

15-June-2026
Per BirdGuides: Singing male still, heard and briefly seen from The Lows Hide (car park hide) at Catcott Lows y’day (14th) at 21:01hrs. Previously heard y’day at 19:42hrs and also heard the evening of the 13th at 19:17hrs. I’ve not tried yet, but will give it a go this evening.

Exmoor Today

2026-06-13T21:33:10Z

A walk up Weir Water from Robber’s Bridge this morning in great company with some excellent birds
seen: 9 Willow Warbler, 6 Redstart, singles of Whinchat and Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Spotted Flycatcher
1 with young, a Pied Flycatcher, 4 Linnet, 2 Nuthatch, and 2 Grasshopper Warbler heard only.
Great walk along the river in lovely weather .

Yellowhammer

2026-06-12T14:57:42Z

My first of the year, a male, heard and then seen on Wood Lane, Butleigh. They used to be common here but in recent years I have seen very few.
Have seen many more Whitethroat and Painted Lady butterflies around the village this year than in previous years.

Marsh Harrier

2026-06-10T11:55:34Z

One for the Bird Report: Female Marsh Harrier late evening (20:15hrs) 09-June-2026 on Butleigh Moor. Flew in high above tree-tops from the east carring prey, then slowly lost height and disapeared behind low trees into an area of tall rush some 1/4 of a mile from our parked-up car. Did not reapear in next 30-mins - possibly nesting?
We were listening for Quail, but none heard 19:45 to 21:00hrs.
Have corrected the date to 09-June-2026, it did read 09-May-2026 - Silly old me!

Reed Warbler ?

2026-06-06T22:04:10Z

Pleasantly surprised to hear a Reed Warbler in our central Ilminster garden.

Yes, we have a small ‘natural’ pond, but the song was coming from the middle of a mixed, mainly Hazel, hedge.

Also, it was relatively quiet without the normal gusto.

Can only presume it was a Blackcap, though I was surprised it carried on in Reed Warbler mode for over 10 minutes.

Never caught site of the bird, but it brightened up a cold, grey, wet Saturday morning.

Spotted Flycatcher

2026-06-05T13:43:01Z

05-June-2026
Spotted Flycatcher watched singing from top bare branches of a tall tree this morning, halfway along Lady’s Drove which leads from the road to the main hide at Catcott Lows.

Mute Swan with her new cygnets riding on her back

2026-06-04T13:38:48Z

Something I’ve not seen before in 50+ yrs of birding: So VERY CUTE, a Mute Swan carrying her cygnets on her back. For a short video click on the YouTube link below.

https://youtu.be/IrttZ1OK_YA

Blue-winged Teal at Ham Wall

2026-05-29T14:20:21Z

29-May-2026
Drake Blue-winged Teal reported on BirdGuides (but elusive) from VP1 this morning at 09:10 and again at 11:20 hrs. It was first reported in flight on 25-May.
With this cooler weather I was going there this evening to hopefully look for a Barn Owl, so will keep an eye-out!!

Quail

2026-05-28T10:28:12Z

Between 2 and 5 singing males on a south Somerset site this morning. Impossible to be certain about numbers as they kept moving about. I suspect they are passing through as at least one was singing from a field of spring barely where the plants were barely 100mm high at best.