Somerset Birding Forum

Blue-winged Teal at Ham Wall

2026-05-29T14:20:21+00:00

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

2026-05-28T10:28:12+00:00

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.

Great Reed Warbler Shapwick NNR

2026-05-27T09:41:16+00:00

27-May-2026
Singing male (and photograph) still along the footpath to Noah’s Hide this morning, per BirdGuides - present here since 23-May.
Not looked for it myself as my prostate cancer hormone drug results in hot flushes, so not birding, but keeping as cool as possible in this very hot weather!

Great Reed Warbler - Catcott

2026-05-26T08:23:39+00:00

On Catcott yesterday, heard an unfamiliar bird singing near to reed warblers. Merlin identified it as a Great Reed Warbler. Listening to recordings at home I’m convinced Merlin was correct.

Been an astonishing spring for firsts at Catcott. My first Wood Lark, seen and heard. Marsh warbler and Tree Sparrow heard.

Huge number of Whitethroat this year. I hear two or three every day. It’s not be like that before and I’ve been walking there for over 20 years.

Steart

2026-05-22T16:17:36+00:00

1 Wheatear and 1 Yellow Wagtail on mount at the second car park yesterday.

Nightjars on the Blackdowns

2026-05-22T15:00:59+00:00

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.

Ham Wall

2026-05-21T08:57:01+00:00

A p.m. visit Wed. on a grey breezy day.
1 Whimbrel, 7 Black Wits, A Great Crested Grebe carrying to youngsters()first I’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
. 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.
Very pleased to meet up with Brian Hill and Tom Raven neither of whom I had seen for some time!

Montagu’s Harrier

2026-05-19T14:37:01+00:00

19-May-2026
Late morning: Female Montagu’s Harrier on Tealham Moor (found y’day afternoon) and still present. Mostly hunting on both sides of Jack’s Drove & just south of Jack’s Drove jct with Totney Drove (the main single-track road across the Moor).

SOS Hodders Combe walk

2026-05-16T16:53:37+00:00

A reminder of the next field meeting on Saturdays, May 23rd , at Hodders Combe . Meet at the Holford Combe Car Park at 8:30am ST 153410.

Waterproof footwear is advised as there are usually several small fords to cross and the paths are stony and uneven in places. and please note there are no toilet facilities at the car park. We will be looking for typical woodland migrants such as Pied flycatcher, Redstart and Wood Warbler etc. Leaders Dave Dawe and Alastair Stevenson . No need to book a place.

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

2026-05-16T14:26:49+00:00

My latest video of birding in Somerset, April & Early-May 2026, can be seen by clicking on this YouTube link below…

https://youtu.be/u1_CxssUMkE

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