Somerset Birding Forum

Winter Thrushes 2026

2026-10-18T07:53:39+00:00

First Redwing here (Chipstable) on 11Oct26.

But this morning (18Oct) a huge passage of over 2,200 (all flying north).

Plus 9 Fieldfare.

Sabine’s Gull

2026-10-14T13:51:21+00:00

14-Oct-2026
Per BirdGuides: 12:23hrs juvenile on the beach at c 51.2052, -3.0547; use Wall Common car park (TA5 2PU). Do not cross into mitigation area beyond fence

Hobby

2026-10-12T18:04:42+00:00

1 being harassed by small murmuration of Starlings, attacking it several times, over Stockmoor CP.

Ring Ouzel

2026-10-05T17:06:35+00:00

Three Ring Ouzels at Chetsford Combe this morning.

Purple Heron - Westhay Moor NNR

2026-10-05T16:33:13+00:00

05-Oct-2026
Walking away on the boardwalk from the two “rondaval” lookouts at Westhay Moor reserve at 15:45hrs this afternoon, I saw what I first thought was a Bittern (brown upperparts) get up from the LH reedbed and fly away low in front of me. I called out “Bittern” to my wfe Kay, then as it gained height I saw it had a long neck which it retracted into a low hanging bulge at the base. It then turned right and showed long trailing legs and mostly all brown upperparts with darker wing feathers, a juv Purple Heron! It went low over the trees near the main hide and was lost to view over the central part of the reserve.

A tribute to Bill Oddie, a talk by Stephen Moss as part of Burnham Book Festival 17 Oct. 2026

2026-10-04T09:54:16+00:00

Stephen Moss is giving a talk as tribute to Bill Oddie at the Princess Theatre in Burnham-on- Sea on Saturday 17th October at 7pm . There is a 50% discount for SOS members .
Discount code Discount code: ODDIE50
Details at

https://www.theprincesstheatre.co.uk/events/tribute-to-bill-oddie/

My latest birding video for Sep-2026

2026-09-29T15:38:43+00:00

My latest YouTube video Birding Two Reservoirs & The Somerset Levels in Sep-2026 can be seen on this link below.
NB: If reqd click on small gear icon in bottom RH corner, then click on Quality and set to 1080p

https://youtu.be/3HSzQH3Z6gI

Levels 24/09/2026

2026-09-25T11:22:36+00:00

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

2026-09-18T16:48:34+00:00

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

2026-09-16T11:20:31+00:00

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