Somerset Birding Forum

Jack Snipe RSPB Ham Wall

2026-11-06T12:37:10+00:00

06-Nov-2026 (10:15/11:15)
2 Jack Snipe very distant from View Pt-1. Told about one and eventually saw it 200m to the right of the Sand Martin Cote and far back from it midway along the water-edge of an obvious line of smallish bright green reed. After a while another, just a metre to its right and blending in with the reeds, suddenly started bobbing up & down.

Members’ Afternoon and AGM - 14th November

2026-11-02T10:29:46+00:00

Hijacking the Bird Sightings again to remind members that our AGM is on 14th November. Full details on the Events page here. Includes a photographic bird quiz and updates on projects etc. Any queries, leave a message here, or email me: mat dot ridley dot woodlands at gmail dot com

Mat, Chairman

Catcott Lows

2026-11-01T11:34:42+00:00

From the South Hide yesterday afternoon, a lot more water now and the island and other vegetation on the scrape in front of the hide has been cut giving better views. Ducks are beginning to arrive, small numbers of Wigeon, Teal and Shoveller as well as plenty of Mallard and Canada & Greylag Geese, Lapwing flock of about 40, 2 or 3 Snipe put up by a Marsh Harrier, Fieldfare and a few Redwing along the drove. Hopefully the new hide will open soon , it looks almost ready.

Dunster beach -Woodpigeon movement

2026-10-31T12:39:08+00:00

Between 08:00 and 09:00 c10,000 Woodpigeons in off the sea at Dunster beach , including several flocks of c2,500 .None after 09:00 , presumably low cloud/coastal fog putting a stop to the movement . A Guillemot close inshore , single Chiffchaff and two Blackcaps as well .

Black Redstart

2026-10-30T10:30:14+00:00

Male Black Redstart in my back garden in Taunton (Rowbarton area) this morning after the mist had cleared. First calling from the holly tree, then perched atop the back fence.
A new tick for my garden bird list! It has now moved away looking for breakfast.

Field Meeting to Wall and Catsford Commons, Saturday 31st October

2026-10-29T12:49:01+00:00

Wall Common and Catsford Common, Steart, Saturday 31st October, meet at Wall Common car park, 09:30. High tide will be at 10:00 and there should be good numbers of a variety of wildfowl and waders, including Light-bellied Brent Geese. A “there-and-back-again” walk of about 4.0 k /2.5 miles on farm tracks, often wet in parts. This section of coast will be the site of a new area of inter-tidal coastal marsh, and it might be interesting to imagine changes before they happen. Leaders: Nick Wall and Dick Best.

My latest Birding Video for Oct-2026

2026-10-28T16:17:02+00:00

My latest video Birding the Parret Estuary & the Somerset Levels, which includes the Sabine’s Gull on Wall Common, can be seen by clicking on the YouTube link below.

https://youtu.be/tI9itSUbf0c

Raven - flock

2026-10-28T14:56:22+00:00

27-Oct-2016
A flock of c.30 Ravens feeding among long grass on Tealham Moor this morning. Easily my largest flock ever on The Levels (North).

Hawfinch

2026-10-25T10:58:32+00:00

Two birds in Butleigh this morning. One feeding on beechmast in my garden on High Street and another in yew trees where High Street meets Low Road.

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.