Somerset Birding Forum

Quantocks - 10/05/26

2026-05-12T19:39:06+00:00

Nice selection of birds on a 10-hour walk across the Quantock Hills on Sunday.

Hodder’s Combe:
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).

Slaughterhouse Combe:
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).

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

Somerton Combe:
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).

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

Holford Combe:
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).

Lady’s Combe:
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Coal Tit (2), Wood Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (1), Blackcap (1), Treecreeper (1), Song Thrush (1), Mistle Thrush (1), Pied Flycatcher (4), Tree Pipit (1), Chaffinch (1), Siskin (2).

Govett’s Wood:
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).

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

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

Rectory Wood:
Coal Tit (4), Wood Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (2), Blackcap (1), Goldcrest (1), Siskin (2).

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

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.
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.

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).

Yellow Wagtails/Tealham

2026-05-09T15:39:43+00:00

3 at Steart yesterday, obvious pair joined by a second male
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.

Exmoor 5th May

2026-05-07T09:57:50+00:00

Some fairly “slim pickings” from what is an annual visit with some notable absences (“Groppers”, Wood Warbler etc).

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

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.

Nightjar

2026-05-06T21:20:55+00:00

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.

Cetti’s warbler, Wells

2026-05-04T20:37:21+00:00

Cetti’s warbler heard singing loudly from in the trees along Gate Lane in Wells, roughly opposite the junction with Alfred Court. Friday, May 1st.

Levels-birder: My latest video a re-edit of the Hudsonian Godwit from 11 years ago on Meare Heath shallow scrape

2026-04-26T14:29:36+00:00

Amazing Bird with Black-tailed Godwits on Meare Heath shallow scrape at Shapwick Heath NNR.
Found by Tom Raven on 24-Apr-2015 (only the 3rd record in the UK) and watched by hundreds of birders during its stay until the 03-May-2015.
To watch on YouTube click on the link below. If neccessary click on small gear wheel icon in bottom RH cnr and set Quality to 1080P HD

https://youtu.be/hhQVtFkWJuY

Horner and surrounds

2026-04-25T18:49:27+00:00

Our annual trip to Horner, albeit a week earlier than normal was just a great day of birding. Yellowhammer and Red Legged Partridge on the way to Horner. Then Red kite and Siskins at Webbers Post.Fair numbers of Pied Flycatcher, brief views of Redstart, dipper and later Dartford Warbler. No cuckoo heard, likewise no Wood Warbler but a grand day out none the less.

Steart WWT and Quantocks (Bin Combe)

2026-04-25T10:16:32+00:00

Very quiet at Steart - the only birds of note being a pair of LRP’s and a Greenshank plus a few Swallows and 6 Cattle Egrets which flew over the car park.

A walk along Bin Combe and back produced at least 5 singing male Pied Flycatchers, a Tawny Owl and a pair of Ravens “croaking” overhead. A GSW was still drumming and later relocated creating a nest hole!

Dunster beach-migrants

2026-04-24T12:10:41+00:00

10 Red kites between 07:45 and 10:30 ,all going east .Also obvious passage of Swallow and Sand Martins -several hundred of each .Also Little Ringed Plover , 5 Whimbrel, 2 White Wagtails, 17 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Wheatears and a single Swift .

Warbler walk

2026-04-24T08:43:15+00:00

A walk, yesterday, along a drove road at Somerton Door produced 8 different warblers. Reed, Sedge, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Cetti’s, Blackcap, Willow and Garden. Sadly no Lesser Whitethroat. Also 3 Red Kite, 4 Buzzard, Kestrel, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer.