Lydeard Hill

From the car park at Lydeard Hill walk north-east with Muchcare Wood on your right; it is good for breeding Redstarts and Spotted Flycatchers, as well as the usual woodland breeding species. At the fence looking out over Bridgwater Bay turn west until you reach the main spine track across the Quantocks. The scrubby nature of Lydeard Hill attracts good numbers of Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and a few pairs of Stonechats and Yellowhammers which in turn bring in Cuckoos. Kestrels frequently hunt over this area as well.

Immediately after a gate go round a metal barrier – this path takes you through the top edge of Bagborough Plantation heading towards Wills Neck. Garden Warblers join the usual woodland species here. In winter there are large flocks of Chaffinch and Brambling both here and around Triscombe Stone.

The open hill either side of the path up to Wills Neck, the highest point on the Quantocks, is alive with Skylarks and Meadow Pipits in spring along with Stonechats. From here walk either north to Triscombe Stone or north-east towards Aisholt Common; both areas are good for Tree Pipits and Willow Warblers, and Cuckoos and Redstarts are regular at the top of Aisholt Combe. Hirundines and thrushes can move through here in quite good numbers on migration. Siskins and Redpolls are regular and Crossbills occasional. Either way, retrace your steps to the car park.

A Great Grey Shrike was present in this area in 2014. Nightjars may still be present in summer.