Somerset trip out

[diggleken]

I just thought I'd do a quick report on a visit to Somerset levels etc last week. Bit of a blog really I suppose . . . . . . .
Lots of nice Blackthorn down there in full flower, gorgeous.

Shapwick Heath NNR and Ham Wall RSPB easily combined from a walk from

the Peatlands Centre - lots of interesting stuff, many good birds including great white egrets, garganey and my first swallows of the year, plus Bittern booming twice. Crows cleverly use a food source from the south drain - wade to gather great snails from the water (on the submerged vegetation at the edge) then take into a tree or post and use their beak to break open - not drop from a height as some birds do - the snail shells arent that strong to need it. Tons of male Brimstones about too, everywhere in Somerset it seems.
In the week, saw over 30 buzzards - I know they are on the increase, but they were everywhere.
Brean Down (NT) terific views and walk there, the windswept seaward side is bare with short turf and so favours flowers, violets, cowslip showing nicely whilst the lee side is full of stubby trees and bushes, great for summer migrant falls - blackcap, whinchat, linnet, willow warblers and chiffchaff seen beside robins, and lots of tits, plus raven, oystercatchers and kestrel.
The old fort at the end is fun exploring too.

Cheddar Gorge was a good high level mendip walk, with British Primitive goats around and ponies, plus peregrines nesting and green woodpeckers.

Cheddar reservoir was full of great crested grebe displaying, fun feeding the ducks and swans.
Burnham beach was poor so was the chippy, but nevermind, the butcombe bitter was grand.
Lots of lovely country lanes plus other great places down there including Glastonbury, Tor and Abbey with sacred thorn, Wells, Axbridge, Cheddar etc etc and the weather was fabby.
Shame about the Rook hunters needlessly shooting them.
Could do with higher hills and rivers with bends in too!
Cheers
Ken

[pammosley]

Glad you had a great time Ken. Thanks for the report & the great photos, I like the hills as well! Nice for a change though

[diggleken]

Cheers Pam, it was very good - just shows the usefulness of WAB - I only got to know about some places, including Shapwick Heath (thanks ChrisJB) cos I put out a thread asking where to go!
I put the rook shooting disgrace on the 'hunting' thread, but probably wish I hadnt bothered, too emotive, I get too annoyed.
Cheers
Ken

[Ruth Daniel]

Nice images and trip report Ken,thanks!
Glad you got to hear the Bittern.....an amazing sound isn't it? I've still to see a Swallow or a Brimstone......lets hope they've followed you up!

[diggleken]

The Swallows have ruth - came home last sat and there they were, waiting and smiling near my local river and pond.
Mind you given the weather today they might just regret it!
Cheers
Ken

[Ruth Daniel]

Originally Posted by diggleken

The Swallows have ruth - came home last sat and there they were, waiting and smiling near my local river and pond.
Mind you given the weather today they might just regret it!
Cheers
Ken

I've not seen a Swallow yet!......plenty of Sand and House Martins tho!

[ChrisJB]

Any Cetti's Warblers at Shapwick Ken? It was an April when I was last there and there were a lot in song. Not so easy to see though as to hear mind you. Sounds like a good trip.

Regards, Chris

[kiff]

Originally Posted by diggleken

Cheddar Gorge was a good high level mendip walk, with British Primitive goats around and ponies, plus peregrines nesting and green woodpeckers.

Goats what Goats? there are no Goat at Cheddar Gorge there Feral Soay Sheep