Join us for a short-break looking for some of the best winter birding around Somerset and a trip to the Forest of Dean.

Binoculars are strongly encouraged, as well as a scope where possible for some distant wader and wildfowl observations.

The week includes breakfast and evening meals, lunch is not provided but we will make stops.
Drinks are excluded.
There may be some long days and some early starts.
Suitable for children, and can be adapted for those with disabilities.

Overview:
Day One: Meeting at our hotel, we will settle into our rooms before heading out to a nearby site to look for displaying Goshawk. This site can also have Common Crossbill, Siskin and occasionally Hawfinch.

Day Two: Our first full day of birding, we will head to Steart Marshes WWT, this site is a great location to observe waders and wildfowl with some occasional rarer species having turned up in recent years. We will also visit some nearby sites in search of local specialities and catch up with a Starling murmuration.

Day Three: We travel north towards Nagshead RSPB in search of winter highlights such as Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Hawfinch, Brambling and Common Crossbill. We’ll have up to date information on any interesting sightings nearby such as Great Grey Shrike and Goshawk. We’ll also visit some nearby sites for additional species we may miss.

Day Four: Our final day will be at Ham Wall RSPB for waders such as Black-tailed Godwit, plus Bittern, Great Crested Grebe, Cetti’s Warbler and potentially Otter. We’ll explore the site and nearby Shapwick Heath RSPB for other waders.

Plans will be flexible and we’ll adapt each day to the conditions, rarities and movement.

Likely species could include:
Woodlands could provide some interesting species such as Hawfinch, Common Crossbill, Siskin, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker we will also be looking out for Goshawks.

On the coast we’ll be looking through winter wader flocks in search of Dunlin, Knot, Black-tailed Godwits, Ringed Plover and will also be looking for wildfowl Tufted Ducks, Shoveler, Great Crested Grebes and the potential for Bitterns.

The winter is a great time for rarities with Great Grey Shrike, Ferruginous Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck all having turned up in recent years.

Price per person:
£500

Max group size:
6

Upcoming dates:
➪ 7th – 10th November 2022 *5 Spaces*

Tour Leaders

What’s Included:
– Accommodation at The Seymour Arms, Blagdon
– Breakfast and evening meals
– Expert guidance from an experience and knowledgeable guide
– Entrance to all nature reserves and restricted areas

What’s Not Included:
– Drinks during evening meals
– Lunches
– Insurance and other items of a personal nature