Birding in Somerset
New dates announced following the success of earlier tours: 18-21 July 2019; 21-24 November 2019; 21-24 January 2020
Great White, Little and Cattle Egrets float over the reedbeds, or fish in the watery ditches known as rhynes. Bitterns, too, are often glimpsed as they fly low over the reeds. In July, you can watch returning waders along the coast, Marsh Harriers overhead, and if we are lucky, Cranes – Europe’s tallest bird. In winter, the marshes are packed with waterbirds, and up to half a million Starlings! Depending on the time of year, we also visit Cheddar Reservoir, the Quantock and Mendip Hills, and the coast, where almost anything can – and does – turn up. At a time when much of Britain’s birdlife is in decline, Somerset offers a truly awesome birding experience. We at Somerset Birdwatching Holidays pride ourselves on our attention to detail: we take a maximum of seven clients in our special vehicle (christened Thunderbird One), and offer luxury accommodation, splendid food and convivial company. With naturalist and author Stephen Moss and keen birder Graeme Mitchell as your guides, this holiday is ideal for birdwatchers at any level, from complete beginner onwards. Our unrivalled knowledge of some of Somerset’s best-kept secret sites, and their birds, means you’ll get unforgettable views of some of Britain’s most charismatic species. We love showing people not just the birds and other wildlife of Somerset, but also the history and culture of this unique county and its myriad landscapes: from hills, to coast, to those magical wetlands. So please join us on a relaxing, enjoyable and above all memorable tour. Somerset is now the best place in Britain to see – and get great views of – some of the country’s most sought-after bird species. The Avalon Marshes are the heron capital of Britain, with up to seven species breeding there. And in winter they play host to one of the greatest of all British birding spectacles: the famous Starling murmurations.