Spring Birding Bonanza:
20-23 April 2020, 4-7 May 2020, 12-15 May 2020, 9-12 June 2020
After the success of last year’s tours, we are delighted to offer readers another chance to visit Somerset, now considered among the best places 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.
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 spring, you can watch Hobbies chasing dragonflies, Marsh Harriers performing their sky-dance and Cuckoos calling over the reeds, 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.