AVON GOBLIN COMBE
Woodland habitats and grasslands on a steep-sided gorge
AMendip ‘gorge’ which is famed for butterflies and scarce wild flowers (and dormice!), as well as being a lovely spot to watch birds. The site comprises grassland, patches of heath and woodland.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
Disused quarry with typical species, such as Dunnock and
Ronbin, with a sound track of singing Mistle Thrush (trying to outperform fly-over planes).
2
The ‘valley’ of the combe is a good place to listen and look for Marsh Tit. Typically, they will be low down, so spare yourself from the sort of ‘warbler neck’ you get for scanning tree tops for Coal Tits. That said, the conifers may hold Crossbill, Siskin and Godcrest, so your neck may get some exercise after all. 3
The area around Warren House includes a Beach wood which can hold wintering Bramblings (check any Chaffinch flock, and keep your ears open!) as well as the odd vocal Nuthatch.
4
Great views from the grassland at the hill fort, down to the Severn Estuary. This is the best place around here to scan for soaring Ravens, Buzzards, or any other broad-winged soarers.
Ashort drive from the Channel Tunnel terminal at Calais, east along the coast, delivers the birdwatcher to Gravelines and the coastal dunes and saltings west of Grand-Fort-Philippe, together with a series of freshwater lagoons, marshes and copses.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
From the fort scan the canal for gulls and terns, plus Common and Green Sandpipers along the margins. The saltmarsh attracts passage Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel, Wheatear and Blue-headed Wagtail. Check the copse by the park for grounded warblers, flycatchers, redstarts, Nightingale and Serin. 2
A roadside pull-in overlooks old gravel pits and flooded fields, ideal for passage waders such as Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper and Whimbrel, plus Little Egret, Spoonbill, gulls and terns. Avocet, Black-necked Grebe, Mediterranean Gull, Sandwich and Common Terns breed, while Black-winged Stilts often pause on migration. Another good spot to scan for migrants moving along the coast typically hirundines, Swift, Cuckoo and Hobby.
3
From the double-decker hide scan the lagoon for a range of wildfowl including Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, and Garganey. Breeding waders should include Little Ringed Plover, Snipe, Redshank and Lapwing, plus passage sandpipers and godwits. Egrets, Spoonbill, Black-necked Grebe, Mediterranean Gull, Marsh Harrier, Common and Black Terns, Water Pipit, White and Blueheaded Wagtails are all likely. Scan the coastline for migrants on the move. Check the small wood by the car park for migrants.
4
Beyond the sand dunes the vast beach attracts breeding Ringed and Kentish Plovers, plus a colony of Little Terns. Sandwich Terns stream overhead to inland nest sites and Mediterranean Gulls are commonplace. The saltings attract Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit and Stonechat plus a chance of Crested Lark in the dunes. Check the foreshore for shorebirds and passing seabirds moving up-Channel.