KINGSBURY EPISCOPI
Excellent birding around the aqueous Somerset Level
The historic landscape of the low-lying Somerset Levels is criss- crossed with verdant, willow-flanked drainage channels that are a magnet for birds, and West Moor, which this walk touches, is home to some of the most diverse aquatic plants in the UK. Sensitively farmed and managed for wildlife, it is an excellent spot for waders such as Lapwing. Small fields near the village are well-hedged and offer good cover.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
The environs of the village of Kingsbury Episcopi are good for Starling, Jackdaw, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch and the ubiquitous House Sparrow.
2
The most northerly of the two footpaths (off West End) that lead from the village towards Middle
Drove follows one of the drainage channels through a succession of small fields. Look out for Dunnock, Song Thrush, Sky Lark, Blackbird and Goldfinch. We had a long view of a Sedge Warbler in the last field before Middle Drove.
3
Follow the bridlepath along Middle Drove and Pitt Drove, twice crossing West Moor Main Drain, which is far more picturesque than it sounds. The landscape here is more open. Little Egrets are likely; Great White a possibility. Swallow, House Martin and Swift are abundant. Lapwings breed in the fields beside Pitt Drove; Snipe, Curlew and Water Rail are possibilities as are Kingfisher along the Drain. Look out for Reed Warbler where there is more cover. Mute Swan, low on the channels, elegantly raise their heads to peer at passers-by. There is the chance of Yellow Wagtail and Wheatear; keep an eye open for Kestrel. A treat would be one of the Cranes from Somerset’s Great Crane Project – we weren’t lucky!
4
Passing through Thorney we spotted Collared Dove before crossing the River Parrett at Thorney Silent Mill and joining the riverside path back towards Coombe Lane and Kingsbury Episcopi – a delightful stretch of walking. Buzzards soar above and Grey Herons are likely. Riverside orchards are worth a scan: look out for Greenfinch, Great Tit and Green Woodpecker.