DATES: 25-28 April 2022, 3-6,10-13 May 2022, 2-5,10-13 June 2022
PRICE: from £615pp
Hobbies hawking for dragonflies, Marsh Harriers sky-dancing, Bitterns and all three egrets over the reedbeds and wet meadows, and the sound of Whitethroats and Reed, Sedge and Cetti’s Warblers everywhere – that’s just some of what you can expect on the wetland wonderland that is the Somerset Levels in spring.
There’s the chance to see the Somerset coast, too, especially the WWT’s superb new Steart Marshes reserve. In addition, there’s a chance to look for the ‘western oakwood trio’ of Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Redstart in the Quantock Hills, and for the June dates after supper, the possibility of looking for Nightjars on the Mendip Hills too.
What’s included
Expert ornithological guiding throughout
Accommodation
Three dinners at Walls Farm
Two light pub lunches
Breakfast baskets
Teas/coffees and additional refreshments as stated on your confirmed itineraries
Entrance to all birdwatching sites
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrive Walls Farm mid-afternoon and settle in to your comfortable cottage accommodation.
After a cup of tea you will be free to do a spot of birding around the large garden, pond and orchard at Walls Farm. There will also be the opportunity to have a quick visit to a local birding spot.
Welcome dinner with canapés and wine, prepared by Kay and served in Walls Farm. Stephen will join us for supper and to brief us about our planned birdwatching excursions.
DAY 2
Breakfast in your cottage – cereal, muesli, yoghurts and bread with home-made preserves will be provided in your accommodation for you to prepare.
Nothing beats the Somerset levels on a fresh spring morning.
RSPB Ham Wall will be heaving with birds. Hawking Hobbies will be chasing dragonflies, egrets will have started nesting, and if we get lucky, we may see a Bittern give a fly-past over the car park!
Somerset will be dripping with warblers and the Avalon Marshes will be best place to get our tally started.
A light pub lunch will be included as part of the afternoon’s birdwatching plans.
Possible afternoon visits include Aller Moor and Somerset Wildlife Trust’s wonderful reserve at Catcott Lows.
We will return to Walls Farm early in the evening in time to relax and debrief the bird sightings we have seen.
Dinner will be served in Walls Farm from 7pm
DAY 3
Breakfast is again in your cottage – fresh eggs, bread, muesli, yoghurts and home-made preserves all provided.
Birdwatching all day. We will head to Steart Marshes, overlooking Bridgwater Bay, where we will expect to see many wading birds including Avocet, Redshank and egrets. Later we will pop to the coast at Wall Common for Curlews and other wading birds, along with any spring migrants passing through.
A light pub lunch is included.
Afternoon woodland walk in the beautiful Quantock Hills offering a wider range of birdlife including our target birds of the ‘western oakwood trio’ of Wood Warbler, Redstart, and Pied Flycatcher.
Return to Walls Farm by about 5pm in time to relax and discuss the bird sightings we have seen.
Dinner with canapes and drinks will be served in Walls Farm with your hosts Stephen, Graeme and Kay Mitchell.
DAY 4
Breakfast is in your cottage – fresh eggs, bread, muesli, yoghurts and home-made preserves are all provided.
Morning birdwatching to reservoir and riverside habitats, for Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and possible Dipper sightings, returning to Walls Farm by 12.30pm when it will be time to depart and head for home (lunch not included).
Ornithological Guides
On all tours it is expected that Stephen Moss will be the expert ornithological guide, ably assisted by Graeme Mitchell; a keen and experienced birdwatcher.
BOOK NOW
For full details, and to book, go to www.somersetbirdwatchingholidays.com/spring-birding-bonanza