Winter on the Somerset Levels Dec 2023

 

Great white Egret

I spent a few days last week co-leading a short tour on the Somerset Levels for Naturetrek tours.

The weather was very poor on the first full day but greatly improved on the second. 

The levels have once again experienced widespread flooding this winter as rainfall has been exceptionally high.

We visited several different reserves and open areas including RSPB Greylake, RSPB Swell Wood, West Sedgemoor, RSPB Ham Wall, Shapwick Heath etc and ticked off 66 different species including many classic Somerset Levels specialities such as Bittern, Common Crane, Cetti's Warbler, Marsh Harrier etc.

Here are a few  photos from the trip and for those that couldn't update their daily list I include a list of our 3rd day birds for you to add to your Species checklist.

There are several more 3 day tours to come so if you're interested checkout the Naturetrek website at...

https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/tours/the-somerset-levels

All are based at the Swan Hotel in Wells directly opposite the cathedral. 

Noah's Lake at Shapwick Heath

 

 

Firecrest displaying

Great white Egret

Glossy Ibis

Starlings

Starlings

 

Starling murmuration clip from RSPB Ham Wall.

Starlings

 

 

 

 

 

Our Naturetrek tick list

 

 

The birds we added on the 2nd day were....

Egyptian Goose,

Bittern,

Chaffinch,

Sparrowhawk,

Cetti's Warbler,

Pied Wagtail,

Kingfisher,

Firecrest, 

Siskin,

House Sparrow,

Reed Bunting,

Great Spotted Woodpecker,

Goldfinch,

Jay,

Raven,

Cattle Egret,

Ring necked Duck,

Herring Gull,

Glossy Ibis,

Herring Gull,

Greenfinch. 

Any comments can be made below...