The Somerset Levels (Day Trip)

• Enjoy the aerial artistry of a million-strong Starlings as they gather at dusk prior to roosting. (November through to February only)
• Birds of prey including Marsh Harrier and Peregrine with large concentrations of wintering wildfowl & waders
• Bittern, Great White Egret, and Bearded Tit regularly seen

During the winter months the area is inundated with wildfowl and waders and we will enjoy large numbers of wintering duck including, Pintail, Wigeon, Teal and Gadwall. Marsh Harriers quarter the reedbeds and with luck, we may see Bittern which has thrived here in recent years. Great White Egrets are now a fairly common sight here alongside Little Egrets, while Cattle Egrets are also possible. We will hope to find Bearded Tit too while the alder-lined channels may hold noisy flocks of Siskin and Redpoll, as Cetti’s Warblers blast their explosive call and Water Rails squeal from reedbeds. Otter sightings are also becoming more frequent here and we will be keeping our eyes sharp for this charismatic mustelid. As dusk falls we shall conclude the day in spectacular fashion by watching the Starlings gathering before going to roost in their favoured reedbed. If a Peregrine or Sparrowhawk is around they often cause the wonderful murmurations and with numbers in excess of one million birds being possible, it is a very special experience. The highlights of the day are sure to be many as we explore the area with leisurely walks on open, flat paths. We may make one short drive between sites and can expect to cover around 6 to 7 miles across the course of the day.