Wildlife Day - Somerset Levels
We will spend the day exploring Ham Wall RSPB reserve and neighbouring Shapwick Heath, at the heart of the Somerset Levels and Moors. The habitats here have been created from old peat workings and are now a thriving wetland consisting of extensive reedbeds, open water, grassland and woodland. We will keep an eye out for Marsh Harriers quartering over the reeds, whilst the open pools will be full of water birds such as Great-crested and Little Grebe, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal and the elegant Pintail. We have a good chance of seeing Great White Egret, and we will keep scanning the reeds for the elusive Bittern and for ‘pinging’ flocks of Bearded Tits moving through the vegetation. As the light starts to fade we will eagerly await the famous Starling roost – one of the largest in the UK, usually with tens of thousands of birds involved. Hopefully they will put on a memorable display, a great way to end our time on the Somerset Levels.
Price: £50 (including VAT), payable by bank transfer. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept payment by card.
To book your place, please phone/email us to arrange payment: places are limited, and will be allocated on a “first come, first served” basis.
On confirmation of the Wildlife Day, we will send you the details of the meeting place and time, and our leader’s contact details. Please make sure we have your mobile phone number.
Group transport is not provided. We may move between sites during the day (depending on recent sightings), in which case we will use our own vehicles to drive the short distance.
We will be walking for much of the day, and expect to cover up to six miles, although always at a gentle place. Paths may be wet and muddy in places. Suitable footwear (walking shoes/boots) is essential, and you should also be prepared for inclement weather.
In line with current government advice, our group size will be limited to six, together with our leader. We will ask everyone to observe social distancing advice during the day, currently two metres between individuals from different households. Bird hides may not be open, but if they are, we would ask that everyone wears a face mask whilst using them.