June 2021
This month group saw a total of 73 different birds plus a further 3 that were only heard. The highlight for June was a Rose-coloured Starling in Porlock (soon to be Bird of the Month), other highlights included Dartford Warbler, Yellowhammer, Red Kite and Little Ringed Plover.
We will soon have our July meeting with sorties on North Hill, Minehead, to listen and look for Nightjars. I have been out looking for them on several nights so far and heard a Nightjar on each one, plus 1 sighting. Time and actual meeting place will be notified nearer the date depending on results of my sorties.
Our August outing 20th August (Friday) is again to North Hill, Minehead, 10am start. This is a time of year we have to work for our birds as some have migrated and our winter visitors have not arrived. North Hill gives a few different habitats so we shall see what we can find.
Our September outing is 17th September (Friday) to Ham Wall 10am start, and possibly an add-on after lunch to Shapwick, depending on weather and sightings.
I will be sending more information to those in the Bird Watching Group nearer these dates. If you are not yet members of this group let me know and I can add you to the group’s e-mailing list.
May 2021
During May members saw a total of 79 birds plus a further 4 that were only heard. Highlights included Bittern Booming (Ham Wall – sadly not by me as I love to hear them), male Bullfinch in several Minehead gardens, Hobby (Ham Wall), Wood Warbler and Yellow Hammer (Bats Castle, Nutcombe) and Grasshopper Warbler (Simonsbath) plus more Pied Flycatchers at Horner.
I hope, if all goes well, to resume the Bird Watching Group’s outings in July. This is planned for the evening of Friday 16th July and will be listen for and hopefully see Nightjars up North Hill – although no guarantees. It will be very much weather dependent, however if the weather is not good I will try the following week and perhaps even a few of the evenings before 16th July – this will depend on how good the recces are. I don’t mind a few trips up there if there are those who want to come along, although I will need lifts to get there myself. I will be sending an e-mail to all group members nearer the date. However, even if you are not a member of the Bird Watching Group you are welcome to join us, just e-mail me and I will add you to the mailing list for that event. Happy Days are Near Again – Kay Bullen
April 2021
During April members saw a total of 68 species with a further 5 heard only. Highlights were Cuckoo (always love to hear the first Cuckoo), Dartford Warbler, Little Ringed Plover, Pied Flycatcher and Whimbrel (the latter being a new species on our list). Blackcaps are singing loud and long.
From the list of birds seen it seems that most of our summer visitors are here now so watch out for them on your walks. Keep your eye on the Bird Watching forum for new sightings, I list those seen on my weekly walks and also anything extra of interest as it pops up – like the Yellowhammers near Nutcombe on 1st May – just missed this April’s list but will be there on May’s list for certain. If you see anything special do put it on the forum so others might have the chance to see it is as well.
I hope that soon we will be able to start watching together.
March 2021
A total of 64 different birds have been seen by the group. Highlights being (alphabetical) Cettis Warbler, Marsh Tit and Wheatear. But in general the main highlight is all the bird song around. Whilst we are saying goodbye to a number of the species we have seen this month we are now looking forward to the new arrivals that we can expect in April. Some are here already like the Chiffchaff and Wheatear. Now we wait for the iconic Cuckoo.
Red and Roe Deer have also been seen.
One of our group has noticed a drop in House Sparrow numbers in their area. Has anyone else noticed similar?
Whilst the weather is improving and the lockdown has been eased you and some friends may be wondering were to take your daily exercise. Have a look at the Local Birdwatching Sites and click on Minehead for ideas of where to go and what might be seen there. I hope to include more areas at a later date.
February 2021
Members of the Bird Watching Group are still finding plenty of birds, both in their gardens and on their walks. In February a total of 67 different bird species were reported. It is great to hear the Skylarks and no doubt the Chiffchaffs will be singing soon. The bird song has certainly increased towards the end of February, although mainly on sunny days, or is it that I tend to walk on sunny days!
I have been making some notes of the different walks I have been taking and some of the birds I have seen and heard on them, plus other wildlife. I am using the Bird Watching forum to post these sightings so do have a look – you do not have to belong to the group to look at any of the information on the Bird Watching pages. If you have any sightings you can post them on the forum (provided you are registered) and also you can click a box when posting and you will be notified of any other posts on that topic – just to make sure you don’t miss any news about a rare bird sighting.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of your lovely local countryside before it starts to get crowded again. Take care Kay Bullen.
January 2021
Members of the Bird Watching Group are still using their daily exercise to find the birds, although it is surprising the numbers that turn up in our gardens. A total of 70 different species have been seen this month, some of the more unusual ones, all seen in the Minehead & Dunster area, are Brent Geese, Black Redstart, Lesser Redpoll, and Sanderling.
I am posting my walks and some of my sightings on the Bird Watching Group’s forum. So you may like to look at that – both for the birds and ideas on walks. Keep safe, keep watching and keep in touch. Kay Bullen
Sightings reports
Members have continued to record sightings, whether in their garden, or out on visits.
| Year | Summary of sightings | Members’ reports in lockdown |
| 2021 | Sightings year list | Birdwatching reports |
| 2020 | Sightings year list | Birdwatching reports |
| 2019 | Sightings year list |