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Somerset/North Devon (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter pduxon
- Start date
devon.birder
Well-known member
pduxon said:
Probably the best birding spot near Kilve is Steart at the mouth of the River Parrett. Get there about two hours before high tide and sit in the tower hide (it looks a bit like a Wendy House from a distance) and watch the flocks of waders on the mud and on the pools. There are also other hides on the reserve all of which can be seen from the tower hide. Peregrines can usually be seen although it may be a bit early for Merlin.
Kilve is on the fringes of Exmoor and if you can't find Dipper then you are not really looking!!!. Try the river that runs up through the Doone Valley, I can recommend the cream teas at Cloud Farm. You can drive up to the farm from Malmsmead where there are also Dippers by the ford-there is a bridge over the river here but it is very narrow if you have a very wide vehicle. Nearby Oare Church is the church that is featured in Lorna Doone.
Dunster Beach is also worth a look, park outside the gate unless you want to pay to park your car inside. Again a couple of hours either side of high tide is best.
Send me a PM if there is any specific birds you want to see. Roger
devon.birder
Well-known member
Have a look at the Somerset Ornithological Society's web site for up to date sightings in the County http://pub13.bravenet.com/forum/1065729998. Directions to most of the good bird sites are also given. Roger
devon.birder
Well-known member
pduxon said:cheers Roger
just watch me miss DipperPeregrine another bird I've failed to see this year........
If you sit in the tower hide at Steart for 2 hours or more and keep yours eyes peeled you are virtually guaranteed a Peregrine. They fly along the tide line and scatter all the waders, they also tend to sit on the long island just off shore from Burnham on Sea which can easily be seen from the hides at Steart. Best of luck. Roger
digi-birder
Well-known member
pduxon said:
Not another holiday??!! :bounce:
john-henry
Well-known member
pduxon said:
Pete
Just back from a few days at Lynton/Lynmouth, 6 dippers along the walk from Lynmouth to Watersmeet, spread out along the river but 4 between a house caled Myrtleberry and the tea garden at the top end of the walk. Excellent close views, I suppose they're used to people walking along the riverbanks.
It's a couple of miles walk but if you're pushed for time take the Simonsbath road out of Lynmouth and park at the pay and display car park on the right - costs £70p/hr but well worth it - cross the road, walk down towards the tea garden and take the footpath on the left hand side of the river walking towards Lynmouth, if you don't see Dipper in the first 1/2 mile I'll be amazed.
Another regular spot for one was at Lynmouth itself, just on the seaward side of the bridge on the main road. Just look over the bridge, one was present every evening from about 17.30 onwards.
A pair of Peregrines were present at Combe Martin, near Ilfracombe. Park in the small car park for the Museum at the far end of the town and look at the steepest part of the cliff face on the right hand side of the beach.
regards
john-henry
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