A slightly belated reminder that as the breeding season has begun, to please think carefully before posting the location or photos of breeding birds, particularly Schedule 1 and UK RBBP species. If in doubt, please contact the county recorder (@Hurlstoner) in the first instance.

Just a reminder that Alex Lees will be giving what promises to be another fascinating and thought-provoking talk this Thursday from 7pm. Links have been emailed, please check your junk folder or DM with your email if you've not received this.

Shapwick Decoy Lake this morning for SOS field meeting highlights were 2 female Goldeneye, 3 Ring-necked Duck and hundreds of Sand Martins. Somerset Birds

Stand-by for your copy of the SOS spring newsletter in the coming week(s), with dates for your diary, a welcome return of 'desert island birds', advice on buying binoculars and much more.

Next month (28.3.24) we are delighted to be welcoming the return of Alex Lees who will be discussing the effects of feeding birds on conservation - guaranteed to be thought provoking. We will be announcing more dates for your diary soon, stay posted!

First up, Dan Watson will be giving a talk on birding Northern Greece in Winter (tomorrow 19:30). Please DM if you haven't received an email invitation.

We're back and under new management! Plenty to look forward to this year, with some great field events and virtual talks coming up soon. Keep an eye here: somersetbirding.org.uk/events

Somerset OS Members Day & AGM Sat Nov 11th 2pm at Cheddon Fitzpaine Hall. See SOS Website for details.bto_somerset1 Somerset Birds

📢Advanced Warning📢
Travel Somerset have announced road works affecting access to the reserve next week.
From 31 Oct - 1st Nov there will be no access from Ashcott. Access to the reserve will be from MEARE only.
For more info and diversion routes visit: somerset.gov.uk/roads.../roadw…

Finally, after 5 visits, great views 13:00hrs of the 1stW Squacco Heron on wet stubble-field next to Walton Carp Fishery by South Drain Bridge on Sharpham Lane (just south of Ham Wall). Should have good video when edited. Good to see some birding friends Gary Thoburn andrew mears etc.

Somerset Birds

A short video of the Squacco Heron near Ham Wall RSPB Ham Wall

Dunlin at southern end of SBR this lunchtime plus a total of 6 Common Sand across the site.

GWE flew north over #ChardRes at 09:30 this morning. Possibly a different bird from the one seen here on the 11th present for just the day. Somerset Birds

Durleigh res. - 3 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 7 Green Sand , 1 Snipe , 1 Mandarin , 3 GW Egrets , 43 Moorhens and plenty of mud ! Somerset Birds

Durleigh Res 3.30pm Somerset Birds
3 Ruff, 2 Greenshank, 1 Blackwit, 7 Green Sand, 6 Cmn Sand, 1 Cattle egret, 4 unringed GWE, Little Egret

Great White Egret at #ChardRes this morning. (uncropped photo!) Somerset Birds

📢REMINDER📢
Travel Somerset have announced road works affecting access to the reserve this week.
From 11 - 19 Sept there'll be no access to the reserve from Ashcott. Access to the reserve will be from MEARE only.
For info & diversion routes visit: somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-a…

📢Advanced Warning📢
Travel Somerset have announced road works affecting access to the reserve next week.
From 11 - 19 Sept there'll be no access to the reserve from Ashcott. Access to the reserve will be from MEARE only.
For info & diversion routes visit: somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-a…