Our full day in Somerset.

Saturday 22nd February 2025.

Buddy is taking a good look at his domain for the next few days.

I didn't get the greatest of sleep last night and so I was awake around 5 am where I laid there for the next hour listening to the chimes of nearby St. Mary’s Church quietly ring out. When I heard the 6 o’clock bells chime, I decided to get up and make a coffee and let the dogs out to do their business. Already, the likes of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Robins were in full song as dawn arose and I was happy to drink a nice cup of coffee while listening to the dawn chorus.

Dawn chorus by our Cottage this morning.

I had to drive into Oldmixen village to pick up some breakfast items a mile away and after breakfast, we made our way to Brean Sands. I was hoping to drive onto Brean Down, but due to roadworks leading to the place, we had to settle for Brean Sands. Beforehand, I took the dogs for their first walk of the day. There was a bridle path heading east over the countryside past the stables and across a few empty sheep fields; but it was very muddy in places. From here, I saw a male Great Spotted Woodpecker calling high up in a bare tree and at least two Common Buzzards soared overhead. Three Redwings also flew over and headed to the nearby woodland, which was alive with the songs of Song Thrushes and a Nuthatch. Both Blue and Great Tits were abundant as we made our way back down to our accommodation. 

Above, Ivy-leaved Toadflax growing on the walls of our Cottage.

Above and below, a Common Buzzard flew overhead while on the bridle path.

Above, this male Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling in a nearby garden.

The day turned out bright and sunny; still a bit cold, but pleasant enough for my wife and I and the dogs to take a long walk over the beach and by Brean Down itself. From here, there were plenty of Jackdaws around; in fact, probably into three figures, but all were spooked by a passing male Peregrine passing over and heading inland over the fields, which was my second sighting of this species this year. At least two Rock Pipits were on the edge of the Down including one bird doing its display flight. I did check out the sea for anything of note, but all I could find were Herring Gulls loafing on the sea or flying out to sea.

Above, one of the Common Buzzards flying overhead and below, the muddy bridle path we took this morning on our first walk of the day.

Above, one of three Redwings flying over the fields to the woods.

Above and below, Ravens on Brean Down.

Above, a male House Sparrow near the Car Park and below, one of two Rock Pipits on the cliff face by Brean Down.

Above, a male Pied Wagtail searching for crumbs while Becky and I had an ice cream and below, our two dogs, Buddy and Ted enjoying a good walk on Brean Sands.

We rounded off our day at Burnham-on-sea for a bite to eat and found a nearby cafe overlooking the sea to the west. From here, earlier today, the wintering German-ringed Kentish Plover was spending another winter here (Matt, Emma and myself saw it last year here) and was seen this morning though it had flown off towards Stert Island to the west. I had a good scan with my binoculars, but there was no sign of any waders at all. After filling our faces, we went back to Hutton for a relaxing afternoon. I got news today that birding pal Andy Fisher saw a male Hen-Harrier in the New Forest (well done mate).