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OUT AND ABOUT WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
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GARDEN WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
OUT AND ABOUT WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
LATEST OUT AND ABOUT WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS CAN BE FOUND IN THE DIARY
OUT AND ABOUT WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS A - F
The following tables list mainly North Somerset wildlife sightings, the frequency of their sightings, when last seen, where seen and notes.
The RSPB UK Garden Bird ranking can be found within notes.
BIRDS |
SEEN | LAST SEEN | WHERE | NOTES |
ARCTIC TERN |
RARELY VISITOR |
21 APRIL 2013 | PORTBURY WHARF NATURE RESERVE, PORTBURY, NORTH SOMERSET. | |
AVOCET |
RARELY RESIDENT |
24 MAY 2016 | CLEY MARSHES, NORFOLK | |
BARN OWL
|
RARELY RESIDENT |
04 JUNE 2012 | SHAPWICK HEATH NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET |
2022 No 59 RSPB GARDEN BIRD. 2021 No 58. 2020 No 56. 2019 No 57. 2018 No 61. 2017 No 57. 2016 No 57. 2015 No 65. 2014 No 66 |
BAR TAILED GODWIT
|
OCCASIONALLY VISITOR |
17 SEPTEMBER 2015
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 02 SEPTEMBER 2015 24 APRIL 2015 11 APRIL 2014 30 MARCH 2014 21 FEBRUARY 2014
|
SHAPWICK HEATH NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET | |
BITTERN |
OCCASIONALLY BUT HEARD FREQUENTLY |
06 FEBRUARY 2023
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 17 JULY 2022 30 APRIL 2019 13 NOVEMBER 2018 19 OCTOBER 2018 10 OCTOBER 2018 17 MAY 2018 28 DECEMBER 2017 21 MAY 2017 02 MAY 2017 03 JULY 2016 12 JUNE 2016 28 JANUARY 2016 06 AUGUST 2016 23 MAY 2015 13 JUNE 2014 25 DECEMBER 2013 25 MARCH 2012 29 MAY 2011 |
WESTHAY MOOR NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET | 29 MAY 2011 MY FIRST SIGHTING OF THIS BIRD. |
BLUE WINGED TEAL |
RARELY
|
19 MAY 2012 | KEW ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, LONDON. | |
BRENT GOOSE
|
OCCASIONALLY VISITOR |
18 NOVEMBER 2012 | CLEVEDON SEA DEFENCES, NORTH SOMERSET. |
|
BULLFINCH
|
RARELY RESIDENT |
26 JANUARY 2018
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 01 APRIL 2012 24 FEBRUARY 2008
|
KEWSTOKE, SANDBAY, NORTH SOMERSET. |
2022 No 28 RSPB GARDEN BIRD. 2021 No 28. 2020 No 24. 2019 No 24. 2018 No 21. 2017 No 22. 2016 No 24. 2015 No 24. 2014 No 24. 2013 No 26. 2012 No 23. 2011 No 27. 2010 No 21.
|
CANADA GOOSE
|
FREQUENTLY RESIDENT |
06 FEBRUARY 2023 10 JANUARY 2023 27 DECEMBER 2022 25 DECEMBER 2022 17 JULY 2022 23 MARCH 2022 17 MARCH 2022 07 SEPTEMBER 2021 25 DECEMBER 2020 11 OCTOBER 2020 07 OCTOBER 2020 20 JULY 2020 20 MAY 2020 06 MAY 2020 20 JANUARY 2020 01 JANUARY 2020 |
WESTHAY MOOR NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET |
SIGHTINGS INCREASING.
7 GOOSE GARDEN FLYOVER 09 SEPTEMBER 2023 12 GOOSE GARDEN FLYOVER 11 AUGUST 2020 |
CATTLE EGRET
|
OCCASIONALLY VISITOR |
27 DECEMBER 2022 18 OCTOBER 2022 11 OCTOBER 2022 07 SEPTEMBER 2022 01 JANUARY 2022 25 DECEMBER 2020 20 JANUARY 2020
11 NOVEMBER 2019 03 SEPTEMBER 2019
24 MARCH 2019 09 AUGUST 2018 |
CATCOTT NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. |
SIGHTINGS INCREASING. |
CETTI'S WARBLER
|
OCCASIONALLY BUT HEARD FREQUENTLY RESIDENT |
27 DECEMBER 2022
PREVIOUSLY 18 OCTOBER 2022 02 JUNE 2022 23 MARCH 2022 17 MARCH 2022 20 SEPTEMBER 2021 22 NOVEMBER 2020 04 NOVEMBER 2020 11 OCTOBER 2020 24 JUNE 2020 09 JUNE 2020 20 MAY 2020 26 FEBRUARY 2020 20 JANUARY 2020 01 JANUARY 2020 18 NOVEMBER 2019 11 NOVEMBER 2019 27 OCTOBER 2019 13 SEPTEMBER 2019 03 SEPTEMBER 2019 24 JULY 2019 23 JUNE 2019 12 MAY 2019 24 MARCH 2019 11 APRIL 2019 14 FEBRUARY 2019 25 JANUARY 2019 28 DECEMBER 2018 25 DECEMBER 2018
|
CATCOTT NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. |
|
CHOUGH
|
RARELY RESIDENT |
17 JULY 2009 | SOUTH STACK, ANGLESEY | |
COMMON CRANE |
RARELY RESIDENT |
21 MAY 2016
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 10 AUGUST 2013 |
HICKLING BROAD, NORFOLK. | RECENTLY REINTRODUCED TO THE UK AND SUCCESSFULLY BRED ON THE SOMERSET LEVELS IN 2015. |
COMMON SANDPIPER |
RARELY VISITOR |
11 OCTOBER 2022
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 01 JANUARY 2021 18 SEPTEMBER 2019 15 JANUARY 2012 |
BLAGDON LAKE, BLAGDON, NORTH SOMERSET. | |
COMMON TERN |
RARELY VISITOR |
21 MAY 2016
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 13 JUNE 2014 |
CLEY MARSHES, NORFOLK. |
|
COOT
|
FREQUENTLY RESIDENT |
06 FEBRUARY 2023
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 01 JANUARY 2023 25 DECEMBER 2022 18 OCTOBER 2022 11 OCTOBER 2022 07 SEPTEMBER 2022 17 JULY 2022 14 JUNE 2022 02 JUNE 2022 23 MARCH 2022 17 MARCH 2022 25 DECEMBER 2021 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 01 JANUARY 2021 25 DECEMBER 2020
|
WESTHAY MOOR NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET |
|
CORMORANT
|
FREQUENTLY RESIDENT |
06 FEBRUARY 2023
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 01 JANUARY 2023 27 DECEMBER 2022 25 DECEMBER 2022 18 OCTOBER 2022 11 OCTOBER 2022 07 SEPTEMBER 2022 17 JULY 2022 02 JUNE 2022 23 MARCH 2022 17 MARCH 2022 01 JANUARY 2022 25 DECEMBER 2021 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 07 SEPTEMBER 2021 24 AUGUST 2021 01 JANUARY 2021 22 NOVEMBER 2020 04 NOVEMBER 2020 11 OCTOBER 2020 29 SEPTEMBER 2020 24 JUNE 2020 20 MAY 2020 26 FEBRUARY 2020 29 JANUARY 2020 01 JANUARY 2020
|
WESTHAY MOOR NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET | |
CUCKOO
|
RARELY BUT HEARD FREQUENTLY VISITOR |
02 JUNE 2022
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 23 JUNE 2019 17 MAY 2018 13 MAY 2018 02 MAY 2017 24 MAY 2015 23 MAY 2015 01 JUNE 2014 04 JUNE 2012 |
WESTHAY MOOR NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. |
2023 FIRST HEARD 07 MAY WESTHAY MOOR NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. 2022 FIRST HEARD 02 JUNE WESTHAY MOOR NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. 2021 FIRST HEARD ? 2020 FIRST HEARD ? 2019 FIRST HEARD 12 MAY CATCOTT NATURE RESERVE , SOMERSET. 2018 FIRST HEARD 19 APRIL SHAPWICK HEATH NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. 2017 FIRST HEARD 02 MAY WESYHAY MOOR NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. 2016 FIRST HEARD 20 APRIL SHAPWICK HEATH NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. 2015 FIRST HEARD 24 APRIL WALTON COMMON, CLEVEDON, NORTH SOMERSET. 2014 FIRST HEARD 18 MAY WESTHAY MOOR NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. |
CURLEW |
FREQUENTLY RESIDENT |
06 SEPTEMBER 2021 20 JULY 2020 23 APRIL 2020 06 FEBRUARY 2020
02 OCTOBER 2019 12 MAY 2019 27 FEBRUARY 2019 05 OCTOBER 2018 02 OCTOBER 2018
19 SEPTEMBER 2018 26 JANUARY 2018 26 JANUARY 2018 |
CLEVEDON SEA DEFENCES, NORTH SOMERSET. | |
DIPPER |
RARELY RESIDENT |
09 JULY 2005 | RIVER AVON, SHIPLEY BRIDGE, DARTMOOR. | |
DUNLIN |
FREQUENTLY VISITOR |
06 FEBRUARY 2020
25 OCTOBER 2015 07 SEPTEMBER 2015 25 MAY 2015 24 APRIL 2015 28 DECEMBER 2014 31 OCTOBER 2014 24 AUGUST 2014 16 FEBRUARY 2014 |
CLEVEDON SEA DEFENCES, NORTH SOMERSET. | |
EIDER |
RARELY VISITOR |
20 MAY 2012 | LONDON WETLANDS CENTRE. | |
EGYPTIAN GOOSE |
RARELY VISITOR |
05 APRIL 2016
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 19 MAY 2012 |
BLAGDON LAKE, BLAGDON, NORTH SOMERSET. |
FOCUS ON THE BIRD
Family - Accipitridae. Hawks, vultures and eagles.
Length - 50 to 57cm. Wingspan - 1.13 to 1.28m. Weight - 550 to 1,200g. Lifespan - Up to 25 years. Conservation Status - Secure.
Seen - All year round near wooded hillsides, cliffs and farmland. They soar, display and call most in spring.
Eats - Small mammals especially voles and small rabbits, birds and carrion.
Nests - Built of sticks from March to June on a cliff ledge or tree top. 2 - 4 eggs. 1 brood.
One of the most common and widespread European birds of prey. Buzzards are impressive whether soaring effortlessly or sitting patiently on a telegraph pole, they are the largest raptor that many of us ever see. The female is slightly larger than the male, both have broad rounded wings, short necks and short, rounded, barred tails. Plumage varies from pale cream to blackish brown, but from below their flight feathers are always pale with a dark trailing edge. Numbers are now recovering after being persecuted by gamekeepers and deprived of their important food the rabbit by the disease myxomatosis which killed many rabbits in the 1950's.
J RADFORD IMAGES J RADFORD IMAGES
ANIMALS AND AMPHIBIANS | SEEN | LAST SEEN | WHERE | NOTES |
ADDER
|
RARELY |
17 JULY 2020
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 19 APRIL 201913 SEPTEMBER 2009 |
PRIDDY MINERIES, STOCKHILL, SOMERSET | |
BROWN HARE | OCCASIONALLY |
17 MAY 2023
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 11 OCTOBER 202212 MAY 2019 03 JULY 2011 |
BACK LANE, KINGSTON SEYMOUR, NORTH SOMERSET. | |
COMMON LIZARD |
RARELY |
26 JUNE 2023
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 14 JUNE 2022 17 JULY 2020 29 MAY 2020 10 JULY 2019 21 JUNE 2019 30 APRIL 2019 03 JUNE 2018 27 AUGUST 2017 14 MAY 2017 14 AUGUST 2016 03 JUNE 2016 21 MAY 2016 17 AUGUST 2015 04 MAY 2015 26 MAY 2014 09 SEPTEMBER 2012 11 JULY 2012
|
PRIDDY MINERIES, STOCK HILL, SOMERSET | |
FALLOW DEER |
RARELY | 02 AUGUST 2009 | NEW FOREST, HAMPSHIRE. |
BUTTERFLIES, INSECTS AND MOTHS | SEEN | LAST SEEN | WHERE | NOTES |
ADONIS BLUE BUTERFLY |
RARELY |
22 JULY 2016 PREVIOUSLY SEEN
|
DRAYCOTT SLEIGHTS,NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. | |
BEAUTIFUL DEMOISELLE DAMSELFLY |
OCCASIONALLY |
29 JUNE 2014 PREVIOUSLY SEEN
02 AUGUST 2009 |
WESTHAY MOOR NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. | |
BLACK DARTER DRAGONFLY
|
OCCASIONALLY | 21 SEPTEMBER 2014 | PRIDDY MINERIES, STOCK HILL, SOMERSET. | |
BORDERED STRAW MOTH
|
RARELY |
22 JULY 2016 PREVIOUSLY SEEN
|
DRAYCOTT SLEIGHTS, NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. | |
BROWN ARGOS BUTTERFLY |
OCCASIONALLY |
21 JULY 2020
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 26 AUGUST 2019 05 SEPTEMBER 2017 01 JUNE 2017 15 AUGUST 2016 03 JUNE 2016 17 AUGUST 2015 15 AUGUST 2014 27 JULY 2014 |
GREENDOWN NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. | |
BURNET COMPANION
|
RARELY |
26 JUNE 2023
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 14 JUNE 2022 21 JUNE 2019 15 JUNE 2018 03 JUNE 2018 17 JULY 2017 14 JUNE 2017 22 JULY 2016 20 JUNE 2014 |
PRIDDY MINERIES, STOCK HILL, SOMERSET. | |
CHALK-HILL BLUE BUTTERFLY |
RARELY |
02 AUGUST 2019
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 18 JULY 2018 20 JULY 2014 |
DRAYCOTT SLEIGHTS NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET. | |
CHIMNEY SWEEPER MOTH |
OCCASIONALLY |
26 JUNE 2023
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 14 JUNE 2022 29 MAY 2020 21 JUNE 2019 15 JUNE 2018 17 JULY 2017 14 JUNE 2017 18 JULY 2016 03 JULY 2015 |
PRIDDY MINERIES, STOCK HILL, SOMERSET. | |
CLOUDED MAGPIE MOTH |
OCCASIONALLY | 19 AUGUST 2012 | KINGSTON SEYMOUR SEA DEFENCES, NORTH SOMERSET. | |
CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY
|
OCCASIONALLY |
18 OCTOBER 2022
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 10 OCTOBER 2018 05 OCTOBER 2018 31 JULY 2018 31 OCTOBER 2014 10 OCTOBER 2014 05 OCTOBER 2014 26 SEPTEMBER 2014 15 AUGUST 2014 25 JULY 2014 |
CATCOTT NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET | 2014 APPEARS TO OF BEEN EVEN
BETTER THAN 2013. 2013 APPEARS TO OF BEEN A GOOD YEAR FOR SIGHTINGS OF THIS MIGRANT. |
COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY |
OCCASIONALLY |
24 JUNE 2020
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 24 JULY 2019 28 JUNE 2019 25 SEPTEMBER 2018 03 JUNE 2018 17 MAY 2018 19 SEPTEMBER 2017 27 AUGUST 2017 14 JUNE 2017 26 AUGUST 2016 26 SEPTEMBER 2015 11 JULY 2014 |
WESTHAY MOOR NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET | |
DARK GREEN FRITILLARY
|
RARELY |
17 JULY 2020
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 10 JULY 2019 17 JULY 2017 18 JULY 2016 07 AUGUST 2015 03 JULY 2015 14 JULY 2013 |
PRIDDY MINERIES, STOCK HILL, SOMERSET. | |
DINGY SKIPPER
|
RARELY |
15 JUNE 2018
PREVIOUSLY SEEN
|
PRIDDY MINERIES, STOCK HILL, SOMERSET. | |
DOWNY EMERALD
|
RARELY |
26 JUNE 2023
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 14 JUNE 2022 10 JULY 2019 21 JUNE 2019 15 JUNE 2018 03 JUNE 2018 14 JUNE 2017 05 JUNE 2016 20 JUNE 2014 |
PRIDDY MINERIES, STOCK HILL, SOMERSET. | |
FIELD VOLE |
RARELY |
14 JUNE 2017
PREVIOUSLY SEEN
|
PRIDDY MINERIES, STOCK HILL<, SOMERSET. | |
FIVE SPOT BURNET |
OCCASIONALLY |
26 JUNE 2023
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 14 JUNE 2022 10 JULY 2019 21 JUNE 2019 15 JUNE 2018 17 JULY 2017 14 JUNE 2017
|
PRIDDY MINERIES, STOCK HILL, SOMERSET. | |
FORESTER MOTH |
OCCASIONALLY |
26 JUNE 2023
PREVIOUSLY SEEN 14 JUNE 2022 29 MAY 2020 10 JULY 2019 21 JUNE 2019 15 JUNE 2018 17 JULY 2017 14 JUNE 2017 03 JULY 2015 |
PRIDDY MINERIES, STOCK HILL, SOMERSET. |
FUNGI AND PLANTS | SEEN | LAST SEEN | WHERE | NOTES |
FLY AGARIC
|
OCCASIONALLY |
19 OCTOBER 2018
PREVIOUSLY SEEN
|
SHAPWICK HEATH NATURE RESERVE, SOMERSET |