Somerset's Summer Wildlife

Somerset boasts some of the most spectacular and internationally important wildlife habitats in the British Isles. During this new short break we will enjoy a rich variety of the special species to be found in the county’s wetlands, meadows and gorges. Bittern, Great Egret, Lesser Horseshoe Bat, Red Deer, Otter, Round-leaved Sundew, Cheddar Pink and Large Blue butterfly are just some of the highlights that we will look for as we sample this region’s wonderful natural diversity and scenic beauty.

Our hotel is situated in the delightful village of Brent Knoll, the perfect base from which to explore the area’s key habitats; these support such a rich variety of plants, insects and birdlife that the region is under consideration for World Heritage status. Amongst the sites we will visit, at a leisurely pace, will be the Quantock Hills, Steart Peninsula, Avalon Marshes, Brean Down, Cheddar Gorge and the Mendip Hills. Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Redstart, Cuckoo, Whinchat and Dartford Warbler are just some of the avian delights of the region’s heaths and woodlands, while Bittern, Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier, Hobby and a range of breeding warblers will be enjoyed as we explore the waterways and reedbeds of the famous Somerset Levels. Superb limestone downland holds a wealth of butterflies, most notably the rare and localised Large Blue (reintroduced into the UK in 2000), with Dark Green Fritillary, Marbled White and Brown Argus amongst a supporting cast. The accompanying flora will be no less spectacular. We will look for such orchids as Greater Butterfly, Pyramidal, Common Spotted and Bee Orchid, plus such rare plants as White Rock Rose, Dwarf Sedge and Somerset Hair Grass. As darkness falls there will be more to enjoy, and we will visit Wells Cathedral one evening for a bat walk, hoping especially to see Lesser Horseshoe Bats, whilst some mothtrapping back at our hotel will allow us to observe some of the gems amongst the local nocturnal lepidoptera.

This new tour will be led by Simon Breeze, a popular Naturetrek leader who is also Survey Secretary for the Somerset Ornithological Society. He is a devoted biological recorder, covering everything from bats, moths, butterflies and dragonflies to ancient trees and more. With such a knowledgeable expert leading the way, we are all set for a fascinating insight into a wildlife haven right on our doorstep.