Twelve members met at the Newbridge Sluice north of the village of North Curry. This was a new location for a Club field meeting on a different part of the Somerset Levels than normally visited. We commenced the walk along the southern bank of the River Tone giving extensive views of the surrounding area. Mixed flocks of Fieldfares, Redwings and Starlings were feeding in the adjacent fields. The willows and hedges contained Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Linnet. The river contained surprisingly few birds although small numbers of Mallards,Teal and Moorhens were seen together with a Little Grebe. We diverted off the bank for a while and stopped at a Wetlands and Willow interpretation Centre which contained a number of interesting information displays about the area, its wildlife and river control measures. We walked round a small adjoining copse and added a few common woodland species. On the return walk we heard a Raven “cronking” as it flew over and a number of Skylarks were seen. The Moor is susceptible to flooding in winter and is known to attract substantial numbers of wildfowl and waders. It would be well worth a visit after prolonged rainfall. Forty-one species were encountered during the morning.
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