Limosa GUIDED BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS SINCE 1985

Transcription

1 Limosa GUIDED BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS SINCE 1985 Tour Info Somerset Levels with TV s Stephen Moss Kingfisher on the River Yeo, Somerset tour participant Jo Latham/ Tuesday 22nd - Friday 25th January LEADER Stephen Moss Let well-known naturalist, TV producer and broadcaster Stephen Moss show you around his home patch - the bird-rich Somerset Levels. With guided visits to all the top birding spots, small friendly groups, good food and as much help with identification as you need. Join us for the best of British birding! [P.S. Our January 2013 date will be our last with Stephen for a bit as he then begins work on a new TV series for the BBC.] Join us for a super short break in Somerset! With guided visits to the best birdwatching spots Somerset Levels, Avalon marshes, Cheddar reservoir and Bridgwater Bay All year: Bittern, Great White and Little Egrets, Common Crane Autumn and winter: wildfowl, raptors and spectacular wader flocks Plus chance to see Britain s biggest Starling roost! 3 nights at a comfortable hotel in Taunton Good food, great company, excellent birding Small, friendly groups with all the identification help you need Limited to a maximum of 8 participants Expertly led by well-known naturalist, TV producer, writer and broadcaster Stephen Moss LIMOSA, West End Farmhouse, Chapelfield, Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9EJ (UK) TEL: +44 (0) info@limosaholidays.co.uk WEB: limosaholidays.co.uk

2 Tour Overview Britain s biggest Starling roost, made famous by Bill Oddie; flocks of wintering wildfowl on one of Britain s biggest wetlands; furtive Bitterns in the reed beds, elegant egrets and stately Common Cranes All these and more are on offer in this hidden corner of the West Country. Join author, naturalist and TV producer Stephen Moss on his home patch as we explore the wondrous variety of this beautiful corner of England, from the flatlands of the Somerset Levels to the coastal marshes of Bridgwater Bay and the wildfowl hotspot of Cheddar Reservoir. This area is steeped in history, and much of the tour takes place on the legendary Avalon Marshes, the burial place of King Arthur, where King Alfred burned the cakes, and where the last battle was fought on English soil, at Sedgemoor in In late autumn and winter, flocks of more than a million starlings perform their aerial acrobatics in front of Glastonbury Tor, the southwest s most famous landmark, and vast flocks of Wigeon and other ducks from Siberia gather on flooded fields - often to be disturbed by a predatory Peregrine or Merlin. Waders and wildfowl concentrate at high tide on the vast mudflats of Bridgwater Bay, while Fieldfares and Redwings flock along every hedgerow in search of berries. This is an excellent time of year to get good views of common birds, and appreciate their behaviour. We stay at a stylish, modern hotel in the county town of Taunton, ideally placed for access by rail or car, and slap-bang in the middle of the various sites we plan to visit. Great food and our small friendly groups come together with local knowledge and as much help with identification as you need, to guarantee your visit is great fun, rewarding and truly memorable. Beginner or more experienced, whatever your level of interest in birds, our Somerset birdwatching breaks offer something for everyone. Stephen designed and personally leads our Somerset Levels tours, and our early 2013 departure will be his fifth trip there for Limosa. Outline Itinerary Midweek Breaks (Tue-Fri, 3 nights at hotel) Day 1 Meet for dinner at our hotel in Taunton, in the heart of Somerset. Taunton (3 nts) Days 2-3 Two full days of guided birdwatching in Somerset Day 4 After enjoying more or less another full day of birdwatching, we return to our hotel for farewells and departure for home at around 4.00pm this afternoon. *1 *1 Option to stay an extra night at the hotel after the break concludes is available at extra cost for those that want to extend their birdwatching stay in Somerset and/or allow time for a more leisurely journey home after breakfast at the hotel the next morning. Please ask our office for a quote at time of booking. Tour Itinerary Our Somerset Breaks are available on selected dates in November and February, and offer an unrivalled opportunity to enjoy a great birding getaway. Our Midweek Breaks (Tue-Fri, 3 nights) commence with arrival at our hotel on the Tuesday evening, where we gather for an informal get-together in the bar prior to enjoying dinner. Wednesday and 2 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

3 Thursday provide two full days in the field, with packed lunches and flasks of hot tea and coffee available on demand. We return to the hotel again each evening in time for a delicious dinner, followed by the day s log call over coffee and the chance to relax, relive and chat informally about the day s events. After spending the best part of the final day (Friday) in the field, the break concludes back at the hotel at around 4.00pm that afternoon. Farewells and departure for home. THE BIRDS Destinations will be chosen from the following outline programme to ensure your visit is both worthwhile and rewarding. We leave the final choice of places to visit to the discretion of Stephen, according to the weather, local conditions and what birds are about at the time. Somerset is one of the most diverse counties in Britain, habitat-wise, with wetlands, coast, hills, moors and woodlands. As a result it supports a very diverse range of breeding and wintering birds. At the heart of the county both geographically and spiritually lies the Somerset Levels, second only to the Norfolk Broads as Britain s largest wetland habitat. These vast reedbeds and pools support all sorts of waterbirds, from herons, egrets and the newly arrived Bittern to Marsh Harriers, Water Rails and numerous resident Cetti s Warblers. Latterly, rare visitors have included Great White Egrets. In autumn and winter, ducks arrive from Siberia, with Wigeon, Pintail, Teal and Shoveler dominant, along with the occasional flock of Bewick s Swans. But the main attraction has to be the vast flocks of Starlings Britain s biggest roost is here, with over two million birds sometimes present which perform their nightly aerial dance before going to roost in the reedbeds. These mass manoeuvres often attract predators, including Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and harriers, whose attentions create an even more amazing spectacle as the birds try to evade their attacker! You may well have seen them on Stephen s programmes on TV, but nothing can compare to the thrill of witnessing this incredible spectacle firsthand yourself! This historic landscape is in the process of being rewilded as part of the Wildlife Trusts Living Landscapes project. In recent years this has had a profound effect on the birdlife of the area Somerset has gone from having a single breeding species of heron (Grey Heron) to half-a-dozen, including three species of egret and both Bittern and (occasionally!) Little Bittern. The hotspot for these waterbirds is the RSPB reserve at Ham Wall along with the adjacent Shapwick and Meare Heaths, where Bitterns are seen far more frequently than at most other UK sites, often giving excellent flight views. Farther south, at the RSPB s West Sedgemoor reserve, a newly-released flock of Common Cranes has taken up residence as part of an ambitious reintroduction project. Other great wetland sites in the area include the RSPB s Greylake, where Peregrine and Merlin are regular in winter; Tealham Moor, home to countless Lapwings in winter; and Catcott Lows. Buzzards are everywhere, while Ravens are spreading right across the county, including the lowlands and levels as well as the more traditional upland sites. Half an hour to the north lies Bridgwater Bay, part of the immense Severn estuary complex. On a rising tide this is the ideal place to watch waders, with vast flocks of Dunlin, Knot, Redshank and Bar-tailed Godwit to watch for throughout the autumn and winter. On our autumn and winter trips we will also visit Cheddar Reservoir, an excellent site in the lee of the Mendips, where we can see a good range of wintering ducks including Goldeneye and Goosander, and hopefully the occasional rarer diver or grebe. We will vary the above itinerary to take best advantage of the weather, local conditions and what birds are about at the time of your particular visit. But one thing s for certain - wherever we go, with the benefit of Limosa s unrivalled local experience, there will always be plenty to see. 3 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

4 Trip Information Group Size Maximum of 8 participants & 1 leader What To Expect Led by Limosa s friendly expert guide, these holidays are ideal for birdwatchers of all levels of ability, interest and experience. Just bring your bins and enthusiasm for birds - we ll do the rest! Birds: species Accommodation We stay at a comfortable hotel (AA***) in Taunton. All rooms have private facilities. Meals All included in the price, from dinner on arrival on the evening of Day 1 through to and including lunch on Day 4. Breakfasts and dinners will be at the hotel; lunches will usually be picnics in the field. Walking Reasonably easy. Short walks (approx 1-2 miles) over easy and mostly flat terrain. Sturdy waterproof walking shoes or boots required. Walking boots will be useful, but wellingtons are usually not necessary on this tour. Weather The UK climate is famous for its unpredictability, but extremes are rare. Expect a mix of sunshine and showers (0-12C/32-54F) in late autumn/winter (Nov-Feb), when it can feel cold, especially if windy along the coast. Wrap yourself warmly with lightweight layers of clothing...! Some rainfall is possible at any season, so do bring rain wear. Ground Transport By minibus Photos Can be some good incidental photographic opportunities. How To Get There Participants arriving in Somerset by car will be sent a map and joining instructions for the hotel. We meet for an informal get-together in the hotel bar at 7.00pm on the first evening. For those without their own transport, we pick up at Taunton railway station at 5.30pm on the Tuesday afternoon, with most routes arriving into Taunton at about that time. We are able to drop off there again by about 5.00 pm on the Friday evening. Please note: there is no extra cost for pick-up and drop-off here. What You Say Just to say that my husband Alan Thunhurst had an absolutely brilliant time on his recent short bird break on the Somerset Levels. In fact he hasn t stopped raving about the leader and how fantastic the trip was. On the minus side he now claims he needs a new telescope and a much more powerful camera lens. All contributions gratefully received!! Judy the present giver, Somerset Tour For a UK trip and to a county I thought I knew, this weekend exceeded all expectations and as for the species seen, what more can I say - brilliant. Weather perfect too! Jenepher Allen, Somerset Tour 4 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

5 Didn t know Somerset was such a great location for birding. I ve always sped through the county on the way to Devon and Cornwall without stopping. Alan Woodward, Somerset Tour A very enjoyable two days - I feel as though I have had a much longer break. Thank you! Barbara Payne, Somerset Tour Enjoyed the number of birds we saw - especially the close-up views of Great White Egret at Meare Heath, the dashing Hobbies, and the White Stork, and finally catching up with the Cranes. John Badger, Somerset Tour Stephen is a most enthusiastic and knowledgeable leader. Great privilege to have birded with him. Great introduction to the Somerset Levels area... Anon. participant, Somerset Tour Stephen was brilliant. He made the most of the time we had, choosing a variety of different reserves and habitats. We were fortunate to be the 2nd [May] group as he knew already where a lot of the birds would be. He did us proud. Can t really beat Great White Egret and Osprey, not to mention Nightingale. Fran Town, Somerset Tour The evening on West Sedgemoor walking through a meadow of Cowslips and Green-winged Orchids and then hearing Snipe drumming and Spotted Crake calling was particularly memorable. Tour Cost 2013 (4 days, Jan): 645 from Taunton Deposit: 100 Single Supp: 110 Marion Sutton, Somerset Tour Cost includes All accommodation, meals (from dinner on arrival on Day 1 through to lunch on Day 4), minibus excursions, entry fees/permits including special access to closed areas of reserve, tips and taxes, bird checklist and services of the leader. Pick up/drop off in Taunton as outlined above, if required. Cost excludes Insurance, drinks & other items of a personal nature. About Your Guide Stephen Moss Stephen is a well-known naturalist, birder, author, TV producer and broadcaster whose credits include Birding with Bill Oddie, Springwatch, The Nature of Britain and Birds Britannia. After almost 30 years at the BBC (half at the world-famous Natural History Unit in Bristol), he recently left to embark on a freelance career... which includes working for the BBC again! He and his family moved down to the Somerset Levels from London six years ago, since when he has explored Somerset s birding hotspots 5 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

6 and seen almost 200 different species in the county. His many books on birds and wildlife include two on Somerset: A Sky Full of Starlings (Aurum, 2008) and Wild Hares and Hummingbirds: the natural history of an English village (Square Peg, 2011). Stephen designed and personally leads our Somerset tours, and our 2013 departure will be his fifth trip there for Limosa. Our Somerset Levels breaks are limited to a maximum of 8 participants plus Stephen Limosa Loyalty Discount The success of our business is built upon repeat custom and our Frequent Travel Discount is one way of saying thank you to all who travel regularly with us. Under the scheme, everyone who takes four trips with us is entitled to claim a 5% discount on their fifth trip*. Or you can opt to save your discounts up and carry them forward to claim a 10% discount on your 10th trip. The choice is yours - but do please remember to request your discount at time of booking! * Please note: This offer applies to the basic tour cost only and excludes certain commission-based trips, extras such as additional flights, private extensions and cancellations. Discounts cannot be given in lieu of tour deposits or off the cost of single room supplements. How to Book Be sure to read our Booking Conditions and General Information found at the back of our current brochure or on our website. Book Online: You can book swiftly and securely online via our website: Book By Post: Please complete both sides of the Booking Form, remembering to sign and date the reverse please. Mail this to us, together with the appropriate Booking Deposit (see above). Telephone bookings: We are happy to accept bookings by telephone and will hold a place for you on a provisional basis for up to 14 days to allow time for your booking form and deposit to reach us by mail. Payments Deposits: The amount of deposit per person is shown above. We accept payment by cheque (drawn in GB Pounds Sterling) and debit card. We also accept most major credit cards (not AmEx). Final Balance: Full payment of the balance is due not later than 12 weeks prior to departure. We will send you an invoice at about this time. We accept payment for final balances by cheque or debit card. Card Charges: Please note due to escalating credit card charges we are no longer able to absorb the cost of these. A 2% commission charge is made on any final balance paid by credit card, but not on deposits nor on payments made by debit card. Late Bookings In order for us to guarantee airline seats, hotels etc for you, full payment is required at time of booking for all late bookings (i.e. bookings made within 12 weeks of departure). 6 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

7 When to Book This is one of the most Frequently Asked Questions. And the short answer is as early as possible! Accommodation and flights are much more easily secured well in advance - and there is nothing more frustrating than to know that on paper space is still available on the tour but that hotels and/or flights are full. To encourage early booking therefore, we are pleased to offer an Early Booking Discount - see our current brochure for details. Our tours are limited to small group sizes, so they can fill up quickly - sometimes even before our new brochure comes out. It's not unusual to find trips are fully booked around four to six months in advance. Single rooms in particular can often be in short supply and among the first to go, so do try to plan well ahead if you definitely require one of these. Last-minute bookings: We inevitably receive a few unexpected late cancellations over the course of a season so it is always worth enquiring about vacancies on any tour - even for those departing in just a few weeks time! Other Things You Need To Know Health & Vaccinations Compulsory vaccinations: None! Recommended vaccinations: None! However, for travel everywhere (even within the UK), we recommend you are up-to-date with protection against tetanus, polio and hepatitis A. Travel Insurance Good travel insurance is essential before departing on any overseas trip and is to be much recommended for UK holidays as well. We recommend that you obtain insurance as soon as possible after booking your holiday to ensure you are protected in the event of unexpected cancellation prior to departure due to accident or illness. You must inform your insurers of any pre-existing medical conditions (including those of persons not necessarily travelling but upon whom your holiday may depend) that may require treatment during a period of overseas travel or might cause you to cancel the trip. Be aware that Travel Insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover for valuable optical equipment, which is often best protected under your own household insurance policy. If in doubt ask your insurers for advice prior to travel. Arranging Your Insurance: due to UK Government legislation, under new Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations, note that we are not allowed to offer or recommend travel related insurance to customers. Premiums can vary widely according to your age, needs, health, choice of destination and other factors, while many people nowadays have Annual Travel Insurance cover. For these reasons, we leave you free to shop around and pick your own policy, one best suited to your own individual needs. General Information Our website gives easy access to detailed tour itineraries, bird lists, trip reports and the latest Limosa News. It also has useful Links to the FCO and other websites. 7 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

8 Special Diets & Other Requests We pass on all such requests to the airlines, hotels and other suppliers, and do our best to ensure (but of course cannot guarantee) that your needs will be met. Please be sure to tell us about these (in as much detail as possible) at the time of booking, to allow good time to make the necessary arrangements. Smoking Almost all of our clients prefer a smoke-free environment. For the enjoyment and comfort of all, we ask that smokers refrain from smoking in proximity to the group and respect our NO SMOKING policy in the vehicle, at meal times, while watching wildlife and when otherwise in close company of fellow participants. Any Questions? If you have any questions at any time, you ll find our office staff friendly, efficient, approachable - and just a phone call away, eager to assist you in every way. Our office is open hrs Mon-Fri, and can also be reached by fax and . In the event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone (24 hrs) and our office will contact you as soon as we can. Thank you for your interest in our tours. We do hope that you will be able to join us - and look forward to hearing from you again! WPCK/SM Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see: