Somerset Wild Walks: Butterflies, Birds & Dragons, Somerset Levels 24th July

A mixed day of warm sunshine a strong breeze and a little cloud for our walk that would take us along the track end to end and return from Sharpham Ham Wall to Shapwick end, a total of 8.5 miles!

We started our walk from Ham Wall carpark and made our way past the first platform and onto the Avalon hide. Not too much going on from the hide but we did see Marsh Harriers and Great Egret over the reeds. Reed Bunting and Reed Warblers were still busy gathering food flying too and fro around the hide.

As we left the hide we caught sight of a Hobby in the sky no doubt hunting for dragonflies. Our path then took us along the grassy path past the screens. From one of the screens we had a great but distant view of the island which was crammed with a Great and Little Egret, Lapwings, Black tailed Godwits, a Glossy Ibis, a couple of unidentifiable Sandpipers plus some duck species.

Eventually we joined the main track again and walked towards the Sharpham end keeping an eye out for the Little Bittern ... just in case!

Plenty of Hemp-agrimony now in flower which was attracting a whole range of butterflies and other insects. What a superb plant! In fact for the day we saw a total of 15 species of butterflies. Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small,Large & Green Veined Whites, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Brimstone, Ringlet, Painted Lady, Holly Blue and a Clouded Yellow.

Heading back towards Ham Wall we were lucky to see a Bittern fly off. Also plenty of Dragonflies around but seeing them settle and land for a while a different matter! The pond area at the carpark was also very rewarding for dragonflies.

Disappointing that the scrape area is now flooded in the hope of 'drowning the weeds' that have grown on the little islands. Not sure if this is a good idea and most certainly the birds and waders have gone elsewhere!

Still, it's a great walk along the track and drain and at the end where a mass of wild pea is growing we found a few fresh Brimstone butterflies.

Another great day out with nature, you can't beat it!