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Home How to Join Photo Gallery Ask the Committee Bird News Club News Where to go Birding County List Rarities Committee Talks Walks Links		QUANTOCK HILLS Click here to open up a map of the site. Note that you can move around the area by using the buttons around the map and enlarge or reduce the scale by using the buttons below the map. Click on your back button to return to this page. MAP REFERENCES O.S. Landranger 181 Minehead & Brendon Hills area O.S. Explorer 22 Quantock Hills and Bridgwater (recommended) O.S. Pathfinder 1216 Quantock Hills INTRODUCTION The Quantocks are a 'mini-Exmoor' with combes on both the north and south side of the ridge that runs in a north-westerly direction from Taunton to the sea. The highest point is Will's Neck at 386m above sea level. The combes on the north side are predominantly wooded with oak and tend to be shallower than the more open combes on the opposite side of the hill. The main habitat on the top of the ridge is typical moorland with heather and tussock grass. An area to the south-east of the only road crossing the hills was planted with conifers in the 1940's. The area, considering it's position, is vastly under-watched by local and visiting birders. Most of the species found on Exmoor can be seen with the exception of 'the specialities'. It is extremely unlikely you will encounter another birdwatcher apart from those looking for nightjars, which is surprising, because the Quantocks have a lot to offer. ACCESS For access to the combe above Holford, park in the car park at ST155410, Holford Green, and walk south-west along Hodder's Combe. Continue until this path climbs out onto the top of the ridge, turn east along the main ridge and north off of Hare Knap to return to the start. Alternatively, from Crowcombe Park Gate at ST150377, various tracks can be followed to take in a wide variety of habitats. It is also a good starting place to explore the Quantock Forest mentioned in the introduction. The only areas where access is not permitted, is the area known as Crowcombe Park and a few of the small woods on the fringes of the hills. SPECIES TO BE SEEN The wooded valleys are fairly quiet in winter with only the residents, wintering thrushes and woodcock present. It is possible to find all three species of woodpecker here. The best chance of finding lesser spotted woodpecker is in the woodlands from Bin Combe across to Hodder's Combe on the north side, and in Bagborough Plantation on the south side. Great Spotted Woodpecker © Nigel Milbourne 2004 Most of the larger streams have resident grey wagtails, but dippers seem to be only infrequent in Hodder's and Holford Combes. Few species are seen on the top in winter. Stonechats move to lower ground, however, there are occasional sightings of both hen harrier and merlin. Great grey shrikes have been seen, but this remains the exception rather than the rule. In the forestry, quite large flocks of siskin have been found during the winter, but only a few stay throughout the year to breed in small numbers. The same applies to redpoll. As with Exmoor, it is when the summer visitors arrive back in spring, that the Quantocks come alive. Redstarts, pied flycatchers and wood warblers are present in good numbers in the wooded combes, particularly in the areas mentioned for lesser spotted woodpecker. Tree pipits, on the top edges of these wooded areas, are probably more plentiful than on Exmoor. Over 80 pairs of stonechat are present, along with smaller numbers of whinchat and an expanding population of Dartford warbler. Grasshopper warblers are few and far between. Wheatears pass through, though an occasional pair stay to breed. Ring ouzels are also only seen on passage. Nightjars are present in summer, and can be found across the hilltops, but the western end around Staple Plain and the Quantock Forest are the favoured areas. It is also possible to come across a hunting long-eared owl at dusk. Hobbys are sometimes seen hunting at dusk over the heather. In years of crossbill eruption, small flocks are encountered in the Quantock Forest, usually from July onwards, with some staying through the winter. The odd firecrest has been found in the forest during the summer, in suitable breeding habitat, and goldcrest are always present in large numbers. TIMING The best months are April through to June, when most of the woodland and open top species are most obvious. To get the most of your birding here, early mornings are preferred, before parties of walkers and, more recently, mountain bikers ascend the hills. Evenings can also be quite fruitful. OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST The Quantocks have a sizeable population of red deer and the numbers of roe deer seem to be increasing. Brian Gibbs
(c) Somerset Ornithological Society

QUANTOCK HILLS

Click here to open up a map of the site. Note that you can move around the area by using the buttons around the map and enlarge or reduce the scale by using the buttons below the map. Click on your back button to return to this page.

MAP REFERENCES

O.S. Landranger 181 Minehead & Brendon Hills area

O.S. Explorer 22 Quantock Hills and Bridgwater (recommended)

O.S. Pathfinder 1216 Quantock Hills

INTRODUCTION

The Quantocks are a 'mini-Exmoor' with combes on both the north and south side of the ridge that runs in a north-westerly direction from Taunton to the sea. The highest point is Will's Neck at 386m above sea level. The combes on the north side are predominantly wooded with oak and tend to be shallower than the more open combes on the opposite side of the hill. The main habitat on the top of the ridge is typical moorland with heather and tussock grass. An area to the south-east of the only road crossing the hills was planted with conifers in the 1940's. The area, considering it's position, is vastly under-watched by local and visiting birders. Most of the species found on Exmoor can be seen with the exception of 'the specialities'. It is extremely unlikely you will encounter another birdwatcher apart from those looking for nightjars, which is surprising, because the Quantocks have a lot to offer.

ACCESS

For access to the combe above Holford, park in the car park at ST155410, Holford Green, and walk south-west along Hodder's Combe. Continue until this path climbs out onto the top of the ridge, turn east along the main ridge and north off of Hare Knap to return to the start. Alternatively, from Crowcombe Park Gate at ST150377, various tracks can be followed to take in a wide variety of habitats. It is also a good starting place to explore the Quantock Forest mentioned in the introduction. The only areas where access is not permitted, is the area known as Crowcombe Park and a few of the small woods on the fringes of the hills.

SPECIES TO BE SEEN

The wooded valleys are fairly quiet in winter with only the residents, wintering thrushes and woodcock present. It is possible to find all three species of woodpecker here. The best chance of finding lesser spotted woodpecker is in the woodlands from Bin Combe across to Hodder's Combe on the north side, and in Bagborough Plantation on the south side. Great Spotted Woodpecker © Nigel Milbourne 2004 Most of the larger streams have resident grey wagtails, but dippers seem to be only infrequent in Hodder's and Holford Combes. Few species are seen on the top in winter. Stonechats move to lower ground, however, there are occasional sightings of both hen harrier and merlin. Great grey shrikes have been seen, but this remains the exception rather than the rule. In the forestry, quite large flocks of siskin have been found during the winter, but only a few stay throughout the year to breed in small numbers. The same applies to redpoll. As with Exmoor, it is when the summer visitors arrive back in spring, that the Quantocks come alive. Redstarts, pied flycatchers and wood warblers are present in good numbers in the wooded combes, particularly in the areas mentioned for lesser spotted woodpecker. Tree pipits, on the top edges of these wooded areas, are probably more plentiful than on Exmoor. Over 80 pairs of stonechat are present, along with smaller numbers of whinchat and an expanding population of Dartford warbler. Grasshopper warblers are few and far between. Wheatears pass through, though an occasional pair stay to breed. Ring ouzels are also only seen on passage. Nightjars are present in summer, and can be found across the hilltops, but the western end around Staple Plain and the Quantock Forest are the favoured areas. It is also possible to come across a hunting long-eared owl at dusk. Hobbys are sometimes seen hunting at dusk over the heather. In years of crossbill eruption, small flocks are encountered in the Quantock Forest, usually from July onwards, with some staying through the winter. The odd firecrest has been found in the forest during the summer, in suitable breeding habitat, and goldcrest are always present in large numbers.

TIMING

The best months are April through to June, when most of the woodland and open top species are most obvious. To get the most of your birding here, early mornings are preferred, before parties of walkers and, more recently, mountain bikers ascend the hills. Evenings can also be quite fruitful.

OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST

The Quantocks have a sizeable population of red deer and the numbers of roe deer seem to be increasing.

Brian Gibbs