Exploring Steart Marshes and The Meads

WWT Steart Marshes. Photo credit: Joe Beaney

Winter is an exciting time to visit Steart with the expectation of spectacular wader murmurations and flocks of ducks grazing by the pools. This is our first full winter here so early in the season we walked down to the Breach on a glorious sunny afternoon as the tide was rising. Skies were a bright azure blue as only it can be at that time of year and it was mild enough to enjoy a picnic as we sat on the bench overlooking the estuary; the colour of the sky reflected in the waters contrasting with the still vibrant greens on the salt marsh. As the tide quickly covered the muddy estuary flocks of dunlins flew back and forth in synchronised waves along the banks, their brilliant white undersides catching the eye. We watched until they stopped their restless flights and must have settled somewhere out of sight then it was time to walk back along the path and reflect on a lovely afternoon.

Inspired to return, later in Winter we walked the same path an hour before dusk on a sharp- cold day. As we approached the viewing area a ghost-like bird flew silently over the hedges towards us. Out hunting early was a stunning barn owl so close we could easily admire its subtle coloured plumage yet not hear a single sound. Not phased by our presence it hunted the rough grasses by the side of the path; swooping down to the ground it disappeared from view and as we slowly walked onwards we found it hidden behind a hummock of grass consuming a hard won meal. What a special and privileged moment culminating in a beautiful lilac sunset as we left the breach.

Wildlife encounters are not confined to Steart but can be found anywhere. I have been exploring Bridgwater's Blue Heritage with a walk from Brewery Fields, a SuDS Project (Sustainable Drainage) led by WWT Blue Heritage Bridgwater. This is a small but delightful wetland in the centre of urban Bridgwater. Following its creation it has been quickly colonised by water loving plant including reeds and willow and is now well established. As I squatted down to look through the reeds a wren was busy rustling through the grasses looking for a meal and blue tits used the reed stems as a staging post. My next stop was the docks with its calming open expanses of water and the river bank lined by more reeds where sparrows darted in from nearby trees. Then along the tree lined canal path to go to The Meads. Every now and then robins tutted or flew down to the path to peck up an unsuspecting meal obviously good feeding is to be had here.

At The Meads I went for a lovely but muddy explore through the pool-filled fields and along the Witches Brook which winds it way along one edge. The bare trees were stark against the clouds, on a leafless hedge I spotted a couple of combative male blackbirds, the yellow of their beaks brightening the gloomy day. Alerted by trilling contact calls I found a small flock of long -tailed tits busy foraging, clinging to twigs, their bodies fluffed up against the cold remarkably tolerant of me watching them. Taking a circular route I came back along the all weather path so had a view over The Meads and soon spotted the quick movement of a stonechat to and from its high perch, the reddish -orange breast and black head clearly visible. Closer to the canal an elusive chiffchaff called in the scrubby hedgerow an ideal sheltered place to spend winter and find insects. Finally, I caught a glimpse of it, rounding off nicely a wild winter walk.

Brewery Fields, Bridgwater. Photo credit: Nicola Hunt

Thank you to Nicola for writing this lovely article.

• Share this article