Autumn Birds with Nick Patel

As the seasons shift and the landscape begins to glow with autumn colour, join expert wildlife guide Nick Patel for a guided walk through the evolving habitats of Heal Somerset, focusing on the rich and dynamic world of autumn birdlife.

Autumn is a time of movement and change in the bird world. Migrants arrive from the north to spend the winter here, while summer visitors begin their journeys south. Hedgerows are alive with activity as birds feast on the season’s berries, and grasslands and wetlands provide vital feeding grounds for both resident and passing species.

During this relaxed walk, Nick will help you identify birds by sight and sound, offering insights into plumage changes, migration patterns, and the different behaviours you are likely to observe at this time of year. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced birder, you’ll come away with fresh skills and a deeper understanding of how birds adapt to the turning season.

You’ll also have the chance to learn more about how rewilding at Heal Somerset is creating safe havens for birdlife, and how these habitats support biodiversity through the colder months.

We’ll meet at 10am in the visitor car park, and after the tour, you'll be invited to gather in the farmhouse for warm refreshments and time to share sightings and ask questions.

What you might see: redwing, fieldfare, stonechat, goldcrest, meadow pipit, kestrel, sparrowhawk, buzzard, linnet, snipe, lapwing

About your guide, Nick Patel:

Nick is a tour guide, conservationist, naturalist and birder and is passionate about helping to protect, create and maintain British wildlife. A lifelong birdwatcher, and former nature reserve warden, Nick has devoted his life to shouting about how amazing our native biodiversity is and just why we should care for it.

Nick says “I am really pleased and super excited to be working with Heal and looking forward to showcasing some of the amazing work they are doing at the Heal Somerset site. It’s truly inspiring and you can already feel an abundance of nature, which I am excited to share with people though my tours”.

LOCATION

Heal Somerset is in a very rural location, a few miles from Bruton, Frome, the A303 and the Wiltshire border, at Lower West Barn Farm, Bindon Lane, Witham Friary, BA11 5HH. Directions will be sent in a confirmation email.

TIMINGS

9.55am: Meet at visitors' carpark

10am: Tour begins

12 noon: Refreshments in farmhouse

CLOTHING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

We recommend you bring binoculars if you have them for this tour although there will be a couple of spare pairs available on the day.

It is likely to be wet underfoot so we recommend that you wear wellingtons or sturdy waterproof shoes or walking boots suitable for rough, uneven ground. If the forecast is wet, bring a waterproof jacket and a hat and dress warmly.

[We give this level of detail to encourage wider participation in our tours by people who may be unfamiliar with being out in nature and we hope this is useful for them as well as a reminder to those already aware.]

ACCESSIBILITY

The site is not yet wheelchair-accessible, but we do have one all-terrain mobility scooter available. If you would like to use this, please let us know ahead of the event.

If you use an assistance dog, your dog will be welcome.

If you have any additional questions about accessibility please email events@healrewilding.org.uk.

OTHER THINGS

Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel this tour and either refund you or book you into an alternative date. This would be due to a very poor weather forecast or illness and will be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Please note, tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.

Children and babies

Children over 12 are welcome on the tour as are babies in slings (the site is not pushchair-friendly in a lot of areas). Please contact events@healrewilding.org.uk for more information about bringing children.

Dogs

We welcome assistance dogs but you can't bring a pet dog or any other pets to the site.

Supporting Heal

Please note, up to 50% of your ticket price will go towards supporting the work of Heal.

You'll also have the chance to become a Friend of Heal and to donate to support our work.

Special ticketing

If you are unwaged, a student or living on a very low income and the cost of attending is prohibitive, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk as we may be able to support your attendance. Please note this may not always be possible.