December UK - short trip ideas. (1 Viewer)

[hermitical]

Hi, thinking if getting away for a few days in December (I have annual leave to use or lose).

I'm in Somerset and don't want to drive for too long so looking for something in the bottom half of the UK. I'd love to go to the coast and to see something/somewhere special - not really interested in rarities, more beautiful, spectacular etc.. I wondered about Norfolk but that is over 5 hours drive and would ideally not want to be on the road that long, but that might be the best choice?

Suggestions gratefully received...

 

[Jos Stratford]

South Devon? Exe Estuary for Avocets et al, Dawlish for chances of Slavonian Grebes or other occasional seabirds, South Hams for Cirl Bunting, reserves for Dartford Warbler

 

[Mono]

Dorset - Arne, Poole Harbour.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Dorset - Arne, Poole Harbour.

With potentially Portland and Radipole also

 

[hermitical]

South Devon? Exe Estuary for Avocets et al, Dawlish for chances of Slavonian Grebes or other occasional seabirds, South Hams for Cirl Bunting, reserves for Dartford Warbler

Great but all a bit close to home and not new to me. I go to the Exe quite regularly, it is as close to me as the Somerset Levels.

 

[hermitical]

Dorset - Arne, Poole Harbour.

Again, great thought but I used to live in Bournemouth and went to Arne almost every weekend for a while so a bit too familiar!

 

[hermitical]

With potentially Portland and Radipole also

I did wonder about Portland, staying there for a couple of nights. Would I have missed most of the migration by that point?

 

[Jos Stratford]

South Wales, but birding mix not very dissimilar to Somerset. Maybe Norfolk is the the best option for you - surely some of the best winter birding in the UK

 

[Jos Stratford]

I did wonder about Portland, staying there for a couple of nights. Would I have missed most of the migration by that point?

Yes, but Portland Harbour usually has a nice winter mix, with Radipile and Lodmoor adding variety