Description
The town of Clevedon has been a 'seaside' location since the Victorian era and a popular place for the visiting people of nearby Bristol. Typical of the era it has a pier (various opening times - charge incurred) that stretches out into the estuary. On the estuary the low tide mark can be half a mile from shore, birds can be spread over a wide area, 3+ hours before/after high tide is best. Žalar Cirikavac sometimes numbering 5,000+, Crvenonoga Prutka, Veliki Pozviždač, Kameničak, Oštrigar, Zlatar Pijukavac, Rđasti Žalar, Mali Sokol, Sivi Sokol, Crvenogrli Plijenor and small numbers of Grivasta guska, Zviždara, Kržulja, Patka Lastarka, Patka crninka, Gavka, Mali ronac, Crna patka, Patka Batoglavica and occasionally Veliki ronac. Mala Bijela Čaplja, Veliki Vranac, Vjetruša, Crnoglavi Batić, Sivi Ćuk, Livadna Trepetljka, Sjeverna trepteljka and Utva are regularly seen throughout the year. Freezing/cold weather conditions elsewhere may bring in larger flocks of Vivak and Troprsti Zlatar. During Spring/Autumn migration Kulik Blatarić, Riđa muljača, Crnorepa Muljača, Prugasti Pozviždač, Sivkasta Bjeloguza, Bijela Pastirica, Crnoglava Muharica, Šumska Crvenperka regularly pass through.
The wet areas behind the sea wall can hold a lot of birds, pushed off the estuary mud by high tide or the Severn Bore (following a new or full moon - depending on weather conditions) and Blackstone Rocks are all worth checking out (Press STARS on map), birds of prey actively hunt when birds are concentrated at roost sites.
The sea wall is a popular walking area and can be busy mostly in the afternoons, a morning visit with suitable tide times may be best. If you have time be sure to check further up the Blind Yeo for birds.
Details
Access
The M5 motorway is on the Eastern edge of Clevedon, leave M5 at junction 20 signed Clevedon/Nailsea B3133. On large roundabout take exit signed Clevedon/Nailsea B3133, get in Left hand lane. At next roundabout take first exit signed Yatton/Congresbury (B3133)/Sports Center/Sea Front. Continue on this road (Central Way), at next roundabout continue straight ahead (second exit). Road is now Southern Way but soon becomes Old Church Road, Salthouse Fields car park (Fee Payable) is on the Left by some large trees.
