Nature

Jeff Acreman won the adult category of CPRE Somerset's photography competition with an image of a kingfisher turning a fish

Kingfisher photograph wins adult category in Somerset competition

A screening of The Playboy of the Western World is among the events taking place in South Somerset over the next week

A screening of The Playboy of the Western World is among the events taking place in South Somerset over the next week

National Theatre

What's on in South Somerset this week: August 12-18, 2026

The bizarre sight was caught in on camera high above houses.

The bizarre sight was caught in on camera high above houses.

Rare weather phenomenon 'like a Hollywood disaster film' spotted over Chard

Clinton Rogers column: Finding common sense in hedge-cutting rules

A group of South Somerset stitchers plan to gather beneath a rare black poplar tree during Great Big Green Week as part of a creative project raising awareness of the region’s low tree cover

A group of South Somerset stitchers plan to gather beneath a rare black poplar tree during Great Big Green Week as part of a creative project raising awareness of the region’s low tree cover

South Petherton

South Somerset stitchers capture beauty of trees with textile art

Cllr Oakes and members of West Coker Scout Group

Cllr Oakes and members of West Coker Scout Group

Cub Scouts launch anti-dog fouling campaign at Somerset country park

West of England Mayor Helen Godwin and council leaders

West of England Mayor Helen Godwin and council leaders

North Somerset Council

New fund to boost nature recovery in the West of England

Ferne Animal Sanctuary will welcome visitors to site near Chard on Monday, May 25

Ferne Animal Sanctuary will welcome visitors to site near Chard on Monday, May 25

Animal sanctuary near Chard to host wildlife day later this month

Somerset residents are being treated to the dawn chorus as birds take centre stage in what the RSPB calls

Somerset residents are being treated to the dawn chorus as birds take centre stage in what the RSPB calls

Dawn chorus makes spring mornings special across Somerset

Reception children at Redstart Primary School in Chard recently enjoyed a visit from Fangs 'N' Feathers

Reception children at Redstart Primary School in Chard recently enjoyed a visit from Fangs 'N' Feathers

Primary school pupils in Chard get up close with exotic animals

More than 14,000 residents in Somerset took part in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch

More than 14,000 residents in Somerset took part in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch attracts Somerset participants

Road near Chard closed after partial collapse due to burrowing badgers.

Road near Chard closed after partial collapse due to burrowing badgers.

Road near Chard closed after partial collapse due to 'badgers burrowing'

Column: The joys of springtime in Somerset

Green Focus column: The fight worth having is for nature

Various National Trust properties in Somerset have announced upcoming events to kick off 2026

Various National Trust properties in Somerset have announced upcoming events to kick off 2026

National Trust venues in Somerset welcome 2026 with activities

CPRE Somerset is launching the Love Your Countryside Awards to celebrate 100 years of the Campaign to Protect Rural England charity

CPRE Somerset is launching the Love Your Countryside Awards to celebrate 100 years of the Campaign to Protect Rural England charity

Awards scheme unveiled to champion Somerset landscapes

The Signs of Spring survey invites Somerset residents to report sightings of key seasonal indicators

The Signs of Spring survey invites Somerset residents to report sightings of key seasonal indicators

Residents in Somerset asked to note signs of spring

The Friends of Chard Reservoir will hold a meeting on Wednesday, January 14

The Friends of Chard Reservoir will hold a meeting on Wednesday, January 14

Chard Reservoir

Friends of Chard Reservoir set for meeting to share aims with community

It's the best time se see a starling murmuration this winter - here's how to photograph the birds in flight

It's the best time se see a starling murmuration this winter - here's how to photograph the birds in flight

5 tips for seeing and photographing a starling murmuration this winter

“The return of this critically-endangered species would be another step in the restoration of our native wildlife and will help re-balance local ecosystems.

“The return of this critically-endangered species would be another step in the restoration of our native wildlife and will help re-balance local ecosystems.

Big cat sightings

Critically endangered wildcats could be released back in UK after public backs move

Every year, family and friends on horseback and quad bikes round the ponies up for inspection at a farm on Exmoor

Every year, family and friends on horseback and quad bikes round the ponies up for inspection at a farm on Exmoor

Exmoor National Park

Gathering of Exmoor ponies marks annual inspection event

The Fen Raft Spider has made a comeback after being close to extinction

The Fen Raft Spider has made a comeback after being close to extinction

Giant fish-eating spider close to extinction makes incredible comeback to the UK

Charming images show a kingfisher feeding.

Charming images show a kingfisher feeding.

'Blink and you may miss' it: 'Beautiful' bird photographed in reservoir

Somerset beauty spots Ham Hill and Chard Reservoir have both received Green Flag Awards, an international quality mark for well-managed parks and green spaces

Somerset beauty spots Ham Hill and Chard Reservoir have both received Green Flag Awards, an international quality mark for well-managed parks and green spaces

Green Flag Award

Two Somerset beauty spots recognised with international award

Residents, landowners, community groups, and businesses in Somerset are encouraged to participate in the consultation process

Residents, landowners, community groups, and businesses in Somerset are encouraged to participate in the consultation process

Somerset Council

Somerset Council appeals for community help to conserve nature

The Property Care Association recommends three key actions to help gardeners reduce the risk of spreading invasive plants

The Property Care Association recommends three key actions to help gardeners reduce the risk of spreading invasive plants

South West gardeners asked to help curb invasive plants

Spiders usually start to come out in early September, with their presence noticeable in homes until around mid-October.

Spiders usually start to come out in early September, with their presence noticeable in homes until around mid-October.

Thousands of mating spiders are about to invade UK homes - how to keep them out

Seven dexter cattle and several goats are now grazing the woodlands of the North Somerset and Mendip Special Area of Conservation

Seven dexter cattle and several goats are now grazing the woodlands of the North Somerset and Mendip Special Area of Conservation

Species reintroduction

Multi-million-pound funding awarded to two Somerset conservation projects

King Louis the badger who broke into a Crewkerne charity shop.

King Louis the badger who broke into a Crewkerne charity shop.

Crewkerne charity shop forced to temporarily close after badger cub breaks in

The Delta Aquariid meteor shower will peak across UK skies this week.

The Delta Aquariid meteor shower will peak across UK skies this week.

Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower

How to see stunning 'shooting star' display as meteor shower peaks in UK skies

Animal interactions highlight the sanctuary’s focus on learning through nature

Animal interactions highlight the sanctuary’s focus on learning through nature

Animal sanctuary launches summer holiday schedule

The discarded BBQ that started a fire on Ham Hill.

The discarded BBQ that started a fire on Ham Hill.

Warning issued after 'deep-seated' fire on Ham Hill

Almost 2,500 species records have been collected in three years thanks to the efforts of The Big Count participants, covering around 150 different UK species

Almost 2,500 species records have been collected in three years thanks to the efforts of The Big Count participants, covering around 150 different UK species

The Big Count 2025 invites public to help record wildlife in Somerset

Moo enjoying the sunshine by Debi Ann Moss.

Moo enjoying the sunshine by Debi Ann Moss.

Stunning pictures of spring wildlife in the sunshine thanks to camera club snappers

Disruption and road closures are expected as essential works on Chard Reservoir have started.

Disruption and road closures are expected as essential works on Chard Reservoir have started.

Local government

Road closures and disruption expected as Chard Reservoir works begin

Chard Reservoir works are starting to prevent 'extreme future flooding'.

Chard Reservoir works are starting to prevent 'extreme future flooding'.

Chard Reservoir works are starting to prevent 'extreme future flooding'

Used needles found in Chard.

Used needles found in Chard.

Used needles found with substances inside near Chard Reservoir

A total of 19 species were recorded by the survey, representing 40 to 50 per cent of all the dragonflies known to breed regularly in Dorset

A total of 19 species were recorded by the survey, representing 40 to 50 per cent of all the dragonflies known to breed regularly in Dorset

Former Somerset dairy farm transformed into dragonfly haven

The project aims to create a space for shared activities centred around nature, creativity, food, and wellbeing.

The project aims to create a space for shared activities centred around nature, creativity, food, and wellbeing.

New Chard community garden project set to begin

Chard Reservoir works to begin this month.

Chard Reservoir works to begin this month.

Local government

Works to begin on Chard Reservoir this month

East Devon District Council has acquired new land for the expansion of Seaton Wetlands

East Devon District Council has acquired new land for the expansion of Seaton Wetlands

Creation of new Devon wetlands will not unlock new Chard homes, council confirms

A tarantula looks similar to purseweb spiders

A tarantula looks similar to purseweb spiders

BBC scientist confirms tarantulas inhabit parts of UK during spider season

As someone with a fear of spiders, I tested out the £1.40 hack to keep spiders out of your home, available from most supermarkets and online

As someone with a fear of spiders, I tested out the £1.40 hack to keep spiders out of your home, available from most supermarkets and online

Homes and interiors

This is the £1.40 hack for keeping spiders out of your home - but does it work?

Action Against Fox Hunting will march on Saturday, September 28.

Action Against Fox Hunting will march on Saturday, September 28.

March against 'cruel' fox cub hunting taking place in Chard

Chard Reservoir.

Chard Reservoir.

Jobs and careers

Engagement volunteers sought at beauty spots including Chard Reservoir

By Debi Ann Moss

By Debi Ann Moss

Somerset Camera Club captures the first signs of autumn in Somerset

Saturn to be visible in the UK night sky this week - find out when and how

Saturn to be visible in the UK night sky this week - find out when and how

Saturn to be visible in the UK night sky this week - find out when and how

This is everything you need to know about spider mating season, and some handy tips to keep the eight-legged creepy crawlies at bay

This is everything you need to know about spider mating season, and some handy tips to keep the eight-legged creepy crawlies at bay

Thousands of mating spiders are about to invade UK homes - how to keep them out

Ilminster Arts Centre will host 'Beautiful Bugs' and 'Plants and Pollinators' at a reduced rate following a grant from the Tesco Community Fund

Ilminster Arts Centre will host 'Beautiful Bugs' and 'Plants and Pollinators' at a reduced rate following a grant from the Tesco Community Fund

Ilminster Arts Centre to host two nature-themed children's workshops

Award-winning wildlife star bringing lions, tigers and bears to Yeovil

Award-winning wildlife star bringing lions, tigers and bears to Yeovil

Award-winning wildlife star bringing lions, tigers and bears to Yeovil

A day in the life of a volunteer at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary

A day in the life of a volunteer at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary

A day in the life of a volunteer at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary

The guided bat walk will be held on Wednesday, June 19. (Image: Sophie Chick, Somerset Camera Club)

The guided bat walk will be held on Wednesday, June 19. (Image: Sophie Chick, Somerset Camera Club)

Learn more about the UK's native bat species at Chard Reservoir's guided walk

The cats are now at the sanctuary

The cats are now at the sanctuary

Animal sanctuary receives sealed boxes of cats found in a hedge

Volunteers have been at work recently

Volunteers have been at work recently

Volunteers carry out ‘successful’ tree maintenance around Ilminster