From the Somerset Levels to the Mendip Hills and the dramatic coastline beyond, early summer is one of the best times to explore the county’s wild side.

One of the most magical sights at this time of year is the barn owl. June is a busy month for these beautiful birds as adults hunt constantly to feed their chicks as they are growing fast and getting ready to fledge. (Watch our webcam to see the owlets in the Blackdown Hills as they fledge!)

As dusk settles over fields and quiet country lanes, you may spot them gliding silently above rough grassland in search of prey. Their pale bodies and distinctive heart-shaped faces are unmistakable against the evening sky, especially on warm, calm nights. 

The wetlands of Somerset become especially lively in June as dragonflies and damselflies emerge in huge numbers. Ponds, reedbeds, and drainage channels shimmer with movement as bright blue, green, and bronze insects dart through the air. Emperor dragonflies are often the easiest to recognise thanks to their size and speed, while damselflies hover delicately among reeds and grasses beside the water.

Birdwatchers are also spoiled for choice during early summer. Somerset’s reedbeds are now home to species that were once considered incredibly rare in Britain. If you visit the Levels early in the morning, you may hear the deep booming call of the bittern carrying across the marshes. Marsh harriers can often be seen circling low above the reeds, while warblers fill the air with constant song hidden deep within the vegetation. The occasional cuckoo call still drifts across the landscape in June, adding to the atmosphere of the wetlands.

As darkness falls, Somerset reveals another hidden spectacle. Glowworms begin appearing on warm June evenings, especially along grassy paths, woodland edges, and old railway lines. Their eerie green glow can seem almost unreal at first glance. The light comes from the females, who use it to attract mates during the short summer breeding season. If you allow your eyes time to adjust to the darkness and avoid using bright torches, you have a good chance of spotting them.

Early mornings are perfect for seeing deer. Roe deer are especially common throughout Somerset and are often seen moving quietly through woodland edges or grazing in open fields before the day warms up. In some parts of the county, particularly near Exmoor, larger red deer can occasionally be spotted too. June is also the time when young fawns begin appearing, although they are usually carefully hidden in tall grass by their mothers.

Butterflies become increasingly abundant as summer settles in. Wildflower meadows, country lanes, and sunny woodland clearings attract species such as peacocks, red admirals, meadow browns, and common blues. If migration conditions are favourable, painted ladies may also appear in strong numbers during June. Somerset’s traditional hedgerows and flower-rich landscapes provide ideal habitats for pollinators, making even a short countryside walk feel full of movement and colour.

Along the coast, wildlife is equally active. Estuaries and mudflats attract wading birds including curlews, oystercatchers, and little egrets, while seabirds wheel above the cliffs and shoreline. On especially calm days, there are sometimes even sightings of dolphins further out in the Bristol Channel, although patience and a bit of luck are usually required.

As twilight deepens, bats begin to emerge across the county. Pipistrelles are the species most people notice first, darting rapidly through gardens and above rivers in search of insects. Larger noctule bats can sometimes be seen higher overhead, particularly on warm evenings when insect activity is high. June is one of the best months to watch them thanks to the mild temperatures and extended daylight hours.

The wildlife of Somerset in June is supported by an equally impressive display of wildflowers. Meadows glow with buttercups, oxeye daisies sway beside roads and footpaths, and foxgloves rise from woodland edges in vivid pink and purple towers. These flowers do far more than brighten the landscape — they provide food and shelter for countless insects, birds, and mammals throughout the season.

Some of the best wildlife experiences can be found in places such as the Somerset Levels (Westhay Moor NNR is my favourite), Exmoor National Park, the Quantock Hills, the Mendips, and along the county’s coastline. Each habitat offers something different, whether it’s wetland birds, woodland mammals, or summer insects thriving in flower-rich grassland.

June is arguably one of the finest months to experience Somerset outdoors. The county feels energetic and untamed, with nature visible almost everywhere you look. Sometimes the most memorable encounters happen unexpectedly — an owl crossing a road at dusk, a dragonfly catching the sunlight above a pond, or the sudden movement of a deer disappearing into woodland.

All it really takes is a little time outdoors and a willingness to slow down and notice what’s around you. In Somerset, June rewards that effort beautifully.