Contact us at
info@fpwnr.org
As wildlife watching is not possible right now I have been looking back through some old photos and this one made me smile. ![]()
![]()
It was a pink January twilight long-ago when these roe deer fancied a morning dip. They wandered into the water, swam for five minutes before returning to the salt marsh to browse.
There has been discussion in a few places recently showing concern for the lack of local swans. We had one breeding pair on the reserve this year and they laid low for a whole variety of reasons. They did however successfully fledge 5 young which have now been packed off to find their own place in the world
Here is a fantastic film from Curlew Action which is so well worth 6 minutes of your time! A poignant quote from the film . . . "We have an urgent decision to make. If we want the winter air filled with the calls of water birds and the curlew’s song to inspire us into the future, we have to cherish the rich coastlines of Britain." ![]()
![]()
Curlews can live for up to 30 years but research shows that they have not been breeding successfully for a long time. So when the older birds die, how many will be left? Organisations from Curlew Action to the WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre and RSPB Love Nature are all working hard to save them. ![]()
![]()
We can play our part by cherishing Portbury Wharf's coast and wetland reserve and giving our curlews and winter birds the space and peace they need to survive.
The Story of Britain's Curlews - Winter
youtube.com
Narration and original music by David Gray, this short film looks at the plight of Britain's curlews as they fight to survive during the winter months.Produc...
Say hello to Bailie, our first wildlife-protecting Dog Ranger of the month!![]()
![]()
There is no doubt that Portbury Wharf is a great place to walk. That is why many of us come here with our four-legged friends. However, dogs get a bad press when it comes to wildlife disturbance. Research shows that well over 50% of coastal bird disturbance involves dogs, particularly loose dogs. But dogs are only doing what comes naturally and need our help to do the right thing. So we want to celebrate the many Portbury Wharf dogs that are keeping our wildlife safe. ![]()
![]()
Your dog can become a Dog Ranger by taking 4 simple pledges:![]()
![]()
🐾 I will keep to the paths on the nature reserve![]()
🐾 I will stay by the sea wall on the salt marsh![]()
🐾 I won’t swim in the pools and rhynes![]()
🐾 I won’t chase the wildlife![]()
![]()
These pledges will make a huge difference to the survival of some of our most endangered creatures. . . . plus there are perks for Dog Rangers too! ![]()
![]()
Find out more and sign up to the Dog Ranger club on our website www.portburywharfnaturereserve.co.uk/dog-rangers/![]()
![]()
Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve Bristol Barkers Community
Wharf Lane - Temporary Closure on December 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9*ADVANCE NOTICE - FOOTPATH CLOSURE*![]()
![]()
As part of the ongoing Hinkley Connection Project to provide low-carbon energy to the South West and removal of the existing overhead power lines, contractors will be working to remove vegetation in a section along the Wharf Lane Public Right Of Way. As such, the footpath will be closed to all public access between the hours of 9am and 3:30pm on 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9 December 2020 to allow for the work to be carried out safely. All other access routes will remain open.![]()
![]()
Under the supervision of ecologists, the Reserve Warden and North Somerset Council officers, this vegetation will be removed to prevent wildlife becoming trapped, disturbed or injured during the future construction works. Part of the clearance work will go on to provide important additional habitat for Water Vole who live and breed in the rhynes at Portbury Wharf and on the neighbouring Port Of Bristol land.![]()
![]()
We apologise for any inconvenience during this time.![]()
![]()
Water Vole Photo - Peter G Trimming
We are lucky to have some amazing winter birds come to stay at Portbury Wharf. Pochard, snipe, teal and others have already been seen on the reserve. While on the estuary and salt marsh there are growing numbers of curlew, wigeon and dunlin. To survive the winter they need plenty of space to feed and rest undisturbed. ![]()
![]()
So to spread the love for our migrating birds, most of which are endangered, we created this poster. If we can protect nature it will still be here for our children and our children’s children.![]()
![]()
PS Sadly the poster, which was on the railings by the salt marsh, has gone missing again!😞
It is great to wander round with binoculars to see if you can find the many snipe hiding in the vegetation surrounding the pools or the birds picking off the berries from the trees. This little ball of fluff can be found at the moment - a Goldcrest - and he lives in the bushes alongside the main path that people walk every day . He is such a tiny little chap as you can see when you campare him with the twigs that he is sitting on
Well the high tides this week have certainly brought about massive changes at the North Pool today, On Monday we had about 60 birds enjoying the peace and quiet but today a swarm of about 1500 Dunlin dropped in and started their murmurations that were so popular last year. There have been over a hundred wigeon, many teal and amongst the Canada Geese was this chap - a Bar-headed goose . a brief video is to follow
A couple of Pochard on the north pool - fairly rare visitors these days and on the red list in terms of conservation priority . you will see a couple of lapwing behind on the island itself
As part of the ongoing work of upgrading the pylons we have received the following update from the Hinkley Connection Team. Please note the temporary closure of sections of the footpath on Wharf Lane from Monday 2 November to Friday 6 November.![]()
![]()
Update from the Hinkley Connection Team:![]()
![]()
From April next year, Western Power Distribution will start work to install new underground cables and remove the pylons in the north of the reserve. In recent months, WPD has been carrying out ecological surveys and putting measures in place to reduce disruption to local wildlife. To stop protected species from entering construction areas, we need to manage the vegetation in each area. From Monday 2 November, we need to remove vegetation along a section of the footpath on Wharf Lane.![]()
![]()
To keep everyone safe during this work, a section of the footpath will be closed from 2 to 6 November, between 9.00am and 3.30pm each day. We’re aware this path is well used and we’re working to reopen it as soon as possible.
Hinkley Connection Project
Hinkley Connection Project
You can also catch up with the the latest briefings here:
Hinkley Connection Update November 2020
This update relates to the continuation of work at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve. This is a briefing we have received from the Community Relations Team of the National Grid Hinkley Connection Project. We are posting these briefings so… Read More
Hinkley Connection Update April 2020
This update relates to the continuation of work at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve and the extra safety measures being taken during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a briefing we have received from the Community Relations Team of the… Read More
Hinkley Connection Update February 2020
This update relates to closures and restrictions at Sheepway. This is a briefing we have received from the Community Relations Team of the National Grid Hinkley Connection Project. We are posting these briefings so you are kept up… Read More
Hinkley Connection Update September 2019
This update relates to the measures being taken to protect the environment and ecology of the reserve. This is a briefing we have received from the Community Relations Team of the National Grid Hinkley Connection Project. We are… Read More
About the project
The Hinkley Connection Project is a new high-voltage electricity connection between Bridgwater and Seabank near Avonmouth. It is a significant investment in the region’s electricity network and will enable National Grid to connect new sources of power to homes and businesses.
The project will play a vital role in delivering electricity efficiently, reliably, and safely and will support the UK’s move to reduce carbon emissions.
There’s a lot to do. Over the next few years in the Portishead area, we’re installing an underground cable, building a new line of T-shaped pylons and, as a result of public feedback, removing the two existing lines of pylons.
Protecting the environment
National Grid is committed to protecting the natural environment and recognises the potential impacts our construction work could have. To reduce and mitigate these impacts, we’ve carried out extensive surveys and discussed the best ways to carry out the work with specialists from Natural England, Historic England, local authorities and many others.
National Grid and our contractor, Murphy & Sons Limited, have been carrying out surveys along the route of the underground cable which includes Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve.
Environmental and ecological mitigation work at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve
During 2018 and 2019, several ecological surveys have been carried out in the reserve, including those for bats, badgers, great crested newts and reptiles, otters, water voles, and birds.
National Grid is in the process of implementing schemes to reduce disruption to wildlife and animals at the reserve, which includes installing temporary newt exclusion fencing and other specialised methods as listed below.
Bats
There are several bat roosts within the nature reserve. To prevent any disturbance to the roosts close to where construction activity will take place, specialised buffer zones with soundproof barriers will be established. These buffer zones also act as an exclusion zone, preventing any activity or personnel being near the tree that contains the roost.
Badgers
No badger setts have been found within the construction area. As a precautionary measure, mitigation measures will be used to ensure badgers do not become trapped in any excavations or stockpiles during the construction period.
Great crested newts (GCN) and reptiles
There is a medium size population of great crested newts at the reserve. In preparation for starting construction, temporary newt exclusion fencing is being installed along the construction corridor within the reserve. This fencing is specially designed to keep protected species, such as newts, from entering the site. Any newts found will be translocated to a designated receptor site within the nature reserve. This translocation will last for a period of at least 60 days to ensure that the construction area does not contain any newts when construction starts.
Much of the nature reserve has potential to support reptiles, any reptiles found will be translocated, using the same method as used for the translocation of the great crested newts.
Read more at https://hinkleyconnection.co.uk/portbury-wharf-nature-reserve-installation-of-fencing/
Otters and water voles
No otters were recorded during the surveys, but water voles were found in two of the large ditches in the north and west of the reserve. These ditches will not be impacted by the construction works, but as a precaution, a buffer zone will be established to ensure the water voles are protected.
Friends note: while otters have been spotted visiting Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve there is not a resident population.
Birds
The nature reserve contains several species of Schedule 1 birds, including barn owls and Cetti’s warbler. The nesting sites of these species will be protected during construction by establishing specialised buffer zones.
The barn owl boxes will need to be temporarily removed during construction activity. They will be replaced at a ratio of 2:1 on completion of construction. Read about the new barn own boxes already installed by the Hinkley Connection Team at https://hinkleyconnection.co.uk/new-barn-owl-boxes-safeguard-nesting-sites-at-portbury-wharf-nature-reserve/.
To prevent disturbance to wintering birds, construction activities (excluding vegetation removal) at the reserve will be avoided during the period from September to April in each year.
Landscaping and reinstatement
Any vegetation removed (trees and hedgerows) during this work will be reinstated in its original location or as close to the route as possible (subject to landowner agreement) on completion of construction.
To help reduce the overall impact of the new connection and enhance local landscape and biodiversity, National Grid is running a scheme for landowners to host additional native tree and hedgerow planting. Further details can be found here on the Hinkley Connection Project website.
Construction of the underground cable
National Grid has appointed, Murphy & Sons Limited, to carry out this work.Over the next few months, Murphy’s will finalise the exact route, design and timetable for construction of the underground cable.
Ahead of construction starting in January 2020, National Grid will be inviting residents and businesses along the route to attend public drop-in events during autumn 2019.
Community Relations Team
National Grid Hinkley Connection Project
www.hinkleyconnection.co.uk.
See also:
Frequently Asked Questions