Contact us at
info@fpwnr.org
September Wildlife - Post 3![]()
![]()
Have you spotted either of the darter dragonflies yet? Well here is another one for you to watch out for this weekend . . .![]()
![]()
It is the Migrant Hawker. You might see it whizzing past as it "hawks" for insects along the hedgerows. When it is not hawking it likes to rest on low vegetation.![]()
![]()
The photos are of a male which is dark with blue spots and yellow flecks along the abdomen. It also has blue eyes! The brown-eyed female has a brown abdomen with yellow spots though can occasionally have blue spots too.
September wildlife - Post 2![]()
![]()
The second dragonfly to look out for in the autumn is the Ruddy Darter. It is slightly smaller than the Common Darter with a 'waisted' abdomen. Males are bright red. Females are very similar to female Common Darters but have all black legs.
September Wildlife - Post 1 ![]()
![]()
Although dragonflies are beginning to die off now their larvae, or nymphs, are still very much alive in the ponds and rhynes. ![]()
![]()
However, there are three species that you can still look out for in September. The first is the Common Darter . . . ![]()
![]()
You will often see them perched on the tip of a prominent twig or fencepost. From here they will dart out to catch flies before returning to the same perch – hence their name!![]()
![]()
If you ever get close enough you might notice the cream or yellow stripe on their black legs! The females have a light yellow thorax and abdomen turning darker brown with age while the males turn a red colour as they mature. ![]()
![]()
Still to come Ruddy Darter and Migrant Hawker . . .
By the meteorological calendar, the first day of autumn begins on 1 September and ends on 30 November. So autumn is officially here. ![]()
![]()
While we still hope for some sunny and warm days, nature is already preparing for the hardships to come. Fruits and nuts are ripening, many animals are fattening up for hibernation or migration - some have gone already!
Thank you to everyone who came along to the very first Portishead Salt Marshes Day on Saturday.![]()
![]()
There was such a lovely atmosphere and plenty of information to be shared about our amazing salt marches.😀
Today is Portishead Salt Marshes Day!![]()
![]()
Come and say hello.![]()
![]()
We will be by the path between the Marina and Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve between 11.00 am and 5.00 pm. The What3Word location is w3w.co/wonderfully.forwarded.balconies
A week to go before the first ever Portishead Salt Marshes Day!![]()
![]()
We hope you can come and say hello next Saturday 14th between 11.00 am - 5.00 pm. ![]()
![]()
We will have lots of fascinating information plus hands-on art and science. See www.portburywharfnaturereserve.co.uk/salt.../ for more . . .
We are counting down to the first ever Portishead Salt Marshes Day in just over 2 weeks (Saturday 14 August). ![]()
![]()
We have been working hard behind the scenes creating graphics to tell the fascinating story of salt marshes. ![]()
![]()
Portbury Wharf salt marsh is crucial to the success of the nature reserve as wildlife moves freely between the two habitats.![]()
![]()
We hope to see you there.
***WHARF LANE update***![]()
![]()
The Hinkley Connection Team have now finished the work in Wharf Lane and it has now been reopened.
Save the date for the first ever Portishead Salt Marshes Day!![]()
![]()
We are celebrating our two salt marshes at Portbury Wharf and Battery Point.![]()
![]()
The Friends of Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve are organising this event in collaboration with Plover Rovers - Talking the Coast. ![]()
![]()
Plover Rovers are a science communication charity focusing on bringing marine science and coastal communities together. ![]()
![]()
We are also delighted that Curlew Action will be coming to talk about Saving the Curlew. Curlew Action are dedicated to raising the awareness of the decline of the Eurasian Curlew across the UK and Europe.On Saturday 14th August we will be celebrating our Salt Marshes with Portishead Salt Marshes Day. ![]()
![]()
The event will take place alongside the path between Portishead Marina and Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve between 11.00am – 5.00pm.
You can find out more at www.portburywharfnaturereserve.co.uk/salt-marshes-day/![]()
![]()
So put the date in your diary and come along and say hello.
What’s Happening
September 1st is the start of the meteorological autumn . . .
. . . and there is lots going on in the wild world at this time of year. Some birds coming and other birds going. All creatures will need to feed up to cope with the coming winter.
On this page (last updated 1 September):
Even if you missed the first ever Portishead Salt Marshes Day in August you can find out loads at our new salt marshes hub
What to look out for this month
SEPTEMBER – What to look out for
September is here! By the meteorological calendar, the first day of autumn begins on 1 September and ends on 30 November. So autumn is officially here. The weather may be sunny and warm at times, but nature is… Read More
Celebrating our Dog Rangers
This months dog ranger is Rocco. To find out about our wildlife friendly dogs see our dog ranger page. You and your dog could make all the difference to our wildlife by following four simple guidelines.
Wildlife Counts
Both the Warden and the Friends carry out wildlife counts. You need to know what wildlife is visiting the reserve so you can manage the land effectively. These counts also feed into national wildlife records. There are at least two counts per month. You can read more about the Friends’ wildlife counts and download a spotting card on our Wildlife Monitoring page.
Next “Friends” count:
We will let you know when things open up again and we can once more invite people along. Usually anyone is welcome to join us whatever your level of experience as it is a great opportunity to learn about the wildlife and pick up spotting tips. Please contact us beforehand to confirm meeting place.
Helping the warden
The reserve is managed by North Somerset Council. The Council employs a warden who is responsible for maintaining the nature reserve and with so much to do he needs volunteers. All sessions run from 09:30 to 12:30 meeting at the Wharf Lane Car Park (BS20 7TD). Tools, gloves and refreshments are provided.
The next Volunteer Community Work Sessions:
PS You can get in touch with the warden directly via Portbury Wharf Community Volunteers Facebook page.
Hinkley Connection Project
To protect the migratory birds which spend the winter here all work which might disturb these birds will cease between September and April.
To read about the pylon work project taking place on the nature reserve please see Hinkley Connection Project.
Previous briefing:
Hinkley Connection Update June 2021
This update relates to the footpath closure on Wharf Lane for 6 weeks between 7 June 2021 and 16 July 2021. Access to the North Pool hides remains open from the old sea wall along the salt marsh. Please… Read More
Share this on Facebook
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
New to website
Recent Pages:
A whole new salt marsh section, check it out – added July 2021
Curlew added April 2021
Frogs (and other amphibians) have been active and so have we – they now have their very own page – added February 2021
Winter Trail added December 2020
Bird Migration added September 2020
Learn about insects on our Have Fun Learning page added June 2020
Wigeon added January 2020
Dunlins added December 2019
Portbury Wharf Salt Marsh added 15 October 2019
Portbury Wharf Plants updated 10 October 2019
Ivy added September 2019
Hinkley Connection Project added September 2019
Nature Trails added September 2019
Please support us added September 2019
Dragonflies and Damselflies updated August 2019
Dragonfly Spotting Tips added July 2019
Dragonfly Survey added July 2019
Portbury Wharf’s Roe Deer added in April 2019
Recent Posts:
SEPTEMBER – What to look out for
September is here! By the meteorological calendar, the first day of autumn begins on 1 September and ends on 30 November. So autumn is officially here. The weather may be sunny and warm at times, but nature is… Read More
AUGUST – What to look out for
Whilst for us August is the height of summer, for much of our wildlife it’s almost the beginning of autumn. The breeding season’s over, lots of plants are ripe with fruit and some bird species are even starting… Read More
JULY – what to look out for
July is the start of high summer. The flowers and insects are at their best and busiest, but many of the birds will have finished nesting. In July and August many birds are winding down and moulting into… Read More
Share this on Facebook