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I just had to add a post on this new sighting, admittedly not on the reserve, but I am guessing that’s where they had come from. Not the best picture, but it rather took me by surprise when 5 flamingos flew along the coast from the Salt Marsh towards the Lake Grounds! If anyone plans a walk down that way this morning do let me know if you spot them. Interesting that one of them was a juvenile, probably on passage for the first time since hatching last year. Keep your eye out for these very rare visitors to the UK
Isnt this sunny weather lovely? Well, our early butterflies certainly think so. Walking into town this morning I have spotted three varieties already! First to show is nearly always the brimstone, and that was what I saw first - three of them! Then along came a peacock and last to show itself, on the Spanish Steps, was a red admiral. You can find lots of information on what to look out here butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/species-to-spot-in-march.
butterfly-conservation.org
March 3rd is World Wildlife Day and to mark the occasion we've put together some information about the butterfly and moth species you might see if you venture out this weekend. Brimstone For many, the...
The female Black Redstart is still showing well next to Portishead Marina. It is the size of a Robin and can be easily missed. There are fewer than 100 breeding pairs in the UK, putting it on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. It's also listed as a Schedule 1 species on The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
We have a new Dog Ranger of the Month! Each month one of our Dog Rangers features on our posters that are posted around the Marina and the Reserve. If your canine companion would like to become a Dog Ranger just visit our notice boards and scan the QR code on the poster!
Thank you to everyone who came along to the World Wetlands Day walk on Sunday 1 February. We managed to dodge the showers and most importantly spotted 38 species! See the full list below . . . ![]()
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Canada Goose![]()
Little Grebe![]()
Herring gull![]()
Blackbird![]()
Shelduck![]()
Peregrine![]()
Wood pigeon![]()
Robin![]()
Wigeon![]()
Moorhen![]()
Magpie![]()
Black redstart![]()
Gadwall![]()
Oystercatcher![]()
Crow![]()
Dunnock![]()
Teal![]()
Lapwing![]()
Blue tit![]()
House sparrow![]()
Mallard![]()
Curlew![]()
Great tit![]()
Pied wagtail![]()
Shoveler![]()
Redshank![]()
Long-tailed tit![]()
Bullfinch![]()
Tufted duck![]()
Black-headed gull![]()
Starling![]()
Chaffinch![]()
Pheasant![]()
Mediterranean gull![]()
Coot![]()
Buzzard![]()
Water Rail (heard only)![]()
Lesser black-backed gull
Want to know more about the Wetland on your doorstep? Join the Friends of Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve for a guided walk along the marina, the salt marsh and into the hides. ![]()
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There will be knowledgeable guides in the hides to support your bird spotting and lend you the use of binoculars and scopes to see our winter birds up close 👀![]()
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DM if you have any questions! 🐦⬛![]()
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#guidedwalk #britishbirds #birdsuk
However quietly you try to open up the shutters in the hides there is always a discernible CLICK. ![]()
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I thought I had got away with it but, even though this roe deer was looking the other way, see how his ears are swivelled backwards picking up the metallic sound of the latch engaging. He bounded off soon after taking his two friends with him!
World Wetlands Day is in February so we are celebrating our very own wetland at Portbury Wharf.![]()
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On Sunday 1st February there will be a free guided walk starting at 10.00 am from the sculpture by the Marina Lock Gates.![]()
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If you want to know why wetlands are so vital, look out for the 12 special wetlands squares on the info boards across the nature reserve. We aim to put these up tomorrow and they will stay in place for a couple of weeks.
What’s Happening
Welcome to April
This is such an exciting time of year with plenty of spring wildlife to look out for. Buds are budding and the first blossom of blackthorns are pretty as a picture. In amongst the blossom listen out for the distinctive call of the chiffchaff, he calls out his name.
Next time you visit pick up a Spotting Card and tick off what you see as you walk round? You can find them at the reserve entrances and Portishead Library.
On this page (last updated 4 April):
What to look out for this month
March and April – what to look out for
While some winter birds are yet to fly back north to their nesting sites, spring fever is definitely on its way. March and April is such an exciting time of year with plenty of spring wildlife to look… Read More
Wetlands Trail – what’s happening now
Our Wetlands Trail changes often . . .
. . . The Summer Wetlands trail is now up!
Click Portishead Wetlands Trail to find out more.
Where’s Wilbur?
Don’t forget to look for the 12 metal Wilbur Water Voles as you walk along the nature reserve paths.
Why not take a selfie with a Wilbur and share with us on social media #ifoundwilbur.
Spotting Cards
See if you can spot these on the reserve. You can pick up this Spotting Card from the leaflet holders on the metal welcome signs at the 3 entrances to the reserve.
Click spotting cards to see all available months.
Volunteering Dates
If you fancy helping with some physical work on the reserve you might want to join one of the warden’s volunteering mornings. We meet at Wharf Lane Car Park at 9.30am.
Any questions and to receive regular updates please email the warden:
mia.calderan@glendale-services.co.uk
Celebrating our Dog Rangers
The dog ranger this month is HARRY!
Our Portbury Wharf Dog Ranger Scheme is to acknowledge and to encourage wildlife-friendly dogs and their owners who protect the reserve, the salt marsh and its wildlife.
Sustainable access on Portbury Wharf Salt Marsh
Now is the time to take care of our endangered curlews and other waders which are on our salt marshes now. They feed and shelter on the marches throughout winter and are easily disturbed, so please keep to the sea wall path to protect them.
Thank you to all for taking care of our salt marsh and staying on the landward side of the posts. Restricting access to the top of the salt marsh has made an incredible difference and given this precious habitat and its wildlife residents a chance to recover and flourish. Well done everyone!
From our 2023 archive . . . New boundary marker posts
Enjoy your walks at Portbury Wharf Salt Marsh along the newly marked sustainable route at the top and bottom of the sea wall. Listen out for the curlews too – they were serenading us when we installed the posts that mark the boundaries of this route. There is still ample room by the sea wall to have a wander, admire the sea views while at the same time protecting the salt marsh beyond and its wildlife. This is all part of an initiative with Natural England to create sustainable access at the top of the salt marsh.
We have also established 3 study areas to record the recovery of damaged areas of the salt marsh. We will share the results from this study with you as the project progresses on our Salt Marsh Study page.
See also Could your New Year’s resolution help a local salt marsh? (on this website) . . .
. . . or follow the link to the North Somerset Times website.
Recent Posts:
March and April – what to look out for
While some winter birds are yet to fly back north to their nesting sites, spring fever is definitely on its way. March and April is such an exciting time of year with plenty of spring wildlife to look… Read More
February – What to look out for
Look out for FROGS and TOADS! This is their mating time and they are on the move. February and March is the time when we are most likely to see them as large numbers converge on their… Read More
January – What to look out for
Happy New Year! This is the time of year when the winter birds are here, so next time you go down to the reserve look out for thrushes in the hedgerows and on the ponds the ducks and… Read More