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There can be rich pickings for the heron on the salt marsh, especially on a big tide. As the water rises, small mammals like voles race to reach dry land. So the heron stands guard ready to intercept.
*** SEASONAL TRACK TEMPORARILY CLOSED***
Due to the recent heavy rain the muddy Seasonal Track has become waterlogged so is temporarily closed. This is the track which runs around the edge of the South Pool field shown as a dotted line on this map.
The North Pool was honoured earlier today to receive a visit from this Great White Egret. Whilst much of the time was spent hiding behind high reeds , we got one quick glimpse and for about 10 seconds he /she landed in front of the North Pool Hide before heading into deepest Somerset
What plant do these belong to?
You probably see this plant every day as you walk past gardens, woods and along the paths on the reserve. Everyone knows this plant but nobody really notices it. Yet it is an important evergreen ecosystem.
It provides nesting sites and shelter for insects, birds and even small mammals, frogs and toads. It also provides food for wildlife from autumn until spring.
It flowers in autumn, when few other flowers are open for business. Bees, butterflies and all number of insects come to feed on the nectar and pollen. In fact it is so popular with bees that you can often hear it “buzzing” as you get close, especially on a warm day.
For insects that hibernate over the winter, like the queen wasps, queen bumble-bees, queen hornets, red admiral and peacock butterflies this may provide their last chance to fuel up.
By December the fertilised flowers have ripened into clusters of black berries. Birds love them! These calorie rich berries will last until April if they don’t get gobbled up before!
Do you know what it is?
It’s so easy to overlook some species….
I was out doing a bird count at the North Pool today and had ignored these pigeons to start with. They are Stock Doves, the shy, smaller and prettier cousin of the Wood Pigeon. The photos were snapped on my mobile through the scope.
Canada Geese a twilight view.
Over docks, over tug, over me . . . then into the nature reserve!
Weather and high tide warning⚠️
We have received a warning that the old sea wall running along the seaward side of the nature reserve may be over-topped by high tides during the next few days.
We often get very high tides here but the tide is expected to be pushed even higher than usual due to the low pressure and on-shore winds forecast for this weekend.
So it would be advisable to avoid the sea wall path especially early mornings and late evenings when the tide is at its highest.
You can see the tide times and heights for the next few days at BBC Avonmouth tide table: www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables/12/523#2019-09-30.
Please be careful out there.
The latest from National Grid . . .
Ecologists have been painstakingly moving reptiles and amphibians, including the protected Great-Crested Newts, from the planned construction zone. To ensure the construction corridor remains free of protected species, they will manage the vegetation by pruning trees and cutting grasslands, scrub and hedgerows down to ground level. This work will start later this week and be completed in October.
You can read more about this on the notices posted around the reserve. We have also put the full briefing on our website at www.portburywharfnaturereserve.co.uk/hinkley-connection-update-september-2019/
Hinkley Connection Update September 2019 – Friends of 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 you are kept up to date with the work being done on Portbury… Read More
The sight of two snipe on the edge of South Pool cheered up a grey and drizzly morning. My photo may be poor but it was a joy to watch these engaging waders.
Canada Geese are rather more common but even still, when 100 flew into North Pool it was quite a spectacle. They settled on the Island to rest up for a while.
It’s now easier to sign up for Friends of Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve Community Group’s updates.
What’s Happening
** SEASONAL TRACK TEMPORARILY CLOSED ** Welcome to October – Find out what to look out for this month . . . autumn can be a lovely time of year with lots going on . . . Our next wildlife count is on Sunday 27 October (7am) see more about what’s happening below . . .
Please note that the Seasonal Track has been temporarily closed from Thursday 11 October, as it has become waterlogged due to the recent rain. If you are not sure which path we mean please click on MAP.On this page (last updated 15 October):
What to look out for this month
OCTOBER – What to look out for
Welcome to October! We are well into the autumn and this can be a lovely time of year with lots going on. Birds While the summer birds have gone south to find warmer climates, the winter birds are… Read More
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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:
Anyone is welcome to join us whatever your level of experience. This 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. The meeting place is normally Wharf Lane car park (BS20 7TD) at 09:30. Tools, gloves and refreshments will be provided.
The next Volunteer Community Work Sessions:
To be advised .PS You can get in touch with the warden via Portbury Wharf Community Volunteers Facebook page.
Hinkley Connection Project
To read about the pylon work project taking place on the nature reserve please see Hinkley Connection Project.
Here is the latest update:
Hinkley Connection Update September 2019
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 to date with the work being done on Portbury… Read More
New to website
Recent Pages:
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:
OCTOBER – What to look out for
Welcome to October! We are well into the autumn and this can be a lovely time of year with lots going on. Birds While the summer birds have gone south to find warmer climates, the winter birds are… Read More
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Evergreen ecosystem
What plant do these belong to? You probably see this plant every day as you walk past gardens, woods and along the paths in the reserve. Everyone knows this plant but nobody really notices it. Yet it is… Read More
Share this on Facebook
Hinkley Connection Update September 2019
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 to date with the work being done on Portbury… Read More