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The autumn migration is getting into full swing, the days are shortening, and the infernal heat that has dominated our weather this summer has started to fade, so let’s talk about migratory birds and some of the highlights…Curlews have been away up on the moors hopefully having great success raising chicks but will be arriving back to their wintering quarters along the coast. Our numbers have dropped recently, and no one seems really sure why, but if you do see curlews in the meadows of the reserve, out on the salt marsh or along the coast, do please let us know. Our hirundines have started to leave for sunnier climes south of the Sahara, so as they head off do tip your cap to them and wish them a speedy and safe return; the swifts have left, and any swallows and martins you do see around this month are probably already on migration from more northern areas where they have spent the summer.
This interminable heat is wearying isn’t it?So I guess many of us across the UK, Canada, USA, and continental Europe will have welcomed the last few early morning mists as a hoped for sign of the changing seasons and a herald of autumn, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Sorry, but this is not so much a sign of cooler temperatures to come, as a symptom of the heat we continue to endure. The wildfires which have ravaged so much of our woodland and moors has poured vast numbers of invisibly small ultra-fine particles into the air and because they are so small they can stay airborne for long long distances. Here in Portishead we have seen mists forming over our salt marshes as smoke laden air is blown south eastwards from the fires up in S, Wales and as the already saturated air cools, the gaseous water condenses onto the ultra-fine particles (also called condensation nuclei) and so they become larger and larger until they become visible when see in their hundreds of millions. And that’s where the smelly mists are coming from. The whole town has a scent of bbq, and I know its not just happening around here.So have a thought for the thousands of fire fighters across Europe and N America who are still battling fires across huge areas.One other effect of all this smoke in the air is that sunsets are absolutely glorious at the moment, not just because of all the sunny skies we have been having, but because these time particles absorb shorter wave length light which leaves the reds and oranges to dominate.Autumn will come, although I don’t think its going to be as fruitful as we would hope this year!There! I better you didn't think you would be getting a lesson in air pollution this morning did you!
Saturday's Dragonfly WalkIt was fairly cloudy and breezy as we set off from Swan Lake in the Ecology Park. Not good for dragonfly spotting, they like it calm and sunny.However, by the time we reached the newest dragonfly pond there was more sun, less wind and we got lucky. First sight was an Emperor Dragonfly, the largest of the species (see photo in previous post), flying over the meadow of wild flowers. This was swiftly followed by the small, but-oh-so elegant blue damselflies (Common blue and Blue-Tailed) flitting above the water. Broad-Bodied Chaser (pictured) and Ruddy Darter dragonflies also put in an appearance. The pond had mostly dried out but what was left was crystal clear and we could spot newt larva swimming just below the surface. Unfortunately, an out of control dog jumped in and muddied the waters, literally! The subsequent plume of sediment radiated out across the pond obliterating the underwater world.[Please keep dogs out of wildlife ponds. We like to keep our four-legged friends healthy by using flea and tick treatments. Unfortunately this leaches off our dogs into water and even minuscule quantities of these chemicals are extremely toxic to aquatic life. So as well as disturbing wildlife (and wildlife watchers) dogs can inadvertently introduce poisons into waterways.]As we walked back more Odonata, the scientific category for Dragonflies and Damselflies, were spotted by the Board Walk ponds. So next time you walk here on a warm, sunny day keep your eyes peeled for these stunning insects.
DRAGONFLY WALKSaturday 4 July - 10amDiscover the wildlife that calls Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve its home. Enjoy a guided walk from a knowledgeable volunteer. We'll be focusing on the many species, particularly dragonflies, that flourish in the wetland and how their habitats are looked after to protect them. Come along for a peaceful stroll and to learn more about our treasured local nature haven.Meet at 10am by Swan Lake in the ECOLOGY PARK – entrance by foot from Robin Place, BS20 7PX or Fennel Rd, BS20 7FB or walk from the nature reserve.What3words: //////scooter.afraid.volume
As part of the Great Big Green Week which happily coincides with World Salt Marsh Day, we have a stand in Portishead Library featuring salt marshes. This morning a volunteer from the Friends of Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve Community Group will be there to answer any questions you might have about these special habitats.
This is a great saltmarsh explainer from WWT featuring Steart Saltmarsh. . . but see if you can spot Portishead too? WWT
Something strange is happening to UK coasts
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Once widespread along the UK coastline, saltmarshes have quietly di...
It's time to celebrate! It's World Salt Marsh Day tomorrow (11th June). Our nearest salt marsh is right next to the nature reserve. We are so lucky to have such an amazing habitat here. If you need convincing see the 6 myth busters from WWT . . .
During last Saturday's bird count on the reserve we were delighted to see that this Lapwing chick on the South Pool island is still alive and growing. There must now be a fair chance that it will fledge. Sadly there are very few nesting Lapwings locally these days and they usually lose their chicks to predators, so fingers crossed for this little mite. Many thanks to Enzo Della Nave for these shots of the chick digiscoped with his mobile.
Keep a look out for Painted Lady butterflies . . . they have flown here all the way from North Africa. Quite a feat for a creature so small and fragile!Find out more at butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/painted-lady
Just a quick reminder about our free butterfly walk tomorrow morning Saturday 16 May - 10am.Discover the wildlife that calls Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve it’s home. Enjoy a guided walk from a knowledgeable volunteer, along the marina, along the salt marsh and into the nature reserve. Come along for a peaceful stroll and to learn more about our treasured local nature haven.Meet us at the red sculpture on the marina.What3words: ///yoga.valued.metals*****Another date for your diary we have a Dragonfly walk on Saturday 4 July - 10am*****
What’s Happening
Welcome to September
We are officially in meteorological autumn which starts on 1st September and ends on 30th November. This has been an exceptionally dry summer so we could do with some autumn rain to begin filling up the dry ditches and pools. It is also an exciting time for wildfowl heading our way from Siberia and the Arctic regions. It will be too cold for them to stay there for the winter so they will head south and many will spend winter in our area. Did you know over 70,000 wintering wildfowl (wading birds and ducks) come to the Severn Estuary in winter?
Don’t forget to pick up this month’s 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 1 September):
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
Wetlands Trail – what’s happening now
September is the last chance this year to see the summer panels and . . .
. . . some of the squares have been changed this week.
The winter panels will be put up in October.
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.
Nature Walks
Come on one of our Nature Walks:
When: we run these guided walks on the third Sunday morning every other month from 10.00am to 12.00pm. You don’t need any wildlife knowledge just come for a wander to see what’s about.
Up and coming dates:
Where: the walks start in Portishead Ecology Park by Swan Lake and end by the bird hides on Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve.
Suggestions: if you own a pair of binoculars then bring them along as they make identifying creatures a bit easier. During winter some paths, such as the seasonal path, can be very muddy so please wear suitable footwear.
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 rangers this month are MAIA and OBAN!
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
Please keep to the sea wall path, the landward side of the posts, to protect our threatened wildlife.
In summer salt marshes are favoured by Skylarks. They are red-listed birds which have fewer and fewer habitats in which to nest. These ground-nesting birds need tree-less areas where there are not so many creatures to predate their nests, eggs and fledglings. So the salt marsh is a perfect place, providing, of course, we and our dogs don’t chase them off.
In winter endangered curlews and other waders rely on our salt marshes. They feed and shelter on the marches throughout the harsher winter months and are easily disturbed. They shelter here from the worst of the weather and spend most of their time feeding to give them enough energy to survive the cold. 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:
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