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info@fpwnr.org
When you visit the nature reserve have you ever wondered what is deep, very deep beneath your feet? ![]()
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While this short video refers to the neighbouring salt marsh what lies below is the same . . .
Whimbrel are still around in the estuary. They are passing through on the way to their northern breeding grounds on the tip of Scotland and beyond. It can be hard to tell them apart from their bigger cousin, the curlew. Here is a great video from the BTO British Trust for Ornithology to help with that.
BTO Bird ID - Curlew and Whimbrel
youtube.com
Curlew is a familiar wader, found in wild habitats around the UK. In April and May numbers of their smaller cousin, Whimbrel, will be moving through towards ...
At high tide yesterday there were a mixture of Whimbrel and Curlew on the North Island- 22 in total - all of which have Red - endangered status - from a conservation viewpoint. These birds would normally have been on the saltmarsh but came inland because of the flooding. This demonstrates why we must protect the saltmarsh. It may look fairly empty as you walk along but it is not. We want to encourage more such visitors and experience what it feels like to have such rareties visit us . Please do not allow your dogs to run free out onto the marsh. Protect the wildlife
This is a special place!You might already know that our salt marshes and mudflats are Sites of Special Scientific Interest. But did you know that they are also part of the Severn Estuary Special Protection Area, a Special Conservation Area and RAMSAR site?![]()
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That is because the Severn Estuary is one of the most important estuaries in the UK for overwintering wildfowl and waders and is of international importance. ![]()
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Each winter, well over 70,000 birds use the estuary's salt marshes and mudflats. Its waters support vast numbers of invertebrates, crabs, mussels and the like and more than 100 species of fish. The estuary is a vital route for migratory fish such as Atlantic salmon, sea trout and eels.![]()
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So it is a special place in many ways, mud and all!
A good bird tally of 46 species during a walk around the reserve this morning. Highlights were 2 Yellow Wagtails near the S Pool (the first I've ever seen on the reserve), big numbers of Swallows and House Martins fresh in with a least one Swift and Lesser Whitethroat and Common Whitethroat singing alongside Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed Warbler and Cetti's Warbler. ![]()
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Spring is springing out all over - despite the cold north wind!
Portbury Wharf Dog Rangers are our wildlife-friendly dogs. With a little help from their owners, they sign up to the four simple pledges that protect the wildlife on the nature reserve and the salt marsh.![]()
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🐾 I will stay on the paths on the nature reserve![]()
🐾 I will stay on the path on the salt marsh![]()
🐾 I won't swim in the rhynes and pools![]()
🐾 I won't chase the wildlife![]()
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These four pledges make a real difference to the creatures living here, giving them space to feed and raise a family. ![]()
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At this time of year, ground nesting birds like skylarks are especially vulnerable. You won't see their nests hidden in the grass on the salt marsh, so they can very easily be trampled by us and our dogs. The UK skylark population has fallen drastically, by around 50%, in recent years. So we want to look after our Portbury Wharf skylarks. You will often hear them singing endlessly above the salt marsh. They can be so high up that they are really hard to spot.![]()
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As a thank you to our Dog Rangers for taking the pledge we have four prize draws per year. Bosley is the winner of the first one. He wins a £20 pet shop voucher so his owner can buy him some lovely treats. Well done Bosley!![]()
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You can sign up your wildlife friendly dog ranger at www.portburywharfnaturereserve.co.uk/dog-rangers/.![]()
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Please share this so other dogs (and their owners) know how to become dog rangers and protect our wildlife.😀
This is a good time to look out for the swallows, house martins, sand martins and swifts.
They spend the winter in Africa where it is warmer and there are lots of insects to eat. ![]()
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In spring they will fly back here to nest and raise a family. The sand martin is the first to arrive, as early as February, while the swift is the last to arrive in late April and May.![]()
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Where there is water there are usually lots of insects so the nature reserve is a great place to watch them and admire their aerial acrobatics as they chase insects.![]()
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Though it can be difficult identifying who is who, especially in flight, so here is a great ID video from the British Trust for Ornithology.![]()
www.youtube.com/watch?v=klya9oEK57M
It is World Curlew Day today so time to celebrate the curlew. ![]()
We are lucky to see curlew both on the nature reserve and along the estuary. ![]()
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Did you know?![]()
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1. They are the UKs largest wading bird![]()
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2. The oldest recorded bird was 32 years, though the average life span is thought to be closer to 10 years![]()
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3. They spend the winter on the coast and in muddy estuaries like ours![]()
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4. In spring breeding curlews migrate to moorlands and riverside meadows to nest![]()
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5. Curlew nest on the ground so eggs and chicks are very vulnerable![]()
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6. Numbers of breeding curlew have halved in 20 years![]()
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7. In lowland southern England the population has declined to just 500 pairs, with many colonies on the verge of local extinction![]()
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8. They now have the same “Near Threatened” conservation status as the jaguar![]()
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PS Thanks to Curlew Action, a charity working to save the curlew, for creating this lovely World Curlew Day graphic.
We are delighted to see the return of our first common sandpiper to the North island and if you are thinking of popping along this weekend- the please keep your eyes open. You will probably need binoculars as this little chap is small as you can see from the video attached. Look for the tiny bird on the waters edge
What’s Happening
It’s time to look forward to a hopeful spring!
So find out what is about in May . . .
We have turned the corner and gradually life seems to be on its way back to normal. Please still be respectful of others and maintain social distancing when you see other visitors and most importantly be kind to one another.
Small gestures can make a BIG difference and a cheery hello is always good for lifting spirits.
On this page (last updated 11 May):
What to look out for this month
MAY – what to look out for
Listen out for cuckoos in May. Cuckoos fly all the way here from Africa and beyond to lay their eggs in other birds’ nests. Did you know it is only the male bird that calls “cuckoo”? A cuckoo… Read More
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Keep a look out for Whimbrels as they pass through
Portbury Wharf is an important place for migratory birds. In spring our nesting summer visitors arrive as well as those birds, such as whimbrels who stop off for a rest on their way to nest further north. So catch a glimpse while you still can!
Celebrating our Dog Rangers
Lots of us love walking our dogs here. So we want to celebrate wildlife friendly dogs who take the pledge to protect our endangered creatures.
Sign up your Dog Ranger
If your dog wants to take the pledge and become a Dog Ranger please visit our Dog Ranger sign up.
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
Important there are restrictions and closures at the Sheepway entrance to the reserve due to the Hinkley Connection Project. Please see all the latest updates below.
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 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:
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:
Whimbrels passing through
Just when you’ve worked out how to recognise curlew, along comes a whimbrel! If birds aren’t your thing you might wonder why you should care? But the whimbrel demonstrate the importance of our piece of coastline. It is… Read More
MAY – what to look out for
Listen out for cuckoos in May. Cuckoos fly all the way here from Africa and beyond to lay their eggs in other birds’ nests. Did you know it is only the male bird that calls “cuckoo”? A cuckoo… Read More
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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