Contact us at
info@fpwnr.org
Saturday's Dragonfly Walk![]()
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It 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.![]()
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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. ![]()
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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.![]()
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[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.]![]()
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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 WALK![]()
Saturday 4 July - 10am![]()
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Discover 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.![]()
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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.![]()
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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. ![]()
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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
www.youtube.com
Once widespread along the UK coastline, saltmarshes have quietly di...
It's time to celebrate!![]()
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It's World Salt Marsh Day tomorrow (11th June). ![]()
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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!![]()
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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.![]()
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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.![]()
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Meet us at the red sculpture on the marina.![]()
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What3words: ///yoga.valued.metals![]()
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Another date for your diary we have a Dragonfly walk on Saturday 4 July - 10am![]()
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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...
What’s Happening
Welcome to July
High summer is approaching so look out for summer flowers, butterflies and dragonflies.
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 2 July):
What to look out for this month
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
Wetlands Trail – what’s happening now
Our Wetlands Trail changes often . . .
. . . The Summer Wetlands trail is now up – look out for the changing squares which reflect the wildlife you are likely to see now!
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 STAN!
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:
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
JUNE – what to look out for
June is the month when the meadows and verges are full of flowers and the breeding season for the birds is in full swing. The emergence of butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies is also in full swing. On the… 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