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On Wednesday 1 July the footpath/bridleway between Wharf Lane and Sheepway will be closed for one day.
Now the hides are open, it is even easier to see these waders. This oystercatcher was on the south pools but there are also a couple on the north pools island. This one was very keen to see off any gulls that wandered too near.
How appropriate to record new insect species on the reserve during National Insect Week! Portbury Wharf really is a great wetland for dragonflies and damselflies. Thanks to the Dragonfly Survey Team for their dedication and expertise.
Moths can be beautiful too!
This pair of Hawk Moths were hanging around in my garden impersonating dead leaves. I am sharing these as it is National Insect Week. So see how many insects you can find this week . . . there are estimated to be 27,000 different insect species in the UK so plenty out there.
To get involved visit www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/get-involved.
On our own website we have also added a few insect brain teasers as well as a project sheet for children at www.portburywharfnaturereserve.co.uk/have-fun-lear…/.
Hilary
The hides are open so enjoy your visit, at the socially prescribed distance of course!
I think this is a Wide Bodied Chaser, can anyo identify it accurately ? I think the little bird very high in the Sky is a Kestrel but so far away difficult to certain. Lots of House Martins areound
Today we managed to complete the first dragonfly survey of the year on the reserve - while ensuring, of course, that we kept our social distancing!
We saw three species of Damselfly: Common Blue, Azure and Large Red and four species of Dragonfly: Hairy, Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spot Chaser and Scarce Chaser.
As you can see from the photos, breeding is in full swing for the Azure damsels, with numerous mating and ovipositing (egg laying) pairs.
There were a good number of Hairy Dragonflies patrolling the rhynes and we found one pair of mating (not a great photo!).
The other 3 dragonfly species have only just started to emerge and the individuals we saw were pristine fresh young adults.
If the weather stays warm there should be a lot more to see on the reserve in the coming weeks!
My First walk on the Wharf for sometime. I saw lots of these Damselflies today, plus a few Dragonflies which were far to busy to catch on camera.
***FURTHER UPDATE*** - Hinkley Connection Team have been in touch to let us know that the bridleway/footpath will also be closed tomorrow morning, Thursday 14 May. They apologise for the overrun.
Hi everyone, the Sheepway to Wharf Lane bridleway will be closed for a day from this morning . . .
Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve - Hinkley Point C Connection Project
hinkleyconnection.co.uk
Work at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve As part of the Hinkley Connection Project, we are working with Western Power Distribution (WPD) to make changes to the local electricity distribution network. Our work at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve includes removing some of the existing pylons, replacing them...
What’s Happening
Welcome to July – find out what to look out for this month . . .
These are strange days with the COVID-19 lockdown and we hope everyone stays safe and well during this crisis. Many of you are visiting the reserve for daily exercise and to enjoy nature’s therapy. Please be sure to carry out 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 7 July):
How to help our wildlife
See our post with two easy things we can all do to help our wildlife
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
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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:
We will let you know when things open up again. 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. 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 the April update for more info.
To read about the pylon work project taking place on the nature reserve please see Hinkley Connection Project.
Here is the latest briefing:
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
New to website
Recent Pages:
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:
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
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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, which has been a bit slow in… Read More
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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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