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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...If you take your daily walk near the estuary, keep a look out for some jet setters. Some birds are international travelers and whilst we are locked down they are still flying high.
These whimbrels made a pit stop in Portishead this week on their way from Africa to their northern nesting grounds. Most are heading to Iceland but some will nest in the Shetland and Orkney Isles and northern areas of Scotland.
Hopefully they will have a productive breeding season before heading back to West Africa in the autumn. It is thought that they may make this return trip in one go. That is about a 3000 mile non-stop flight, quite some feat! See more at www.bou.org.uk/mendez-whimbrel-migration/.
Whimbrels are very similar to the more familiar curlew but slightly dumpier with a shorter bill. If you get close enough you might see their distinctive dark crown with central pale stripe and another stripe above the eye. They are sometimes called the "seven whistler" as their repeated whistles can often alert you to their presence.
Hope you see one, they won't be around here for long.
Whilst out walking the other day, i spotted this guy on the nature reserve . He is losing his winter coat and getting ready to put his lighter summer wardrobe to good use. Ironically - look at the pic that i got 2 years ago to the day
How to help our spring wildlife🐣
Our wildlife is making ready for their young. At this important time we can all do two simple things to help; KEEP TO THE PATHS and KEEP OUR DOGS ON LEADS. This will safeguard many species.
DO YOU KNOW?
Our skylarks, lapwings and other birds that nest on the ground have a tough time protecting their eggs and chicks. They already face attack from other birds and foxes so can do without us trampling their camouflaged nests. The skylark has an iconic, heart warming song. If we encourage a healthy population here then future generations will also hear skylarks.
The female roe deer will soon be having their young. Once the kids are born the does (females) will leave them hidden on the salt marsh and the reserve. They will only return occasionally to suckle them. It is when the kids are alone that they are in most danger. Both foxes and loose dogs could easily injure or even kill them.
Of course many of you will know that our swans have previously suffered attacks from both foxes and dogs. So please do not let your dog swim in the water or get close to swans.
This simple measure will also protect our dwindling water voles. They live in the rhynes and waterways and will be fattening up after the winter. The vegetation on the banks is their lunch and they eat a lot of it! It also keeps them hidden from predators. So it will help if we all stay away from the water and don’t trample down the bank.
We and our dogs can be pretty scary to the wildlife. Dogs can even scare some of the human visitors too by running up to them. So please be kind and keep your distance and keep dogs under very tight control, preferably on a lead.
Social distancing is protecting us and distancing will protect our wildlife too. Give it a go so all life can flourish at Portbury Wharf!
PS Thanks to B. Schmidt from Pixaby for the roe kid photo
I can't get out on to the reserve regularly from Pill at the moment and I'm missing out on surveying the first Dragon and Damselflies. However my garden pond has provided some consolation this week - a number of Large Red Damselflies and, on Saturday, a beautiful male Broad-bodied Chaser hatching out on the irises.
An April sun rising between dockyard cranes as geese fly overhead. A memorable photo taken at Portbury Wharf last year.
Making friends - thanks for sharing John😃Not in reserve, Newfoundland Way/Portbury Ditch today. Spring
What’s Happening
Welcome to May – 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. Remember that small gestures can make a BIG difference and a cheery hello is always good for lifting spirits.On this page (last updated 3 May):
How to help our spring wildlife
See our post with two easy things we can all do to help our wildlife
What to look out for this month
Plenty of birds are arriving from Africa and beyond to spend the summer with us. They will be nesting here and rearing a new generation.
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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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:
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:
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
Share this on Facebook
How to help our spring wildlife
It’s spring and lots of our wildlife is beginning to breed. At this important time we can all do two easy things to help the wildlife here; keep to the paths and keep our dogs on leads. These… 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