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The wildfowl on the South Pools displayed much phrenetic activity during April 2019. You might recall that a pair of Canada Geese chose the pools as their nesting site and became very possessive of the area. Consequently, they challenged any intruders, irrespective of size, who strayed anywhere remotely near to their nest. This made for interesting birdwatching and potential photo opportunities, as Shelduck, Gadwall, other Canada Geese, a Heron and even Mute Swans were set upon by the geese and scattered around the pools. I was very much looking forward to watching a repeat of the spectacle this April, but staying at home is a current imperative at this dreadful time. I have included a few images from last April’s display, which might well be repeating itself this year, albeit less well observed.
for those of you struggling to keep one child occupied think of this lady who has 13 to watch out for. Ps - dont worry the pic was taken 12 months ago.
We have received an update from the Hinkley Connection Team re the continuation of work at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve.
Next week they will be working on the bellmouths on Sheepway and will continue with preparations for the temporary haul road. You can read more about the work and the extra safety measures being taken during the COVID-19 pandemic at www.portburywharfnaturereserve.co.uk/hinkley-connection-update-april-2020/
Hinkley Connection Update April 2020 - Friends of Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve
www.portburywharfnaturereserve.co.uk
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 MoreSadly we cant really spend much time at the Reserve at the moment and so you may enjoy this little video looking back at February.
You will see number of birds in the clip at the end - see if you can identify them:
Gadwall
Lapwing
Little Egret
Blackbird,
Male stone chat
Female stonechat
Grebe- still in winter coat
Greylay Goose
Shoveller
Canade Goose
Tufted Duck
Seagull
Song Thrush
Oyster Catcher
Meadow Pippet
youtu.be/QBqb-Mzw668
February 2020 at Portbury Wharf
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A Compilation of short clips from Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve. My verbal introduction stops at about 2.15 if you would rather go straight to the action.This North Pool roe buck looks nice and warm wrapped up in his thick winter coat! His new antlers are still growing under that soft velvet.
Did you know deer hair is hollow? So each hair holds warm air close to the body . . . nature's insulation.🙂
One of the most popular questions asked - is how to find and see snipe? They are much smaller birds than people realise and you really have to look hard to find them. The best place in my experience is the south pool and at the moment they seem to like a piece of ground which sticks out on the right hand side of the pool as you look out of the hide - just before the muddy bank. There is a video clip here of 5 snipe from yesterday ( you will need to study hard to see all of them) and they will probably keep coming back to this spot for a while yet. I hope that you find them :https://youtu.be/PJdXGcbG_X0
Snipe at the South Pool, Portbury Wharf Reserve
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Unless you look hard you can miss these little birdsIt is not only the blackthorn blossom to look out for around the North Pool. This roe buck and doe were looking at me, looking at them.
As pretty as a picture . . . did you know blackthorn flowers have both male and female reproductive parts (hermaphrodite)?
Portbury Wharf Plants
Wild Flowers, Plants and Trees
Portbury Wharf plants can be stunningly beautiful. They are also vital to the ecosystem being an important source of food and shelter for all sorts of wildlife.
At Portbury Wharf wild flowers grow around the ponds and along the banks of the rhynes and there is a flower meadow in the Sanctuary. As it is a predominantly wetland habitat, plants that prefer this sort of environment thrive here. Though don’t overlook the hedgerows which are home to many pollen and berry producing trees and plants. Where you see flowers and berries you may also see wildlife, so look closely.
This is just the beginning of a list of Portbury Wharf Plants. So we will keep adding to this page to build up a comprehensive list of the plants here.Page updated 4 October 2019
Berries Nov-Apr
Ivy (Hedera Helix) an evergreen ecosystem
This is a very important plant for wildlife providing shelter and food in autumn and winter!
Ivy is so important it has its own page . . .read more
Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Ox-eye daisy or Moon Daisy is a familiar and attractive grassland perennial. It grows up to 60 cm and has large white flowers from June. It is our largest native member of the daisy family and thought to be the origin of the children’s petal-pulling game “loves me, loves me not”.
A mature plant can produce up to 26,000 seeds which can remain viable for many years. So it has the ability to spread relatively easily and as a result is considered invasive in more than 40 countries.
Reference and further reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucanthemum_vulgare
Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
Look out for the bright red rose hips in the autumn hedgerows. They are the seed pods of the wild Dog-rose. It has sweetly scented pink or white flowers that appear in June and July with rose hips ripening in autumn.
Reference and further reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_canina
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Height 20cm to 1m. Flowers have strong sweet scent. Food source for many beneficial insects. Attracts predatory insects such as ladybirds and hover flies which eat pests, so used as a companion plant. Birds such as starlings line their nests with yarrow. So all in all a great plant for wildlife.
Reference and further reading https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillea_millefolium