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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
Have you seen or heard a Long-tailed Tit recently (make sure to unmute the microphone on the far right of the picture if you want to hear it)?![]()
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The Long-tailed Tit is a pretty little bird. It is black and white with lovely touches of pink on its back and belly. You are likely to see them in excitable groups roaming hedgerows, gardens and on the nature reserve. They will be looking for insects to eat. When it gets cold they huddle together for warmth. It is often their high pitched call which attracts your attention. So listen to their sound by “playing” the photo.
Next to Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve is a salt marsh. This salt marsh is a hugely important ecosystem, so much so, it is even designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.![]()
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But why are salt marshes like this one so important? ![]()
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Plover Rovers - Talking the Coast are hosting a WEBINAR "Saltmarshes - Coastal Superheroes" tomorrow, Tuesday 16th March at 7pm! ![]()
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Their founder, Scott Xavi Gudrich, will talk about the important ecosystem services salt marshes provide, why marshes are threatened and what can be done to protect them.![]()
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Plover Rovers say: "Here are three reasons to tune in and show some love for salt marshes : ![]()
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🌊 They protect the coast against flooding and erosion.![]()
🦀 They provide a safe habitat for large populations of well-adapted species.![]()
🌱 They capture and store more carbon than our terrestrial forests!![]()
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Find out why the humble salt marsh is a coastal superhero and how it can assist us in the mitigation of climate change."![]()
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You can get your free tickets on their website at: linkin.bio/plover-rovers
Despite the Cold grey day, plenty of small birds around. Plus a Kestrel Hunting but light conditions to difficult for a picture. The Deer are far enough a way that we did not disturb them, so pictures suffered in difficult light.
Ahh another sign of spring on the reserve! Thanks David HorlickColt's-foot flowers starting to show at Portbury Wharf now. Yellow seems to be a popular colour for early signs of Spring.
Portishead's salt marshes are such important habitats that we thought they deserved their very own Facebook and Instagram pages. So as well as following the wildlife of the nature reserve on this page you can also see glimpses and even art from Portishead's salt marshes on our sister page Portishead Salt Marshes.![]()
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These fragile ecosystems need to be cherished and protected so the more people who know about them the better.
Look out for greenfinches on the reserve. The scientific name is Chloris Chloris which means greenish-yellow. They have a fizzy, wheezing call which you can hear here: www.xeno-canto.org/578272.
Temporary footpath closures tomorrow and Wednesday . . . also a couple of days in March.ADVANCE NOTCE - TEMPORARY FOOTPATH CLOSURE![]()
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On 24 and 25 February and 4 and 5 March, contractors will be carrying out some essential works to the banks adjacent to the Portishead substation entrance to the reserve. Unfortunately this means for these few days, access to this area will be restricted during daylight hours.
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