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Been monitoring rainfall etc for 11 years now and never seen such a high rainfall forecast. In old money it’s about and inch and a half - today.
The brazen sun of summer has started to fade from our skies; to become more gentle, more polished, more subtle. Its work in the fields and hedgerows is largely accomplished for the year, the joy and frivolity of wildflowers have passed to leave so many different forms of bounty for the winter ahead. Some will be gone in a trice, whilst others, like hawthorns, and rose hips, will last deep into the hungry months of winter to welcome and nourish our returning fieldfares and redwings from Scandinavia. Goldfinch will gorge themselves on thistledown and the seeds of greater napp weed. Warblers and their fellow travellers from way up in the north will stock up for the journey down to France then onward to northern sub-Saharan Africa. Blackbirds are busy stuffing themselves full of blackberries and service berries whilst they jealously guard their own patch of berries from interlopers. Even so, foxes, badgers and deer will also be foraging the brambles and even the most bombastic blackbird can do little to fend them off!![]()
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Autumn is a season of change. Our wildlife knows deep in their bones and DNA that winter is coming and now, more than at any other time, they are planning ahead, readying, preparing themselves for cold nights when even if they roost together, the outliers may still perish. Winter is a time of challenge and reckoning for wildlife around the world, and it is only the canny ones who make it through to spring. Nature still operates on the principle of survival of the fittest.![]()
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So, it will come as no surprise for you to realise that today I have been investigating the hedgerows for fruits and seeds, and there really is a huge variety out there. Have a look when next you walk across our wonderful wild spaces. Summer maybe over, but the highlights of autumn and winter can rival anything seen in the summer.
Sometimes wildlife can be easy to spot but not always . . .This Little Egret is fast becoming a regular in Portishead Hole. Its white plumage makes it easy to spot on the mud but look closely and you will see something else too! A very special bird with a beautiful call, long legs, a curved beak and plumage which blends it into the background . . . a Curlew.
Huge contrast between todays and yesterday's weather! We had a wonderful walk down to the Lake Grounds Yesterday, but got rained off after only two holes of golf today! BTW, I have named the egret Hilary as that was who first spotted it on the reserve a few days ago. Nature's bounty is everywhere as our resident bird population fatten up for the winter ahead.
The ivy flowers are buzzing with pollinators at this time of year. Look out for them on your next walk and count how many different bees, hoverflies, wasps and other insects you see. I lost count! If you get lucky you might even see butterflies feeding on the ivy nectar too.
Plenty of activity in Portishead Hole, just outside the lock gates . . . I lost count at over 70 Redshank. Always a great sight at this time of year, but they weren't alone . . . a Little Egret came along too.![]()
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Keep an eye out for them on the North Pools, especially at high tide when the salt marsh and mud banks are underwater and they are looking for somewhere to rest up.
You never know who might be out and about on the reserve . . . like this roe deer having a gander at the visitors.![]()
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A young Marsh Harrier was spotted by the South Pool last weekend too, so keep your eyes peeled and let us know what you see.
It's the beginning of July and I have just been down to the Seawall notice board to change the Dog Ranger of the Month Poster. This month Patch is on duty! Whilst I was down there I could hear curlew trilling out on the Portishead Salt Marshes. I think this is one of the most evocative sounds I have ever heard. Have a listen next time you are along the sea front. Haunting isn't in it!![]()
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We are always looking to recruit more Dog Rangers; the duties aren't exactly demanding and we welcome local dogs who may not even walk on the Salt Marsh and Reserve. I have attached this month's poster. You will see a QR Code that will take you to our sign on page - come and join us!
It's a monster tide this morning; 14.5/6 forecast with a westerly wind bringing it even higher onto the sea wall. It is overtopping the steps out of Portishead hole so some seawater will be getting into that end of the rhyne at the back of the seawall - that is what it's therefore. The seawall path is impassable for the next hour or so, and will be very muddy thereafter. Do please avoid putting yourself in danger along there
Wetlands Trail
***Coming Soon***
Portishead Wetlands Trail.
Later this year we will be installing a wetlands trail on Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve.
This page is still in progress. Photos and links will be added when the wetlands trail is installed.
About the trail
There will be 12 permanent Wetland Trail posts installed by the key habitats around Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve and 1 post (No. 9) on the Ecology Park. They will tell you about each of the habitats and show you the creatures that you might see there.
Overview:
Wildlife is not always easy to see as it tends to hide itself away, especially as we get close. So the aim of the Portishead Wetlands Trail is to show you what creatures to look out for and where.
While some of our wildlife is resident all year, many species just visit us in summer or winter. So there will be two trails.
Each habitat has a winter and summer panel to tell you what to look for at that time of the year. That’s not all. The square on each panel will be changed every month or so to give you other fascinating facts about the wildlife currently on the reserve.
Wilbur the Water Vole
It is hard to see our endangered water voles, you might hear a plop as one dives underwater but like most wildlife they usually stay hidden . . . but you might see a Wilbur? Wilbur is a metal water vole cut out and there will be 12 Wilburs to find on the trail as you walk between the posts.
PS Click here to find out about our real-life water voles.
Portbury Wharf Reserve Bug House
Over 75% of all animals on the planet are insects. They are hugely important for pollinating plants and as part of the food chain.
We have included a Bug House as part of the nature trail. We hope this will increase both the summer nesting and winter hibernating opportunities for invertebrates on the reserve. Soon there will be an Insect Patch display panel, situated on the path just in front of the Bug House, with all sorts of fascinating information about insects.
Digital map and quiz
While you don’t need any technology to enjoy the trail, for those who wish to, a digital map and quiz will be available here.
NB These links are not working yet !!!
Unable to visit the reserve?
Once the wetlands trail is installed we will display the panels on-line too so you can follow the trail even if you are unable to visit the reserve.
So please come back here later.
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With thanks . . .
This Wetlands Trail is created by the Friends of Portbury Wharf and funded by National Grid’s Community Fund. It is undertaken with the kind permission and support of North Somerset Council who own Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve.
So thank you to both National Grid and North Somerset Council for supporting the Friends with this project.