Hunting for Unicorns with Peter Smithers
Peter Smithers was unable to join us at our December meeting, however he is keen to tell us about two rare spiders that may be in the Bristol area. Read more...
Winter Buds & Berries! with Liz Wintle
As we start the festive month of December, with thoughts of Christmas ahead of us, various berries associated with the season come to mind, holly used in our decorations at Christmas, and don't forget a kiss under the mistletoe! But Nature has not gone to sleep through the Winter months and there are many plants that wake up once the weather turns colder. so let's check out some other berries and buds to look for this month. Read more...
Wasps offer more than a sting in the tail! with Kathy Farrell
Wasps have generally earned themselves a bad reputation. But despite their seasonal aggression, these insects play an important role in the ecosystem. Read more...
The English Oak with Andrew Harrison & Julia Shahin
There are quite a number of plants that find a place in culture, hearts and minds. Flowers such as roses, daffodils, thistles and clover are associated with cultural identities in the UK but the English Oak has had a particularly revered place in our heritage. Read more...
Green Alkanet & Scarlet Tigers with Julia Shahin
A visit to Avon Wildlife Trust’s wild plant nursery Grow Wilder in Frenchay is always a treat and not just for the cake in the cafe. A couple of years ago I bought some plants for my little garden with the aim of increasing the pollen sources for bees. One of the plants that I purchased was Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens). It is a lovely plant to have in the garden even if it is considered a “weed” by some. Read more...
What did the Romans do for us? with Andrew Harrison
"What did the Romans do for us?" is an often quoted line from The Monty Python film ‘Life of Brian’. We have learned through our history lessons how much they influenced everyday life during the years we were governed by the Romans, in ways that still exist today! Read more...
The Wonder of Winter Trees with Liz Wintle
Whenever I look at trees in January, my memories take me back to the late 1950s, walking through the woods at Beeses Tea Gardens where my grandfather was the ferryman and my nana supplied the teas. Read more...
The Robin with Andrew Harrison
Is there a more inquisitive bird than the very popular Robin? Watching you gardening or simply wandering by, the Robin seems to be a serious observer. Of course taking advantage of unearthed worms, the Robin is the ever present companion in so many gardens. Read more...
The Spindleberry Tree with Julia Shahin
The Autumnal colours of leaves may well be a distant memory in November, but there could still be a little joyous burst of colour left on Spindleberry Trees (Euonymous europaeus). Nature often signals danger by helpfully giving poisonous plants or insects garish colours and the fruit of the Spindleberry Tree is no exception. Read more...
30Ks Wilder - raising funds for Avon Wildlife Trust with Kathy Farrell
Back in August I became aware of the challenge instigated by Avon Wildlife Trust to raise funds for wildlife in our area by walking, running, swimming or cycling 30ks. As my volunteer role for our local group involves masses of computer based work, it was an opportunity to get out and spend more time exploring some wild spaces with the aim of also raising funds for the Trust. So I signed up.
Donate to my Challenge HERE - donations taken until Friday 8th October. Read more...
Elderberries Ahoy! with Julia Shahin
As we move into September, our eyes are drawn to fruiting trees and hedges. Blackberries are already gracing the beaks of many of our native birds as well as our own mouths in pies and crumbles! And another fruiting tree at this time of year - the native Elderberry, Sambucus Nigra, can be found at the edges of woodland, in hedges, gardens, along canals and often near badger setts or rabbit warrens as the seeds are dispersed by animals and birds. Read more...
Plant Use as Dyes with Julia Shahin
In the summer months our gardens are full of colourful flowers which give us pleasure and provide nectar for bees and other pollinators.
Colours exist in plants due to the many thousands of different pigments that plants produce as they grow. The pigments developed to act as visible signs to attract insects, birds and mammals for pollination and to protect the plant from damage by UV and visible light. Read more...
The wonders of the aerial Odonata! with Kathy Farrell
It is amazing how wonderful water is for wildlife. Take a trip to the seaside and you’re sure to see some gulls. Visit a park with a pond and you’ll no doubt see some ducks. Where there is water, there certainly is life! And watching dragonflies dart among the plants on a riverbank or at the edge of a wildlife pond is one of the joys of Summer. Read more...
Why are birds ringed? with Andrew Harrison
According to the Chew Lake Ringers website “The first recorded bird ringing at Chew Valley Lake took place on the 4th June 1961 when Ray Thearle trapped eight Reed Warblers and one Reed Bunting. In 1961 he made 14 further trips. The success of these trials indicated its potential as a ringing station. Ringing has occurred in every year since.’’
The Ringing Scheme in Britain was 'hatched' in 1909, though actually originated as two schemes: one run by British Birds and one at Aberdeen University. A third scheme, organised by Country Life magazine also started at this time, but the rings were not uniquely numbered. The Aberdeen Scheme ended during the First World War, and in the 1930s, following the founding of the BTO (British Trust of Ornithology), the British Birds scheme was transferred to its current home. Read more...
Gardening for wildlife and home composting with Julia Shahin
Banner: Brimstone
LH: Burnished Brass; RH: Bloodvein
Keynsham Group
Avon Wildlife Trust
Registered charity 280422
Email: keynshamawt@gmail.com
