South West Region

North Meadow NNR, Cricklade, Wiltshire – A beautiful ancient lowland meadow covering approx. 44 hectares. An abundance of flora, including Marsh Marigold, Water Forget-Me-Not and the UK’s largest single population of Wild Snake’s Head fritillaries.

Further information:
www.crickladeinbloom.co.uk
www.naturalengland.co.uk

Bentley Wood, Wiltshire/Hampshire – near Salisbury Bentley Wood is on the site of an ancient forest. However, most of the oak, beech, Norway Spruce and Scots and Corsican pine have been planted since World War 11. This site of Special Scientific Interest with the help from Butterfly Conservation and the Forestry Commission has 35 breeding species. The main attraction is the Purple Emperor – the king of British butterflies. Other species include the White-Letter Hairstreak, Silver-Washed Fritillary and the White Admiral.

Further information:
www.purple-emperor.co.uk/page27.htm

Art in the Park – Marwell Wildlife, Colden Common, Winchester. Wildlife Art Fair 26th – 30th August.
The Largest annual display of wildlife art with over 200 artists and 700 exhibits. Plus an Animal sculpture trail from 1st to 31st August by acclaimed sculptor Olivia Strong. Life sized and larger than life sculptures of wild animals throughout the park.

For further details: www.marwell.org.uk

For the summer holidays and for those that like Rockpooling here's a place to visit with the website for more details.

Wembury Bay – Devon. www.wemburymarinecentre.org

For an amazing display of autumnal colour this arboretum dates from the 19th century. Westonbirt also has an ancient wood, Silk Wood in which hazel is still coppiced. The Cotswold Fungus Group has over 1,100 species here - you don't need to be an expert to enjoy the mini fungal landscapes.

Birds to look out for include, Nuthatch and Jays. Fungi to look out for include Greencracked Brittlegill, Saffron Milkcap, Dryad's Saddle and Pink Waxcap.

For more information: www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

A disused railway heading south from St Austell to the coast, the 11km Pentewan trail is a naturalist's delight. This traffic free section leads to the fishing village of Mevagissey. Well worth a detour of the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Along the way landscape of deserted quarries, ancient Cornish field patterns and meadows. King's Wood lying on a steep valleyside which comprises mature oaks and sweet chestnuts.

Cornwall is home to Barn owls, Osprey, Clouded Yellow butterfly, Grey seal, Giant Rhubarb (Gunnera) and Kidney Vetch amongst other flora and fauna.

For more information: www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk and www.sustrans.org.uk

21st September - Cornwall Wildlife Trust is holding a walk around St George's Island off Looe.

Booking essential.

for more information email stgeorgesisland@hotmail.co.uk

The leading local charity working for people and wildlife from wildflower meadows to ancient woodlands, from green city corridors to reclaimed wetlands, Avon Wildlife Trust is dedicated to working with local people for local wildlife.

SEPTEMBER
Sunday 12 September
AUTUMN IN THE WOODS, walk in Filnore Woods led by Allan Burberry. Meet 10am at top of Thornbury Leisure Centre car park. (T)

Tuesday 14 September
BAT WALK along the river Frome with bat expert Richard Cook, bat detectors will be to hand. Meet at Wickwar Road car park, Chipping Sodbury, 7.30pm (S)

Wednesday 15 September
A TANZANIAN SAFARI, illustrated talk by Helen Mugridge. United Reformed Church Hall, Stockway North, Nailsea (opposite the Somerfield Car Park), 7.45pm. Entrance £2 including refreshments (N)

Sunday 19 September
ASHTON HILL WOOD, a mixed woodland with giant sequoias. Meet at car park off B 3129 south of Failand, 2pm (C)

Friday 24 September
FOSSILS, illustrated talk by David Green about the important finds in our area. Old Bakery Annexe, Armstrong Halls, Chapel Street, Thornbury, 7.30pm (T)

THE COTSWOLD WILDFLOWER SHOW, illustrated talk by Keith Taylor. Folk Hall, High Street, Portishead 7.30pm (P)

Saturday 25 September
TRUST FLAG DAY at Long Ashton (LA)

Sunday 26 September
TRUST AGM at Folly Farm


OCTOBER
Sunday 3 October
PORTBURY WHARF NATURE RESERVE CELEBRATION & COMMUNITY DAY - With TV presenter & naturalist Mike Dilger. Guided nature walks and bird watching, music from Portishead Town Band, wildlife gardening advice and environmental fun and games. Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve, Portishead 2 - 5 pm

Tuesday 5 October
A UNIQUE CHANCE TO SEE ... RETURN OF THE RHINO - Join award-winning TV presenter and Trust Vice-President Mark Carwardine for a talk about his latest film. QEH, Jacobs Wells Road, 7.30 pm email angeladavies@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk or call 0117 917 7270 for tickets £10 or £8 for concessions

Friday 8 October
BIRD MIGRATION LESVOS, GREECE talk by professional photographer Oliver Smart. Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Keynsham 7.30pm. Free parking in Ashton Way. Adults £2.50, children/students £1. (K)

Sunday 10 October
APPLE DAY - apple juice sales, food stalls, activity stands and children's area - bring your own apples to use the apple press. Willsbridge Mill, Willsbridge Hill, South Glos 1 - 5pm free entry

Sunday 10 October
FUNGUS FORAY in Weston Big Wood, led by Bill Dixon and Roy Betts. Meet at Valley Road entrance at 9.45 for a 10am start. Ffi 01275 849200 (P)

RIVER DIPPING at Dapps Hill, Keynsham, led by Dave Sage 2pm (K)

Wednesday 13 October
OUR FIRST FEW MONTHS AT PORTBURY ASHLANDS RESERVE illustrated talk by Neil Hutton, Community Officer and Bernie D'Arcy, Reserve Warden at Ashlands. Friends Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, Bristol 7.30pm £1 entrance fee. (C)

Saturday 16 October
IT'S YOUR WORLD - BIG GREEN FAIR - at Yate Leisure Centre Sports Hall, 10am - 1pm, to be opened by Weather Man Richard Angwin.

Wednesday 20 October
AVON WILDFLOWER AND GRASSLANDS PROJECT Richie Smith from AWT will give an illustrated presentation on local conservation efforts. United Reformed Church, Stockway North, Nailsea (opposite the Somerfield car park), 7.45pm £2 entrance including refreshments (N)

Thursday 21 October
VOLUNTEER AT LOWER WOODS by Dr Mike Martin. The history and natural history of the GWT/AWT reserve. Royal British Legion Club, Long Ashton 7.30pm (LA)

Friday 22 October
WILLOW, BIO-FUEL AND HABITAT, illustrated talk by Rebecca Rowe, Folk Hall, High Street, Portishead 7.30pm (P)

THE NATIONAL TRUST AND LEIGH WOODS, illustrated talk by Bill Morris, at Old Bakery annexe, Armstrong Hall, Chapel Street, Thornbury 7.30pm (T)

Monday 25 October
OWL PROWL at Wapley Bushes Nature Reserve. Meet Shireway Footbridge, Yate at 7.30pm. Wear warm clothing (S)

Tuesday 26 October
BUSHCRAFT AND SURVIVAL SKILLS DAY for 7-12 year olds at Folly Farm, Bishop Sutton. Contact Jo Morris to book 0117 917 7270

Saturday 30 October
AUTUMN FAIR at Somerset Hall, Portishead, 10.15am to noon. Offers of help please ring 01275 373453. Contributions of plants, cakes, bric-a-brac, tombola prizes etc please ring 01275 843160 (P)


NOVEMBER
Saturday 6 November
JUMBLE SALE at Avon Way Hall, Portishead, 10.15am. For offers of help please call 01275 373453. For jumble collections please ring 01275 843160 or 01275 843865 (P)

Wednesday 10 November
BAJA CALIFORNIA: BEST KEPT SECRET FOR WILDLIFE WATCHING, illustrated talk by Charles Kinsey, at Friends Meeting Houese, 126 Hampton Road, Bristol 7.30pm £1 entrance (C)

Friday 12 November
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WATER illustrated talk by Anderw Town. Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Keynsham, 7.30pm. Adults £2.50, children/students £1 (K)

Saturday 13 November
WWT SLIMSBRIDGE minibus trip from Keynsham (K)

Wednesday 17 November
"VOLESVILLE" Richard Brock will give a DVD presentation of his film about the wildlife of Cheddar Gorge. United Reformed Church Hall, Stockway North, Nailsea (opposite the Somerfield car park) 7.45pm. Entrance £2 including refreshments (N)

Thursday 18 November
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY by Phil Mugridge, with some of his favourite American locations. Royal British Legion Club, Long Ashton 7.30pm (LA)

Friday 19 November
PLANTS BEHAVING BADLY illustrated talk by Steve Nicholls. Old Bakery annexe, Armstrong Hall, Chapel Street, Thornbury 7.30pm (T)

Saturday 20 November
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR at Keedwell Church, Long Ashton 10 -11.30am (LA)

Friday 26 November
THE MYSTERIES OF MIGRATION AND WHOOPER SWAN RINGING illustrated talk by Charles Martin. Folk Hall, High Street, Portishead 7.30pm

DECEMBER
Friday 10 December

WELLSWAY CHALLENGE BORNEO talk on the 2009 expedition by Dave Sage. Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Keynsham, 7.30pm. Adults £2.50, children/students £1. Seasonal refreshments in the interval (K)

Thursday 16 December
THE SEVERN ESTUARY TODAY by Rupert Higgins, ecologist. Royal British Legion Club, Long Ashton 7.30pm (LA)

JANUARY 2011
Wednesday 12 January
THE WORK OF THE NATIONAL TRUST IN LEIGH WOODS illustrated talk by Bill Morris, Head Warden. The Friends Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, Bristol 7.30pm. £1 entrance.

Friday 14 January
BROWN BEARS AND BUSTARDS, talk by Cecile Gillard. Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Keynsham 7.30pm. Adults £2.50, children/students £1 (K)

Wednesday 19 January
BACKWELL LAKE & NETCOTTS MEADOW - CONSERVATION IN ACTION. Andrew Town will give an illustrated presentation on our local nature reserves. United Reformed Church Hall, Stockway North, Nailsea (opposite the Somerfield car park), 7.45pm £2 entrance including refreshments (N)

Thursday 20 January
BUZZARDS OVER NORTH SOMERSET Robin Prytherch on his long-term study. Royal British Legion Club, Long Ashton 7.30pm (LA)

Saturday 22 January
BAJA CALIFORNIA - BEST KEPT SECRET FOR WILDLIFE WATCHING illustrated talk by Charles Kinsey. St Mary's Church Hall, Eastbury Road, Thornbury 7.30pm (T)

Friday 28 January
THE ROLE OF ZOOS an illustrated talk by Simon Garrett, Education Officer at Bristol Zoo. 7.30pm at the Folk Hall, High Street, Portishead (P)


For uptodate event information check on the link below:

Avon Wildlife Trust Events Diary

Catcott Complex
www.somersetwildlife.org/catcott_complex.html

Greylake RSPB Reserve
www.rspb.org/uk/reserves/guide/g/greylake/seasonal_highlights.aspx

Ham Wall RSPB Reserve
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/h/hamwall/about.aspx

Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve
www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourworld/conservation

Westhay Moor NNR
www.somersetwildlife.org/westhay_moor.html

West Sedgemoor RSPB Reserve
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/w/westsedgemoor/about.aspx