| Seasonal strolls | ||
| In each issue of Wildlife magazine we feature a reserve which is at its best at that season, and we describe features you can look out for as you make your way around. | ||
| Spring to Summer Summer to Autumn Autumn to winter Goblin Combe - Autumn Goblin Combe - Winter |
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As part of the Bristol Festival of Nature we've highlighted some other wild walks in Bristol where you can enjoy the varied sights of autumn wildlife. Page references are to the Bristol A-Z |
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Arnos
Vale Cemetery
Troopers
Hill |
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| Wildlife - Autumn 2003 | ||
| Brown's Folly | ||
| For more details on this reserve including directions and access details click here | ||
Following the path from the car park, follow the track north, along a route known locally as Fluester's Road. It was built in the 1860's by a local quarry master to cart loads of stone from the mines to the river for local distribution. Today this track plays an important part in enabling the extraction of timber from woodland management, and also provides a level pedestrian route into the heart of the reserve. To the right you will see an area of coppice where many woodland plants can be seen in the spring. During June common twayblade orchid is found here and white heleborine can be seen in a few places in July. You may see evidence of the hard work of the volunteer wardens who have removed the alien turkey oak from this area keeping it as native woodland The ride widens at the point where a public footpath joins it from the right. The trackside trees have been felled here to create a wide ride, giving a better opportunity to breeding birds, feeding invertebrates and foraging bats to use this area. This year spotted flycatchers bred along this ride exploiting the habitat to see and catch their airborne insect prey. In places the felled trees and branches have been left to rot to produce a dead wood habitat. On your left, hidden behind a ribbon of trees, lies one of the largest rock exposures on the site. These rocks were originally formed in a warm sub-tropical sea during the Jurassic period some 170 million years ago. They form the oolitic limestone widespread throughout the Cotswolds but known locally as Bath Stone. The quarries throughout the reserve closed during the 1930's and now provide excellent conditions for roosting bats and are home to the greater horseshoe bat, one of the rarest mammals in the UK. The Trust works closely with the Bath Geological Society to keep these exposures within sensitive management. At the end of the ride clearance the path splits. Take the left-hand path up on to the grassland. A new fence has recently been erected here so access on foot is now through a new metal kissing gate. In months to come this area will be grazed so if you have a dog you are requested to keep it on a lead at this point. Follow the path up through the grassland which is full of common spotted orchids, salad-burnet and wild thyme in summer. You pass another rock exposure and continue up to another kissing gate. Do not go through this gate but turn sharp left, almost doubling back on yourself and up onto the grassy ridge. Here sensitive scrub clearance has restored the species-rich grassland and late autumn/winter grazing will further enhance this area's interest. There are spectacular views of the city of Bath from this area. Behind you, high on the ridge, is the Folly, which is now owned by The Folly Fellowship. Follow the path back out of the grassland through another metal kissing gate and into the woodland. After a few ups and downs this mainly level path not only leads you back to the car park but also takes you past a number of grilled-off caves, restricting access to bats only! Evidence of past quarry works can also be seen with the presence of old spoil mounds and further rock exposures. Further information about this reserve can be found from the interpretation boards on the site. |
| Wildlife - Autumn 2006 | ||
| Goblin Combe | ||
| For more details on this reserve including directions and access details click here | ||
A visit to Goblin Combe takes you from the shady depths of the yew-lined combe to the sun parched slopes of the limestone cliffs and gives far-reaching landscape views across the North Somerset countryside. This reserve is only accessible on foot and visitors can enjoy the delights of walking through the wooded valley of the combe before reaching the boundary of the reserve. Parking is limited to the small quarry car park on the left of Cleeve Hill Road near the Goblin Combe Environment Centre (signposted from the A370). From here walk back down to the road, bearing right and past the Centre on your left, following the footpath signs that lead you through a gate and into the combe bottom. After almost a mile you’ll enter the reserve as you pass through an old stone wall. As you walk along the combe you’ll begin to notice the low scrub that has colonised the grassland slopes as well as the arching hazel overhanging the path. Majestic pollarded oaks tower over you, a shadow from a long-forgotten time when grazing activity kept most of the smaller scrub at bay. Further along the path the old gnarled yews grow in their own deep shade and it is here where the mysteriously named moonwort was first ever recorded. Butterflies such as speckled wood can be found as well as gatekeepers flitting within the dappled light. It is here that the uncommon white admiral may be seen in July. As the path divides, stay in the valley bottom, keeping to the route turning off left after 40m. Here the ferns of the combe are at their best with hart’s-tongue and male ferns covering the greatest area and limestone fern can be found growing amongst the moss-covered scree. Winding your way up the footpath, follow the yellow markers on the trees that take you through an area with a high dormouse population. Eventually you’ll come out onto the grassland where in the summer the site is full of insect life. Common blue butterflies, along with marbled white and silver washed fritillaries will be seen across the species-rich grassland, and in the purple heath areas both woodland and common green grasshoppers can be heard singing during July and August. In the shorter areas of turf and bare rock grayling butterflies may be seen occasionally and stripe-winged and mottled grasshoppers heard singing quiet hissing song. Cross the grassland until you reach the entrance barrier and turning left just before this will take you along the path at the top of the grassland. This leads you onto the top of the combe - be careful here as the cliff to the left is very steep. The views from here take in the western end of the Mendips northwards across to the coast of South Wales. Ignore the air traffic from Lulsgate and look for the buzzards that freely orbit in the thermals over the combe, often joined by ravens, the largest member of our crow family. In the autumn family groups of crossbills can often be heard as they fly between the conifer plantations. From the viewpoint follow the path to the right which takes you down across another stone wall and for a short period you are outside the reserve. Follow the path right to the bottom of the combe, taking care when walking down the steep flight of steps, and eventually reaching the point where you entered the site. Turn right at this point and follow the path back towards the Centre and the car park. Goblin Combe is privately owned and part
of it is leased to the Trust to manage as a nature reserve. The
Trust is working in partnership through FWAG with Natural England
and SITA to re-establish grazing at this site. We are also working
with Goblin Combe Environment Centre and North Somerset Council
to improve visitor access to this reserve via a series of paths
and upgraded steps that link the whole combe. Improvements
are also planned to the site interpretation which will inform visitors
about the special wildlife value of Goblin Combe. |
| Wildlife - Spring 2006 | ||
| Chew Valley Lake | ||
| For more details on this reserve including directions and access details click here | ||
Chew Valley Lake, owned by Bristol Water
is the largest inland water body in the South West.
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| Wildlife - Spring 2005 | ||
| Dolebury Warren | ||
| For more details on this reserve including directions and access details click here | ||
This walk begins at the car park at the end of Doleberrow, just off the A38. The first bit is the toughest as you go over the stile and begin to climb the flight of steps to the top of the hill. There's a convenient bench half way up where you can catch your breath before continuing up through the woodland onto the top. Ahead of you is a small bank, which is the remains of the ramparts of the Iron Age hill fort. Scale the ramparts then walk right, along the top all the way to the highest point. This is the best viewpoint on the reserve where you can see for miles around and understand why our ancestors chose this site for their fort. Listen for the distinctive calls of buzzards and ravens. They are often seen swooping down the valley and around the pine plantation to the south. From this viewpoint continue east, away from the hill fort, along the ridge towards the small stand of pine in the distance. To your right there is a small fenced off area, which is a recovering patch of limestone heathland. This is an unusual feature in an area of alkaline limestone geology as heathland is associated with acidic soils. This area has been excluded from grazing to allow the heather to recover while we undergo a programme of scrub removal. Eventually you will reach a gate, climb the stile to its left and head straight on, keeping the small pine plantation on your right. As you near the end of the pine follow the path that forks off to the right. Under the canopy of the trees note the unusual density of anthills, a product of many years of grazing on Dolebury. Ahead of you there is the remnants of the grassland restoration project. Over the last few winters large sections of mature scrub have been cleared to leave only occasional trees that will not shade out the grassland species. As you reach the top of the slope the views open up again and you can see over to the Blackdown hills. Keep an eye out for green woodpeckers that are frequently seen flying close to the ground with their characteristic undulating flight. Turn east again and continue along the open stretch of grassland until you reach the gate. Go through this gate and follow the fenceline until you reach a second gate on your left. Through this gate head north and follow the track all the way to a third gate. This is the entrance to the first of three fields that you'll walk through. Turn left through the gate and you are heading west towards the more secretive and less visited parts of the reserve. In the south west corner of the last field there is a kissing gate that marks the beginning of the woodland pasture. Follow this path all the way as it winds its way through the wood. You are only a stone's throw away from the open grasslands but the mature trees, glades and old stone walls make it feel like a different world. Eventually you will come to an old field gate, once through this turn left and head all the way to the top of the hill to return to the viewpoint near the start of the walk. |
| Wildlife - Summer 2003 | ||
| Folly Farm | ||
| For more details on this reserve including directions and access details click here | ||
A step into Folly Wood immediately transforms ash trees with their marbled bark into majestic towering columns holding the canopy at dizzy heights, whilst splashes of sunlight enhance the brilliance of yellow celandine and the delicate pinks of the cuckoo-flower underfoot. A wren's sudden explosive alarm call rises from a patch of bramble, and the quiet rustle under leaf reveals a small wood mouse in search of food. Out of the wood, a clamber across the mountainous stile over the deer fencing of the new plantations seems to put you in reach of a pair of ravens tumbling through the skies overhead. Next, pretending to be a vole or rabbit dashing through the long grass you suddenly lie still, avoiding the spying eyes of buzzards as they orbit high in warm thermals. A startled encounter with a family group of roe deer results in a race across Plain Hill pastures to find cover and fresh hawthorn leaves to eat. The discovery of fox and badger prints set in mud near Featherbed Break begin a game of stealth and hunting, listening and looking for tasty bits of food. A peaceful picnic on South Hill overlooking the farm is interrupted by the sight of spiders in the grass, which lead to the unearthing of further creatures of the meadow. The warning colours of the wasp-like long horned beetles are no deterrent and these together with ground beetles roving for food and caterpillars emerging from their sleep, are all swept up for quick observation and then gently replaced in their homes. A run back down the hill is interupted by three spring lambs all jostling for top position on a fallen branch. A quick description of how barn owl pellets are formed is no hindrance when there is the chance of finding a whole vole skull within and three are released from their fur-lined capsules in quick succession. On again and down to the access trail. Being early afternoon the badgers are safe, sound asleep deep within their sett, but in searching for signs of activity we are distracted by the circus-like antics of grey squirrels chasing each other at high speed through the canopy of oak and ash. This race followed to the bridge over the gully, which is magically transformed into a deep ravine where we too become canopy dwellers leaping from branch to branch. Along the path and back to the farm house brimstone, comma and peacock butterflies dart in and out of the hedge. The pond is soon the next target for attention and the 'plop' of frogs and the 'slide' of newts results in us all jumping and hopping to the end of our walk. |
| Wildlife - Autumn 2005 | ||
| Prior's Wood | ||
| For more details on this reserve including directions and access details click here | ||
Prior's Wood is the Trust's most recent Nature Reserve and although it's well known locally for its springtime show of bluebells it's a delight to visit at any time of the year... On entering the reserve from Portbury village
continue up the woodland track after passing the cottage on your
right. After half a kilometre, turn left immediately after passing
the garden of the dilapidated cottage within the wood. This path
now takes you into the reserve and into the heart of the wildlife
rich woodland. |
| Wildlife - Spring 2004 | ||
| Walborough | ||
| For more details on this reserve including directions and access details click here | ||
Walborough
in winter is not the warmest place to visit, but on an early spring
morning there can be plenty of treats |
| Wildlife - Spring 2003 | ||
| Weston Moor | ||
| For more details on this reserve including directions and access details click here | ||
From the entrance to the reserve next to St Peter and St Paul's Church in Weston-in-Gordano, a short walk will take you to some of the newly restored areas of this large reserve. Along the route of the disused Weston-super-Mare to Portishead railway line the banks of bramble are provided to offer a safe haven for wrens and dunnocks. In Mason's Orchard the traditional Somerset varieties of apple come into blossom during late March. The newly-created hedgerow, planted by local volunteers, is species-rich with field maple, hawthorn, dogwood, hazel and holly. Views across the moor can reveal excellent views of wintering stonechat as they perch on the top of bramble or reed heads. Large flocks of meadow pipit are often disturbed by sparrowhawks in search of prey. Later in the spring they are replaced by flocks of house martins and swallows as they fly north to their breeding grounds. Just to the west of the old Dutch barn lies an area of cultivated land, designed to provide suitable habitat for arable weeds during the summer and over-wintering stubble through the winter. Flocks of wood pigeon and rooks are common in this area, and a newly erected bird table will attract linnet, reed bunting and greenfinch to feed. The rough grassland either side of the newly planted hedge will provide feeding areas for short-tailed field voles, and in turn barn owls, who we hope will eventually make use of the pole-boxes erected for them. Warm, sunny days will encourage buzzards to start displaying, and up to fifteen birds have been seen spiralling in the sky together. Across the moor the display and call of lapwings herald springtime and soon the reserve will be teaming with life. To the north of the site, over the busy B3124, lies the newly planted area of Taggart's Wood. The top of the hill gives commanding views across the valley and over to the flooded wetland of Clapton Moor. As the saplings mature, the character will change into woodland similar to other species-rich woods in the area, and in time bluebell, primrose and ramson will become established. |
| Wildlife - Summer 2004 | ||
| Willsbridge Mill | ||
| For more details on this reserve including directions and access details click here | ||
This walk starts at the entrance to the mill, an impressive building with a converted barn dating back to the early 19th Century which has been the Trust's main education centre since 1985. From the outdoor classroom area climb the flight of steps up to the teaching pond. At the pond, the patient observer can see frogs and newts as well as azure damselflies balancing on emergent reedmace. Continue along the path with the pond to your left and after 10 metres turn sharp left onto the Heritage Sculpture Trail and through a field gate. Follow the surfaced path up the gradient that leads between the woodland edge and the pasture, which is now grazed with horses. Plants such as lousewort, betony and black knapweed have been recorded from this grassland during the summer. Pass the 'giant ant hill' sculpture on your right and go through an opening onto the old dramway. Turn left and continue along the track, looking out for a sculpture on the right which celebrates the valleys busy industrial past when horse drawn trucks carrying locally mined coal travelled along the dramway. After about 100 metres turn left over the viaduct. The area to the right before this turning is good for warblers, with blackcap recorded in most years. On rare occasions nightingale have also been recorded during early May at this corner. Turn left again once you have crossed the bridge, this path leading you back alongside the Siston Brook and back to the mill. Views of this stream are often rewarded with glimpses of dipper, a dumpy looking wetland bird that feeds on insects found under the surface of good quality water. Along this path too is an old quarry, an exposure of reddish sandstone over 300 million years old. Lines of pebbles are visible within the quarry faces, representing the bottom of ancient river channels. On the in-filled tops of these channels are thin coal seams with the fossil remains of club mosses which grew in the tropical forests of time. Examples of fossilised trees and their roots can also be seen. Continue along this path which follows the edge of the valley's main piece of woodland. Notice the sculptural seats and steps on the right that herald the entrance to the wood. Look out for names of the trees found in the wood which have been carved into the steps. Before you return to the mill spend some time exploring the new Wild Waste Garden, a project demonstrating how household waste can be put to creative and imaginative use and just one more way in which this whole site inspires children through our education work. |
| Wildlife - Summer 2005 | ||
| Royate Hill | ||
| For more details on this reserve including directions and access details click here | ||
Royate Hill is a fine place for a city walk, especially in summer when wildflowers and butterflies make you forget for a moment that this railway embankment was almost destroyed by developers in 1991. The Trust and the local community fought and won the Royate Hill Campaign – one of the many proud moments in our past 25 years! Inspiring floor mosaics greet you at the Edward Street entrance in Eastville, showing you why local people once rallied against the developers. Climb the steps to your left and look out for big ‘moon’ daisies (ox-eye daisies) brightening up the grassland. Emerging at the top onto the old railway line you will see lots of brambles, nettles and tall plants alongside the path, making a wonderful habitat where insects feed and lay their eggs – you might see the amazing iridescent green thick-kneed beetle, different sorts of ladybirds, orange cardinal beetles (unfairly known by children as ‘bloodsuckers’ although they are herbivores) and even the occasional dragonfly – the big brown hawker dragonfly and the rare white-legged damselfly have both been spotted here. As you approach the steep embankment on your left you will see that it is a rich pasture. Are the grazing goats out and about? The wonderful variety of plants is all down to their grazing efforts. Can you see the purple flowers of common knapweed? Have a close look for butterflies – there could be common blues and even the marbled white which only likes flower-rich grassland. You may spot straw-coloured chrysalises on the grass stems – these belong to the bottle green, red spotted burnet moths. On the other side of the path is a forest of buddleia which has colonised since the site was bulldozed in the early 1990s. Its common name is ‘butterfly bush’ which makes sense on a warm and calm day when it’ll be festooned with red admiral, peacock, comma and small tortoiseshell butterflies. The limestone chippings of the old railway line
are an interesting habitat; at your feet there are swathes of
mouse-ear hawkweed with its long-haired leaves and yellow flowers.
Crossing the viaduct with its tree top views, there are lots of
tall plants; you may notice hemp agrimony with its fluffy pink
heads. Look out for purple vetches in the flowery bays ahead;
these sheltered spots are havens for all sorts of insects.
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