Contact us at
info@fpwnr.org
If you have visited the South Pool Hide recently, you will have noticed the perilous state of the bridge at the entrance. Well now NSC have installed a lovely new bridge!😀
Unfortunately there was some antisocial behaviour on the reserve last weekend. ![]()
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The door and guttering were ripped off one of the hides and a support beam damaged; the ramp and floorboards were scorched from a BBQ; two benches were thrown out; loud music and yelling were heard by a passer by and 4 youths were seen by the pools disturbing wildlife. The police have been informed and now they are aware of the problems they can increase their patrols in the area.![]()
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It is important that the police are informed of ALL such instances. So if you are unlucky enough to witness any antisocial behaviour could you please report it to them by visiting their website at:![]()
www.police.uk/pu/contact-the-police/report-a-crime-incident OR phone the Police on 101 and quote: BS20 7TD.![]()
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Thank you.
The Chiffchaffs are back! This morning I heard my first chiffchaff practising its call. It seems strange when all they shout out is "Chiff-Chaff"! But when they get back from sub-saharan Africa they appear to have forgotten the words and shout out chiff chiff or chaff chaff instead! Give them a day or two and they will have it right. ![]()
You can find out more about Chiffchaffs on the RSPB website by clicking the link below![]()
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Chiffchaff Bird Facts | Phylloscopus Collybita
www.rspb.org.uk
A small olive-brown warbler which actively flits through trees and shrubs, with a distinctive tail-wagging movement. Find out more
I love this area of wet woodland with its tangle of willows. It looks particularly great in the spring sunshine. ![]()
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You might not have come across this habitat as it is a bit off the beaten track, along the muddy seasonal path. So to save you getting your boots dirty here is a glimpse.
Next week, contractors shall be replacing the existing footbridge to the South Pools hide at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve near Portishead.![]()
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The timber bridge has come to the end of its natural life expectancy and will be replaced with a recycled plastic bridge on the week commencing 17th March. The hide will be closed for the duration of the works.![]()
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The hides at the North Pools and next to the sea wall will remain open, providing stunning views of the nature reserve, Severn Estuary, and the wildlife within.
These are three of the photos we took whilst installing the new squares on the Wetlands Trail panels yesterday . . . a Stonechat on a hay bale, a Small Tortoiseshell on a Dandelion and a Wilbur (metal Water Vole) on a fence.
It was change over day on the Wetlands Trail today, so on your next visit, check out the new squares which will be up until the end of March.![]()
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Amongst the 12 new squares added can you find the WHAT WAS THAT NOISE?, WHOSE FEET ARE THESE? and CAN YOU HEAR ME SQUEAKING? squares?![]()
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Enjoy your walks on the reserve and learn a new wildlife fact or two as you go!![]()
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#wetlandstrailuk
We had a great time on World Wetlands Day, not only did we see the Marsh Harrier from the North Pool hide but we also installed the final elements of our Wetlands Trail . . . the Wilburs! ![]()
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The Wilburs are metal Water Voles. There are 12 of them to find as you walk between the Wetlands Trail panels. Whilst we have actual furry Water Voles at Portbury Wharf they are not very active in winter and keep themselves hidden from predators. So while you are unlikely to see a real Water Vole, say hello to the Wilburs instead . . . if you can spot them!![]()
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#wetlandstrailuk
Have you heard about the *FREE* 90 minute Connect3 Nature Wellbeing Walks taking place at Portbury Wharf every 2nd Monday of the month (starting 10th February)?![]()
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To find out more and sign up visit the organiser's Mudita Salus CIC website www.muditasalus.co.uk/connect3.
A closer view of the hunkered down snipe with head tilted, perhaps watching for the Marsh Harrier?
What’s Happening
What’s happening in March!
Welcome to March! The days are getting longer and spring is in the air . . . the first flowers are out and on warm days you might see a butterfly or two.
On this page (last updated 1 March):
What to look out for this month
March and April – what to look out for
While some winter birds are yet to fly back north to their nesting sites, spring fever is definitely on its way. March and April is such an exciting time of year with plenty of spring wildlife to look… Read More
Wetlands Trail – what’s happening now
Our Wetlands Trail changes often . . .
The March squares are now up . . . find out what creature on the reserve sounds like a pig, which common mammal squeaks and which bird inspired the design of the Japanese bullet trains. But hurry as this winter trail will be replaced at the end of the month
Click Portishead Wetlands Trail to find out more.
There are 12 metal Wilburs to find along the nature reserve paths. Take a selfie with a Wilbur and share with us on social media #ifoundwilbur.
Spotting Cards
See if you can spot these on the reserve. You can pick up this Spotting Card from the leaflet holders on the metal welcome signs at the 3 entrances to the reserve.
Click spotting cards to see all available months.
Volunteering Dates
If you fancy helping with some physical work on the reserve you might want to join one of the warden’s volunteering mornings. We meet at Wharf Lane Car Park at 9.30am.
Any questions and to receive regular updates please email the warden:
mia.calderan@glendale-services.co.uk
Celebrating our Dog Rangers
The dog ranger this month is RUBY!
Our Portbury Wharf Dog Ranger Scheme is to acknowledge and to encourage wildlife-friendly dogs and their owners who protect the reserve, the salt marsh and its wildlife.
Sustainable access on Portbury Wharf Salt Marsh
Thank you to all for taking care of our salt marsh and staying on the landward side of the posts. Restricting access to the top of the salt marsh has made an incredible difference and given this precious habitat and its wildlife residents a chance to recover and flourish. Well done everyone!
From our 2023 archive . . . New boundary marker posts
Enjoy your walks at Portbury Wharf Salt Marsh along the newly marked sustainable route at the top and bottom of the sea wall. Listen out for the curlews too – they were serenading us when we installed the posts that mark the boundaries of this route. There is still ample room by the sea wall to have a wander, admire the sea views while at the same time protecting the salt marsh beyond and its wildlife. This is all part of an initiative with Natural England to create sustainable access at the top of the salt marsh.
We have also established 3 study areas to record the recovery of damaged areas of the salt marsh. We will share the results from this study with you as the project progresses on our Salt Marsh Study page.
See also Could your New Year’s resolution help a local salt marsh? (on this website) . . .
. . . or follow the link to the North Somerset Times website.
Recent Posts:
March and April – what to look out for
While some winter birds are yet to fly back north to their nesting sites, spring fever is definitely on its way. March and April is such an exciting time of year with plenty of spring wildlife to look… Read More
February – What to look out for
Look out for FROGS and TOADS! This is their mating time and they are on the move. February and March is the time when we are most likely to see them as large numbers converge on their… Read More
January – What to look out for
Happy New Year! This is the time of year when the winter birds are here, so next time you go down to the reserve look out for thrushes in the hedgerows and on the ponds the ducks and… Read More