Contact us at
info@fpwnr.org
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! ![]()
![]()
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!![]()
![]()
#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)?![]()
![]()
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?
The Snipe and Lapwing on the edge of North Pool today were keeping a wary eye out for the Marsh Harrier.
I've been out and about this weekend, taking some pictures of our local coastal wetlands. The two days were very different, light wise, but there was still lots to see out there. ![]()
![]()
January was a wet month, but almost half our rain fell on two days so rain only fell on 12 days - its just that on two days there was a lot! We accumulated 94 mm of rain in the month just up the hill from The Royal
There was a new moon earlier this week and, as ever, a few days after both a new and full moon, the high tides peak. This morning thr good news for International Wetlands Day (and weekend!) is that the wet is getting very close! This morning at about 0949 the high tide will reach a height of 13.37 m, which means it's right up the salt marsh so you will find lots of wildlife has been ushered into close proximity. Mice, shrews and voles will ofetn beenm seen scampering into the undergrowth along the top of the sea wall, and lots of waders and waterfowl will be hunting the water margin for asty morsels as they float up out of the highly specialised grasses and plants that live out there.![]()
![]()
With all this wildlife pushed together at the top of the salt marsh it would be great if you could keep your canaine comapnions on leads along the sea wall for a couple of hours - Thanks in Advance, and enjoy your walk!
Did you know it's World Wetlands Day on 2nd February? This is a global celebration of Wetlands and will highlight the significant contribution wetlands make to both diversity and sustainability. When managed well, wetlands play a crucial role in moderating the effects of climate change. We - Friends of PWNR – are doing our bit by promoting the new Wetlands Trail that has been installed across the most relevant parts of our local wetlands. . There are 12 permanent posts in the Wetlands Trail. Eleven are installed by the key habitats on Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve and one post (No. 9) is on the Ecology Park. They tell you about each of the habitats and show you the creatures that you might see there. All the posts are easily accessible on well developed footpaths, so there’s no need to head off piste! You should also keep an eye on our webpages for news of when the seasonal speciality boards get swapped over. The Nature Trail is going to change every few months!![]()
![]()
You can find out all about the Wetlands Trail by going to this web page: www.portburywharfnaturereserve.co.uk/wetlands-trail/
What a lovely day to try out the Wetlands Trail at Portbury Wharf!![]()
![]()
Do you have a picture of the Wetlands Trail that you would like to share?![]()
![]()
#wetlandstrailuk
On such a wet and windy day we thought we would try to bring an instalment of the World Wetlands Day trail to you. . . . fingers crossed this video clip works!🤞 Let us know if you want to see more from the trail.
Its wet and windy out there today, so I am going to hazard a guess that there aren't that many of us out on the Reserve this morning. What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was so lovely. We walked to the Lake Grounds for a change of scenery, and were delighted to see so many water fowl on the lake. The male Tufties and Mallards are in their wooing plumage, dandying about and generally making a nuisance of themselves, whilst the mature swans are getting back together with their partners and rekindling their relationships. There's a lot of neck arching going on down there! Swans mate for life and both take an active part in raising the cygnets, but after that they drift apart for a few months downtime- maybe they head off to a different part of the world but then they tend to return to their old territories and in spring, they start all over again! (BTW, the younger swans may not pair up for their first 2 or even three years) The crows on the sea front are so tame these days. They just fluff out their feathers, hunch their shoulders, and leave you to leave them alone! And finally, as soon as there is any sunshine, the robins all head up to the top of a tree yo shout out that this is their patch! "Gerrorf my laaand!
Wetlands Trail
Portishead Wetlands Trail
at
Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve
Have you tried it yet?
This trail changes often!
ON NOW
*** The World Wetlands Day Trail from 19th January to 19th February ***
Come and find out about the brilliance of wetlands!
Download a digital map / quiz to your mobile
You don’t need any technology to enjoy the Portishead Wetlands Trail but, if you wish, you can download a digital map / quiz to your phone to use during the trail.
Download Winter Trail Map V1
About the trail
There are 12 permanent posts in the Wetlands Trail. Eleven are installed by the key habitats on Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve and one post (No. 9) is on the Ecology Park. They 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.
Wetland Trail Panels
Wilbur the Water Vole
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.
Unable to visit the reserve?
You can follow the trail even if you are unable to visit the reserve. Click here to see the winter panels.
. . .
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.