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The reserve lies between Portishead and Royal Portbury Dock.
Access points are from Wharf Lane in Sheepway just off Junction 19 of the M5 motorway and from Portishead marina.
This website is created for and maintained by Friends of Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve.
You can contact the Friends at info@fpwnr.org
7 months ago
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Willow Trees
A World in our Willows Trees
Don’t underestimate our humble willow trees – they are home to a rich and diverse habitat.
A single willow tree supports thousands of different organisms from bacteria in the soil, to fungi, frogs, insects, small mammals and birds to large mammals, raptors and owls.
Willow trees are dioecious meaning that each tree is either male or female. Holly, poplar and ash are other trees that have separate sexes. So to produce seeds there will need to be a tree of the opposite sex in the vicinity for successfully pollination.
Willows rely on insects for pollination and in return insects rely on the willow for food. There are over 450 species of plant eating invertebrates that benefit from the willow. This includes 162 different butterflies and 104 different species of bees and wasps. It is one of the most important plants of late winter and early spring when there is little food around. Perhaps for insects the male tree is the most beneficial. The female flowers only produce nectar but the male flowers produce both nectar and pollen.
Willow Trees provide an early harvest for insects
In late January and February, depending on the species of willow, the catkins (the flowers) reveal themselves. Like cat’s fur the male catkin are soft and silky hence the name pussy willow. The insects search out the sweetly scented nectar at the base of each catkin.
Nectar is a good source of energy for insects. Packed with carbohydrates this sugary water gives insects the energy to fly. So this is a vital food for insects that need a quick burst of energy. That’s why you will see queen bumble bees that have just come out of hibernation buzzing around willow trees.
Nature’s larder doesn’t stop here. These silky “pussy willow” catkins will soon be dripping with golden pollen. Pollen is protein packed and good for reproduction. So bees will feed it to their young so they grow strong and healthy.
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