Bristol BioBlitz at Kings Weston – Bristol99’s launch event!
The Bristol BioBlitz is a free family day out that will launch Bristol99, a citywide programme of wildlife events celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Bristol Festival of Nature.
When?
- Friday 3rd May – Schools day 10am-2:30pm; Followed by evening activities
- Saturday 4th May – Dawn Chorus (6am booking required); Public day 10am-4pm
What?
Come and join the race to find as much wildlife as we can! A BioBlitz is a large scale event that engages people with biodiversity, inviting them to get directly involved in surveying and monitoring their local wildlife and green spaces. During a BioBlitz event scientists and members of the public work together to survey a natural space; looking for, identifying and recording as many species as possible over 24 hours or shorter for a “mini-BioBlitz”. For further information on the site, how to get there and a full list of activities, visit Bristol BioBlitz.
Hengrove Mounds – Wildlife Walk as part of Walking for Health Week – Tuesday 7th May – 9.45am (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting Place – Whitchurch Library
Explore Hengrove Mounds and the nearby airfield with Hengrove Walking Group (over 55’s only) We will be looking at wildflowers and talking about tree health in general.
The Downs – Mini BioBlitz – Thursday 9th May 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: Sea Walls
A mini Bioblitz is being held on the Ashwood, close to Ivywell road, to establish the full range of tree, plant and other species within this small area that includes ash trees more than 150 years old.
This event is one of four mini Bioblitzes to be held in different areas of the Downs in order to assess the nature, extent , and value of the Downs scrublands that have spread steadily over the past fifty years. The data gathered will be used by the City Environmental department to advise the Downs Committee on future management.
The Gully – Mini BioBlitz – Saturday 11th May 10.00 am – 12.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: Sea Walls
The site is the scrub which surrounds the new Goat enclosure in the Gully. It includes an interesting mix of native and alien species.
This event is one of four mini Bioblitzes to be held in different areas of the Downs in order to assess the nature, extent , and value of the Downs scrublands that have spread steadily over the past fifty years. The data gathered will be used by the City Environmental department to advise the Downs Committee on future management.
Dundry Slopes – Dundry Slopes Discovery Day – Sunday 12th May, 10.00 am – 1.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: 81st Scout Hut, 501 Bishport Avenue, Hartcliffe, Bristol, BS13 9LR
Come and join in with some family fun on Dundry Slopes! Wildlife walks with experts, woodland activities and face painting. Refreshments and CAKE!!
Zoo Banks – Mini BioBlitz – Wednesday 15th May 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: Downs cafe
The Zoo banks are a steeply sloping area immediately to the north of Bristol zoo, covered in dense scrub.
This event is one of four mini Bioblitzes to be held in different areas of the Downs in order to assess the nature, extent , and value of the Downs scrublands that have spread steadily over the past fifty years. The data gathered will be used by the City Environmental department to advise the Downs Committee on future management.
Leafy Murder Mystery, Friday 17th May (SCHOOL EVENT)
Stoke Park
Local primary schools will be taking part in ‘Leafy Murder Mystery’ trails, collecting clues of plant murderers to find out which pathogens have ‘done it!’
Leafy Murder Mystery – Fascination of Plants Day, Saturday 18th May, 10.30am – 5pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: The Cameron Centre, Lockleaze
Most people may only catch a glimpse as they speed by on the M32, but Stoke Park is one of Bristol’s biggest open spaces, and became Bristol City Council’s newest park in 2012. A swathe of geologically complex and species rich parkland and woodland just waiting to be explored, the park is especially important for its wildflower rich grassland and a huge diversity of fungi.
On the 18th May Stoke Park will be transformed into a nature investigation zone…come along to join in the fun! Become a plant detective on the ‘Leafy Murder Mystery’ nature trails through Stoke Park woods. Collect clues of plant murders to work out which plant pathogens have ‘done it’. With the help of naturalist extraordinaire Steve England, and his team of scientists, collect clues for close up analysis at the Cameron Centre, where you’ll use microscopes to get up close to the culprit plant killers and report their crimes using apps and websites. There’ll also be ‘Bug Hunts’ where you can record as many different bugs as you can hunt. Can you spot the difference between a grasshopper and a cricket? Get your magnifying glasses out and see! There’ll also be creepy crawlies back at the Cameron Centre for you to discover. Come along to the Cameron Centre, Lockleaze on Sat 18th May for activities: 10.30am – 12.00pm: ‘Leafy Murder Mystery’ walk 12.30pm – 1.30pm: ‘Bug Hunt” 2.00pm – 3.30pm: ‘Leafy Murder Mystery’ walk. Activities are FREE but places are limited!
To book email: outreach@bspp.org.uk.
Or join Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/494723750594451/
For updates follow @BS_PP on Twitter.
Narroways Mini BioBlitz, Saturday 18th May, 10.30am – 3pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: Narroways Nature Reserve Cutting, St Werburghs
Narroways Hill is a little grassy & wooded ridge dissected by railway lines lying just North of inner-city Bristol. It has always been an open space and as the city has encroached around it, its value as a green sanctuary has increased. When British Rail threatened to sell it to developers in 1997 it caused such a reaction that 800 local people demonstrated to save it, thousands signed petitions & wrote letters and money was raised so it was purchased by Bristol City Council. It became a Millennium Green in the year 2000, with a 999 year lease to keep it free and open to the local people and allow wildlife to thrive.
Join some free walks and talks with professional naturalists, and have fun helping to record the trees, plants and wildlife on the Reserve.
Windmill Hill Spring Festival, Saturday 18th May, 12pm – 5pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Windmill Hill City Farm
Come and join in with bug hunts, pond dipping and other wildlife fun at Windmill Hill Spring Festival, with Matt and Savita from Bristol Natural History Consortium!
Manor Woods Local Nature Reserve – Monday 20th May, 10 am – 12 pm (SCHOOL EVENT)
Headley Park Primary School link up with Wild City to examine local habitats and interdependence, using new technology.
Lamplighters Marsh – Wild Flower Survey – Wednesday 22nd May, 10 am – 11.30 am (SCHOOL EVENT)
LinkAge from Shirehampton and Wild City, link up with a local primary school to examine wild flower species on the ballast area.
Discovering Bristol’s Moss Diversity – Thursday 23rd May, 11 am – 12.30pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting Place – Conham River Car Park
Naomi Dalton, plant scientist at the University of Bristol will lead a nature walk to discover the amazing diversity of moss that can be found at Conham Vale and Dundridge Farm Woodland. There are more than 800 species of mosses and their relatives, liverworts, in Britain, representing two thirds of the European moss flora and placing us in the perfect place to discover them. During the walk Naomi will uncover some of the secrets of this often neglected group of plants and participants will have the chance to look closely at some of the different species that can be found in Bristol. Booking required in advance, via the online booking form.
Troopers Hill, St. George – Mini BioBlitz – Sunday 26th May, 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: The chimney on top of Troopers Hill
Troopers Hill is a wild romantic site; a fascinating mix of history, wildlife, geology and plants. With heather and broom, rocky crags, spoil heaps and gullies, stunning views and two listed chimneys, Troopers Hill is one of the most spectacular wildlife spots in the city.
This is a great chance for everybody to have fun exploring Troopers Hill and learn more about this unique heathland habitat and the many creatures that live here. During a BioBlitz event scientists and members of the public work together to survey a natural space; seeking, identifying and recording as many species as possible. Bristol Natural History Consortium are organising an expert to be on hand to identify all your finds, so no existing knowledge about nature or wildlife is needed to be able take part. Friends of Troopers Hill will also be on site to tell you how this wonderful site was shaped by the powers of nature and man into this unique habitat. This event is free and there is no need to book.
Woodland Trust, Bishop’s Knoll Reserve Mini BioBlitz – Tuesday 28th May 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: Site Entrance, Bramble Lane
The site is a former woodland garden down the steep slope of the Avon Gorge. It has some of the most magnificent veteran trees in Bristol, as well as much younger planting, old paths and remnants of the victorian garden
The mini bioblitz will seek to record all wildlife by individual hectare within the woodland. Please bring Binoculars and lenses and ID skills, and be ready to use tick-lists to record as much as you can in the area.
Clifton Village – The big commute – bats in Clifton Village – Tuesday 28th May, 6.00pm – 8.00pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
SOLD OUT
Dr Marc Holderied, senior lecturer in biology at the University of Bristol, will lead a walk to discover the different species of bats that can be found in Bristol. As we watch the bats flying over us on their way to their feeding grounds, and record them with hand-held bat detectors, we will learn about their biology, their habits and especially about echolocation, which they use to move in space. We will also have the chance to record and analyse their ultrasound echolocation calls with a computer.
Nightingale Valley, Brislington – Brislington’s Mini BioBlitz – Wednesday 29th May 1.00 pm – 10.30 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: Eastwinds Activity Centre, St Anne’s Terrace, Bristol BS4 4DY
Nightingale valley is a small area of mixed woodland and grassland defined by the beautiful Brislington Brook which runs through it. Flowing into the Avon, the space acts as an important wildlife corridor supporting a wide variety of life forms, from butterflies to eels, and bluebells to badgers. Come along for an afternoon of family friendly activities for half term, and join the experts exploring and discovering the wonderful creatures that live in Nightingale Valley.
Activities suitable for children (under adult supervision) and adults of all ages.
Google maps link: http://goo.gl/maps/2EOgH
Timetable of activities:
12pm River Dipping – looking for fresh water inverts
1pm Bug Hunt
2pm The Amazing Life of Trees
3:30pm Entrance Design + Tea and Cake!
5pm Otter Spotting
6:30 – 8:30pm Picnic Supper – Bring your own dinner and a blanket
8:30pm Bat Detectives (Confirmed – Ken Anstey)
9:45pm Moths and Magic (Confirmed – Ray Barnett
What do you need?
Please wear sturdy footwear and weather appropriate clothing! It’s completely free but you might want to bring a few quid for a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
Contact
For more information get in touch with Rowan on 07827306276 or email rowan.matthiessen@bristol.gov.uk sign up to the event on Facebook by looking at our page www.facebook.com/DiscoverBrislingtonBrook
Stoke Park – Hidden Worlds – Wednesday 29th May, 11am – 3pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place – Cameron Centre, Lockleaze
Come and join local wildlife expert Steve England on a journey of discovery into the unknown… Much of nature is hidden away and unnoticed – from underground fungi that support entire food systems, to glowing spiders, invisible spores and camouflaged birds nests. Steve will take you on a tour of Stoke Park to reveal all this and more, and teach you a few tricks of the trade so you can become your own wildlife detective!
Eastwood Farm – Foraging Walk – Wednesday 29th May, 7.30 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place – Beese’s Car Park
Come and join in for an evening of foraging with Friends of Eastwood Farm and Wild City. Discover all about wild foods and where to find them!
Lawrence Weston Moor Local Nature Reserve – Watervoles and other Wetland Wildlife – Thursday 30th May, 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place – the car park by the allotments off Long Cross Road
Come and join in with this family event organised by Lawrence Weston Community Farm and Wild City and see if you can spot a water vole!
“Bear Grylls” Bike Ride with Life Cycle UK
Thursday 30th May 2.00pm – 6.00pm (GROUP EVENT)
Steve England cycles with Lockleaze Youth Generation Group along Snuff Mills and forages Bear Grylls style!
Westbury Park, Clifton Downs – Mini BioBlitz – Saturday 1st June 10.00 am – 12.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: The junction of Clay Pit Road and Westbury Park Road
The Westbury Park section of the Downs is an area that contains some of the oldest trees on the Downs, which is rapidly becoming covered in scrub.
This event is one of four mini Bioblitzes to be held in different areas of the Downs in order to assess the nature, extent , and value of the Downs scrublands that have spread steadily over the past fifty years. The data gathered will be used by the City Environmental department to advise the Downs Committee on future management.
Sneyd Park Nature Reserve – Mini BioBlitz – Saturday 1st June 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: Reserve entrance, Glenavon Park
Sneyd Park reserve is a wildlife oasis complete with meadows, woodland, veteran trees and a fishpond. The mini bioblitz will attempt to identify all species of wildlife in the reserve to provide up to date detail in each hectare of the area. Please bring Binoculars or lenses and all ID skills. You will be given tick lists and areas to be responsible for.
Hawkfield Meadows – Habitat indicators – Monday 3rd June, times tbc (SCHOOL EVENT)
Wild City and Horizon students from the South Skills Study Centre explore this diverse area looking for habitat indicators.
Northern Slopes – Tuesday 4th June, times tbc (SCHOOL EVENT)
Parson Street Primary School and Wild City do the Bee Scene Survey from PlantLife.
The Downs – Bristol99 Schools Day – Friday 7th June, 1.30 pm – 4.00 pm (SCHOOLS EVENT)
Schools join together for a series of wildlife activities organised by the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project
Bristol99 on the Downs – Saturday 8th June 10.30 am – 3.30 pm
An all day event, for invited groups and members of the public – for booking details, see below:
The Downs – Bristol99 Tree walk – Saturday 8th June 10.30am – 12.00pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: Meeting point details sent on booking, booking is essential as places are limited. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or e-mail mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk
From hawthorns to hollies and whitebeams to walnuts, the Downs are home to a rich variety of trees. Join Richard Bland from the Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge on a special walk to learn how to identify trees.
www.avongorge.org.uk www.facebook.com/avongorge
The Downs – Bristol99 Butterfly walk – Saturday 8th June 2.00 – 3.30pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: Meeting point details sent on booking, booking is essential as places are limited. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or e-mail mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk
Discover how to identify butterflies on this gentle stroll with members of the Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge. Learn about the FODAG butterfly recording scheme and see how many of these lovely insects you can spot.
www.avongorge.org.uk www.facebook.com/avongorge
Fossilblitz! – Saturday 8th June, 11.00 am – 3.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place – Snuff Mills Car Park (River View)
Join fossil expert Steve England on a walk along the Frome Valley, and follow his clues to find fossils, some of which are up to 300 million years old! In the afternoon there will be a fossil workshop and an opportunity to look at Steve’s collection, currently housed nearby in the hospital museum.
Badock’s Wood – Badock’s Woodland Party – Sunday 9th June, 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Come and join the Friends of Badock Wood and Wild City for an afternoon of music, wildlife crafts, face painting and more! It is sure to be a great day for all the family with events during such as: performances from an ambling band, morris dancing, history walks, puppet shows, raft building and much, much more!
- Badocks Site Map (Click for enlargement)
Funday Sunday at Long Cross Tip! – Sunday 9th June, 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place – Lawrence Weston Community Farm
Join in with a family friendly afternoon of wildlife walks and activities on this little known but richly diverse area. Then explore Lawrence Weston Farm and enjoy clay fired pizza!
Programme:
1pm: Bug Safari!
2pm: Walk on the Wild(flower) side
3pm: The Bees and The Birds
All afternoon: Pond dipping and BioBlitz!
All walks setting off from Lawrence Weston Community Farm
Manor Woods Local Nature Reserve – Meadow Survey – Monday 10th June, 1.30 pm (GROUP EVENT)
A cycle along the Malago Valley and a meadow survey, with Wild City and groups from Life Cycle UK
Nature in the community – Royate Hill – Tuesday 11th June (SCHOOLS EVENT)
Whitehall Primary School explore Royate Hill Nature Reserve with Matt Harcourt from Avon Wildlife Trust.
Walk on the wild side (men only!) – Wednesday 12th June, from 7pm (PUBLIC EVENT)
Meeting place: The Cameron Centre, Lockleaze
Come and join local wildlife celebrity, woodsman and wild foodie Steve England to celebrate Men’s Health Week. Steve will be taking a group on the perfect ‘lads night out’ with a walk in the woods and a lesson in foraging, before lighting a fire and having a proper wild cook up! Expect fun, fun, fun and great food!
Bristol99 