Bug Pots and BioBlitzes on Troopers Hill – by Susan Acton Campbell

It was great to be invited to be part of Bristol 99.  Our event on Troopers Hill was a mini Bio-Blitz.  This was a first for Friends of Troopers Hill but Bristol Natural History Consortium (BNHC) made it very easy.  A training session for volunteers was provided at Brandon Hill.  Our attention was slightly diverted as a Gromit was wheeled past but soon we were having all our questions answered and much useful information was shared.

Emails were exchanged with lists of needs (a toilet was top of our list), timings, useful forms and the all important risk assessment.

The day came with bright sunshine.  We had packed two events into the day, so for us the day started with a tree gazing walk with Tony Titchen.  Just after lunch volunteers met, put up two gazebos, arranged information displays, bug pots, nets and clipboards and settled back to wait for interested people.

Along they came and expert naturalists Tony Smith, Ray Barnet and Matt Postles worked hard to keep up with the stream of questions.  Volunteers were kept busy recording, photographing, meeting and greeting, giving out nets and bug pots.  Photos can be seen on http://www.troopers-hill.org.uk/events/13Br99.htm

So what happened next?  Wonderful volunteers collated all the data and put it on spreadsheets, so we have a snapshot of some of the species on Troopers Hill on the day.  We also made use of contacts made for the event.  Tony Smith has been back and carried out a plant survey of 3 compartments on Troopers Hill and given some training on grass and fern recognition to two volunteers.  The all important toilet was so successful that we have used the same company again for which many people were very grateful when they came to Troopers Hill to watch Bristol’s Balloon Fiesta on the same day we were holding our Bugs and Beasties event.

Thank you BNHC and happy 10^th birthday!

Avon Wildlife Trust go to Hartcliffe and discover bug hunting, bluebells and bees at Dundry Slopes!

On Sunday I had a lovely morning out in Hartcliffe at the Dundry Slopes Discovery Day.  What an amazing amenity this community have on their doorstep?!  Driving out of the city towards the green hills,  which are a much loved, integral part of the Bristol skyline, countryside and town literally embrace each other.  It’s one of the things I most love about Bristol.

The event, organised by Kelly Bray from Avon Wildlife Trust, took place at the foot of East Dundry Slopes.  When I turned up, it was a hive of activity, not least because of the presence of local beekeeper, Dave Gillard from Dundry, who apparently produces THE best honey and who was selling a variety of bee related products on a stall near the entrance.  Small children were having their faces painted and making their own wildlife badges, while parents gathered in the tent and enjoyed the free tea and cake that were generously provided.  The colourful bunting was blowing in the increasing wind, but the good weather was holding out – just!  Further away, at the foot of the slopes, I could see Tony Smith from Bristol Naturalists encircled by a group of fascinated children, who were keen to examine the catch in his sweep net, while others peered, quietly fascinated,  at moths and midges in magnifying bug pots.

Tony Smith on one of his walks, at the foot of East Dundry Slopes.

I spoke to several mums, some who were unaware such a place existed on their doorstep and one, who lived right on the edge of it but had never explored it.  Until now.  Keith Way, from the Dundry Slopes Group, who is a real ambassador for the area was on hand to talk about the local history, and explained to me that the Slopes are the source of Brislington Brook – something I was quite unaware of?  Justin Smith, Woodland & Wildlife Officer for Bristol City Council took a group up into the woods to see the bluebells, which are apparently quite spectacular?  And as a lovely gesture, Kelly had potted up english bluebells she had been growing, for the visitors to take home with them.

Kelly Bray from Avon Wildlife Trust with her potted bluebells!

In the last half hour, the weather, true to recent form, deteriorated, the wind picked up and it started to drizzle.  But it didn’t matter.  The local community had got together to celebrate this amazing space – a real haven for children and adults alike, and could now go home to Sunday lunch, in the knowledge that they’d enjoyed some fresh air during the best part of the day, learned some new things about wildlife and maybe made some new friends with whom to further explore this lovely bit of Bristol in the future?

Many thanks to Avon Wildlife Trust, in particular Kelly, for putting on such a great event!