Nature in Avon Volume 77 Bristol Naturalists’ Society Registered Charity No: 235494 The Bristol Naturalists’ Society aims to stimulate a greater awareness of natural history and geology in the Bristol area. It is a thriving and friendly Society with something of interest for everybody, young or old, professional or amateur. It is actively involved in a long term programme of education, research and conservation. Each year its talks, trips and publications are enjoyed by hundreds of people wanting to find out more about our natural world. For details of membership and activities please see the website at: www.bristolnats.org.uk Nature in Avon ISSN 0068-1040 Receiving Editor: Dee Holladay,
[email protected] Editorial Committee: Ray Barnett, Tim Corner, Clive Lovatt, Mark Pajak, Nick Wray. 2 Nature in Avon Volume 77 CONTENTS Editorial . 1 Winter Hoverflies of the Bristol Region Jon Mortin 2 Peregrines Ten Years On Ed Drewitt 8 J W White’s Racy Botanical Articles Graham Avery 13 Lower Writhlington Tip, Radstock Simon Carpenter 20 Chills and Thrills of Plant Sex Alex Morss 29 New Moth Records to the Bristol Region Ray Barnett 35 Land of Limestone and Levels: Lincoln Garland Defining the West of England & MikeWells 42 Phenology Report, 2016 and 2017 Richard Bland 53 The Queen's Hitchhikers Alex Morss 55 A Slime Flux Jean Oliver 59 Slimbridge 72 Years Ago Richard Bland & Martin Davis 61 Seeds of Change Nicholas Wray 66 Geology and Landscape of the Bristol Region Richard Arthur 80 Bristol & District Invertebrate Report, 2017 Ray Barnett 85 Weather Report for 2017 Richard Bland 95 Society Annual Report 2017 103 Treasurer's Report for 2017 113 3 4 Editorial How encouraging to see that natural history recording is alive and well, and that social media is encouraging a new generation to join in! There are Facebook groups and identification websites for almost every group of animals and plants, and Citizen Science is the new buzzword.