Bristol Naturalist News

Contents / Diary of events

SEPTEMBER 2018

Photo ©Lesley Cox

Discover Your Natural World

Bristol Naturalists’ Society BULLETIN NO. 573 SEPTEMBER 2018

BULLETIN NO. 573 SEPTEMBER 2018 Bristol Naturalists’ Society Discover Your Natural World

Registered Charity No: 235494 www.bristolnats.org.uk

ON RESIDENT H . P : Andrew Radford, Professor

CONTENTS

of Behavioural Ecology, Bristol University

3 Diary of Events

HON. CHAIRMAN: Ray Barnett

Editor’s Email change

[email protected]

HON. PROCEEDINGS RECEIVING EDITOR: 4 Society Lectures; Bee/Pollination Fest; Dee Holladay, [email protected] Future of the Bulletin;

HON. SEC.: Lesley Cox 07786 437 528 [email protected] 5 BNS/Univ. programme; Phenology ; HON. MEMBERSHIP SEC: Mrs. Margaret Fay 6 Newport Wetlands & Chris Packham 81 Cumberland Rd., BS1 6UG. 0117 921 4280 [email protected] Purple Sycamore

Bristol Tree of the Year HON. TREASURER: Mary Jane Steer

01454 294371 [email protected] 7 Celebrating Brian Frost BULLETIN COPY DEADLINE: 7th of month before Natty News publication to the editor: David B Davies, 8 Welcome – new members

51a Dial Hill Rd., Clevedon, BS21 7EW. 01275 873167 [email protected] 9 BOTANY SECTION

. Botanical notes

Health & Safety on walks: Members participate at their own risk. They are 13 GEOLOGY SECTION responsible for being properly clothed and shod. Field trips; Festival; New Book

Dogs may only be brought on a walk with prior

agreement of the leader. 14 INVERTEBRATE SECTION

Notes for September

15 LIBRARY

16 ORNITHOLOGY SECTION Winter birds survey; Meeting reports; 18 Recent News

19 MISCELLANY Botanic Garden Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project

Avon Organic Gp.

20 Photos

Cover picture: Taken by Lesley Cox at

the BNS/University Pollinators meeting –

report page 7

Bristol Naturalists’ Society Discover Your Natural World

Registered Charity No: 235494 www.bristolnats.org.uk Diary of events Back to contents

Council usually meets on the first Wednesday of each month. If you plan to attend please check date & time with the Hon. Sec. (from whom minutes are available to members). Any member can attend, but must give advance notice if wishing to speak.

Visitors & guests are welcome at any of our meetings. If contact details are given, please contact the leader beforehand, and make yourself known on arrival. We hope you will enjoy the meeting, and consider joining the Society. To join, visit https://bristolnats.org.uk and click on membership. Members are members of ALL the sections.

SEPTEMBER 2018 Sat-Sun 1-2 BNS at Bee & Pollination Festival Society 10-5 page 4 Sat 8 Chew Valley Lake Ornithology 09:30 page 16 Sat 22 Whitebeams of the Clifton Side of the Gorge Botany 11:00 page 9

OCTOBER 2018 Sun 7 Sand Point Ornithology 10:00 page 16 Wed 10 Cirl Bunting of Labrador Bay Ornithology 19:30 page 16 Sun 14 Migration Watch Ornithology 07:30 page 16 Wed 17 Winter Lecture: Lost World of Jurassic Sea Lilies Society 19:30 page 4

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST All Sept. Mendip Rocks Festival page 13 Sat 1 Sep Dead Maids Quarry Bath Geol Soc. 10:00 page 13 Sat 15 Sep Stancombe Quarry open day 10 - 3 page 13 Sat 15 Sep Intro to plant propagation Botanic Garden 10:00 page 19 Sat-Sun 15-16 Sep ‘All about Trees’ workshops Botanic Garden 10:00 page 19 Thu 20 Sep Urban Gloucester GlosNats 10:30 page 9 Sat 22 Sep Paper Peony workshop Botanic Garden 10:00 page 19 Sun 23 Sep Shooting autumn pictures Botanic Garden 10:00 page 19

Editor’s email change

The editor’s provider, which.net, will shortly cease to exist. His new (and only) email is:

[email protected]

SOCIETY ITEMS

SOCIETY Winter Lectures Contents / Diary REMINDER: Our Winter Lecture Programme re-opens next month with our Society or ‘general’ talks that cover all subjects of interest to naturalists from Elephants to Earwigs starting on Wednesday, 17th October. Please make a note in your diary.

Bee and Pollination Festival 10:00 a.m. Saturday, 1st – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 2nd September The BNS will be at the Bee and Pollination Festival again this year run by the University’s Botanic Garden. Apart from the Garden itself, which is well worth a visit, there will be talks, working hives, locally produced honey, artwork, interesting displays, fascinating people to talk to and even somewhere to get a cup of tea. The BNS gazebo will welcome all comers . If anyone would like to help by giving an hour or so of their time it would be greatly appreciated. Please get in touch if you can via, [email protected] Lesley Cox Note. Follow the clear parking signage to avoid the pop festival road diversions.

THE BULLETIN: Your Thoughts On Change Contents / Diary Benjamin Franklin, the American polymath, a concept that was once not seen as a contradiction in terms, gave us the inimitable line, ‘In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes’. Unfortunately, we at the BNS have to add a third factor, namely, rising costs. As members, you will know that the BNS has a prodigious output of quality publications encompassing; ten issues of the Bulletin per annum, which keeps members in touch with news of our activities, etc., plus a superb journal (Nature in Avon) with fresh, up to date, first hand, first class information about the natural world from local specialists, distributed in May, and the acclaimed Avon Bird Report documenting avian sightings, movement, numbers and much more, which arrives through members’ letter boxes towards the end of the year. However, unlike bigger, wealthier organisations and publicly funded groups, the Society only has its members’ fees to cover the printing and distribution expenses along with all the other costs of the activities and events we run, all of which are provided free to members. We do not want to compromise standards but printing has never been particularly cheap whilst postage seems to rise exponentially. Everyone in the BNS gives their time, energy and expertise gratis enabling the Society, so far, to produce quality publications on a shoestring. Now, with the very sad passing of our friend and colleague, Brian Frost, a new distribution system is required and with that the most apposite time for change presents itself. We do not yet know what those changes will be; Council will be discussing the matter at the meeting in September and will be looking at, for example, a lower frequency of distribution for the Bulletin and possibly encouraging more members to receive their Bulletins electronically. You, our members, are the most important resource our Society has, so if any members have any ideas or comments regarding this issue we should be delighted to hear from you. Please contact me with your thoughts and suggestions via, [email protected] Many thanks, Lesley

JOINT BNS / UNIVERSITY BIODIVERSITY PROGRAMME Field Meeting Report: Joint BNS/University Pollinators Meeting, Sunday, 24th June 2018. Eleven of us gathered despite the heat of Midsummer for a meeting led by a national expert whose breadth and depth of knowledge astounded all who had not previously joined him on a meeting and despite the hindrance of finding that the meadows we had enjoyed only three weeks before had been cut. Fortunately, there was still plenty to find amongst uncut margins, under trees, along the hedgerow shrubs and within the flower banks that also grace this site. The high degree of pleasure that we experienced was clearly expressed and underlined by all who attended. Here are some of the species we found. The cover photo was taken at the same meeting Contents / Diary

Species List Aceria erinea – Walnut Leaf Gall Mite Pontania (Pontania) bridgmanii Anax imperator – Emperor Dragonfly Tenthredo (Tenthredo) scrophulariae – Figwort Sawfly Eriophyes tiliae Celypha lacunana - Common Marble Anacamptis pyramidalis - Pyramidal Orchid Chrysoteuchia culmella - Garden Grass-veneer Dactylorhiza fuchsia - Common Spotted-orchid Sideridis rivularis – Campion Juglans regia – Walnut Eurydema (Eurydema) oleracea - Cabbage Bug Agrypnus murinus Eysarcoris venustissimus - Woundwort Shield bug Cionus scrophulariae - Figwort Weevil Kleidocerys resedae - Birch Catkin Bug Coccinella septempunctata - 7-spot Ladybird Miris striatus - Fine Marbled Bugkin Harmonia axyridis - Harlequin Ladybird Pentatoma rufipes - Forest Bug Rutpela maculata Piezodorus lituratus - Gorse Shield bug Maniola jurtina - Meadow Brown Chloromyia Formosa - Broad Centurion Ochlodes sylvanus – Large Skipper Contarinia tiliarum Pararge aegeria - Speckled Wood Jaapiella veronicae Polygonia c-album – Comma Phytomyza ilicis - Holly Leaf Gall Fly Aphantopus hyperantus - Ringlet Scathophaga stercoraria Andricus aries Volucella bombylans Bombus hortorum - Small Garden Bumblebee Marchantia polymorpha - Common Liverwort Bombus hypnorum - Tree Bumblebee Sciurus carolinensis - Eastern Grey Squirrel Bombus lapidarius - Large Red-tailed Bumblebee Hylaeus (Hylaeus) communis - Common Yellow Face Bee Bombus pascuorum - Common Carder Bee Haematopota pluvialis - Notch-horned Cleg Bombus vestalis - Vestal Cuckoo Bee Lydina aenea Osmia (Chalcosmia) leaiana - Orange-vented Mason Bee Pachygaster atra - Dark-winged Black Lesley Cox

PHENOLOGY Contents / Diary (Note: this is written at the start of August, and much may change by the time you read it). It has been a wholly exceptional summer. July had an average temperature of 26.2ºC, the same as 2013, and higher than 1976 which was 24.5ºC. June and July combined had an average of 24.5ºC, compared with the 30-year figure of 20.0ºC. The two months recorded a total of just 22 mm of rain, the driest ever recorded. 1921 and 1995 had 25mm, and the famous year of 1976 had 49mm. Sunshine hours averaged 8.6 hours a day, less than in 2013 and 2006, but 40% above normal. The plant response has been to aestivate, to shut down all activities where possible, and concentrate on keeping roots and food stores intact. Many species have ceased flowering, and have accelerated the process of seed production. Some tree species have begun to drop their leaves, especially where the soil is shallow, though most have so far continued to flourish. In one way this has exacerbated the drought, as trees transpire tons of water every day, making life harder for all shallow rooted plants. The longer-term impact on both the farmers’ harvest and the natural one remains to be seen. Among the losers are bees and wasps that will find very little nectar at the point in the year when their numbers are greatest. One bizarre consequence in 1976 was a sharp change in the sex ratio of human babies, probably caused by changes in water chemistry. Everything is connected. Richard Bland

Report: The BNS @ Newport Wetlands, Saturday, 21st July 2018. (Another Photo on back page) Contents / Diary Chris Packham’s Campaign to highlight that ‘Nature Reserves Are Not Enough’ through a series of BioBlitzes (50) across Britain was supported by Bristol Naturalists’ Society at Newport Wetlands on 21st July. There were no events arranged within the South West Peninsula, an issue I raised with his team who assured me that there was no particular reason for the omission. It was a very hot day in Wales, where Chris was aided by Iolo Williams, but worth it, not least because it was so good to see a flock of extremely healthy Greenfinches in full breeding plumage that were regularly Mating Ringlet Butterflies ©Lesley Cox feeding there and because of the friendliness of all participants whether naturalists, staff, volunteers, public or media stars.

Packham said: “I’m doing this because I want to highlight that the UK’s landscape is in big trouble. We should have a far greater expectation of having wildlife around us all of the time but sadly we find ourselves going to nature reserves. We treat them like they’re museums and art galleries, we go there, we get fully satisfied, there’s lots of life but on the way home when we’re driving through the countryside there’s nothing left. Some parts of it are absolutely bereft, they’re deserts, and what we want to do is say to people ‘that’s not good enough. We want wildlife everywhere, nature reserves are not enough’ ”.

A very valid philosophy, which should be heeded by all and the BNS was there, flying the flag in support of it, along with other organisations such as the RSPB, SEWBREC, Natural Resources Wales, etc. Lesley Cox

Purple Sycamore The Purple Sycamore is an uncommon natural variant of the Sycamore. The underside of its leaves is purple rather than green - it gives the whole tree a rather heavy appearance, but looks magnificent when the wind blows, exposing the purple undersides. It can turn up anywhere, and some trees tend to become more purple as the season advances. It is readily confused with a Norway Maple, which is widely planted and exists in a variety of colour forms, but there are two key differences. Norway Maples have bark which has long vertical troughs, whereas the Sycamore bark breaks off into plates, like the Plane. Secondly the Norway Maple’s leaves have sharp points to each lobe, whereas Sycamore leaves are blunt. I have accumulated a list of about 25 Purple Sycamore sites in Bristol, and would be grateful for any more records, giving details of the site. Please send them to me at [email protected]. Richard Bland Bristol Tree of the Year Contents / Diary The Bristol Tree Forum has launched a Bristol Tree of the Year competition. The BNS entry is the Seven Sisters. This is a group of three Black Pine trees on the Downs that were allegedly planted on a former burial mound. They were planted in 1871 to mark the infilling of the Stoke Road quarry. The story is that they were planted by a doctor to commemorate his seven daughters. The centre one died in c 1890, but the remaining six survived until the Burns Night storm of January 1990. Three remain, and group of seven scots pines have been planted nearby as a successor. The largest has a girth of almost three metres, which gives a growth rate of 2.0 cm a year. Richard Bland 6

Celebrating Brian Frost’s life Contents / Diary On Sunday July 8th Angela, Brian’s niece and only close relative, arranged a tea party in the Bristol Harbour Hotel in Corn Street. Those present represented the three areas of Bristol life in which Brian had been involved, The North West Camera Club, Manor Farm Boys’ Club and the Bristol Naturalists’ Society. None of those who came had realised that the centre of Bristol would be closed off for a cycle race and Angela, who had travelled from Surrey, despite the problems, was as thorough and unflustered as one would expect of a relative of Brian’s. His attention to detail, his ability to point out things that were not right or that others had missed, and his charm, all came through. He was seriously ill as a child and his pride in his ability to master the problems he faced, as well as his fierce independence, were a reaction to this. At the end of the gathering Angela presented each of us with a Lavender plant, which I for one have planted in my garden as a memorial. The whole event was unusual and moving. Richard Bland

NATTY NEWS Contents / Diary

Australian Research undertaken by a team from the National University in Canberra, which also includes BNS President Prof. Andy Radford from the University of Bristol, has demonstrated that birds can engage in social learning. It is well known that birds often eavesdrop on the alarm calls of other species, making it possible for them to take advantage of the many eyes that are looking out for danger and that, when the predator is seen, a direct link is made between the predator and the resultant alarm calls but the research team have now found that fairy-wrens can also learn unfamiliar calls without ever seeing the bird that made the alarm call or the predator that provoked it. Read more in Potvin, et al., Birds Learn Socially to Recognise Heterospecific Alarm Calls By Acoustic Association published in Current Biology, 1/8/18, and speaking of alarm calls, there has been a furore in Belgium where the possibility of opening a second nudist beach has been blocked by the Flemish wildlife agency on the grounds that the bathers’ “subsidiary activities” would spook the wildlife. It may sound as though it is April 1st but they are concerned that the locally treasured, Crested Lark (Galerida cristata), which favours very dry areas will be disturbed by the very different kind of larks being undertaken amongst the sand dunes on the site around 12 miles south of Ostend. Wot ho! Other Wildlife News: Dragonflies. Slimbridge has reported that a male Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope} was discovered on the site at the end of July. According to WWT information, this is the first recording of the species on the reserve; the insect is rare in Gloucestershire and the UK. Butterflies: The High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe) is also doing well. It is thought that, like many butterflies the cold, winter and long hot summer has helped the species, which had declined by 90% since the 1970’s. Once widespread, the protected butterfly is now only found in a few sites but, in Devon, volunteers have counted over 200 this year and the National Trust is working to improve the habitat in the Heddon Valley for this fast flying species. More coppicing and opening of pathways through the bracken will not only be beneficial to the UK’s most endangered butterfly but is also likely to help the Dartford Warbler, a species spreading steadily northward from an original tiny base in Dorset, as well as the iconic Nightjar. When present, the High Brown Fritillary is usually seen flying over bracken and low vegetation in woodland clearings, or resting on flowers such as thistle and bramble. The butterfly has orange and black wings and distinctive ringed “pearls” on the underside of its hindwings. Bees: Research published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B by Samuelson, et al., adds further weight to the thesis that bees are experiencing difficulties in rural areas, which are becoming increasingly sterile. In their paper, ‘Lower bumblebee colony 7 reproductive success in agricultural compared with urban environments’ the authors show that urbanisation represents a rapidly growing driver of land-use change. While it is clear that urbanisation impacts species abundance and diversity, the direct effects of urban land use on animal reproductive success is rarely documented. The authors show that urban land use is linked to long-term colony reproductive output in a key pollinator, namely, the Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris). They reared colonies from wild-caught bumblebee queens, placed them at sites characterised by varying degrees of urbanisation from inner city to rural farmland and monitored the production of sexual offspring across the entire colony cycle. Their land-use cluster analysis identified three site categories and this categorisation was a strong predictor of colony performance. Crucially, colonies in the two clusters characterised by urban development produced more sexual offspring than those in the cluster dominated by agricultural land. These colonies also reached higher peak size, had more food stores, encountered fewer parasite invasions and survived for longer. Contents / Diary Rats: One of Britain’s (treasured) Overseas Territories, South Georgia, was declared to be rat free this summer after an extensive programme of eradication. The rodents were inadvertently introduced to the Island and devastated its local wildlife over 250 years with local bird populations being particularly badly affected. The South Georgia Pipit (Anthus antarcticus), for example, only survived on tiny islands off the coast, which the rats could not reach. The eradication process has taken ten years to complete. Trees communicate via the "wood wide web" of roots and microbes in ways that enhance their growth, produce reactive strategies to external threats and can reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere mitigating climate change but no one knows why so many tropical trees team up with bacteria to capture nitrogen from the air when they already grow in nitrogen- rich soils. A super-sized experiment at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) to address this paradox showed that each species has its own unique nutrient-capture strategies, underscoring the importance of biodiversity for successful reforestation projects. Read more in: Batterman, et al., Phosphatase activity and nitrogen fixation reflect species differences, not nutrient trading or nutrient balance, across tropical rain forest trees. Ecology Letters, August 2018. Trees & Network Rail: On 10th May 2018 a ‘Review of Network Rail’s Tree Cutting and Vegetation Management’ was announced by the Minister for Transport following concerns from widely differing sources, such as residents, wildlife charities, some councils, the press and the Government itself, over Network Rail’s policy of tree removal, often to a distance of 65 yards from the track. Anger at the organisation’s contravention of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is wide spread. However, to date, there appears to be little change in Network Rail’s modus operandi. In public statements, spokesmen for NR stress that biodiversity is important to the organisation but leaves on the line appear to be more so. One well-known newspaper suggested that the issue dwarfed the tragedy of Sheffield many times over. Bears: Four Ussuri Brown Bears with an IUCN Classification of Vulnerable have recently arrived in Yorkshire from Northern Japan where they had spent their entire lives in small individual cages within a Museum. Two are 17 years of age and two are 27. They were transported with great care by lorry and ‘plane to Britain and released into their new enclosures at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park where they experienced grass for the first time. Once acclimatised and rested the bears will be able to roam across several acres freely. Lesley Cox, Hon. Sec.

Welcome to new members: Ms. Miriam Cove & Mr. Guy Stewart (Interests: Botany, Ornithology); Dr. Johnny Wood & Dr. Polly Wood Contents / Diary

BOTANY SECTION PRESIDENT:- Clive Lovatt 07 851 433 920 ([email protected]) Contents / Diary

HON. SEC:- David Hawkins [email protected]

FIELD MEETINGS From late March to early October, the BNS Botany Section will organise at least one field meeting a month in or relatively close to Bristol. More extensive programmes throughout botanical vice-counties 6 and 34 (North Somerset and West Gloucestershire respectively) are organised by the Somerset Rare Plants Group (SRPG) and the Plant Group of the Gloucestershire Naturalists’ Society (GNS). A few of these meetings will be joint meetings or will be advertised as open to BNS members by invitation.

WHITEBEAMS OF THE CLIFTON SIDE OF THE AVON GORGE Libby Houston 11.00 am, Saturday 22 September Meet at Sea Walls on Durdham Down overlooking the Avon Gorge (Grid Reference ST55997471). Parking should be readily available here or nearby on Circular Road. Under Libby’s expert guidance on this occasion we will look at the Sorbuses (Whitebeams and Rowan) on the Clifton side of the Avon Gorge. A dozen or more species should be seen although not all can be admired close at hand. Steep steps and slopes, rough ground and scree are involved, so wear good walking boots, and a stick or pole is recommended. Bring picnic lunch. Any queries phone Libby Houston 0117 9556220 or text 07890302877.

Other botanical group meetings – September URBAN GLOUCESTER, Clive Lovatt, 10.30 am Thursday 20 September A Plant Group of the Gloucestershire Naturalists’ Society Pot Luck recording meeting, focussing on non-native species. Meet at 10.30 by the roundabout in the Waterwells Park & Ride on Telford Way, just off A38 at Quedgeley (Satnav GL2 2AB, GR SO809131). Half an hour by bus to town centre hence earlier start. Bring lunch & suitable footwear. BNS members please confirm with leader in advance, [email protected] 07851 433 920.

BOTANICAL NOTES Contents / Diary Field meeting reports FELTON COMMON, Saturday 9 June. Led by Clive Lovatt and Margaret Webster. Report by Clive Lovatt We had a small group, one of whom knew the common back over many decades and had worked in Southern Africa both making for interesting conversation, an enlivening part of any natural history walk. We started in the churchyard, which had been built on the edge of the common and retained relict meadowland, including (like many old churchyards) Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum), Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus) and Hoary Plantain (Plantago media). Towards the back of the graveyard we saw a couple of plants of Southern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa). Clive reported that there had been half a dozen on his reconnaissance the previous afternoon and that one had disappeared in the last few hours. On hearing that Clive had seen it on the common proper, Margaret agreed it was new to the site list (which for practical reasons excludes the churchyard). Also new were the two segregates of the bent grass Agrostis canina agg. A. canina ss. in a damp gully running diagonally across the common slopes (seen on the recce) and A. vinealis, in dry heath. Margaret showed us the one patch of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) on the common, whilst the calcifuge Pill Sedge (Carex pilulifera) was more widespread. A 9 more surprising feature of this common, at one of its historic exits, is Corn Spurrey (Spergula arvensis). Some plants have seeds with club-shaped scales on them. Though treated as different subspecies, the variation arises at a single gene and the relative proportions of the forms change steadily across the plant’s distribution. We failed to find the Nettle-leaved Bellflower (Campanula trachelium) in a sunken pathway leading off the common but Margaret thought it should still be there. Lower down by the houses there is calcareous grassland although now somewhat succumbing to dense long grass or to informal parking places: Salad Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba) was rather forced and we couldn’t find Rock-rose (Helianthemum chamaecistus). Overall: another interesting common – they all have something different to offer and make excellent meeting places, so no apologies for the Society visiting Felton Common twice this year.

ST GEORGE’S FLOWER BANK Tuesday 3 July 2018. Led by Bob Buck and Helena Crouch, report by Helena Crouch Contents / Diary St George’s Flower Bank is a Local Nature Reserve comprising verges on both sides of the A369 in the parishes of Pill and Easton-in-Gordano, which have been managed by a team of volunteers led by Bob Buck since 1990. Following our visit in 2016, when we explored the western end of the site, a return visit was arranged to appreciate the botanical diversity of the eastern verges. Ten members joined Bob Buck on a hot sunny evening for a guided tour of this special site. Setting off along the north verge, progress was immediately halted by a dock, possibly the hybrid between Wood Dock (Rumex sanguineus) and Curled Dock (R. crispus). A specimen was collected to be sent to the Dock Referee. A rather more charismatic plant seen along the kerb edge was Common Restharrow (Ononis repens), growing luxuriantly despite the recent drought. At the edge of the road we found the remains of Danish Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia danica) and a single plant of Sea Fern-grass (Catapodium marinum): both are roadside halophytes, coastal plants which have spread inland along salted roads. We also found a single plant of Common Gromwell (Lithospermum officinale), with rock-hard white seeds. The south road verge was less parched and frazzled than the sun-baked north verge. Hundreds of Pyramidal Orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis) were still just about in flower. On shaded rock outcrops we saw Hart’s-tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium), Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) and Barren Strawberry (Potentilla sterilis), which appears to be new to the site. Along the gravelly track leading up the bank a small patch of Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) was also a new species for the reserve. We added a dozen species to the list for the site, including both common species of Figwort, and also Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris subsp. vulgaris). Throughout the walk, Bob outlined the programme of management which maintains and enhances the species diversity of the reserve. The different aspects, varied degree of slope, mosaic of scrub and grassland and variations in geology all contribute to making this a very special roadside reserve in North Somerset.

[Note added by CM Lovatt. For safety purposes we were provided with high-vis jackets. Fortunately for the botanically-inclined, the roads were quiet. England were progressing well in the FIFA World Cup and half the country was watching TV. One attendee slipped off early to join them, but in the event, it was possible to get home after this excellent meeting and see extra time and England win on penalties.]

WESTON MOOR Saturday 21 July. Led by David Hawkins and Jenny Greenwood. Report by David Hawkins. Contents / Diary On a hot and rather humid afternoon, eight (or was it nine?) intrepid botanists - all safely wearing their dragonfly helmets! - set out to explore Weston Moor. This day’s outing had originally been planned for Walton Common but was relocated due to heatwave effects; many more things were still alive and identifiable down in the valley bottom than on the frazzled hillside. BNS Botany Section committee member and Avon Wildlife Trust reserves officer Jenny Greenwood gave an introductory explanation of recent management work, including the installation of a tilting weir and the rewetting of several fields, in part to encourage the return of breeding waders. We started by examining a section of Walton Brook (the main watercourse of the Gordano Valley) and some nearby stretches of rhyne, finding the likes of common water plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica), Pink Water-speedwell (Veronica catenata), the delightful Brookweed (Samolus valerandi) and masses of flowering Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae). A blind rhyne nearby yielded a stonewort (Charophyte) and the exquisitely reticulated leaves of Fen Pondweed (Potamogeton coloratus). Crossing the brook into an area of extensive rush pasture we encountered several species of sedge including Brown Sedge (Carex disticha), Carnation Sedge (Carex panicea), Oval Sedge (Carex leporina), Flea Sedge (Carex pulicaria), Star Sedge (Carex echinata) and Yellow Sedge (Carex demissa), whose varied colours lent a beautiful intricacy to the texture of the sward. However, utricle of the day award had to go to Bottle Sedge (Carex rostrata), growing in localised profusion along another rhyne. [Note added for non-botanists, the utricle is the flask-shaped vessel housing the seed of a sedge flower.] Next, we advanced to the old reserve, where we failed to find any trace of the known colony of Lesser Butterfly-orchid (Platanthera bifolia) but were rewarded with some Devil’s- bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) and a charming example of an Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) in fruit - a tree uncommon in our region. Here there was also a moment of pteridological excitement when, having found Narrow Buckler-fern (Dryopteris carthusiana) as well as the common Broad Buckler-fern (D. dilatata), we deliberated over a large plant in a ditch, which was later confirmed microscopically as the hybrid D. x deweveri. [Four other sites recently recorded in Somerset.] It was great to end with another excellent find for this rich and diverse site.

Plant Records More Four-leaved Allseed Contents / Diary I have written on several occasions in these plant notes about Four-leaved Allseed, Polycarpon tetraphyllum, a gutter weed par excellence. With only one record in the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000), it falls into Miss Gravestock’s category of “a pity it can’t be beautiful as well as rare”. More recently Rupert Higgins found it well established in two widely separated Bristol streets and I spotted a few plants on a road bridge over the railway near Uphill. It was still a bit of a surprise when I found another healthy population, in the kerbstones and under some of the wooden posts at Sea Walls on Durdham Down. Inspired by the labelling of many of the whitebeam trees nearby I wrote the plant’s name on the post where I first found it. When I went back a few weeks later to show the plant to a friend, the inscribed post had gone, the victim of a car accident. Indeed, so had some of the plants, in a fashion reminiscent of what White wrote about an incident on the Downs in 1910 and its effect on a certain Comfrey: “Nearly all destroyed…by a road-man acting as he said under [idiotic] orders. But a few roots still remain at the spot.”

The mother of all worts Contents / Diary Plants such as Butterwort and St. John’s-wort betray by their name ancient usage in herbal medicine. Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca, an herbaceous member of the Mint family, is another. It has very distinctive three-pointed leaves and floral bracts. The name Leonurus is said to imply a resemblance to a Lion’s tail, and cardiaca looks back to herbalists such as Gerard who would “commend it against infirmities of the heart”. There are no recent records of the plant in Gloucestershire, or North Somerset and the Flora of the Bristol Region (2000) suggests that it was last found in that area in 1926. I was therefore delighted to receive an email from a visiting botanist, Steve Coates, reporting that he had found it at the far end of the new cycle track beside Kings Weston Lane (see the July/August 2018 Bulletin for my account of some of the other plants found there). It seems he was looking for the Field Woundwort, Stachys arvensis, that Liz McDonnell and I had found there. In Pantomime fashion when I reached the place I had to contact him for a precise direction, which turned out to be “It’s behind you”. Indeed, there was a good clump under a large rock by the hornbeam hedge a yard or two from the track, opposite a large fennel behind the railings over the rhyne. White’s Flora (1912) gives a good number of historical and contemporary records, many not far from the Bristol Avon, including Miss Powell’s “on a rubbish heap at Henbury and at Lawrence Weston” (1839). An interesting and attractive curiosity! Motherwort, Kings Weston Lane 6 Aug-18 Photo: Clive Lovatt

A rose by any other name A new key to British roses was published in BSBI News 135 (April 2017) pages 46-48 and Clare and Mark Kitchen recently attended a workshop led by the author, Roger Maskew. In addition to nomenclatural changes two of the groups of the common and variable Dog- rose Rosa canina have been elevated to species: Glandular Dog-rose (R. squarrosa) with glandular bi- or multi-serrate leaves and Hairy Dog-rose (R. corymbifera) with uniserrate leaflets hairy on the veins below. A small group of Gloucestershire Naturalists met for an evening meeting at Stinchcombe Hill, Dursley, on 7 August and Mark and Clare were able to demonstrate and help us key out four roses including the ‘new’ Glandular Dog-rose. Hairy Dog-rose, I believe, can be found by the River Avon towpath south of Sea Mills, though the variety of roses known there to previous generations no longer seems to be present.

Please note that I have recently moved from Shirehampton to Stroud. I expect to maintain my interest in Bristol Botany. If you’ve found any interesting plants, please let me know.

Clive Lovatt, Stroud, 7 August 2018

GEOLOGY SECTION

PRESIDENT: David Clegg [email protected] Contents / diary HON. SEC.: Richard Ashley, [email protected] Tel: 01934 838850

There are no Geology Field Meetings directly organized by BNS during September but there is to be a BNS Field Meeting in early October led by Dr Charlie Bacon. a geochemist. The date and location are still to be confirmed so full details will be given in the next bulletin. There is however no shortage of Field meetings organized by other groups that BNS members are welcome to attend.

Bath Geological Society will be having their annual clean-up of the face of DEAD MAIDS QUARRY, Mere, Wiltshire Saturday, 1 September Meet at 10 am at the Dead Maids Quarry Industrial Estate, Mere (ST 803 324). Come and help clear vegetation on this SSSI that shows transition from Upper Greensand to Lower Chalk. All details of geology at www.thegcr.org.uk/SiteReports.cfm?Step=3v The work we did last year has remained and we want to continue to clear the ivy growth. Bring gardening gloves, secateurs, long handled clippers, short brush, trowel and any short ladder would be appreciated. A hardhat and eye protection is a good idea too. You may get a bit dusty. Car parking is just beside the location at the back of the trading estate. Access from the north side of the B3092 (old A303) west of Mere, and just before the turnoff of the B3095 signed to Gillingham. There will be a Pub lunch afterwards. This is an interesting area if you are not familiar with the Mere fault or the Greensand/Chalk transition. If you have any queries regarding the trip please contact Isabel Buckingham at [email protected] or telephone 01985 219313.

MENDIP ROCKS FESTIVAL This is now in full swing with a variety of events during September and October of interest to Geologists and others. Details of the full programme may be found at http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/events/ . Of particular interest are chances to tour Banwell Bone Caves on Saturdays 1st and 8th of September. There is a charge of £15 per person and places are limited so anyone interested is asked to contact Adel Avery 01749 840156 (leave a message) or [email protected] .

STANCOMBE QUARRY, Stancombe Lane, Flax Bourton BS48 3QD Saturday 15th September 2018 10am – 3pm. This is a family event “Open Doors Day” chance to visit an operational quarry, and see behind closed doors. No need to book. www.tarmac.com/stancombe-quarry/ .

POINT OF INTEREST Contents / Diary Geological Sites of the Bristol Region (part sponsored by the BNS) has been published: get your copy direct from BRERC (see the BRERC website for details) or from

the Bristol & Museum & Art Gallery shop (£19.50).

INVERTEBRATE SECTION PRESIDENT: Robert Muston 0117 924 3352 Contents / Diary Hon. SECRETARY: Moth Broyles [email protected] 07809 281421

INVERTEBRATE NOTES FOR SEPTEMBER 2018 A long hot and extremely dry summer, following a long and cold winter has created interesting conditions for invertebrates. Some species seem to have done extremely well. Nationally there have been comments about the numbers of Black Hairstreak for example (not a species we see in our region) but also of the introduced populations of the Large Blue in Somerset and Gloucestershire. What has also been noticeable are the number of sightings of Purple and White-letter Hairstreaks in our region. I suspect this is in part as much about visibility as it is increased abundance. These butterflies spend most of their lives around and on top of trees and bushes and so are less easy to notice. The suspicion is that the dry weather has meant butterflies have left this sanctuary to seek moisture on woodland rides or down amongst the lower growing shrub layer. This could also be a reflection that aphid numbers have been reduced by the dry conditions so in turn reducing their production of the sweet ‘honeydew’ that they secrete and which is a main food source on tree leaves for these species of butterfly. Other butterflies that have done well include Silver-washed Fritillary and Brown Argus for example. And I was heartened by sightings of the Grayling from Sand Point which I thought had disappeared from that location some time ago. However not all is positive. Numbers of ‘vanessid’ butterflies eg Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks seem very low to me. Furthermore there are considerable concerns about the impact on insect populations for coming seasons. The fabled summer of 1976 was followed by poor years for many species and the worry is that this might reoccur. Strong populations this summer may find their resultant larvae are struggling to find decent food in an environment of dried up and parched vegetation. Aside from butterflies there have been excellent records on the moth front and some good numbers again of some species eg the new colonist to the region – the Jersey Tiger and yet very poor numbers of some normally common species such as the various Yellow Underwing moths. New species to the ‘Avon’ region are Clancy’s Rustic, Fen Wainscot Arenostola phragmitidis and Ancylis unculana. Marsh Oblique-barred Hypenodes humidalis was taken at two sites in Weston-super-mare, the first in ‘Avon’ since the 1950s. Hoverflies seem to have been notable by their absence. Whether this is because they have been hiding in the heat of the day or have genuinely been adversely affected is hard to say. You might have expected insects which rely on water to have had a poor year and yet Small Red-eyed Damselflies Erythromma viridulum have colonised both Chew and Blagdon Lakes extending their range in the region and present in considerable numbers. An exciting arrival from the continent was a Southern Migrant Hawker Aeshna affinis which took up residence at Priddy Mineries. A species mainly of the Mediterranean and parts of Europe. Why a period of hot and dry weather should assist some terrestrial invertebrate species is hard to say as in many ways it is the weather that affects the immature stages that can have the greatest affect. Perhaps it has reduced the instances of death as larvae or pupae from bacteria, viruses and fungi? Perhaps (as suggested above) it has affected behaviour so that numbers appear greater. Overall, we have seen a summer which has undoubtedly favoured some species and less so others. The consequences for future seasons, whether good or bad, are as yet unclear but I for one have been heartened (in an ironic way) to see the front of my car carrying more dead insect corpses than for several years previously. Ray Barnett, 05/08/18

LIBRARY BNS Library at Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery, BS8 1RL. Contents / Diary HON. LIBRARIAN: Jim Webster [email protected]. Committee member on duty: 0117 922 3651 (library opening hours). Open: Wed. 1.15pm-2.15pm, Sat. 10.15am-12.15pm. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The library will in future be closed on Saturdays connected with all Bank Holiday Mondays, in addition to New Year, Christmas and Easter.

Access to the Society’s Proceedings and Nature in Avon online We are grateful to the Biodiversity Heritage Library and its participating institutions (Harvard and the Natural History Museum in particular) for digitising our Proceedings and Nature in Avon without charge and making them publicly available. To access them you can google “Biodiversity Heritage Library” and use the search facilities, or you can go direct to our own index pages at: http://biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/98898#/summary (for the Proceedings, i.e. up to 1993); and http://biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/99328#/summary (for Nature in Avon, from 1994 to date)

Are Books best kept in a Library?

Polonius in Hamlet says to his son “Neither a borrower, nor a lender be”, but this referred more to money rather than general advice. This advice is ignored when it comes to the Bristol Naturalists’ Library where lending to members is actively encouraged and we hope those who borrow will tell others what a wide range of natural history books is held, not only of the Bristol region but also guides to species worldwide, for example Southern and Northern Europe, Australasia, the Americas and other countries. There are biographies and books on ecology. Books may be borrowed for two months with an option to renew for a further two months, either by ringing the library (0117 922 3651) during opening hours (Wednesday 1.15-2.15 p.m.; Saturday 10.15-12.15) or in person by bringing the book with you. Should you wish to extend the renewal beyond four months we would appreciate it if you could bring it to the library to reassure us you still have it. Members borrowing books for the first time are issued with a bar-coded card which is retained in the library. The only information on this card is the member’s name and a number unique to that member and the library. There is absolutely no other identifying information on it. Magazines, like British Wildlife, may also be borrowed and here the system is different in that the old-fashioned paper and pencil system is used to record the loan, and the date it is due back. If the opening times are not convenient to return books, as has sometimes been said, then suggestions would be welcomed as to how we can accommodate you. For the less nimble who are deterred from visiting the library by the thought of climbing all those stairs there is an alternative. Take the lift, found on the right of the entrance hall beyond the Assyrian gallery, to Level 1 Natural Sciences (the left button in the lift). Turn left out of the lift (the lift door is at the back), left again and follow the corridor round (past the dinosaur) to a short flight of carpeted stairs where at the bottom on the left wall is the intercom to the library. Press the button and the duty librarian will release the right hand door (pushing the left door will trigger an alarm to the Museum staff!). A further short flight will take you down to the library, a total of about 20-24 stairs in two short and one longer flight. Books are NOT best kept on a shelf in a library, they like to be read, enjoyed, appreciated and used, so come and indulge them. They, and we, look forward to welcoming you. Rosemary Atkins 15

ORNITHOLOGY SECTION PRESIDENT:- Giles Morris, 01275 373917 [email protected]

HON SEC.:- Lesley Cox 07786 437528 [email protected] Contents / Diary

Remember last summer’s RSPB Puffin Project? The project had three main elements; tracking birds using GPS, undertaking a census, and using citizen science to assess the species, size and quality of the fish brought back to the nest site through photographs like this one. 1400 images from nearly 40 sites were assessed with 12,182 fish identified. It is thought that declining fish stocks, requiring longer journeys to find food and warming seas are the reason for the worrying fall in the Atlantic Puffin Puffin with Sand Eel Catch ©Martyn Pratt population leading to a ‘Vulnerable’ IUCN NB. Our indoor meetings will Classification for the species. Early results confirm start again next month. Make the disparity in breeding sites. sure that the second Wednesday of each month is

earmarked in your diary for

Ornithology meetings beginning with 10th October – see Diary FIELD MEETING CHEW VALLEY LAKE Saturday, 8th September Leader: Mike Johnson (Tel: 07530 981 106) 9.30am This is a superb time of year to be visiting Chew Valley Lake as resident species and migrants moving north and south mingle. Meet at 9.30 a.m. at Bristol Water’s Woodford Lodge (Grid Ref: ST565606) off the B3114 road between Chew Stoke and West Harptree on the left hand side of the road just after leaving Chew Stoke. We will visit a number of sites around the Lake where there should be a good selection of duck, gulls, waders and passerines. Some of the areas within the Lake grounds do require a permit costing £5.00, which can be obtained on the day at the Lodge.

AVON WINTER BIRDS SURVEY Contents / Diary The Avon Winter Birds Survey will be running again this coming winter for its third season. The aim of the Survey is to measure the fortunes of our more common wintering species in the same way that the Breeding Bird Survey has done so successfully for our breeding birds. Last winter the Survey recorded a total of 61,398 birds of 96 species recorded from a total of 141 one-kilometre squares and we are hoping to improve on that this coming season. The survey consists of walking two one-kilometre transects across a grid square with the first visit in November-December and the second about a month or so later in January- February. All birds seen or heard are counted - most visits will take less than two hours. The Survey is simple and straightforward (the emphasis is on our commoner species) and squares can be selected by the observer subject to them not already being allocated. It is a good introduction to bird surveying. All habitats are of interest including suburban/ urban squares. If you are interested in helping, please contact Dave Stoddard - 0117 924 6968/ [email protected] or. Please note that if you participated in the Survey last winter I will of course be writing to you! 16

FIELD MEETING REPORTS Forest of Dean. Saturday 23rd June Contents / Diary

Six members met at the New Fancy View car park on a warm, clear and still evening. We climbed up to the viewing point in the hope of seeing Goshawk but June is too late for seeing any display, although fledged juveniles were a possibility. In the end we had to settle for a flight of a Crossbill, which are not that easy to locate. Siskins were heard chattering in some conifers and we listened to the song and calls of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldfinch, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker and Mistle Thrush. We then went down to Cannop Ponds where the highlights were a family party of Grey Wagtails and the unexpected bonus of a juvenile Dipper being fed by a parent on the spillway. The resident Mandarin ducks were also seen although the male was now in moult and not displaying his beautiful breeding plumage. We then moved on to Crabtrree Hill just beyond Speech House for what was hoped to be the highlight of the evening. We were not disappointed, as after a wait of half an hour, we heard the first ”churring” of a Nightjar. There followed some brilliant views as dusk approached of at least 4 birds, both male and females, swooping for moths and other flying insects and a superb view of one bird stretched out horizontal on a branch and in silhouette against the now shadowy light (Nightjar photo back page) Mike Johnson

Velvet Bottom. Sunday, 8th July Contents / Diary It was another scorching day with the temperature already high at 09:00. Birds are harder to come by with the heat and time of year and there were noticeably fewer singing birds than even a week ago but lots of butterflies and dragonflies. Whitethroat song started us off in the car park and we came across several more throughout the walk. They were hard to see, however, preferring to shelter from the direct sun. A family of Song Thrush were feeding on the opposite slope with a Great Spotted Woodpecker. We heard one Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff when we reached Long Wood and on the return journey we picked up a singing Linnet, Blackcap and a group of 5 Raven. We walked up to the ponds at Blackmoor and then to Nether Wood where we saw Reed Bunting, Coot and heard a Water Rail. House Martins and a few Swallows were hunting and drinking across the reeds and open water. In Nether Wood we had brief views of another GS Woodpecker, plus a family of Bullfinch and heard Wren and Nuthatch. Velvet Bottom is a good spot for Redstart but did we see one? Did we heck, as they say in Yorkshire. Buzzard was the only raptor of the day. 23 species were seen or heard during the morning. Alastair Fraser

BNS Coastal Boat Trip: Tuesday, 3rd July. Our voyage was more exciting at the beginning than the one in June, as there was a brisk north easterly breeze to start with which made hanging on tight essential when exiting Minehead harbour at 12.30. Things soon calmed down, and two mammal sightings, harbour porpoise and red deer followed, with grey seal later. Four gannets failed to rise to the bait this time but we got close views on the water and we didn’t see any others close up again. The geology is spectacular all along this coast. At Hurlstone point, there were three empty raven nests, oystercatchers, and later, a common sandpiper. A peregrine and a pale buzzard were spotted in the distance. The six Somerset Fulmar nests were occupied, only a couple of hundred yards short of the county line. Rounding Foreland Point lighthouse and passing Lynton, Lynmouth and Lee Bay, lots more fulmars followed as well as the auk (razorbill and guillemot) colonies, which were more extensive and populous than I had expected. Kittiwakes built up as we sailed west, together with small numbers of cormorant and shag and rock pipits, plus a surprising number of butterflies. A pair of roosting peregrines somewhere near Valley of the Rocks called, but failed to fly for 17 us. We turned round past Heddon’s Mouth and headed for home, with Manx Shearwater spotted as we headed out looking for gannets. We met up with the previous four on our way into harbour, who still were not tempted by mackerel scraps, unlike our following flock of herring and lesser black backed gulls, with a lone black headed gull. We disembarked at 7:45pm after a memorable day at sea, in fine weather. Many thanks to the skipper, who knows this coast so well and who will be running further birding trips next year.

(Fulmar photo on back page) Roger Moses

ORNITHOLOGY RECENT NEWS Contents / Diary June and July bridge the tail end of the spring migration and the start of return passage, the two even overlapping to some degree. It's also an important part of the breeding season so the settled (an understatement) weather will hopefully have increased the productivity of many species. Latterly some might have suffered in the drought, so it will be interesting to see the winners and losers when the BTO's BBS survey results appear in due course. June began with a quite unexpected find of a Woodlark at Severn Beach - hard to come up with a plausible reason why it was there on this date, but it was! 10 June produced a splendid Rose-coloured Starling at Sand Bay, part of a significant national influx at the time. Storm Hector on 14th produced Storm Petrel, Fulmar, Bonxie, 6 Gannet and 150 Manx Shearwater at Severn Beach. Another 'Stormie' was seen there on 18th. A Black Redstart at Portishead on 15th raised the possibility of breeding occurring undetected in the area. A Goldeneye at Barrow tanks on 24th was unusual mainly because the occasional summering birds are more usually seen at CVL. On 25th an adult Curlew Sandpiper was at Chittening/Severn Beach - a classic late spring or early returner dilemma - perhaps more likely the latter as at least some Arctic bird populations had a poor breeding season or failed to breed at all in at least in some areas. 26 June saw the arrival of a Pied Crow at Clevedon - likely the bird seen previously in Yorkshire and Norfolk it stayed until 1 July before surfacing again in Pembrokeshire and a perhaps surprising number of people went to see it (including me!). An African species, widespread south of the Sahara, it isn't known to be a migrant so natural vagrancy can be safely dismissed, but like other crows they do sometimes hitch rides on ships with records from Ports in South America and coastal Spain perhaps arriving via this route. If our local character arrived on a ship it would be quite a remarkable story, but the possibility of it being an escaped pet is the much less interesting but perhaps more likely alternative option. July saw a good return passage of adult waders with Dunlin in particularly high numbers on the coast plus scarcer species such as a Wood Sandpiper and a few Ruff. Med Gulls trickled through and the now expected Great White Egrets appeared in their usual favoured spots. Chipping Sodbury Common produced its specialities of Redstart and Whinchat, Red Kites continued to pop up (as they had in June - have they bred yet?), and Manxies appeared at Severn Beach on the odd windy day or two. Generally the heat wave continued relentlessly, leaving vegetation shrivelled and me too exhausted to write any more than this! Hopefully August will bring some rain and undoubtedly it will bring more returning migrants. John Martin

MISCELLANY

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL BOTANIC GARDEN

Contents / Diary The Holmes, Stoke Park Rd, Stoke Bishop, BS9 1JG. Booking: 0117 331 4906. www.bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden Email: [email protected] Sun. 2 Sept. 10am-5pm. BEE & POLLINATION FESTIVAL at the Botanic Garden. Exhibitors include BNS (see page 4.) Bristol Bee Keepers' 90th Honey Festival; Biological Sciences research displays; orchid growers; cider tastings; wildlife charities; children's activities; plant sales; botanical art etc. Refreshments. Admission: £5.50 including tours. Sat. 15 Sept. 10-4pm Introduction to plant propagation Sat-Sun.15 - 16 Sept. 10-12.30pm All About Trees workshops Sat. 22 Sept. 10am-1pm Paper peony workshop Sun. 23 Sept. 10am-4pm How to shoot autumn pictures: photography workshop with Graham Parish

Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project Contents / Diary Booking and further information: Contact the Project on 0117 903 0609 or e- mail [email protected] . Pre-booking essential for all events. Details of meeting points are given on booking. Fri. 14 Sept. Music with Mummy on the Downs (Event for 15 months to 4 year olds). Decorate & play a shaker, sing, dance and meet wildlife puppets 10-11am. £5 per child Tue. 2 Oct. British owls (Talk) with owl conservationist Ian McGuire. Find out what they look like, what they sound like, how they live and issues affecting their survival 7-8pm. £4

AVON ORGANIC GROUP http://www.groworganicbristol.org/ All meetings at The Station, Silver St., BS1 2AG (in the Dance Studio) Visitors £5 Members £2. Thu. 27 Sept. Reflections on 50 years in Organic Food and Farming. Phil Haughton, Founder of award winning The Better Food Co and his brainchild: The Community Farm, Chew Magna

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PHOTOS THIS MONTH Contents / Diary

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