The Cam Valley Wildlife Group Events programme for April to September 2019 is now posted on our website. Click here to view or to download.
Author: Cam Valley Wildlife Group - Somerset
We are an independent local volunteer based wildlife conservation group operating in Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Westfield and the surrounding Somerset area. We promote the conservation and enjoyment of wildlife and biodiversity in our local area. We run a number of projects to beenfit flora, otters, Barn Owls and insects and hold events throughout the year, including walks, talks and practical wildlife activities. To learn more about what we do, why not give our website a look at cvwg.org.uk or comment on our blog at https://cvwg.org.uk/cam-valley-wildlife-group-somerset-blog/?
SWT Fundraising evening, late March.
Cuckoos and Corncrakes
Thursday, 28 March @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Cheese and Grain, Market Yd, Justice Ln, Frome BA11 1BE
Open your ears to the fascinating world of birdsong, brought to you by well- known Tweet of the Day authors Brett Westwood and Stephen Moss. Proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the Somerset Wildlife Trust.
Find out more >> http://www.cheeseandgrain.com/event/cuckoos-and-corncrakes-somerset-wildlife-trust/
Upcoming talks in March – 18th and 20th
Wednesday 20 March 2019
7.30pm Talk “The Swift – a life on the wing” by Peter Bright
Peter has been watching swifts nest in his Mendip house since 2006.
Coffee & cake from 7.30pm, talk at 8pm. CVWG Members £2, (non-members: £3)
At SWALLOW – see directions on CVWG events programme
Contact: Judy on 07460 278311 or judy@swallowcharity.org.
Monday 18th March
7.30 pm talk about trees, “Shady side of town” by Adrian Lawson
At Conygre Hall, North Road,Timsbury BA2 0JQ
Refreshments and raffle. Visitors welcome £3.00
Contact: Rod Bruce [Secretary, Timsbury Natural History Group] on 01761 433013
Talk reminder – Tree sparrows, Wednesday
Wednesday 20 February 2019
7.30pm Talk on Stourhead’s tree sparrow project by Tamsin Holmes of National Trust
Tree Sparrows declined in the UK by 95% between 1970 and 2000. Tamsin Holmes of the National Trust will tell us about their project to encourage the revival of this endangered species.
Coffee & cake from 7.30pm, talk at 8pm. Members £2, (non-members: £3)
At SWALLOW – see directions on CVWG events programme
Colliers Way workday
Colliers Way volunteers are holding a workday on Thursday 21st February with some Frome volunteers at Conduit Bridge Orchard with the purpose of clearing brambles around the apple trees. 10.00am start, finish about 4.00 pm. Numbers are an issue, so if you wish to join the Colliers Way workdays it is essential that you email lydia.blake@sustrans.org.uk to arrange. Ensure you bring gloves, some eye protection and lunch.
Talk – Urban gulls, 18 Feb, Timsbury
Coming up – Timsbury Natural History Group talk, “Urban gulls”, by Peter Rock
Sometimes a controversial subject, Peter Rock will explore the reasons behind their liking for city-centre living.
7.30 pm Monday 18th February
Conygre Hall, North Road,Timsbury BA2 0JQ
Visitors welcome £3.00. Refreshments and raffle.
For further information please ring Rod Bruce [Secretary] on 01761 433013
February talk for your diary
Wednesday 20 February 2019
7.30pm Talk on Stourhead’s tree sparrow project by Tamsin Holmes of National Trust
Tree Sparrows declined in the UK by 95% between 1970 and 2000. Tamsin Holmes of the National Trust will tell us about their project to encourage the revival of this endangered species.
Coffee & cake from 7.30pm, talk at 8pm. Members £2, (non-members: £3)
At SWALLOW – see directions on CVWG events programme
Mini Toad Summit in Bath on January 26th
Toad Patrollers and anyone interested in toads are invited to a summit at Meeting House, York Street, Bath, BA1 1NG from 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm on Saturday 26 January 2019. For further info about toad patrols in the area, email sheila.gundry@froglife.org
AGM update – Joshua Harris – wildlife photography talk at tonight’s AGM
Wednesday 5 December 2018 – CVWG AGM update
Joshua Harris, local wildlife photographer and aspiring cameraman, will be giving an illustrated talk tonight at the AGM at Swallow (see CVWG events page for directions).
Seasonal refreshments (mulled wine/juice & mince pies) from 7.30pm, followed by short AGM and talks by Diana Walker and Joshua Harris. No charge.
AGM reminder – December 5th
There will be seasonal refreshments (mulled wine/juice & mince pies) from 7.30pm at Swallow on 5th December, followed by short AGM. Then Diana will be talking about her wildlife encounters during the year. Please also bring along your own photos from the past year. Direction to Swallow are at the bottom of the CVWG Events programme.
Avon Bird Report now out
The 2017 Avon bird report is now out. It is available from Harvey Rose for £11.50 (includes postage) at Arncliffe, Coast Road, Walton Bay, Clevedon, BS21 7FW. Cheques should be made out to ‘AOG’.
CVWG talk on flora Wednesday 14th November – replacement speaker
The Woodland Trust are not able to provide a speaker as planned, unfortunately, and it has not been possible to find a replacement external speaker. However, Helena Crouch, the North Somerset Recorder for Flora, has very kindly agreed to provide us with a talk on Flora of the Cam Valley. Thanks to Helena, for coming to the rescue!
Coffee & cake from 7.30pm, talk at 8pm.
Venue: SWALLOW, Old Engine House, Old Pit Road, Midsomer Norton, BA3 4BQ
Reminder about tonight’s talk on the wildlife of the coal canal
CVWG is hosting a talk about the wildlife of the Somerset Coal Canal tonight at Swallow, Missomer Norton. Coffee & cake from 7.30pm, talk at 8pm. Members £2, (non-members £3) For details and directions to Swallow, see https://cvwg.org.uk/cam-valley-wildlife-group-events/events-programme/
November talks in Midsomer Norton and Timsbury
CVWG is hosting a talk, “Standing up for Trees” by Owen Rogers of Woodland Trust, at Swallow on Wednesday 14th November at 7.30 pm (see https://cvwg.org.uk/cam-valley-wildlife-group-events/events-programme/).
Timsbury Natural History Society is hosting a talk at the Conygre Hall Monday 19th November about a birding journey through Spain. See https://cvwg.org.uk/cam-valley-wildlife-group-events/ for details.
Events programme for September to March on website
The Cam Valley Wildlife Group Events Programme for September 2018 to March 2019 is now available on our website.
Is there something you would like our website visitors to know?
If you would like to leave a comment/observation without using our Contacts page you can use the comments facility for posts through the ‘More posts’ button below.
New membership form on website
An updated membership form is available on our website homepage for download
Cam Valley Wildlife Group Events to September 2018
Interested in evening botany walks? We have a varied programme of weekly walks , available on our website to view or download.
CVWG Winter newsletter posted on the website
The spring 2018 newsletter is now out and the Winter newsletterhttps://cvwg.org.uk/cam-valley-wildlife-group-newsletter/ has been posted on our website – a mixture of business and pleasure including an AGM report and a Spring Mining bee identification piece
Bat event tomorrow, 26th May.
Talk with live bats followed by a walk with bat detectors around Wellow village finishing at a greater and lesser horseshoe roost, for the Festival of Nature and the Avon Bat Group. 26th of May at 7pm. Contact Jo McKerr – Mob: 07957 246150; Tel: 01225 833748; joannamckerr@gmail.com
New CVWG Events programme on CVWG website
The Cam Valley Wildlife Group Events programme for April to September is now available on our website
Newsletter 85 out – number 84 on website
The Cam Valley Wildlife Group Winter newsletter 2018 is out and the Autumn 2017 newsletter is now available on our website.
Diary Date for February Conservation talk
Our first talk of the season is on Wednesday 21st February at 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm at SWALLOW – a talk by Dan Cragg of Bristol Zoo on the Zoo’s conservation work. For details, see our Events programme
January Bath Nats Birding trip reminder
Saturday 27th January: PORTLAND/WEYMOUTH HARBOUR, Dorset. Joint RSPB/Bath Nats Coach Trip. Booking is essential, by coach booking form and pre-payment. For details, see the Bath Nats website at http://www.bathnats.org.uk
Extra event – 2018 New Year’s Day Walk
2018 New Year’s Day Walk
Leader: Diana Walker
Meet: 2 pm at the entrance to Grovewood Road, Haydon, Radstock, BA3 3QZ
A gentle walk from Haydon into Radstock and along the valley to Haydon Batch, then back to Diana’s house for tea and cakes at about 3.30 pm. The route will be a bit muddy so she recommends that you wear boots and have a walking stick might be helpful. The steepest part of the walk will be down hill from Haydon
Contact: Diana Walker on 01761 433688 or dianawalker4@gmail.com
Natural history books for sale
Why not check out the natural history books for sale in our Spring newsletter, just posted? The list includes “collectables”. Proceeds go to the group.
Bath Nats trip Saturday
The Bath Natural History Society’s June programme is out, starting with a trip to the North Wessex Downs on Saturday 3rd June. For further information , go to the “Field Trips” part of their website (about 12th on the list)
Event reminder for Sunday 4th June
11.00am – Garden visit to Burrow Farm Gardens, Dalwood, Axminster, East Devon, EX13 7ET 13 acre garden with lovely naturalistic planting and views. Tea room and nursery. For further details, see the Events programme
Langford Lakes nature reserve trip report – ducks, swans, waders and grebes
Members of Cam Valley Wildlife Group had a trip out of the area on Sunday 30 April to visit the beautiful Langford Lakes nature reserve in the Wylye Valley near Warminster. For a short report and lovely photos of Great crested grebes, please visit our Events page.
Butterfly transect walk on 13th May
Just a reminder that Phil Hall, who gave the Five-year Buterfly Hunt talk, is leading a live transect survey on Saturday 13th May from Single Hill to Stony Littleton and back (about 1 hour) followed by another site survey. See Events programme for more information.
Recent sightings posted
Red kite seen in Radstock, Holly Blue butterflies on the wing in Carlingcott and Radstock, and those Green-winged orchids at Edford Meadows (see the Sightings page)
Green-winged orchids flowering in Edford Meadows
Phil Gait reports, “Lots of green winged orchids flowering in the four Edford Meadows fields – have been for over a week – earlier than last year!”
Bird watching trip reminder
The Langford Lakes birdwatching trip in the Wylye Valley is on 30th April. This Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve has level paths and five hides. Contact Judy for more information/car share.
Sightings late March and early April
You might want to check out the Sightings page for updates about local sightings of skylarks, swallows, sparrowhawk, Barn owl, solitary and social bees and bee-flies. The sightings page now has photos alongside some of the entries.
Sightings – skylarks, grey wagtails, dippers and more
Recent sightings by Judy Hampshire:
Sunday 26 March, 5.30pm above White City, Welton: skylarks fluttering and singing.
Monday 27 March: between 8.30 and 9am: Pair of grey wagtails, and dipper on Wellow Brook at Welton. (One morning last week, I saw a pair of dippers there but usually only see one at a time.) A wren accompanied me up the footpath at back of MN leisure centre car park, then on the broadwalk at back of Sun Chemical I saw a female goldcrest. ( A few weeks ago I saw a male goldcrest at the same spot, who actually hopped towards me along the metal fence, until it was level with my head! A magical moment!)
CVWG Botany Walks start on 5th April
The 2017 CVWG Botany Walks programme is now available via our Events page. The first walk of the season is in Radstock at Waterside. Park in Radstock and meet at St Nicholas Church (ST688546) for a short walk beside the stream. Start time 7 pm. Lift share is encouraged and all are welcome. Contact details are on the programme.
This Sunday – Chew Valley Lake to see Great Crested Grebes
CVWG event – Chew Valley lake on Sunday 19th March. We hope to see the grebes doing their famous mating dance. Meet outside the “Salt & Malt” café, junction of Walley Lane & Denny Lane, Chew Stoke, BS40 8XS at 11am. Parking costs £2 for the day. Please contact Judy for more information/car share.
Do you have a question for us?
We have added a Q&A category to our message board, so if you want to ask a question there are two options:
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Use the contact page to send a question for posting on the message board
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Become a Contributor on our website
Contributors can write a message for any of our message board pages. Messages will go through a moderation process before posting. If you want to become a contributor, please ask for an invite through our contact page.
New CVWG gallery photos
The CVWG Members’ plants and fungi gallery now has photos of some flora and one fungus. If you have some to send in, please use the contact page.
CVWG stall at the 2017 Seedy Saturday event
There will be a CVWG stall at the 2017 Seedy Saturday event on 11th March at the Conygre Hall, Timsbury, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm – seed swap, potato day and green fair. For details of the event, go to http://www.seedysaturday.org.uk
