Our Autumn 2019 Newsletter is now posted on the website – pond life, hornets and Cam Valley Wildlife Group members’ sightings, along with a substantial list of interesting books for distribution that is well worth a look.
Category: All messages
CVWG news, announcements, upcoming events, sightings, discussion and more
Share a short wildlife recording?
Hello, CVWG blog follower.
With noise greately reduced in many places, perhaps you have heard wildlife sounds that you do not normally hear, or hear so well as right now. We are interested in short nature sound recordings you may have made at home (say up to a minute in length) for posting on the website and sharing. If you would like to take part, please send us your recording or let us know via camvalleywildlife@gmail.com.
CVWG Sightings entry error
Realising that one of the Sightings page changes was attributed to the wrong place and person, it has been changed!
Spring wildlife sightings
Spring is hotting up, and with it the birds, reptiles and insects. We have just posted some March sightings from Welton, Carlingcott and Radstock. If you have wildlife sightings to share from your patch (or elsewhere), you might like to send them in to add to those already there!
Spring White (and Yellow) butterflies – how to tell which is which
Have you been seeing white, yellow and green-ish butterflies flittting past and wondered which was which? Well, help may be at hand. Although some of the ‘Whites and Yellows’ are more obvious (such as Brimstone and Orange-tip males, some of this family, especially the females, can be tricky to tell apart. If you have ever been confused about whether it’s a Large or Small White, or whether its a Small White, Green-veined White or female Orange-tip, we may have what you’re looking for on our new Insect Information page.
Saturday’s moth trapping cancelled
Due to coronavirus Covid 19 considerations, Cam Valley Wildlife Group’s moth trapping event scheduled for Haydon Batch this Saturday is cancelled.
CVWG events under review (Covid 19)
CVWG is currently monitoring the coronavirus Covid 19 situation regarding its programme of events. For trips and talks please check with Judy beforehand, on a case-by-case basis; for insect events and workdays, please check beforehand with the event leader. Contact details are given on the Events programme page. We will post details of the 2020 Botany Walks programme for April to September when they are available.
Tomorrow’s marine life talk cancelled
The talk by Tom Brereton of Marine Life on Whales, Dolphins and Seabirds off the South West Coast has been cancelled. We hope to arrange re-scheduling after the coronavirus, Covid 19 has peaked and passed.
Talk -Whales, Dolphins, Seabirds 18 Mar
Wednesday 18 March 2020 – CVWG Talk
Whales, Dolphins and Seabirds off the South West Coast
Tom Brereton of Marine Life
Coffee & cake from 7.30pm, talk at 8pm.
Members £2 (non-members £3)
Moths/camouflage/photography talk
Timsbury Natural History Group Talk
John Bebbington will be talking about “Moths / camouflage / photography”
Monday 16th March, 7.30pm
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
Timsbury Talk reminder
Timsbury Natural History Group talk
Ed Drewitt will be talking about “Madagascar”
7.30pm Monday 17th February
Conygre Hall, North Road,Timsbury BA2 0JQ
Visitors welcome £3.00. Refreshments and raffle
For further information please ring Rod Bruce [Chairman] on 01761 433013
Talk reminder – Rewilding
Wednesday 19th February 7.30pm
Re-wilding, a talk by Stephen Parker of Natural England
A controversial topic, which will be illustrated with examples from both Britain and Europe, such as reintroduction of beavers.
At SWALLOW, Midsomer Norton – for directions see CVWG Events Programme
Barn Owl Project Update, Winter 2019
The Winter 2019 update of the Cam Valley Wildlife Group Barn Owl Project has been posted on the Barn Owl Project Reports page of our website
EGM and talk reminder
Unfortunately, the AGM business could not be completed on 4th December, so the presentation of the proposed Coordinating Team and members’ vote will take place at 7.00 pm at SWALLOW, Old Engine House, Old Pit Road, Midsomer Norton, BA3 4BQ on Wednesday 19th February. The scheduled talk on re-wilding by Stephen Parker of Natural England will take place at the same venue at 7.30 pm. For directions, see CVWG Events programme page.
New CVWG Sightings page posting
The first sightings of 2020 have been sent in to us by a member. Have you seen some wildlife in our area that you would like us to know about? Please state the locations and date of any sightings you send in and if you would like it posted on the website, let us know anything you wish posted with it, such as your name or some text.
CVWG March events update – talk details and moth trapping
Talk on Wednesday 18th March
Whales, Dolphins and Seabirds off the South West Coast
by Tom Brereton of Marine Life
Coffee & cake from 7.30 pm, talk 8 pm
Members £2 (non-members £3)
At SWALLOW
Contact details: Judy on 07460 278311 (phone or text)
Moth trapping with Chris Iles on Haydon Batch
Three-hour session starting at 6 .00 pm
Chris hopes that the event will coincide with the opening of the Spring Sallow blossom
The entrance to Haydon Batch is next to the Haydon Allotments and Haydon Village Hall (Haydon Cue & Social Club), Kilmersdon Rd, Haydon, Radstock, BA3 2DQ.
Contact: Chris, kifill22@hotmail.com or 01761 239092
Timsbury NHG – Wildlife Photographs talk today
Timsbury Natural History Group event, Monday December 16th at 7.30pm, Conygre Hall, North Road, Timsbury BA2 0JQ. Cambridge University student Joshua Harris will give a talk about the wildlife photographs he has taken. Non-members welcome . Admittance £3. For further information please ring Rod Bruce [Secretary] on 01761 433013
Avon Bird Report out now
Copies of the latest edition of the Avon Bird Report, the edition for 2018, are available from the editor, Harvey Rose, at Arncliffe, Coast Road, Walton Bay, Clevedon, BS21 7FW for £11.50 including postage. Cheques should be made out to AOG. [Cover photo, Spotted Redshank]
Updated CVWG membership form
The Cam Valley Wildlife Group membership form has been updated. It can be obtained via our website at https://cvwg.org.uk/membership
Talk, 18 Nov – Botanical Treasures of the Mendips by Helena Crouch
Timsbury Natural History Group is hosting ‘Botanical Treasures of the Mendips’, a talk by Helena Crouch at 7.30 pm on Monday 18th November at 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. Helena is a North Somerset County Recorder. For poster, click here.
Talk 13 Nov – canal & river wildlife
Talk reminder for Wednesday 13 November 2019
7.30pm Talk on the wildlife of our canals & rivers by
Laura Mullholland, ecologist at Canal & River Trust
Coffee & cake from 7.30pm, talk at 8pm. Members £2, (non-members: £3)
At SWALLOW
CVWG Newsletter 91 posted
Cam Valley Wildlife Group Newsletter 91, Summer 2019, is now posted on the CVWG website at https://cvwg.org.uk/cam-valley-wildlife-group-newsletter. Pdf version and back copies are available via page links.
Timsbury Nats October talk change
Andy Daw will be talking about Orchid Adventures – searching for all the British Orchid Species. 7.30 pm Monday 21st October, Conygre Hall, North Road, Timsbury BA2 0JQ. Visitors welcome £3.00. Refreshments and raffle
Bat, moth and mammal evening at Great Elm Friday and Saturday
On Friday evening, 27th, and Saturday morning, 28th there is a bat walk, mammal trapping and moth trapping event at Buckland Bridge, Great Elm. On Saturday morning people will be having a look at what was found.
To book a place, contact lydia.blake@sustrans.org.uk or phone 07501017686
Tomorrow’s Swell Wood trip cancelled
Due to the bad weather forecast for tonight/tomorrow for the Langport area (very strong winds, heavy rain and very cold) the outing to Swell Wood has been cancelled.
Goosard workday reminder
There is a Goosard Reserve (Paulton) workday on Saturday 27th April. Contact Roger on 01761 419778 for further information.
CVWG Winter 2019 Newsletter on website
The CVWG Winter 2019 Newsletter is now available on the CVWG website (link) and the Spring 2019 newsletter has been sent out to members.
Event reminder – Herons, early butterflies, Saturday
Saturday 27th April 2019
Herons and early butterflies at RSPB Swell Wood, A378 near Langport, TA3 6PX.
Meet at 11.00 am in the RSPB car park.
We will aim to car share as much as possible as limited parking. Please bring packed lunch.
If you need any more information about this please contact Judy (details at the bottom of our Events programme).
Tadpoles offer
We have been contacted by someone with too many tadpoles, offering to give some to people who may wish to put them into a pond without fish. If you are interested, we can put you in touch. Please us the contact page if you are interested.
Cam Valley Wildlife Group Botany Walks programme 2019 on website
The CVWG 2019 programme of Botany Walks starts on Wednesday 3rd April. Details are on the website (link). The walks programme can also be downloaded from there. Everyone welcome. Please lift share whenever possible.
Swifts talk reminder
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. Members £2, (non-members: £3)
At SWALLOW – for directions, see Events programme
CVWG Newsletter 88 now on website
The Cam Valley Wildlife Group Autumn 2018 newsletter is now available via our Newsletter page.
CVWG 2019 Events programme published
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.
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
