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: News and announcements
News and announcements of interest to CVWG members
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Botany Drinks moved to the White Post
The Botany Drinks venue has been moved from the Somerset Wagon to the White Post, near Stratton-on-the-Fosse. The time is the same – 7pm
Sightings reports now on the CVWG website
The first sightings reports have come in! Andre has sent in some interesting ones, which are posted on the Sightings page. This is an interim measure while we look at setting up a system that members can use to post information themselves, by category. If you are interested in posting info and/or have suggestions for categories (e.g. Sightings!), please let us know via the Contact page.
“Five Year Butterfly Hunt” – a talk by Phil Hall – Wednesday 15th February
Phil Hall will be giving a talk about his quest to photograph all 58 breeding butterfly species in the UK – see Events page
Anyone seeing starlings in the CVWG area?
Andre asks, “Is anyone seeing large numbers of starlings in the area?”
