Liveable Neighbourhoods (aka Low-traffic Neighbourhoods or Healthy Streets)
These are quite a hot topic in Bristol at the moment, mainly among people interested in transport issues, but there are implications for wildlife too. One of these is the likely lowering of pollution levels in the atmosphere. High levels of chemicals and particles are bad for humans, and it’s not good for domestic or wild animals either. Lowering pollution levels is a key improvement in habitats for all of us. A second reason is that Liveable Neighbourhoods encourage the greening of streets. Many of us are doing our best to add greenery and flowers to our streets with attractive front gardens, community gardens and orchards and plants in boxes, but we need to do more.
To find out more about Liveable Neighbourhoods try http://londonlivingstreets.com/low-traffic-liveable-neighbourhoods/ and http://youtu.be/h5aZW28aFlg
Moth Trap
Elaine and Robert G have been working with our community moth trap since the spring, but they are now happy to pass it on to someone else. If you would like to borrow the moth trap and build up your knowledge of moths, contact mywildbedminster@virginmedia.com asap. It’s first come, first served.
Patchwork Group
Several community groups are promoting community gardens and orchards. The Bedminster Patchwork Group with five community gardens and two orchards is one of these. Although somewhat inhibited by the current situation they are still tending their patches, looking for volunteers and are now proposing guided tours to their sites (suitably distanced, of course). For more information go to bemmiepatchwork@gmail.com
Big Butterfly Count
Butterfly Conservation’s annual and nation-wide citizen science event starts on Saturday, 18 July and goes on until 9 August. You are invited to spend at least 15 minutes in a garden or other green space and record whatever butterflies or day moths come your way. Google Butterfly Conservation for more details, including where to send your observations. Your records will also be useful for our own reports at the end of 2020 as we answer the question ‘What are the butterflies (and moths) of BS3 and South Bristol. We are interested in North Bristol observations too.
A Message from Ben Barker
I’m hoping to dodge the coronavirus, but I can’t dodge being in my 82nd year. I’m therefore suggesting some succession planning. Bits of the organisation such as its facebook and instagram and the reporting of species to BRERC are in good hands (although even so, people get fed up, find something else to do or – God forbid – get run over by buses), but I’m keen to spread my tasks more widely and, like the old soldier, gently fade away.
I have two main roles. One is to edit this newsletter. This also brings me into contact with lots of members who send information and pictures and also a need to liaise with a range of organisations such as Avon Wildlife Trust and Bristol Parks. I don’t want to give this up too soon because it’s fun, but I’m happy to share some of the action with one or two others, in case I fall under a bus.
The second task is to coordinate various reports, including our green space audits (currently 3 on the go) and our animal monitoring reports (3: butterflies; moths and winter birds, so far). I’m ably assisted in this by several skilled people who add pictures, maps and design the reports. Again, I’d be interested in sharing the task with others. No rush on this as the next two reports (butterflies and moths) are not due out until the end of 2020. But, of course, for all I know, some of you are collecting observations of dragonflies, slugs or whatever.
If you are interested in helping out, or at least having a chat, please let me know.
The Future of Parks
‘If you have been using your local parks and green spaces more over the last few months, you have probably realised how important they are, especially in situations like these. The last newsletter highlighted the start of a conversation facilitated by the Bristol Parks Forum with others, including Bristol City Council and XR about how parks and green spaces can play their part in dealing with the crisis before us. The challenges faced by our parks and green spaces can seem overpowering at times – but it is now clear that they have a positive role to play in carbon capture, water control, air quality management, encouraging wildlife and our own health and wellbeing amongst other things.
Please can you contribute to this conversation on Saturday, 8 August at 10.00am by Zoom? Let the Parks Forum know if you can by email: info@bristolparksforum.org.uk