Latest update from Ben Barker and My Wild Bedminster
What a Difference a Day Makes
In the last Wildlife News, we reported that the BS3 Wildlife Group had failed to secure £5,000 to fund Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) to undertake a survey of Colliter’s Brook as part of our aim to enhance the stream for human visitors and wildlife. The very next day, we were informed that ‘an anonymous donor’ had stumped up the money. The Colliter’s Brook project will therefore go ahead along with the Malago/Pigeonhouse project.
Although we’ll be carrying news of these projects from time to time on both facebook and in this newsletter, we are also beginning to gather together individuals and organisations that want to help in the actual delivery of the projects over the next six? months. We already have two quite long lists, but we are happy to make them longer. Get back to mywildbedminster@virginmedia.com if you would like to know how you might help. The range of skills that we are likely to need is quite extensive, from litter picking to organising a press conference and recognising otter poo when you see it.
The Butterflies of Manor Woods
Manor Woods Valley (BS13) is a Local Nature Reserve in South Bristol. It’s probably the best kept and surveyed stretch of the Malago. Their latest butterfly survey, their fourth, says: ‘There are 57 resident butterfly species in the UK, several of these have a limited geographical distribution. There are also 3 migrant species that occur often, but do not establish self-sustaining populations. 38 species have been recorded in the Bristol region since 2014 and reported to the BRERC online database. Exactly half of these – 19 – including one migrant, Painted Lady, have been recorded in Manor Woods Valley during the butterfly monitoring surveys’.
Not surprisingly, the surveys carried out in BS3/Greater Bedminster suggest very much the same species are to be found. One difference is that the Brown Argus (a ‘blue’!) has not been reported in Bedminster, although a tentative Small Heath (a ‘brown’) was claimed a year or two ago. Also, in Bedminster they have identified Small skippers several times, whereas in Manor Woods they have hedged their bets and declared for Small/Essex skippers (Thymelicus sylvestris and Thymelicus lineola). These are two seperate species, but very hard to tell apart. I guess too that the balance between the two areas may be different in that woodland species will do well in Manor Woods, but the woodland of BS3 is thin on the ground. Indeed, a few years ago, BCC judged Bedminster Community Partnership as ranking 14th (ie last) for tree cover amongst the then Neighbourhood Partnerships.
We know that other groups will have been monitoring their space for butterflies and it would be good to receive more reports like the excellent and informative one from the Manor Woods Valley Group.
Monitoring the Wildlife of the Bristol Region
A few species have been well surveyed either nationally or locally over a decade or two, so our understanding of whether or not they are thriving is quite good. But, many surveys are one offs. Different methodologies are used. So, for many species although we may have a general feeling that species X is declining, expanding, moving from one area to another or whatever, we can’t be certain. It’s difficult to be sure whether fluctuations are short-term responses, perhaps to weather, or longer term responses, perhaps to climate.
As we’ve reported previously, there is a working group in Bristol looking at what reliable information is actually available. We expect that report before the end of 2022. The report may also include suggestions about best and more consistent practice in monitoring particular types of wildlife. Of course, producing suggestions and putting them into operation are two separate things. We will also have to choose between leaving monitoring to an expanded cohort of professionals funded by taxpayers or training up ‘citizen scientists’ who will do it for free. Oh the horror!! Having to wander around on a sunny day looking for grasshoppers.
River Frome Story Map
Although our main interest in rivers relates to Natural History, their History History can be quite interesting too. See https://arcg.is/XDvPv for the history of Bristol’s second river.
Bristol Folkhouse
Many of you will know the Bristol Folkhouse on Park Street: a long term and well respected adult education centre. They applied to the recent BCC fund administered by Quartet and unlike BS3 Wildlife Group were successful first time. They have been awarded £2800 to make their courtyard into a more wildlife friendly space by installing a pond and a sedum roof.
As part of the response, the Folkhouse has been requested to provide a ‘safeguarding policy’ presumably especially in relation to the pond, but it’s not clear what this means. Does anyone else have a ‘safeguarding policy’ for ponds and sedum roofs that they could share with the Folkhouse? If so, please send it to Wildlife News and we’ll bounce it on. Email: MyWildBedminster@virginmedia.com
It would be good to hear about other successful applications to this fund. What did you get? How will you use it?
Grass Raking in Sea Mills
We used some of our Bristol Health Partnership money (now all gone) to commission a scientific survey of land next to the River Trym in Sea Mills. Basically, this advised that the council should let the grass grow. The report was presented to Parks officers and was agreed, provided volunteers could be found to clear away the grass when it was eventually cut back. Thanks to Nikki Jones for this information. What’s happening in your part of the region? We know there are lots of good things happening, so don’t be shy. Pick up your trumpet and blow it.
Big Blob Identified in Bristol Region
The neighbourhood wildlife groups began to appear in 2017 with the BS3 Wildlife Group and the following year the first facebook group was established, thanks to Finbar Cullen. It now has over 1500 participants sharing ideas, information and, most important of all, pictures of local wildlife. The BS4 Wildlife Group followed and soon several other districts had a facebook group. There is now a facebook group operating in everyone of Bristol’s postal districts and that the Facebook blob is beginning to invade the surrounding region. The estimated participation rate is over 5000 and growing.
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