by David Hall | Feb 24, 2024 | Uncategorised
above: English Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia anglica) © Alvan White Leader Alvan White On a grey day with no sunshine, ten members set off along the River Brue. The temperature was above 10C, and had been for a few days. One garden along Clyst Road was spectacular with...
by David Hall | Feb 4, 2024 | Uncategorised
above: Ruddy Shelduck at Langford Lakes © Phillip Delve Leader Phillip Delve Langford Lakes Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Reserve lies on the River Wylye flood plain, some 12 miles north west of Salisbury. Relieved to arrive in fine weather, following several very stormy...
by David Hall | Jan 6, 2024 | Uncategorised
above: The flooded meeting place, engulfed by the River Avon © Helena Crouch Leader Helena CrouchDespite an atrocious forecast for strong winds and rain, twelve brave botanists met beside the swirling River Avon for a second New Year Plant Hunt, recording all species...
by David Hall | Jan 3, 2024 | Uncategorised
Leader Rob Randall This was the first of two meetings to contribute records to the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) New Year Plant Hunt. The route was chosen so there was plenty of interest for ornithologists as well as the botanists. The river was in...
by David Hall | Dec 7, 2023 | Uncategorised
Presidential address Sand dunes represent one of the few natural habitats in Britain, although few have developed without intervention. There are sand dunes on the Somerset coast around Weston-super-Mare, Berrow and Brean: Rob focused his talk on Sand Bay, just north...
by David Hall | Oct 31, 2023 | Uncategorised
above: Dewick’s Plusia, a new county record © Mike Bailey 2023 has seen an active season for the Bath Nats Moth Study Group. Overnight temperatures are of interest to us as warmer conditions generally result in higher catches in the moth traps and are reflected in the...
by David Hall | Oct 24, 2023 | Uncategorised
Steve Smailes’ illustrated talk picked out some key species of solitary, mason, and mining bees in contrast with the social Honey Bee, Apis mellifera. About 250 species of bee do not produce honey and will colonise a bee hotel. Queen Honey Bees may live for several...
by David Hall | Oct 15, 2023 | Uncategorised
Snipe on Rushy Pool, Slimbridge © Andrew Harrison Leaders: Lucy Starling and Phillip Delve For this joint Bath Nats and Bath RSPB Field Trip 11 RSPB/Nats members and one non member joined Phillip and me for a stroll around Slimbridge on a grey morning and afternoon....
by David Hall | Sep 30, 2023 | Uncategorised
above: Fluted Bird’s Nest (Cyathus striatus) © Helena Crouch Leaders: Alan Rayner and Helena Crouch Fourteen members assembled at the entrance to Lord’s Wood, just south of Pensford, for an eagerly anticipated fungal foray. Lord’s Wood is located on the Pennant...
by David Hall | Sep 18, 2023 | Uncategorised
above: Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus) © Rob Randall Due to unforeseen developments the number of speakers was reduced to just Alvan White and Rob Randall. However they had more than enough material to interest the small gathering. This created a relaxed...
by David Hall | Sep 6, 2023 | Uncategorised
Leader Tom Rogers Ten members plus two guests joined the leader at Langford Lakes. The weather was dry & warm with bright sunshine. On arriving in the village I was met by a single Red Legged Partridge walking in the middle of the road. Then on entering the...
by David Hall | Aug 31, 2023 | Uncategorised
Leader Richard Bottle Six of us met at Newton St. Loe Parish Church for a walk through the lovely grounds of Newton Park, landscaped by Capability Brown and now the home of Bath Spa University. Our route took us along the Newton Park Lakes, through Melancholy Wood and...
by David Hall | Aug 11, 2023 | Uncategorised
Leader Lucy Starling Seven members joined me on a breezy morning with sunny intervals, threatening black rain clouds at times and below average temperatures. Our route took us into Bushy Norwood NT flower meadow and pasture, the footpath along the edge of the golf...
by David Hall | Aug 7, 2023 | Uncategorised
above: Silver-spotted Skipper at Warren Hill © Phillip Delve Leader Phillip Delve Following a very stormy week, 12 of us met just south of Perham Down near Tidworth, hoping to see butterflies. Conditions were not ideal, with persistent cloud cover and a cool...
by David Hall | Jul 28, 2023 | Uncategorised
above: Juvenile Great spotted woodpecker © Andrew Harrison Leaders Jenny Vickers and Alvan White A group of twelve met on a lovely morning by the delightful Woodlands St Katharine Church, set in some wonderful countryside between Frome and Longleat. It was built in...
by David Hall | Jul 12, 2023 | Uncategorised
Leader Felicity Gilmour Bath Nats members joined the leader outside Bradford on Avon’s station defying the dire weather forecast. Before we could depart however, we were soundly reprimanded for loitering by both the coffee van lady and the taxi cab lady – what...
by David Hall | Jun 16, 2023 | Uncategorised
Leader: Alvan White Ten members gathered on a warm day with wall to wall sunshine. My appreciation is especially given for the expertise provided by Rob Randall (RR), Mike Williams (MW), and Alan Feest, although, as usual, all members contributed to the finds and...
by David Hall | May 17, 2023 | Uncategorised
above: Pine Beauty at American Museum © Phillip Delve Leader Phillip Delve On Saturday afternoon, we set two light traps on the east side of the American Museum, Claverton, and left them running overnight. The Robinson traps were fitted with mercury vapour lamps...
by David Hall | May 2, 2023 | Uncategorised
Leader: Glen Maddison 10 of us, including the leader, met at the Lansdown P&R on a miserable wet and grey early spring morning hoping for some migrant birds and maybe a few early emerging butterflies. The latter was most definitely out, especially as the temps...
by David Hall | Apr 30, 2023 | Uncategorised
Leader Rob Randall The cemetery was first visited by the leader during one of the lock-down periods a couple of years ago and he had been a regular visitor ever since. The part of the cemetery nearest to the road has few graves visible because it suffered badly during...
by David Hall | Apr 30, 2023 | Uncategorised
Leaders: Felicity Gilmour, Geoff Hiscocks, Rob Randall Nine members assembled at the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust car park at Lower Moor Farm on a dull but dry day to explore the many fascinating features of Clattinger Farm, with its traditionally managed meadows, and the...
by David Hall | Mar 15, 2023 | Uncategorised
Leaders: Rob Randall and Marion Rayner The low temperatures and breezy exposed site at the top of Entry Hill did not bode well for an almost stationary excursion to look at epiphytes on a row of roadside trees. These were mostly Sycamores, with one each of Pear,...
by David Hall | Feb 13, 2023 | Uncategorised
Leaders: Clare Herbert and John Rawles At the sound of the church clock chiming ten, 19 members joined the leaders at Eagle House, Northend, for a walk along St Catherine’s valley. We enjoyed bright sunshine for the whole walk, although it was quite cool in the...
by David Hall | Feb 7, 2023 | Uncategorised
by David Hall | Jan 31, 2023 | Uncategorised
Bewick Swans flying at Slimbridge © Richard Bottle Six of us met at Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, on this blustery, wet day. Our attention was immediately taken by large flocks of Lapwings, Golden Plover and other wading birds, wheeling overhead. This...
by David Hall | Jan 12, 2023 | Uncategorised
Leader: Lucy Starling Five members joined me by Pulteney Weir at 10am and we had not long set off along the riverside footpath when our first sighting flew low over the river, a Cormorant. Our first stop was opposite St John’s church where we only waited for about 5...
by David Hall | Dec 17, 2022 | Uncategorised
Above: Snipe at Ham Wall © Richard Bottle Leaders Tom Rogers and Glen Maddison Five members plus two guests joined the leaders on the Somerset Levels at Ham Wall. The weather was very cold with bright sunshine which highlighted the plumage of the birds. It was decided...
by David Hall | Nov 30, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader: Richard Bottle Eight of us met on a mild but overcast day at Newton St. Loe Parish Church for a walk through the lovely grounds of Newton Park, now the home of Bath Spa University. The day was quite a contrast from our previous walk during the July heatwave....
by David Hall | Nov 24, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader: Felicity Gilmour On a sunny autumnal day, 7 of us met at the Reception building at Stourhead and set off to explore Bonham Woods following one of Stourhead’s estate walks. 3 more Bath Nats members soon caught up with us following directions from one of the...
by David Hall | Nov 19, 2022 | Uncategorised
Monday 7 November 2022 at Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Queen Square, Bath Dan Merrett, Manager of Bathscape, was first involved in creating grassland when he was employed on the Coronation Meadows project organised by Plantlife and other...
by David Hall | Nov 8, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leaders: Rob Randall and Alan Rayner Rob had first noticed the diversity of grassland fungi about a year previous and acted as leader, taking the party on a leisurely zig-zag path up the hill looking for the tell-tale signs of fungal mycelium. These were numerous...
by David Hall | Oct 21, 2022 | Uncategorised
4 October 2022 at Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Queen Square, Bath Andy opened the talk with an overview of Sweden, comparing it to the UK. Sweden has a land area of just over twice that of the UK. With a population of around 10m (2018) compared to...
by David Hall | Oct 21, 2022 | Uncategorised
Following 2020 when no Group trapping was possible because of covid and it was only possible to have five traps from June onwards in 2021, we appreciated being able to conduct a full programme of nine traps in 2022. The trapping is conducted at various venues, usually...
by David Hall | Oct 20, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader: Alvan White Ten people attended for what was meant to be an across-the-board meeting. However the weather turned out to be atrocious, with rain sheeting across the lake. The lake and surrounding woodland does have great potential for birds. However most...
by David Hall | Oct 2, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leaders: Alan Rayner and Helena Crouch On a fine autumn day, 15 members assembled for one of Alan’s popular fungal forays. Our venue, East Harptree Woods, is a Forestry England conifer plantation on the site of former lead mining activity. Smitham Chimney still...
by David Hall | Sep 27, 2022 | Uncategorised
Photo: Cranes at Slimbridge © Richard Bottle Leader: Philip Delve We began our visit walking the seawall path, beyond the new Holden Tower Hide, north east towards Middle Point. A distinctive “sweep” call alerted us to several Yellow Wagtails in the field...
by David Hall | Aug 21, 2022 | Uncategorised
Above: Bullrushes © John Rawles Leaders: Clare Herbert and John Rawles 13 members joined the leaders at Eagle House, Northend, braving thunderstorms threatened after the recent heatwave. As it transpired, we only had to suffer occasional gentle showers, which were...
by David Hall | Aug 18, 2022 | Uncategorised
Above: Small Copper © Geoff Hiscocks Leader: Geoff Hiscocks Hazelbury Common is an area of unimproved grassland split in two by a narrow lane. It is just within the defined Bath Nats area. It is probably the best place to see a wide variety of butterflies within that...
by David Hall | Jul 30, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leaders Tony and Bryan Cook Twelve members joined the leaders on a warm day with sunshine and a light/moderate breeze. A stroll north along the hard track to a couple of viewing points was slow progress as we were finding many insects and spiders in the vegetation,...
by David Hall | Jul 28, 2022 | Uncategorised
Two Robinson light traps were set up overnight at the American Museum Gardens on 9 July. It was a mild night with clear skies and no wind, consequently, at this time in Summer, we expected a good number of moths. We were not disappointed, indeed, we were somewhat...
by David Hall | Jul 26, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader Richard Bottle Seven of us met on a sunny and very warm day at Newton St. Loe Parish Church for a walk through the lovely grounds of Newton Park, now the home of Bath Spa University. Our route took us along the Newton Park Lakes, through Melancholy Wood and up...
by David Hall | Jul 15, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader Chris Vines Nine members of the Society met for this gentle stroll along the north bank of the River Avon from Saltford to Kelston Mills, aimed primarily at seeing insects and dragonflies in particular. Unfortunately, early sunshine was quickly replaced by...
by David Hall | Jul 6, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader : Helena Crouch Nine members awaited the leader on a fine afternoon, busily spotting insects and interesting plants on the verges of the layby by the A46. There are fine displays of Pyramidal Orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis) and Common Spotted Orchids...
by David Hall | Jun 24, 2022 | Uncategorised
Tree Pipit at Cinderford Linear Park © Philip Delve Leader: Philip Delve Cinderford Linear Park follows the north south line of overgrown 19th century rail and mining works, just west of Cinderford in the Forest of Dean. The mix of soil and vegetation, make this both...
by David Hall | May 28, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader: Roy Mitchell On a lightly overcast, mild morning which became warm and sunny, I was joined by nine members for a walk from Upper Swainswick exploring part of this lovely valley near Bath. 18th century maps show the valley has remained largely unchanged for...
by David Hall | May 28, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader Phillip Delve Langford Lakes Langford Lakes Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Reserve lies on the River Wylye flood plane, some 12 miles north west of Salisbury. Fifteen of us met at the reserve Car Park. From here, we followed a permissive path across a sheep grazed...
by David Hall | May 14, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader Lucy Starling Fourteen members and 1 non-member joined me for an approximately 4.5-5 mile circular walk on a warm morning and early afternoon with constant sunshine and a light breeze. A male Blackcap sang quite vigorously in an ash tree as we gathered on...
by David Hall | Apr 30, 2022 | Uncategorised
A corncrake (Crex crex) on migration was recorded in a garden in Widcome, Bath, on Friday 29 April in the late morning. BNHS Immediate Past President David Goode was astounded to hear the unmistakeable call, which continued intermittently for up to a quarter of an...
by David Hall | Apr 25, 2022 | Uncategorised
Our coach left Bath at 8.00 am on a dull, windy and cool morning with 24 members on board. Once we had left the motorway in Wales the scenery became more and more picturesque as we headed for the Elan Valley Visitor Centre on quiet country roads. Approximately 20...
by David Hall | Apr 23, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader: Alan Feest On a bright but chilly Spring morning over 30 people gathered at the Odd Down Park and Ride for an exploration of these Duchy of Cornwall Woods (permission granted). We have in the past visited Breach Wood but not Vernham or Middle Wood. Our first...
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