by David Hall | Apr 9, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader: Rob Randall 16 members joined the leader on a sunny spring morning to explore the local by-ways. While the group was assembling, a Red Kite flew by, no longer a rare sight around Bath. Although billed as a botanical walk, there was much else of interest....
by David Hall | Mar 22, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader: Alan Rayner Brilliant sunshine and a drumming great spotted woodpecker greeted 15 members arriving for what turned out to be a beautiful early spring walk through woods, across a meadow and beside a stream and waterfall, illuminated by intensely yellow...
by David Hall | Mar 10, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader: Terry Doman Nine members joined the leader in the Box Selwyn Hall car park on a cold but bright spring Sunday morning. A safety brief was given before we proceeded to the adjacent ‘Rock Circus’. This is a circle of stones from various parts of this country,...
by David Hall | Feb 27, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leaders: Helena Crouch & Penny Williamson On a fine day, 24 Bath Naturalists and members of the local community assembled by the classroom at Friary, warmly welcomed with coffee and cake by our hosts Penny and Richard. We were privileged to be given an...
by David Hall | Feb 7, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader: Lucy Starling I was joined by 13 members on a bright and breezy morning for 5 hours of birding in this wonderful wetland habitat. The 2 hours or so before lunch were spent on the Shapwick NNR and we saw and heard a good variety of species, the first notable...
by David Hall | Feb 4, 2022 | Uncategorised
Speaker: Fred Rumsey Fred Rumsey began his excellent talk by ‘wowing us’ with a few photos of extraordinary and diverse kinds of parasitic plant before defining their essential features. First, they derive their nutrition from a host, with varying amounts of...
by David Hall | Jan 31, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leaders: Terry Doman and Glen Maddison. On a cold dry day, 18 members joined the leaders for a birding walk around Avebury. We had just started walking towards the Standing Stones from the car park, when someone spotted a weasel hunting in the grass near a hedge We...
by David Hall | Jan 10, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leader: Lucy Starling Despite pretty much ideal birding weather: sunny, not cold, light/moderate breeze, my party of 11 members, sadly, had little to see or hear. I was amazed that I found not a single Greenfinch nor party of Goldfinch during our walk from Beckford...
by David Hall | Jan 8, 2022 | Uncategorised
Leaders: David Goode and Helena Crouch It was a fine morning and even better when the sun came out as 18 members gathered on the Riverside Path opposite St John’s Church. After welcoming everyone David explained that the Hawk and Owl Trust had erected a nest box on...
by David Hall | Dec 22, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader Glen MaddisonOn a dull, grey, though fairly mild winter morning, I was pleasantly surprised to be joined by ten others at the Swan pub in Kingsdown. Once we’d sorted our route, I led the group up towards the golf-course, where we were to check out the fields...
by David Hall | Dec 15, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader: Rob Randall Six members joined the leader to have a close look at the lichens to be found growing in churchyards and cemeteries. Local buildings and walls are usually built from the range of limestones found in the area but gravestones, especially headstones...
by David Hall | Dec 12, 2021 | Uncategorised
Speaker: Stephen Parker Stephen took us on remarkable journey through the changing approaches to nature conservation which occurred in Britain during the 20th century, before embarking on the new Pandora’s Box of wilding. He emphasised that most of the effort of...
by David Hall | Nov 30, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader: Lucy Starling Ten members joined me on a gloriously sunny but chilly morning for a slow birding stroll along the track from the B3095, which incorporates Whitesheet Hill (NT), and continues to the B3092 and Stourhead estate. From the top of Whitesheet Hill,...
by David Hall | Nov 30, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader: Rob Randall Eleven members attended this meeting to look not so match at individual species but at the kinds of habitat that are provided by tree trunks, branches and twigs. Plants, fungi and lichens that grow on other plants (usually trees and shrubs) are...
by David Hall | Nov 7, 2021 | Uncategorised
Pictured above: Lumpy Bracket (Trametes gibbosa) © Helena Crouch Leader Alan Rayner Seventeen Bath Nats members gathered outside the classroom at Friary on a cloudy but dry, rather breezy morning, to be treated to coffee and cake served by hosts Penny and Richard...
by David Hall | Oct 14, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader: Dan Merret On the 19th October 14 Bath Nats members and Bathscape Project Manager Dan Merrett met on Twerton High St and headed off in the direction of Bath City Farm. We were met at Innox Park by Bath Nats member and Bathscape advisor Mike Williams who showed...
by David Hall | Oct 3, 2021 | Uncategorised
Photograph above: Conifer Blueing Bracket (Postia caesia) © Helena Crouch Leaders Alan Rayner & Helena Crouch Four members met on a sunny but chilly autumn morning following a long warm dry spell ended by heavy rain in the 2-3 days previously. We were anxious...
by David Hall | Sep 30, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader: Rob Randall Three members joined the leader for a scenic walk with panoramic views taking in Cley Hill and Longleat, the Mendip Hills, Avon Gorge and across the Bristol Channel to South Wales, although there was too much haze for the Brecon Beacons to be made...
by David Hall | Sep 1, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader Tom Rogers The day began with persistent rain as six NATS members joined the leader on a walk of approximately 5 miles. We started walking back along the road towards Great Elm. After about 150 yds we left the road & entered the Wadbury valley to walk...
by David Hall | Aug 27, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader David Goode Fourteen members and friends gathered in the car park at the Wildfowl and Wetland Centre on a rather overcast morning, where we were welcomed by the incessant note of a migrant chiffchaff and the distant call of a greenshank . We made our way...
by David Hall | Jul 24, 2021 | Uncategorised
Above: Greater Dodder (Cuscuta europaea) © David Hall Leader: Helena CrouchOn a scorching hot day, nine members met in a residential road near a large industrial estate at the edge of Bristol, to explore Eastwood Farm Local Nature Reserve. The reserve, a former dairy...
by David Hall | Jul 16, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader Felicity Gilmour A day that had started bright and sunny turned overcast by the time 12 Nats members met at Bradford-on-Avon station. This had the fortunate advantage of bringing the Swifts down low, and screaming parties soared above us as we started our walk...
by David Hall | Jul 6, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader Phillip Delve Black Dog is an extensive woodland, between Westbury and Frome, owned by the Longleat Estate and bisected by the A36 dual carriageway. From Black Dog Farm, where we left half our cars, 15 of us, sharing lifts in the other cars, transferred 400m...
by David Hall | Jun 30, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader: Rob Randall The meeting was billed as a workshop, but as only one member joined the leader it was more of a tutorial. Wild flower enthusiasts usually shy away from grasses but once a good hand lens and guide book are obtained it becomes easier to at least...
by David Hall | Jun 30, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader: David Goode Seven members met in the car park, where we were welcomed by the Warden, Neil Lodge. John Nyman, a very knowledgeable volunteer, joined our small party and we set off for the bridge over the Little Avon River. Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch and...
by David Hall | Jun 28, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader: Glen Maddison. Finally, after what seemed like months of cold, great, breezy conditions, the weather finally changed, and we were treated to a lovely, very warm though slightly breezy day. I met 6 others, at the base of Roundhill, and proceeded up the...
by David Hall | Jun 21, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader: Lucy Starling Members joined the leader at Sapperton Church for a walk down through the fields to the Daneway Banks Reserve. The reserve is being managed to conserve the Large Blue butterfly, which had become extinct in this country. It was successfully...
by David Hall | Jun 9, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader: Lucy Starling This was advertised to members in early May as an additional meeting following the rescheduling of my Ham Wall Bird Song field workshop (2) from Saturday 8 May to Friday 7 May due to adverse weather forecast for that weekend. As Carole C and I...
by David Hall | Jun 2, 2021 | Uncategorised
BathNats President David Goode wrote a guest column in the June 2021 issue of Bath Magazine in which he looks back at our modern-day connection with the environment, assesses how nature in recent years has become more centre stage, and explains why this is meaningful...
by David Hall | May 26, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leaders: David Goode and Joe Middleton (Woodland Trust) We were still restricted to a group of six when we met on the canal aqueduct on a fine sunny morning, where we were joined by Joe Middleton of the Woodland Trust and James Crawford, the voluntary warden for the...
by David Hall | May 24, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader: Rob Randall Six members joined the leader on a dull but calm day. Those attending the first walk encountered a little light rain but otherwise it was dry. The rather cold winter followed by a dry April and cold start to May meant that the grassland species...
by David Hall | May 13, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader Lucy Starling I had little option but to reschedule within 48 hours of the meeting arranged for Saturday 8 May, because of the very bad weather forecast for the weekend. The alternative was to cancel. The forecast for Friday was excellent, calm and sunny early...
by David Hall | Apr 30, 2021 | Uncategorised
Leader Lucy Starling Six of us gathered outside the cemetery gates on a calm but chilly morning around 5.45am, having delighted in the huge full moon before it dipped out of sight behind the trees of Alexandra Park. Blackbirds had been singing their delightful mix of...
by David Hall | Apr 20, 2021 | Uncategorised
Lucy Starling reports on Tuesday 18 April: Today, I heard and saw my first Willow Warbler in the garden (first heard one up at Prior Park Gardens on Friday 9 April). I thought it a good sign, so decided to wander along to the wet ditch in the field beyond Grosvenor...
by David Hall | Apr 8, 2021 | Uncategorised
Otters are known to be active on the River Avon but they are very hard to spot. Night time footage of otter activity was captured in 2020 at Cleveland Bridge, Bath by a member of Camden Residents Association, to whom Bath Natural History owes thanks. Click here to...
by David Hall | Mar 31, 2021 | Uncategorised
Having had to postpone this walk from last year due to Covid, this year we were rewarded with excellent weather – bright, but initially chilly. Covid rules limited our party to a maximum of 6, and 5 of us gathered at Eagle House, Northend at 10am, for a walk along St...
by David Hall | Mar 26, 2021 | Uncategorised
Contribute to the BathNats Lockdown Log While field trips are suspended do share any sightings of interest within the BathNats area. Use the contact form and if you have any photos to share ask on the form for a direct email link to submit them. Lucy Starling...
by David Hall | Jan 18, 2021 | Uncategorised
Contribute to the BathNats Lockdown Log While field trips are suspended do share any sightings of interest within the BathNats area. Use the contact form and if you have any photos to share ask on the form for a direct email link to submit them. Lucy Starling...
by David Hall | Jan 8, 2021 | Uncategorised
Photo: Glastonbury Thorn in Bath Botanical Gardens © Helena Crouch Leaders: Rob Randall & Helena Crouch Three members met on a fine cold afternoon for a winter wildlife walk in the park and also to look for plants in flower as our contribution to the BSBI’s New...
by David Hall | Jan 7, 2021 | Uncategorised
This walk was done in preparation for the New Year City Walk the following day. I started on the riverside path opposite St John’s Church. Two peregrine falcons were sitting on the church, the tiercel on top of one of the small towers, and the female well hidden by...
by David Hall | Jan 7, 2021 | Uncategorised
In accordance with Covid-19 regulations, a maximum of 5 members could join the Leader. 4 members joined me by the Beckford Road on a cold and grey early afternoon for a stroll along the canal towpath to Mill Lane (we avoided the riverside fields to Mill Lane due to...
by David Hall | Dec 6, 2020 | Uncategorised
Contribute to the BathNats Lockdown Log While field trips are suspended do share any sightings of interest within the BathNats area. Use the contact form and if you have any photos to share ask on the form for a direct email link to submit them. Photo above by Lucy...
by David Hall | Nov 8, 2020 | Uncategorised
Contribute to the BathNats Lockdown Log While field trips are suspended do share any sightings of interest within the BathNats area. Use the contact form and if you have any photos to share ask on the form for a direct email link to submit them. Above is a common...
by David Hall | Oct 30, 2020 | Uncategorised
Anyone mourning the effect of Ash dieback on our landscape might want to add to their Christmas wish-list a copy of ‘Ash’, a newly published monograph on this endangered species by tree photographer and author Archie Miles., sponsored by The Woodland Trust and the...
by David Hall | Aug 14, 2020 | Uncategorised
Contribute to the BathNats Lockdown Log While field trips are suspended do share any sightings of interest within the BathNats area. Use the contact form and if you have any photos to share ask on the form for a direct email link to submit them. Above is a raven on...
by David Hall | Jul 12, 2020 | Uncategorised
Paul Wilkins reports: Like everyone else the Moth Group has had to cancel their planned moth traps at various sites around the district so far this year, but despite not being able to meet up, this hasn’t stopped the group being just as active, thanks to modern...
by David Hall | Jul 5, 2020 | Uncategorised
Contribute to the BathNats Lockdown Log for July While field trips are suspended do share any sightings of interest within the BathNats area. Use the contact form and if you have any photos to share ask on the form for a direct email link to submit them. And...
by David Hall | Jun 3, 2020 | Uncategorised
Contribute to the BathNats Lockdown Log for June While field trips are suspended do share any sightings of interest within the BathNats area. Use the contact form and if you have any photos to share ask on the form for a direct email link to submit them. And...
by David Hall | May 14, 2020 | Uncategorised
Contribute to the BathNats Lockdown Log While field trips are suspended do share any sightings of interest within the BathNats area. Use the contact form and if you have any photos to share ask on the form for a direct email link to submit them. Lucy Starling reports...
by David Hall | May 3, 2020 | Uncategorised
David Goode took a recorder out early on 3 May The recording is about one hour long. There were five distinct phases that day . Robins blackbirds wrens and woodpigeons, with occasional croaks from a raven. Ends with the soft notes of a bullfinch Great tits, blackbirds...
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