Following a successful development phase aided by Bathnats members, the Bathscape Landscape Partnership scheme has been awarded 5 years funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to work on a suite of 25 natural heritage and people-based projects. Amongst the projects, the scheme is keen to encourage more surveying and better management of habitats in and […]
The third Bathscape Walking Festival features guided walks of different lengths exploring Bath's green spaces and surrounding countryside. Most walks have a heritage and/or wildlife theme, aimed at a general audience. Amongst those planned is a visit to The Tumps, led by Alan and Marion Rayner from 10.00 – 13.00 on Thursday 19th September for […]
David and Stewart will not only talk about current progress with the RSPB survey of swifts breeding in Bath, but will also provide insights into the strange life history and habits of this remarkable species. Positive action to increase the number of nest sites by providing artificial nest boxes will be discussed, along with efforts […]
Attached and fallen twigs and small branches of trees are mini-ecosystems in themselves. They support fascinating communities of small plants, animals, fungi and lichens, which contribute in varied and sometimes surprising ways to the life and times of the trees and woodlands they inhabit. Autumn is a good time of year in which to familiarise […]
Leaders: Rob Randall and Alan Rayner Meet: 13.30 Outside entrance to Botanic Gardens GR ST 739655 Landranger 172/Explorer 155 Finish: 15.30 Focus: Autumn wildlife, with special attention to inhabitants of attached and fallen twigs. Description: A slow, level, walk in the park, up to 1 km, taking time to study specimens closely, starting in the […]
Leaders: Tom Pinckheard with Tom Rogers Coach: Leaves Riverside, Avon Street at 08.00, returns about 18.00. Focus: Autumn passage waders Description: Joint Bath Nats/RSPB meeting. Booking and prepayment essential, see booking form for pick up times.
Matthew is one of our best known butterfly experts in the UK. Having worked with the National Trust for many years he is now writing a definitive work on perhaps our most dramatic butterfly, the Purple Emperor. What is its current status? Will the wilding project at Knepp provide the basis for future conservation policies? […]
Leader: TERRY DOMAN Meet: 10.30 Herriot’s Bridge on A368 south of Bishop Sutton, for initial 1 h bird-watch. GR ST 571581 Landranger 172/Explorer 141. Then, for lunchtime, at ‘Salt & Malt’ cafe car park GR ST 573614, to be followed by lake-side walk along Grebe and Bittern trails. Car parking fee of £2 may apply. […]
Meet: 10.00 am, in free car park (1.9 m height restriction) provided off south side of Lacock Road. GR ST880702. Landranger 173/ Explorer156. First Bus Service No’s 231 or 232 to Chippenham stop at Corsham town centre. Finish: 13.00 Focus: Parkland birds and other wildlife in winter. Description: A gentle walk around the park where […]
Our Annual General Meeting will be held at 2pm on Saturday 4th January in the Elwyn Room at BRLSI, Queen Square. The business meeting will commence at 2.15pm and will be followed by an illustrated talk on Wildlife Photography by Josh Harris. There will be a raffle,. We will also have a bring-and-buy stall. There […]
Leader: David Goode Meet: 10.00 am outside Prior Park Garden Centre (NB do not park in the car park) GR ST756640 Landranger 172/Explorer 155 Finish: 13.00 at the Garden Centre Focus: Winter birds and other wildlife Description: A gentle walk along public paths, with one moderate climb. No stiles.
The living skin of an actively growing bog is composed of a variety of bog mosses (Sphagnum species) each of which grows in a specific micro-habitat. You will learn how to recognise some of the commonest species of bog moss by their colour, structure and microscopic features. Examples will be available for examination by hand […]
Leaders: Andrew and Jane Daw Meet: 10.30 am Bath Soft Cheese Company Park Farm car park BA1 9AG, GR ST698673 Landranger 172/Explorer 155. Coming from Bath, the turning is on the left just as you are leaving Kelston Finish: 13.00 Focus: General interest Description: A winter walk around the Kelston area and alongside the River […]
Ed Drewitt is a professional naturalist who has been studying urban peregrines for over 20 years. He will provide an update on colonization of towns and cities together with details of adaptive behaviour that allows these birds to prosper in the urban environment. He is author of “Urban Peregrines” published in 2014, in which he […]
Originally scheduled for Sunday 9 February. Now re-scheduled to Sunday 8 March 2020 same time and place
Leader: Lucy Delve Coach: Leaves Riverside, Avon Street at 08.00, returns about 18.00. Focus: Woodland birds and winter migrants Description: Joint Bath Nats/RSPB meeting. Booking and prepayment essential, see Blashford booking form for pick up times.
George Peterken is one of our most respected ecologists in the UK. He was for many years Head of Woodland Ecology with the Nature Conservancy Council, and after retirement turned his attention to Meadows, publishing a book by that name in 2013. He has a wealth of knowledge on the cultural history and ecology of […]
This event was originally scheduled for Sunday 9 February but was postponed to Sunday 8 March 2020 Leader: Helena Crouch Meet: 13.30 in car park at south end of site, in Elm Lane GR ST 757485 Landranger 172/Explorer 142 Finish: by 16.30 Focus: Geology, plants, birds and other wildlife of a picturesque wooded valley Description: […]
Lucy is well known to many of our members for her advanced skill in listening out for and identifying bird calls and songs. In this workshop she will help us to develop this skill for ourselves, which can so much add to our enjoyment of the outdoors and enhance our wildlife recording activities. Please bring […]
Leader: Tom Rogers Meet: 9.30 am at entrance adjacent to Greyfield Wood Farm GR ST 639584 Landranger 172/Explorer 142. Finish: 12.30 Focus: Woodland birds Description: A slow walk, about 2 km, around this diverse woodland habitat. Some slopes. Stout footwear is recommended.
Leaders: Clare Herbert And John Rawles (with assistance from Lucy Delve) Meet: 10.00 am, outside Sherston Post Office SN16 0LH (in High St) GR ST853859 Landranger 173/ Explorer168. Public transport: Train or bus from Bath to Chippenham, Chippenham to Malmesbury Bus no 92, Malmesbury to Sherston Bus no 41 or 36. Finish: 13.00 Focus: Birds, […]
We have had to suspend our activities because of the coronavirus pandemic. We hope to resume in the autumn. If you need to contact us please use the form to get in touch
Dr Dan Field is a University Lecturer in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge. Birds are the most diverse group of terrestrial vertebrate animals, boasting nearly 11,000 living species. But how did this awe inspiring diversity arise? Dan will discuss recent advances in our understanding of how, where, and when birds […]
Leader: David Goode Meet: 10.30am Westhay Moor Car Park GR ST 456437 Landranger 182/Explorer 141 Finish: 15.00 approx. Focus: Bog ecology, Sphagnum mosses, wetland birds, early migrants. Description: A walk along paths and boardwalk within the Nature Reserve. Bring sandwiches, wet weather gear and wellingtons.
Coach: Leaves Riverside, Avon Street at 08.00, returns about 18.00. Focus: Summer migrants, Pied Flycatcher, moorland birds. We will not revisit the Red Kite feeding station at Gigrin Farm Description: Joint Bath Nats/RSPB meeting. Booking and prepayment essential, see booking form for pick up times.
Meet: 6.00 am at entrance to Bath Abbey Cemetery off Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, close to bus stop near Perrymead junction with Ralph Allen Drive. GR ST 758638 Landranger 172/Explorer 155. Focus: Bird Song Description: We will walk around cemetery and listen to bird songs and calls, possibly walking along Church Lane and The Dell […]
Because of Covid-19 walks are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance with the leader whose contact details are in the newsletter and programme circulated to members in November 2020. Leader: DAVID GOODE Meet: 10:00 Riverside footpath opposite St John’s Church. By the Cricket Ground. […]
Because of Covid-19 walks are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance with the leader whose contact details are in the newsletter and programme circulated to members in November 2020. Leader: LUCY STARLING Start: NB new start time due to weather conditions: 12:30 on Beckford […]
Because of Covid-19 walks are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance with the leader whose contact details are in the newsletter and programme circulated to members in November 2020. Leaders: ROB RANDALL and HELENA CROUCH Meet: 13:30 In Victoria Park, by the chicane on […]
POSTPONED because of Covid-19 restrictions Because of Covid-19 walks are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance with the leader whose contact details are in the newsletter and programme circulated to members in November 2020. With two leaders there is room for 10 members, five […]
POSTPONED because of Covid-19 restrictions Because of Covid-19 walks are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance with the leader whose contact details are in the newsletter and programme circulated to members in November 2020. NB If Ham Wall remains off limits in Tier 4 […]
POSTPONED because of Covid-19 restrictions: Because of Covid-19 walks are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance with the leader whose contact details are in the newsletter and programme circulated to members in November 2020. Leader: Helena Crouch and Penny Williamson Start: 11:00 just within […]
POSTPONED because of Covid-19 restrictions: Because of Covid-19 walks are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance with the leader whose contact details are in the newsletter and programme circulated to members in November 2020. Leaders: Marion and Alan Rayner Meet: 10:30 along Greyfield Road. […]
Because of Covid-19 walks are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance with the leader whose contact details are in the newsletter and programme circulated to members in November 2020 Leaders: Clare Herbert And John Rawles Meet: 10:00 at Eagle House, Northend BA1 7EH. Landranger […]
This event has been revised to focus mainly on birds Because of Covid-19 walks are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance . Leader: Tom Pinckheard Meet: 10:30 Westhay Moor Car Park GR ST456437 Landranger 182/Explorer 141 Finish: 15:00 approx. Focus: Bog ecology, Sphagnum mosses, […]
This event has been cancelled because of COVID restrictions. Booking and prepayment essential, see RSPB booking form for pick-up times. Leader: Dave Newman Coach: Leaves Riverside, Avon Street at 08:00, returns about 18:00. Focus: Summer migrants, Pied Flycatcher, moorland birds. We will not revisit the Red Kite feeding station at Gigrin Farm, but plenty of […]
Because of Covid-19 walks are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance with the leader whose contact details are in the newsletter and programme circulated to members in November 2020. Leaders: Lucy Starling Meet: 06:00 at entrance to Bath Abbey Cemetery off Ralph Allen Drive, […]
Because of Covid-19 walks before 17 May 2021 are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance with the leader whose contact details are in the newsletter and programme circulated to members in April 2021. Leader: Lucy Starling Meet: 08.00 in Ham Wall Car Park, Ashcott […]
Because of Covid-19 walks before 17 May 2021 are for members only, are limited to 5 members plus the leader, and must be booked in advance with the leader whose contact details are in the newsletter and programme circulated to members in April 2021. This 90-minute field trip will be held twice to allow more […]
Leader: Lucy Starling Meet: 09.30 Ham Wall car park off Ashcott Road. OS Map 182 ST 449397 Finish approx.: 15.30 Focus: Bird song and wetland birds, warblers, herons, egrets, Hobby, and damsel and dragonflies. Description: Slow level walking, stopping, looking and listening along gravel paths and grass tracks, visiting hides and break for picnic packed […]
This 45-minute field trip will be held twice to allow more members to attend, with a choice of times Leader: Rob Randall Meet: 14.00 or 15.00 where the FP from the canal crosses Sydney Buildings, GR ST758646. Finish: 14.45 or 15:45 Focus: Grass identification workshop Description: Investigation of the species growing in Bathwick Fields and […]
Leader: Glen Maddison Meet: 11.00 Mount Road, by the former YMCA hut. GR: ST 725534 Finish: 14.00 Focus: General wildlife, butterflies, invertebrates, orchid and flowers Description: Though a relatively small site, this is a limestone meadow on a fairly steep hill, so walking boots are advisable. We will walk the hill, looking at the plentiful […]
Leader: Lucy Starling Meet: 09.00 by Sapperton Church where there is parking for about 7 cars. GR ST 948035 Landranger 163. Reserve postcode: GL7 6LN. Finish: 14.30 Focus: Large Blue butterfly/limestone flora and fauna Description: We will look for the large blue butterfly, plus limestone flora and fauna including day-time moths and other insects. A […]
Leader: David Goode Meet: 10.30 at Lower Woods Lodge car park. GR ST 746882 Landranger 172/ Explorer 167. Carshare desirable. (For access to car park turn south along rough track at Inglestone Farm on Chase Lane GR ST749886). Finish: 15.00 (people can leave earlier if they so wish). Focus: Ecology of ancient woodland and wet […]
Leader: Phillip Delve Meet: 09.30 Parking spaces fronting Black Dog Farm on A36 GR ST831489 OS Explorer 143 Directions: These parking spaces are only accessed from the northbound side of A36. If you approach from Bath on the A36, you will need to pass the meeting point, then turn back onto the northbound side, by […]
Leader: Felicity Gilmour Meet: 10.00 outside Bradford Station GR ST8256061 Landranger 173/Explorer 156. Charges apply in the car park or there is free parking on Moulton Drive GE ST827597 which is approx. 15 mins walk from the railway station meeting point. Finish: 13.00 Focus: Nesting swifts and local wildlife Description: We will look for nesting […]
Leader: Helena Crouch Meet: 11.00 am at junction of Wyndham Crescent and Eastwood Crescent (ST628715). There is no parking in the reserve so please park considerately on local streets. (Note that there are bollards separating Eastwood Road from Eastwood Crescent, so if you approach along Eastwood Road park before the bollards and walk through). There […]
Leader: Tom Rogers Meet: 10.00 Opposite the PO/Cafe GR: ST 730 490 Landranger 183/Explorer 142. Finish: 15.30 Focus: Birds, butterflies and flowers Description: A fairly level walk of about 4.5 miles (a few stiles) along the Mells Stream and part of the Colliers’ Way. Please carry packed luncheon. Informative website: www.mellsvillage.co.uk
Leader: David Goode Please notify the leader (contact details in your newsletter or recent email to BathNats members) if you plan to attend, stating how many WWT members (with free admission) and non-members are included, and whether non-members qualify for the over 65 age reduction. Adaptations to Covid mean visits must be booked in advance. […]
Leader and Host: Philippa Paget Meet: 09.00 Elm Farm, Burnett, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 2TF. There is plenty of parking in the farmyard. Finish: 12.30 Focus: Moths and other interesting finds Description: The moth trap will have been set over night and hopefully there will be some interesting species to enjoy looking at, and Richard Pooley […]
Living on Lyncombe Hill, a few minutes walk from Bath Spa railway station yet surrounded by a great variety of wildlife in the woods, meadows, parkland and gardens of Widcombe, David takes us on a ramble through his local patch, demonstrating the value of living close to nature during lockdown. Doors open 7.00pm £2 members […]
Leader: Rob Randall Meet: 14.00 where Leighton Road joins Broadmoor Lane, Upper Weston, GR ST720673. Park on local roads, making sure you do not block driveways. Finish: 16.00 Focus: Late summer flowers and insects Description: Walk of c.5km along stone tracks and footpaths. Strenuous in places, with two uphill sections, but mostly on the flat […]
Leaders: Helena Crouch) & Alan Rayner Meet: 10.30 am in Stockhill Plantation car park. GR ST 548512 Landranger 182/ Explorer 141 Finish: 14.00 pm followed by display of our finds and tea with Helena Crouch at Bronwen, Farrington Road, Paulton (directions to be provided on the day). Focus: Fungi and other Autumn wildlife Description: A […]
Several short talks and reminiscences from members of the Society will illustrate our activities over the years as part of our 80th Anniversary celebrations. Doors open 7.00pm £2 members or £4 guests
Booking essential via contact details in the members' Autumn-Winter 2021 newsletter. Leader: Dan Merrett ( or Penny Wiliamson 07712 437478). Meet: 10:00am On the corner of Twerton High Street and Dominion Road Gr ST726646 Landranger 172/Explorer 155. Finish: 12:30pm. Focus: Encouraging wildlife in the urban fringe. Description: A circular walk with Bathscape Manager Dan Merrett […]