by David Hall | Oct 12, 2024 | Uncategorised
Above: Strophariaceae group ©Phillip Delve Leader: Alvan White, aided by Phillip Delve (PD), Tom Rogers and Paul Barton A small group attended this meeting under grey skies. On previous days and nights heavy rainfall had been prevalent and temperatures had been...
by David Hall | Sep 29, 2024 | Uncategorised
Above: Yellow Stagshorn (Calocera viscosa) © Helena Crouch Leader: Alan Rayner Seven members met on a fine autumnal morning for a fungal foray in Greyfield Wood near High Littleton. As Alan gave an introduction, we were joined by a passing local naturalist! Setting...
by David Hall | Sep 28, 2024 | Uncategorised
Above: Southern Hawker over Yate Common pond © Andrew Harrison Leader: Alvan White Ten members gathered on a warm relatively bright day. This expedition was identified last year on a hunt for suitable bio-diverse sites in this area. Dave Pole contributed to this and...
by David Hall | Sep 14, 2024 | Uncategorised
Above: Bath Nats members inspecting strandline vegetation at Sand Bay © Helena Crouch Leader Helena CrouchThis meeting was planned as a follow-up to the Presidential Address given by Rob Randall in December 2023 on Strandline Plants and Dune Formation. Sixteen members...
by David Hall | Aug 28, 2024 | Uncategorised
Leader: Alvan White Nine members gathered at the Overscourt car park. Once the dog walkers and their cars had thinned, we were all able to access parking. The day was overcast with occasional drizzle. Combined with the wet winter and spring this did not auger well for...
by David Hall | Aug 20, 2024 | Uncategorised
Above: Bath Nats members members at Bathampton Meadow © Chris Woods Leader Helena CrouchBathampton Meadow is owned by the Highways Agency and managed by Avon Wildlife Trust. The reserve was created in 1996 for floodwater management, following construction of the...
by David Hall | Aug 18, 2024 | Uncategorised
Above: Stand of Rosebay Willowherb © Phillip Delve Leader Phillip Delve Battlesbury Hill is a chalk outlier, at the western end of the Salisbury Plain, just east of Warminster. We approached the hill from the bottom, across a meadow, following a path, lined each side...
by David Hall | Jul 25, 2024 | Uncategorised
Above: Newton Park © Andrew Harrison Leaders Darrel Watts supported by Alvan White Darrel Watts from Bath Spa University gave a most comprehensive walk and talk that crossed many topics. Six members listened to Darrel, whilst contributing their knowledge, all enjoying...
by David Hall | Jul 14, 2024 | Uncategorised
Above: Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee © Andrew Harrison Leaders Alvan White and Helena Crouch Nine members visited these impressive woodlands nine days short of a year since the society’s previous visit. Unfortunately this year we could not explore the St Katherine’s...
by David Hall | Jul 9, 2024 | Uncategorised
Common Darter © Andrew Harrison Leader Alvan White, aided by Alan and Marion Rayner. The weather pattern became intermittent heavy showers with some sunshine. The Sweet track (constructed around 3,800 BC) and Decoy hide were the main features of the walk through....
by David Hall | Jun 25, 2024 | Uncategorised
Above: Beautiful Demoiselle © Andrew Harrison Leader Lucy Starling The forecast of heavy rain and threat of thundery downpours may have deterred many members attending. But, the rain stopped within 15 minutes of the meeting start time of 10.30am and two Nats...
by David Hall | May 13, 2024 | Uncategorised
Above: Brindled green caterpillar © David Hall Leader Alvan White A small group attended this meet under grey skies. Photographs were distributed showing the target, the distinctive female Red tailed mason bee (Osmia bicolor). The female bees camouflage their snail...
by David Hall | Apr 20, 2024 | Uncategorised
Leader Helena Crouch A dozen BNHS members met in the pleasant churchyard of the Church of St Mary, Compton Dando. From there we crossed the River Chew on a pedestrian bridge then joined the Forest Community Walk, through some woodland with a carpet of wild garlic,...
by David Hall | Apr 18, 2024 | Uncategorised
Leader Lucy Starling Seven members joined me on an unseasonably cool and dull morning in search of resident and migrant birds but at least it did not rain! With no sunshine, we encountered no butterflies or damselflies. I followed the route as published in my Walks...
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...
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