Fun fact – three new species spotted!

 We’ve just finalised the latest edition of our Five Year Management Plan. Since our last management plan was produced five years ago, three new species have been formally recorded on the reserve. - one bird and two insects: the red kite, the emperor dragonfly and the purple hairstreak butterfly.

Sunday 22 February – Wapley Bushes Nature Reserve work morning

On this work morning we will be planting barrier hedges composed of native British tree and shrub species to close off several of the informal pathways to protect sensitive areas of the woodland. We will also have litter picking equipment for helpers who would prefer rather lighter tasks.

Please wear walking or wellington boots. Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.

Temporary Closure of Circular Pathway at Wapley Bushes (Wapley Woods)

Wapley Bushes map showing closed path in dark green

Dodington Parish Council has taken advice from health and safety consultants to close temporarily the circular permitted access pathway through Wapley Bushes (Wapley Woods), following storm damage by the recent Storm Claudia.  A number of trees have fallen onto the pathway, prompting Dodington Parish Council to call in an arborist to conduct a detailed survey of the remaining trees directly adjacent to the circular path. The report highlighted 19 specimens needing urgent works, of which 10 were classed as ‘critical’. Due to the high risk presented by these trees, they have taken a sad decision that temporary closure of the permitted access pathway is necessary, until the trees can be made safe.

Update - The tree surgeon should be on site 23 to 27 March, and all being well the path will be reopened in time for April.

The Council knows that the community loves and values the woodland, but they have a legal responsibility to make sure that visitors can enjoy it safely. All of the other footpaths around the site remain open, it is just the circular permitted access path in the Ancient Woodland that is closed. They will keep the closure as minimal as possible and will provide updates as things move forward.

A fallen tree on the pathway in Wapley Woods

 

Results from bat surveys

During the autumn we did two bat surveys at Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve, the Orchard and the Common. We found four species each time:

• Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)
• Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)
• Noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula)
• Serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our volunteers and visitors!

 

Merry Christmas from one of the Wapley robins

 

The robin is a very appropriate bird to feature on Wapley's social media. They live in the woodland and hedges throughout the year, and one particular robin often sings to visitors approaching the reserve via the bridge over the railway.

Wapley Bushes awards for 2025

We are please to tell you that we won three major awards in 2025. Two of them were South West in Bloom Neighbourhood Awards, both at the highest "Level 5 - Outstanding"

South West In Bloom certificate
Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve

 

South West In Bloom certificate
Wapley Common and the Orchard for the Future

We retained our Green Flag Community Award, but we have moved up into the highest marking band:
 

Green Flag Community Award certificate
Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve

 

Big thanks are due to all our volunteers and to Dodington Parish Council for all their help.

Report from Wapley Work Morning Sunday 30 November

Some of our volunteers at the work session

Ten of us planted 60 young trees on a sunny work morning in the Centenary Wood at Wapley Bushes. The ground was good and the trees just flew in - we finished a lot faster than we had planned!

 The mix of trees was as follows:

25 x Hazel - Corylus avellana
12 x Field Maple - Acer campestre
5 x Hornbeam - Carpinus betulus
5 x Dogwood - Cornus sanguinea
3 x Guelder Rose - Viburnum opulus
5 x Dog Rose - Rosa canina
5 x Hawthorn - Crataegus monogyna

Thank you to all our keen volunteers!

Report from Kingsgate Park Nature Area work morning - Saturday 25 October

 

Cyril the Squirrel supervised!

Five of our volunteers did a morning work session at the Kingsgate Park Nature Reserve, trimming back some brambles and cutting some branches that were growing into pathways, plus a general litter picking.

It was just general tidying-up - the Yate Town Council staff have been keeping the Reserve in good order. 

Our next work session will be on Sunday 30 November at Wapley Bushes. This workday will be a morning of tree and shrub planting to enhance biodiversity plus general maintenance and tidying up the reserve prior to the winter season. Please wear walking or wellington boots. Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am. 

Kingsgate Park Nature Area work morning - Saturday 25 October

On this work session we shall be undertaking maintenance of this grassland and wetland site including vegetation clearance. Please wear gloves and wellington boots.

Meet at the Scott Way entrance to Kingsgate Park, Scott Way, Yate, BS37 4NW, 10.00am. Parking is available at the entrance of Shackleton Avenue.