More butterflies at Wapley

Peacock butterfly - named after the eye-shaped spots like those on a peacock's tail.


Painted Lady butterfly - an immigrant that flies in from North Africa. Adults cannot overwinter in UK and return south for the winter.


Small White butterfly - its caterpillar is very fond of cabbage. Small and large whites are often called "cabbage whites".

All photos taken 25 July in the small patch of rough ground on the left as you enter the Lower Meadow. The meadows will be cut shortly - take a look now if you want to see them.

A good time for insects

It's peak season for insects at Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve.

All photos taken 23 July.


Meadow Brown butterfly on vegetation next to the top pond


Bee on thistle


Dragonfly in the woodland ride - very hard to photograph on the wing

Discover the nature where you live

Nature lovers are invited to join a walk to explore the wildflower meadows, riverside grasslands and woodlands of St John’s Park estate in Chipping Sodbury.

The walk, which will be led by Mary Wood from Avon Wildlife Trust, takes place on Tuesday 21 July from 7pm.

South Gloucestershire Council has employed the Avon Wildlife Trust to renew the management plan for these open spaces so please come along to discover the wildlife and discuss how the areas should be managed in the future.

Anyone interested in joining the walk should meet at the bridge over the River Frome on Wickwar Road at 7pm.

If you need any further details please contact Chris Giles at South Gloucestershire Council on 01454 863725.

A little experiment, on a stormy day at Wapley

We're experimenting with Chirbit audio blogging.

A stormy day at Wapley - click here:

Report from work morning 5 July - lots achieved!

Starting to repair the dead hedge
- driving the uprights in

Filling up between the stakes to build the dead hedge

Our main task was to rebuild a delapidated dead hedge that protects a sensitive part of the woodland. We gathered a variety of material. Much of it came from a fallen bough, which we cut up and carried down to the workplace.

We also collected young trees we had cut down a while ago when coppicing in the Western Wood, and we took out some self-sown young ash that have appeared in the Upper Meadow.

We sharpened stout lengths of wood and drove them in as uprights, then filled in between them with heavy boughs as a foundation and then lighter branches on top.

Dead hedging is a traditional woodland management practice, and it works well with coppicing - in future we intend to use the coppiced wood as soon as we cut it. Previously we've left it to decay as habitat for insects etc, but it was too ready a source of firewood and much of it disappeared.

We had one more task to do before we finished. The diagonal path up through the Western Wood has been getting overgrown, so we cut back the brambles and cleared a way through.

Not bad for two and a half hours work! Our next work morning will be on Sunday 20 September - an early autumn tidy-up, including clearing leaf mould etc out of the little stream so that the centre of the wood doesn't flood during winter rains. Please come and join us - ring Paul on 07771 562505 for details.

Work morning Sunday July 5th - dead hedging

Dead hedging is making a barrier entirely from natural material, as shown in this drawing from the BTCV. Stakes are driven into the ground at intervals, and longer cut branches are woven between the stakes.

We are planning to collect material that we have previously coppiced from the Centenary Wood (see earlier post) and bring it down to locations where we want to create barriers to protect sensitive areas.

Please come along and help us - you can also collect your FREE copy of the new Nature Journal, if you haven't already got one. You'll need to wear suitable footwear. Tools and gloves will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you at 10.00 am at the Shire Way gate.

Work mornings programme

Our next few work mornings will be as follows:

• July 5 - Dead hedging, collecting material from Centenary Wood
• Sep 20 - Stream clearance
• Nov 1 - Planting edge of Western Wood
• Jan 24 - Coppicing and using material as dead hedging
• Mar 14 - Hedgerow/boundary planting near Chris's Bridge

Meet at 10 am at the Shire Way gate in each case.

Report from May 31 Work Morning

This was a work morning with a difference, exploring the Reserve with the new Nature Journal.


Flora we spotted included hay rattle (a partly parasitic plant, drawing nutrient from grass), bird's foot trefoil (otherwise known as bacon and eggs), cowslip seed pods, campion, and twayblade (one of the orchid family)


We identified many different bird species including wren, song thrush and green woodpecker.

A special morning - come and join us!

Next Sunday morning, May 31st, we will be exploring the Nature Reserve with the new full colour Nature Journal.

Come along and claim your FREE Nature Journal. We're meeting at 10 am at the Shire Way gate.

Deer deer...

A couple of photos of a stag taken at the top edge of the Lower Meadow this weekend.

May blossom

"May blossom" - Photo by Isabel Ryan

The hawthorn is now in full bloom. Around the Bristol area the blossom is so well known that the hawthorn itself is often just referred to as "May".

But it's not a blossom that would be welcome inside the house - it's supposed to be very unlucky, as the smell was apparently similar to London during the Great Plague.

On a more positive note the hawthorn is also the species of the Holy Thorn, reputedly brought to Glastonbury by Joseph of Arimathea (Source)

The butterflies have arrived!

A lovely orange-tip butterfly photographed by Isabel Ryan

This is a male - the female doesn't have the orange spots. This is one butterfly that is actually increasing in numbers. For more information check out the excellent UK Butterflies website - the orange-tip is described here

Unusual hazard warning

Seen in Portishead.

At least we haven't got THIS problem...

Report from Work Morning 1st March

Some of the volunteers and just SOME of the rubbish. Photo by Isabel Ryan.

We had a very successful and well attended workday on Sunday, removing a lot of rubbish from the Reserve. Much of the rubbish was left from heavy public use during the snow, but we took the opportunity to get deep into some of the thickets to remove bottles and other debris as well.

We also removed the best part of 100 yards of barbed wire, the remains of old fences.

While we were working on the Reserve a steam loco went past - the Oliver Cromwell, on an excursion to South Wales.


Photo by Tim Fairhead

Spring has sprung (maybe)

According to the Met Office, today (1st March) is the first day of spring. But another definition puts it at the night of 20/21 March, the vernal equinox, when day and night are of equal length. Anyway, it's a lovely day at Wapley. Lots of green shoots all over the place, and the first cowslips.

And the rooks are getting territorial - we saw them chasing a buzzard off this morning. The buzzard had had the temerity to stray across the road and over the Common, and the rooks launched in defence. The first rook buzzed the buzzard and nearly put its talons through its head feathers. The buzzard took one look at the attack squadron of another dozen rooks following behind, and headed straight back to the safety of the farmland.

Work morning next Sunday, March 1st

Just a reminder that the next Wapley Bushes Conservation Group work morning will be on Sunday, meeting at the Shire Way gate at 10.00 am. Please come along and help us. We will be doing general conservation work and tidying up and possibly some planting too.

Please wear wellies or stout footwear and appropriate clothing. To find out more please ring Paul on 01454 315851 or Isabel on 01454 313055.

Temporary building, no planning permission required!

Igloo at Wapley Common

Snow over Wapley

(Photos by Richard and Margaret Hulbert)

Conservation volunteers work with Europe to defeat elm disease

Over the last few decades Dutch Elm Disease, a fungus spread by bark beetles, has devastated the British elm population to the extent that many people have never seen a live mature elm tree.

Now however a multinational project involving a site near Yate may hold the key to repopulating elms in the UK. Members of the Wapley Bushes Conservation Group discovered a a native Wych Elm on the reserve that has remained unaffected by the disease, and they have have sent seeds from to the French national State Forestry Nursery for analysis to assess the extent of disease resistance.

The aim of the European project is to identify types of elm that are resistant to the disease so that eventually the resistant specimens can be planted out to repopulate the European countryside and help the many species that are dependent upon elms.

Tim Fairhead of the Conservation Group explains “In return we received seeds from ancient elm trees in a French Nature Reserve, and these were grown on at Portsmouth University. These particular trees contain high levels of unique bark compounds that deter feeding by the beetles so they are less likely to get infected in the first place. We hope these trees will go on to provide a resource and home for threatened and vulnerable species like the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly”

Volunteers from the Wapley Bushes Conservation Group are shown planting out the resistant saplings on Dodington Parish Council land at Wapley Bushes, together with South Glos Councillors Linda Boon and Claire Young. This is the only elm repopulation project of its type in the South West and one of only four sites in the UK.

Cllr Linda Boon said “It’s good to see such a significant initiative by a local volunteer group. Local groups like this are key to running our local nature reserves, together with support and expert advice from South Gloucestershire’s Environment Department”

Cllr Claire Young said “This is really good news. A whole generation has grown up who only know elms as dead tree skeletons in hedgerows. If this works we can start to repopulate the country’s landscape”

(Photo by Isabel Ryan)

Landmark tree goes

Many of you will know the burnt-out tree near the bridge between the two meadows. We kept it as long as we could, but large holes started opening up in the base. An expert checked it out for us and advised us that it would soon become dangerous, so it had to be cut down. We've left the base as a feature. Other less drastic work will be taking place to keep trees in the main woodland in good order. (Photo by Isabel Ryan)

Report of work morning 11/01/09

We spent a good morning coppicing, removing excess growth of self-seeded ash. We noticed some young trees whose bark had been stripped by deer - see photo. There was a good attendance - thanks to everyone who helped.

Work morning Sunday 11 January - come and join in!

On Sunday we're going to be doing coppicing - traditional woodland management - and some other maintenance tasks. Please come and help, no experience necessary. We're meeting at the Shire Way gate at 10.00 am. You'll need to wear suitable footwear and warm clothing. Tools will be provided. You can ring Paul for details on 01454 315851, or just turn up on the day. Picture taken from Wyre Borough Council's Rural Skills pages.

Unable to contact us?

It appears that there is a problem contacting the Conservation Group through the address on our website. We'll look into this, but in the meantime please feel free to email us on paul.hulbert@gmail.com.

Season's Greetings from Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve!

Report of work morning 09/11/08

Our main target this morning was to clear out the stream that runs down through the wood at times of heavy rain. If we didn't keep it clear it would overflow and part of the wood would start to become marshy.

On our way up to the stream we found that this tree had been blown down over the path during the strong winds last night. Still, it was nothing that a good saw couldn't cure.

Our next work morning will be on Sunday Jan 11th 2009, meeting at 10 am at the gate off Shire Way, Yate. We look forward to seeing you there!

Our first video!

A quick look at some current work and issues in the Lower Meadow.

Please don't forget to join us on our workday next week, Monday 9 November. We're meeting at the Shire Way gate at 10 am. Please wear wellies - we'll provide any necessary tools. See you there!

Rained off...

Unfortunately our work morning on 31 August was rained off. There had been some heavy downpours, and as we we intending to do stream clearing it would have been dangerously slipperly.

Never mind - there are more work mornings planned:
Sunday Nov 9th 2008
Sunday Jan 11th 2009
Sunday March 1st 2009

On each occasion we will be meeting at 10.00 am at the Shire Way gate. Please watch this space for more details.

Wapley Bushes - come and help, Sunday 31 August

The Wapley Bushes Conservation Group is meeting on Sunday 31 August at the Shire Way gate at 10.00 am. We will be doing some general conservation work such as tidying up a small stream that is the habitat of a very rare plant. (No, not this one - this is just one of the Lords and Ladies arums)

Please come along and help! Tools are provided, but you'll need to wear wellies or stout footwear and appropriate clothing. If you would like more details please ring Paul on 01454 315851, but you can just turn up on the day.

Report from 27 June workday

Just a very quick Wapley update - we had a very successful workday. We cleared overhanging branches from around meadows and paths and used the brash (the cut branches) to rebuild the dead hedge at the bottom of path - it looks good now.

We have also recently measured out the woodland ride path, which needs improvement to stop it getting so muddy after rain. We are also likely to have two informal rest stops as well. The next steps will be getting detailed quotations and applying for funding.

Tadpoles ahoy, and report from workday 18/05/08

Mary, Dave and Val cropping overhanging branches

A good workday today. We concentrated on removing small stumps and regrowth from the field edges that the contractor cleared for us a few months ago, so that the grass can be cut without damage to the cutter blades. Even so they will have to set the blades very high, but it will stop the blackthorn and other species from invading the meadow again. We also cut back some overhanging branches so that the tractor can get right in close to the hedges.

On our way round we stopped to look at the top pond, and were very pleased to see some tadpoles there for the first time. This is more significant than it sounds, as this pond used to be relatively bereft of life. Over the last couple of years we've worked to improve the pond. First we had it dug out deeper so that it holds water for more of the year. Then we planted marginal plants along the edge and on the bank, and we had some of the tree canopy cut back to let in more light.

It appears that we're succeeding in increasing the biodiversity of the pond - there's now a range of water life, both plants and insects. And now invertebrates - we're not sure yet whether they are toads or frogs. Very pleasing.

Spring has nearly sprung!

Spring is almost with us, judging by a stroll at Wapley Bushes over Easter:

The first bluebells are just emerging...

A few primroses...

And lesser celandines on the woodland floor

Report from work morning 2nd March

We had a very successful work morning today. One work party thinned out a large number of surplus ash trees in the Centenary Wood to allow the main tree to grow without too much competition. It seemed perverse to be cutting down young trees, but it will be for the best in the long term. Following traditional woodland practices, we coppiced them - cutting them off at 10 to 15 cm from ground level so that they will regrow as bushes. This understorey will hopefully stop the brambles from invading.

Meanwhile the other group worked their way round the meadows, where the invasive growth has recently been cut back, trimming off stray saplings and gathering up litter. We were glad to be joined by several young people who worked hard to help us.

Work morning tomorrow (2 March)

A quick reminder that there's a Wapley work morning tomorrow, meeting at the Shire Way gate at 10.00 am. We're doing some traditional woodland management - coppicing - and litter clearance. The weather forecast is good, so come and join us for some fresh air and gentle exercise.

Report from work morning 27th January

On a bright but cold morning we tackled some very different jobs. First we planted some trees and bushes to fill in the gaps in the picnic area hedge.

Then we moved on to the lower end of the Western Wood...

... where we planted a range of native wild flowers - red campion, lesser celandine and bluebells. Notice that there are green shoots already poking their heads up through the leaf mould.

We also cleared a ditch on the side of the Lower Meadow to help the recent rain to flow away without spilling out into the field.

These photos were taken by Isabel Ryan - thank you, Isabel.

Effects of Global Warming

Springlike sunshine in Harry Stoke today

Here's an interesting post by a Canadian blogger writing about the effects of global warming in this part of our country, and quoting some recent press articles.

Look out for fungi

At first glance the Reserve looks pretty bare at the moment, but if you look carefully you'll see all sorts of interesting things. Here are some fungi near the bottom gate of the Western Wood.

Caught napping

Spotted on Friday on a path in the Western Wood - this rabbit (probably an escaped domestic one), fast asleep. It looked in very good condition.

A heron profits from the flooding

Spotted several mornings recently in the flooded field just Yate side of Frampton Cotterell - a heron staring intently into the water.

At first I thought it was being optimistic and looking for non-existent fish, but then I realised that it was looking for frogs - a tasty breakfast for a heron.

Workday this Sunday (27 January)

Just a reminder that the next Wapley Bushes Conservation Group is on Sunday, meeting at the Shire Way gate at 10.00 am. Please come along and help us. We will be doing some planting and general conservation work.

Please wear wellies or stout footwear and appropriate clothing. To find out more please ring Paul on 01454 315851 or Isabel on 01454 313055.

More on magpies

Spotted this week - an enterprising magpie checking out the rookery for anything of interest.

I don't think he'll get away with that when the rooks start the new nesting season...