Wapley Bushes Conservation Group autumn events

We've got four events planned between now and the end of the year - there will be something for everyone! So please put these dates in your diaries:

• Tue 26 October 7.00 pm - Owl prowl from Shire Way gate led by local owl expert Ian McGuire
• Sun 21 November 10.00 am - Volunteer work morning starting at Shire Way gate - Clearing stream, general tidy-up, showing volunteers what has been happening re ash dieback etc
• Wed 1 December 7.30 pm - Red Kites talk and slide show at St Nicholas Family Centre, Abbotswood. Ian McGuire's talks and photography are always fascinating
  
• Sat 4 December 10.00 am  - Volunteer work morning from Shire Way gate, planting 30 or so trees to replace the big trees worked cut back in the Ancient Woodland last winter due to ash dieback
  

We'll put more details of each event here and on the Wapley Bushes website as time goes on.

Successful History and Honey Walk on 11 September

 Ten of us started from Abbotswood, exploring Dodington Parish Council's new Memorial Garden at QE2 Kelston Close Playing Fields. We discovered traces of the old Sergeant's Farm and heard about the impact of the coming of the railway.

We crossed over to Wapley Common and explored the Orchard for the Future, learning about pollinators, inspected the bug hotels, and discovered how grassland management for small mammals has attracted tawny owls to nest in the woodland.

On the way back to Abbotswood Paul Hulbert told us stories behind the names of the various roads on our housing estates.

"History and Honey Walk" - Saturday 11 September

Come and join us on a guided walk organised by Wapley Bushes Conservation Group for Abbotswood Action Group. Everybody welcome!

We'll be starting at Abbotswood at 10.30 am, and returning about 1.00 pm.

This walk from Abbotswood to Wapley and back will look at Fruit and History, Pollinators and the Future.

• Find out what was here before the estates were built, and learn about the importance of "home orchards" to local people.
• Learn about the role of pollinators and the importance of encouraging small mammals.
• Find out what the Orchard for the Future project at Wapley Common is doing to encourage them.
• Discover why the railway was a key route to South Wales, its role in wartime and how it created an important wildlife corridor.

 

South West In Bloom assessor visits Wapley

We were very please to welcome the South West In Bloom assessor to Wapley this week. Each year we put in two entries, one for the Nature Reserve:

 and one for the Orchard for the Future and Wapley Common, because they are such different areas.

Our assessment visits are always interesting - they give us a chance to hear outsiders' views of what we're doing, and to get feedback on our latest improvements and changes.

This year we highlighted our new interpretation boards and the work we've been doing on Ash Dieback Disease. We also talked about how much local people have valued Wapley Common and the Nature Reserve during COVID.

We're looking forward to getting our results and our feedback.

Good "Love Parks Week" walk on 31 July

 

Nine of us explored the Woodlands and the Upper Meadow for the second of our summer walks. In particular we looked at how Dodington Parish Council and Wapley Bushes Conservation Group have been tackling the problem of Ash Dieback Disease. 

It was good to see how most of the monolithed trees are already throwing out new shoots. These will provide habitat for insects (so bird food), bats and lichen over the next few years while replacement trees are growing.

On the way back we stopped to watch the bees and other pollinators enjoying the buddleia on the bridge over the railway.

Really hot "Bees' Needs Walk" at Wapley Bushes on 17 July

Thanks to everyone who came to Wapley Bushes for Wapley Bushes Conservation Group's "Bees' Needs Walk" in the Orchard for the Future. Event photos by Alan Monaghan.

14 of us explored the Orchard, the Lower Meadow and surrounding areas, learning about pollinators and a little local history. We saw lots of butterflies - mainly Marbled Whites and Meadow Browns - and one of the local buzzards put in several guest appearances. 

The Orchard for the Future has recently been given the national Bees Needs Award.

Don't forget that we've got another walk coming up on Saturday 31 July, looking at the woodland and the effects of Ash Dieback Disease. Click here for details

 

Summer strolls at Wapley Bushes - two FREE guided walks

 

Saturday 17 July 10.30 – Bees Needs Week – FREE guided walk

Find out how the Orchard for the Future Project is benefiting bees, birds, fruit and flowers on Dodington Parish Council’s land at Wapley Common. 

 

Saturday 31 July 10.30 – Love Parks Week – FREE guided walk

The biggest challenge for the woodlands at Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve is Ash Dieback Disease. This walk through the woodlands will show you how to recognise Ash Dieback Disease and how you could help with replanting.

Online booking before these events is essential because of COVID. Please do not come along without booking.
Click here for full details and booking links

Planning meeting for Wapley Bushes - please come and get involved!

Wapley Bushes Conservation Group will be meeting on Zoom at 7 pm on Monday 14 June to plan project work to the end of the year and beyond. 

We would very much like to see our volunteers there - it would be an opportunity to find out what we've been doing despite COVID, and to decide on priorities for the near future. There will be a quick AGM, then the detailed committee meeting to do the planning. 

You are all welcome to both meetings. If you would like to attend or to find out more, please email us on paul.hulbert@gmail.com and we'll send you the details of the Zoom meeting and the agenda papers. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Season's greetings from Wapley Bushes

 

We would like to wish a happy Christmas - despite the current circumstances - to everyone who visits or helps with Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve.

We're sending you this photo because it says to us "There's a fresh New Year coming, just over the bridge". We certainly hope it's better than 2020. If not, we shall send it back under guaranteee...

Wapley Bushes Ash Dieback update - work starts 26 October

 We've written previously about Ash Dieback Disease (ADD), and explained that tree surgery is needed this autumn to reduce around twenty major ash trees in the Ancient Woodland to 6 metres high, producing "monoliths" like this:

The monoliths will decay over a period of many years, providing habitat for woodland flora and fauna while replacement trees are growing.

Another five or so large trees were too far gone to be suitable for monolithing, so they are being taken down much lower.

The semi-mature ash trees in the Centenary Wood, between the Ancient Woodland and the Top Meadow, will all need to be felled this autumn as well.

Work will start on Monday 26 October and continue for about two weeks. During that time access to parts of the woodland will be blocked off for safety reasons.

*** UPDATE 31 OCTOBER ***

Most of the work on the large trees in the Ancient Woodland has now been completed.  The tree surgeons will be returning on Thursday 5 October to deal with the remaining major trees, and move on to felling the semi-mature trees in the Centenary Wood.

You can read more about Ash Dieback Disease on the Wapley Bushes website
or click here to download the Wapley Bushes Ash Dieback information leaflet

Caution - adders at Wapley

Please watch out as especially in this hot weather you may find adders basking in the grass. There has been a recent sighting of one on the slope down from the railway bridge to the Common.

Adders are a legally protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so please don't disturb them. They are quite shy, and usually they are just as scared of people as you might be of them.

Please keep dogs under supervision. If you or your dog is bitten, you should seek immediate medical or veterinary help.

Misuse of Wapley picnic field

With the good weather and the bank holiday, there were groups of people meeting up at the Picnic Field last weekend.  It was a real state when the Parish Council groundsman went to clean it yesterday. There was evidence of drug taking, drinking, disposable BBQs slung in the hedges.  There were the little gas canisters and balloons as well.

Be warned - the police have been asked to put this area on their regular patrol route.

Watch out, ticks are about!

It is tick season, so if you are out exercising around woodlands, grasslands or moorlands, please check for ticks regularly and remove them safely. #BeTickAware.

This video shows what to do if you get bitten:

Wapley Bushes and Common are still open!

If you're looking for a big area to exercise safely while keeping the recommended two metres apart, how about visiting Wapley Common and Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve?

There's plenty of space to explore, and lots to see - the spring flowers are starting to appear, there are lots of birds, and the early butterflies are about, like this lovely Comma.

Environmental work days cancelled

Because of the Coronavirus outbreak, all work days, events and meetings organised by Wapley Bushes Conservation Group and Avon Wildlife Trust Southwold Group have been cancelled until further notice.

The advice we have received is that the risks involved with shared tools and even with gathering for a safety briefing at the start of a session are too high.

However, at the moment individuals are still being encouraged to visit green spaces as healthy exercise, as long as they maintain the two metre "social distancing". So there is no reason why we as individuals can't do things like keeping an eye on our reserves, reporting any problems to the site owner, or some individual litter picking.

We'll continue to keep you up to date with news about Wapley Bushes on this blog.

Successful last tree planting morning for the winter

We did our last planting morning on Saturday 14 March, with 11 volunteers putting another 33 native trees into the woodland to replace the ashes we shall lose to Ash Dieback Disease. We planted a mixture of oak, crack willow, small-leaved lime, alder, whitebeam, silver beech and rowan.

That completes our planting programme for this winter, and means that we have now planted more than 300 trees over the last 3 years.

Our thanks go to our many volunteers, and to Dodington Parish Council for buying the trees and paying for our always enthusiastic local contractor Chris Belcher for strimming the ground ready for us.

You may notice some gaps in the planting. We've avoided the main areas where we can see bluebells coming up, and we think there may be a bumper showing of them this year.

Now you see it, now you don't

Sharp-eyed visitors will notice that the interpretation board where the Ride leaves the Common has disappeared.

Don't worry, this is part of the process of getting new interpretation boards produced for here, and also for the Shire Way entrance and the Top Pond.

Wapley trees getting "royal treatment" with coronet cut

You may have noticed that tree surgery has been carried out recently on several trees that are suffering from ash dieback disease. They have been cut back to "monoliths" 6 metres high, and the tops have been cut into splintered shapes.

This is called "coronet cut" - it imitates the natural fractures that would happen if the decaying trees failed under storm conditions, instead of simple straight cuts. The greater surface area provides a microhabitat for insects, fungi and microorganisms. The insects will be a great food source for our local bird life.

Apparently in Sweden they experimented with achieving this effect using explosives. We decided that this wouldn't be a good idea for Wapley...

No, it's not the Wapley Water Park

Most of the parking area at the Besom Lane end of Wapley Common is currently under water. We think this is the worst flooding we've had since December 2012, but the water level is gradually going down now. South Glos Council has been asked to check the drains that run under Besom Lane.

*** UPDATE 6th MARCH ***
The tide has gone down, and the parking area is now clear of water. Obviously parts of the Common and Nature Reserve are still very wet.

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Work Morning - Saturday 14 March

We shall be undertaking more tree planting that will help to enhance the biodiversity of this precious nature reserve and doing a spring clean too. Please wear stout footwear.

Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.

Good planting progress at Wapley Bushes Work Morning on Wed 19 February

The tree planting work morning took place on Wednesday 19 February, having been postponed from the Sunday because of the high winds. 8 hardy volunteers planted 33 native broadleaf trees that will help replace the high canopy as the tall ash trees gradually die off.

The species we planted were oak, black poplar, small-leaved lime, alder, whitebeam, silver birch and rowan - a nice mix that will provide a variety of habitats in years to come.

Our next work morning will be on Saturday 14 March, meeting at 10.00 am at the Shire Way gate. This will be the last Wapley tree planting session for this winter, but there will also be lighter tasks for anyone who prefers them. Please come and join us!

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Work Morning postponed until Wednesday 19 February

Due to Storm Dennis, the tree planting planned for Sunday 16 February has been postponed. On Monday and Tuesday rain and high speed gusts of wind are still forecast. The planting session has now been rescheduled for this Wednesday (19 February)


We shall be doing a mixture of tree planting on the reserve using native British trees plus cutting back excess vegetation. Please wear stout footwear and bring gloves.

Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.

In the meantime, please do not enter the woodland while the Met Office wind warnings are in place. 

Primrose Bank Workday - Saturday 1 February 2020

This workday is to clear brambles to help spring flowers has been organised by the Southwold Group of Avon Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Frome Forum. Please wear outdoor clothing, gloves and stout footwear.

Meet at 10am on the east side of Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury near the zebra crossing by the entrance to the Frome Valley Walkway.

Season's Greetings from Wapley Bushes

Best wishes to all our visitors, helpers and readers!

Awards presented at Wapley Bushes Work Morning on 30 November

Our recent work morning started with the Chairman of Dodington Parish Council, Cllr David Lane (left), presenting the volunteers of Wapley Bushes Conservation Group with the Nature Reserve's  latest award certificates. The Reserve has once again won the Green Flag Community Award and two Outstanding Neighbourhood Awards from South West In Bloom.

Cllr Lane thanked volunteers, saying "Your hard work is very much appreciated by local people who visit the Nature Reserve. We're proud of what you have achieved"

By the time we started work we were joined by a number of new people - there were 17 volunteers in total, including a number of families. The volunteers planted 30 trees of varying species in the Ancient Woodland as part of our Ash Dieback Replacement Programme, and generally tidying up the Reserve.

We're just starting our busy season. Our next work morning will be on Sunday 16 February, meeting at 10.00 am at the Nature Reserve sign at the gate next to the pedestrian crossing on Shire Way, Yate. We always have work that's suitable for everyone. It's a friendly group and we welcome families to come and take part.

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Work Morning - Saturday 30 November

This work session will be a morning of woodland planting to enhance biodiversity plus general maintenance and tidying up the reserve prior to the winter season.

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

Splendid Halloween Family Owl Prowl at Wapley Bushes

Ian McGuire arriving in character

Our Family Owl Prowl on Halloween went very well, There were 35 of us including lots of children, mainly in Halloween costume. The children loved exploring the “spooky woods” in the dark - I think the adults were more nervous than they were!

The Owl Prowl was led by Ian McGuire of Wild Owl TV (dressed as the Grim Reaper!), who showed us lots of pictures on his iPad and explained the different species of British owls and the different habitats they prefer.

Ian played recorded owl calls to try to attract our local tawny owls who live in Wapley Woods. He also called them very successfully by voice, striking up a few different "conversations"

We only had one brief glimpse of a tawny owl, but we heard lots of them calling back to us. Probably 5, including a male/female pair close together. Thank you Ian for a very successful evening!

Can you spot yourselves in local professional photographer Rich McD's photos, taken under very difficult conditions?

 

 

 

Kingsgate Park Nature Reserve Ponds Workday - Postponed to Sunday 27 October

Due to heavy rain being forecast for Friday night and Saturday morning, we are postponing this work morning until Sunday 27 October. 

We shall undertaking maintenance of this important amphibian site including cutting back vegetation. 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)

Family Owl Prowl at Wapley Bushes - Thursday 31 October (Halloween!)

Family Owl Prowl led by Ian McGuire, including mobile PowerPoint presentations.

Very suitable for families - children love to explore the “spooky woods” in the dark.

It’s Halloween evening - costumes optional! Meet at 7 pm at the Shire Way gate.

Kennedy Way Pond Workday - Saturday 5 October

We shall be carrying out general management works on the reserve including vegetation clearance at this local wildlife haven. Meet at the Kennedy Way Pond, Link Road, Yate Shopping Centre, 10.00 am

Parking is available at the Yate overflow car park, which is also on the eastern side of Link Road, BS37 4AY.

Bicycle Safari (nature ramble on wheels) - Sunday 29 September

Enthusiastic local families listening to
Ian McGuire at last year's Bicycle Safari

Local cyclists will be able to discover the green spaces of Yate and Dodington on a family-friendly cycle ride on Sunday 29 September. The Bicycle Safari will be led by local wildlife educator Ian McGuire of Wild Owl TV, exploring the nature that lives alongside us in our town.

The ride will set off at 11.00 am from Riverside Car Park next to Yate Cinema, BS37 4AY. Cyclists can meet the South Gloucestershire Council Bikeability Team from 10.15 am onwards, to have their bikes checked or find out more about safe cycling with family and friends. Children are very welcome but under 12s must be accompanied by an adult.

The event is organised by the Joint Cycleway Group, which has members from local councils and cycling organisations and meets regularly with South Gloucestershire Council. They lobby for new and improved routes for cyclists, and run events to encourage cycling in our area.

Local councillor Paul Hulbert, the Secretary of the Joint Cycleway Group, said "We've run Bicycle Safaris for the past two years and they've been very successful. This year we're exploring the south and west of the town, down to Wapley Common and then across to Yate Common. We're so lucky to have these marvellous green areas"

"This year's Bicycle Safari is being financed by Yate Town Council and Dodington Parish Council. We're very grateful to South Gloucestershire Council's Bikeability Team for providing instructors, and to Yate Shopping Centre for letting us use the Riverside Car Park for the start and finish"

Report from Wapley work morning Sunday 8th September

The weather was kind to the 8 volunteers who tackled some valuable tasks at Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve. The usual September task was clearing out the bed of the seasonal stream that flows down through the Ancient Woodland, so that it doesn'r overflow into the surrounding vegetation. This time we also had to saw off two trees that had fallen across the stream.

Another significant job was cutting a corner of the orchard area that had been missed when the mowing was done - hence the very traditional scene in the photo above (though as we didn't have scythes we resorted to slashers instead)

Talk and slide show “The Wild Owl TV Garden” - Wednesday 18 September

Talk and slide show “The Wild Owl TV Garden” by Ian McGuire at St Nicholas Family Centre at 7.30 pm. Find out how you can encourage animals to visit and breed in your garden.

Sustainable September - events in Abbotswood and nearby

Abbotswood Action Group have announced their programme of events for "Sustainable September" - there's lots to interest all the family. The first event is this Sunday, 1st September:  “Lines In The Landscape: A time trail walk exploring how people and nature interconnect in our modern town and countryside” The walk will set off from outside St Nicholas Church, Abbotswood at 2 pm.

A walk of about two hours at a gentle pace from Abbotswood to Wapley Bushes and back. Discover disused streams and ancient hedges in the built-up area, and see how wildlife and people use pathways, beelines and wildlife corridors in the Nature Reserve. Please wear suitable footwear and dress according to the weather.

If you’re interested, other events during the month include wildlife talks and a Bicycle Safari (think “nature ramble on wheels”)

Wildlife talk and slideshow - "The Conservation of British Owls” - Thursday 12 September

We've had some success in recent years in attracting owls to Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve.  Local owl expert Ian McGuire will be telling us more about the different types of owls and how we can help look after them. He's an entertaining speaker and he will be showing some of his excellent collection of photos.

The talk starts at 7.30 pm on Thursday 12 September in the Shire Way Community Centre, Shire Way, south Yate.

Wapley Bushes work morning - Sunday 8 September

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Workday - We shall be undertaking the annual stream clearance and other reserve maintenance walk on this autumn workday.

The stream that runs down through the woods after heavy rain needs to be cleared of leaves and other debris each autumn - if we didn't, it would flood into the area nearby and affect some locally rare plants.

We will also have the usual range of lighter tasks such as litter picking and trimming back paths - something for everyone.

Please wear stout footwear. Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.