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March

April

May

Volunteer workdays

Group contacts

Wildlife Action Group programme

	The Mark Carwardine talk was a fantastic success and here is a picture of Mark with Steve Grainger, the Trust CEO

Events Programme Spring 2010

Events taking place over the coming months‚ including volunteer workdays after the events listing.

At the end of each event is a code in brackets or group name, scroll to the bottom of the page to match up the code or group name with the approriate telephone number to call to make a booking.

If there is no telephone number or code please phone 0117 917 7270 for more information.

Concessions include over 60s and anyone in receipt of benefits.

MARCH

Saturday 6 March
JUMBLE SALE at Avon Way Hall, Portishead, 10.15am. Offers of help or collection of Jumble please ring 01275 373453. (P)

Tuesday 9 March
WHERE HAVE ALL THE SPARROWS GONE? Steve Micklewright from the Trust will talk about the ecology of these characterful little birds. He'll explain the theories behind the decline in their numbers and talk about what we can all do to help them. 7 -8pm, £3, at Bristol Zoo Gardens. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 903 0609 to book. Venue accessible to wheelchair users and hearing loop in place.

Wednesday 10 March
VOYAGE TO ANTARCTICA AND THE FALKLAND ISLANDS, illlustrated talk by Helen Mugridge (nee Williams) at Friends Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol, 7.30pm, Entrance £1 (C)

Friday 12 March
WILDLIFE DOWN ON THE FARM, talk by Pauline Kidner of Secret World, to be followed by a visit later in year. Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Keynsham, 7.30pm. Bring & Buy bookstall, Refreshments. Adults £2.50, Children/Students £1. (K)

Saturday 13 March
TREES AND CHIFFCHAFFS, short woodland walk led by Barbara Kent, at Diddington Firs, Doynton, identifying trees and listening for birds (bring binoculars). 10am-12 noon. Map 155, ST 722742. [With Doynton Church on left, proceed towards Dyrham past some cottages. Look for Wellingtonia on your left, then turn into drive and park opposite, over a cattle grid.] (K)

Wednesday 17 March
BIRDS OF LESVOS. Oliver Smart will give a presentation on the Greek Island which hosts a spectacular Spring migration. United Reformed Church Hall, Stockway North, Nailsea (opposite the Somerfield Car Park), 7.45pm. Entrance £2 incl refreshments. (N)

Thursday 18 March
NATIONAL TRUST CONSERVATION IN SOMERSET, talk by Mr M Courtiour. Royal British Legion, Long Ashton, 7.30pm. (LA)

Thursday 25 March
A STROLL ALONG THE RIVER CHEW, illustrated talk by Richard and Helen Grey. Millennium Hall, Old School Room, Chew Magna, 7.45pm. £2.50, Season £10, refreshments inc. (CV)

Friday 26 March
BUZZARDS OF NORTH SOMERSET, illustrated talk by Robin Prytherch. Old Bakery Annexe, Armstrong Halls, Chapel Street, Thornbury, 7.30pm. (T)

THE AVON WILDFLOWER & GRASSLAND PROJECT by AWT's Richie Smith, and THE MENDIP LIVING LANDSCAPE PROJECT by Nick Gray of Somerset WT. Folk Hall, High Street, Portishead, 7.30-9.30pm. including Tea/Coffee Break. (P)

Sunday 28 March
SPRING BIRD IDENTIFICATION COURSE at Folly Farm, 1 - 5pm. Join Ed Drewitt to listen to the variety of birds singing around the reserve. Cost £35. To book, contact Jo Morris 01275 331590, info@follyfarm.org.

APRIL

Tuesday 6 April
EGGSTRAVAGANZA 10.30 -12.30 pm or 2.00- 4.00 pm at Folly Farm. Discover and unscramble eggciting facts about eggs laid around the nature reserve on a treasure hunt leading to chocolate eggs! Includes special activity area for toddlers too. £6/child 4yrs plus, Adults FREE. To book please contact Jo Morris, Folly Farm Centre, 01275 331590, info@follyfarm.org.

Wednesday 7 April
EGGSTRAVAGANZA 10.30 am -12.30 pm or 2 - 4 pm at Willsbridge Mill. Discover and unscramble eggciting facts about eggs laid around the nature reserve on a treasure hunt leading to chocolate eggs! Includes special activity area for toddlers too. £6/child 4yrs plus, Adults FREE. To book please contact Ruth Worsley or Alison Logan 0117 932 6885, email ruthworsley@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Thursday 15 April
CHURCHILL, CANADA, WITH POLAR BEARS AND OTHER ANIMALS, talk by Helen Mugridge. Royal British Legion, Long Ashton, 7.30pm. (LA)

Friday 16 April
WHALE WATCHING, Experiences in the Eastern Pacific, talk by Rita Andrews at 7.30pm, following Keynsham AGM at 7pm. Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Keynsham, 7.30pm. Adults £2.50, Children/Students £1. (K)

Sunday 18 April
COTSWOLD WALK from Tresham and Alderley, led by Mr Chris Townsend with Fossils in mind. Meet for car share at Chipping Sodbury Clock 2pm. Bring magnifiers and walking boots. (S)

SPRING WALK THROUGH WESTON BIG WOOD. Meet at lay-by beyond amenity centre Valley Rd, off B3124 Clevedon – Portishead road. Steps into wood. Paths can be muddy, slippery and steep sided. 2pm (C)

Wednesday 21 April
ACTION FOR WILDLIFE, a short presentation by each of the small groups making a big difference to our local environment. United Reformed Church Hall, Stockway North, Nailsea (opposite the Somerfield Car Park), 7.45pm. Entrance £2 incl refreshments. (N)

Friday 23 April
THE BUZZARD - A LONG-TERM STUDY, illustrated talk by Robin Prytherch. Folk Hall, High Street, Portishead, 7.30-9.30pm. including Tea/Coffee Break. (P)

Paradise Found ... nature in the age of discovery

Join award-winning film producer and Trust member Steve Nicholls of Bristol-based Burning Gold Productions (Chimp Cam, Reindeer Girls,) and discover the abundance of nature in times past. Steve's talk charts the loss of abundance in nature, taking us time-travelling back to a vanished world.
"they affirm that the sea is covered with fishes which are caught not only with a net but with baskets .." John Cabot, 15th century

7.30pm 23 April 2010, QEH Theatre, Bristol

Paradise Found will be the subject of a Radio 4 series later this year - join us for an exclusive preview!

Reserve your tickets by e-mail

Please quote PARADISE in the subject line.

Tickets are £10 (includes drinks and nibbles) £8 concessions

Sunday 25 April
DAWN CHORUS led by Dave Sage (0117 940 7968) at The Shallows, Saltford (ST 688669), 4.30am. If you make the effort you will be rewarded! (K)

BIRD OF PREY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP at Folly Farm, 1 - 5pm. Bird trainers Lloyd and Rose Buck are teeming up with professional wildlife photographer John Waters to give some tips. This is a practical day for you to use your own camera for stunning close ups. Cost £45. To book please contact Jo Morris, Folly Farm Centre, 01275 331590, info@follyfarm.org.

WILD FLOWER AND TREE WALK in Weston Big Wood, Portishead, led by Bill Dixon. Meet at Valley Road entrance at 2.45 for 3pm start. Ffi phone 01275 849200. (P)

Friday 30 April
WILDFLOWERS OF WESTONBIRT, illustrated talk by Rosemary Westgate. Old Bakery Annexe, Armstrong Halls, Chapel Street, Thornbury, 7.30pm. (T)

MAY

Monday 3 May
30th ANNIVERSARY OF AWT, celebration at Folly Farm.

Wednesday 5 May - Friday 7 May
Wildlife Film Making - Bluebells and badgers. The first of our Wildlife Film Making courses is celebrating Spring at Folly Farm with perfect opportunities to film in the bluebell woodlands and capture images of the badgers about their evening foraging. Visit www.follyfarm.org or call 01275 331590 for more details.

Saturday 8 May
BIRD SONG AND BOTANY, led by Lucy Delve of Bath Natural History Society. Meet at Kilmerston Road car park, Radstock, 9.30am. Two-mile walk along Colliers Way [and back along the valley], followed by lunch in Fairtrade cafe approx 12 noon. Minibus from Wellsway School 9am, return approx 2pm. (K)

Saturday 15 May
COFFEE MORNING/PLANT SALE at 36 St Peter’s Road, Portishead, 10am - 1pm. Offers of plants or help please ring 01275 843160. (P)

Sunday 16 May
GUIDED WALK round Eastwood Farm local nature reserve. Paths can be steep and muddy. Meet at Beeses Tea Gardens' car park. Park in Wyndham Cr. Brislington and follow signs for Conham ferry. Optional cream tea afterwards. 2pm (C)

Saturday 22 May
LITTLE AVON RIVER. Walk led by Allan Burberry. Meet at Old Court, next to Tortworth Church, at 2.30pm. Wellies advisable. (T)

Volunteer Workdays

This programme details workdays organised locally by reserve wardens. The Trust also organises

the Wildlife Action Group (WAG)which departs from the Trust's Office at 32 Jacobs Wells Road
on Wednesdays and Sundays at 10am. Contact Sarah van der Meer 0117 917 7270. Click here for the latest work programme.

HELLENGE HILL RESERVE, BLEADON / PURN HILL RESERVE. Work parties and/or wildlife surveying/monitoring. Ring warden Frank Bowen 01934 632285 for times and meeting point. (WsM)

MARCH

Sunday 14
WAPLEY BUSHES, general maintenance work. Meet at Shireway Footbridge, Yate, 10am. Gloves and Wellies please. (S)

Sunday 28
WALTON COMMON, removal of alien tree saplings. Meet 10am on the verge of the coast road beside Clevedon Golf Course above Walton-in-Gordano (ST 423735). (GCG)

APRIL

Sunday 25
PRIOR'S WOOD 10am. New Meeting Place in parking area opposite entrance to Children's Hospice (ST 493738). DO NOT park in Hospice car park. Turn off B 3128 at Downs School entrance. Follow drive for about 1 mile, then turn left at sign for Hospice. (GCG)

MAY

Saturday 8
WAPLEY - on a Saturday for a change! General conservation work. Meet Shireway Footbridge, Yate, at 10am. Gloves and Wellies please. (S)

Sunday 23
TICKENHAM RIDGE drystone walling. Meet 10am at the Reserve (ST 442724). For directions phone Keith 01275 852627. (GCG)

Local Group contacts