Guided Walks

Thank you for your interest, this event is now fully booked.

Laid hedges create wildlife corridors and safe havens for nesting birds and small animals. Led by local hedgelayer, Bryan Eley, attendees will learn how to manage hedgrows for wildlife, sharpen tools and gain experience of some great techniques to put to work on their own land.

This year we will be holding a Members’ Day, which will include Somerset Wildlife Trust’s 2017 Annual General Meeting. The AGM will be followed by an update on our nature reserves by Tim Youngs, Director of Land Management, members of his team, and other guest speakers. Refreshments, including lunch, will be provided. The AGM is free to attend but lunch must be booked in advance for which a charge will be made.

This event is postponed, due to predicted bad weather. It will be taking place on 4th November instead. Join Michael Jordan the well known mycologist and founder of the Association of British Fungal Groups on a fungi and mushroom foray in Stockhill Forest, and learn about the 13,000 different species that occur in the UK.

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s special fundraiser returns for a second year and is proud to present the ‘Steam Tea Wildlife Special’  steam train ride with special VIP guest – Val Stones from TV’s ‘Great British Bake Off’. Val will be enjoying a cream tea with you, enjoying the stunning Somerset countryside and judging scones and jam on the way! 

Peter Thompson (Biodiversity Advisor, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust) will talk about the history, ecology, distribution and population of Brown Hares, and the reasons for their decline in some parts of the country.

For much of his life, local conservationist John Corder has been involved in reintroduction programmes for endangered species in Asia. This illustrated talk will discuss some of these programmes, particularly those of the world’s most threatened pheasant species and will also touch on reintroductions for Tigers, Orangutans and Pandas.

A celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Children’s Wood Project where trees were planted for each child born in Taunton Deane. The event will also be a celebration of Apple Day and will include lots of family activities such as apple juicing, crafts and apple head carving. There will also be an apple circus run by FUSE Performance where you can learn to juggle with apples, make some juggling balls and have a go at circus tricks. Somerset Art Works will also be at the event running a fruit printing workshop.
Light refreshments will be available on the day.

A talk by Somerset Wildlife Trust Coastal Ambassador Nigel Phillips. We have wonderful marine life, if you know where to look and Somerset’s coast is also one of the best places in the UK to watch wintering birds. All on your doorstep!

Bryan Pinchen presents a talk about the important role that solitary bees and wasps play in our gardens, including their fascinating life cycles, ecology and provides ways to attract these beautiful insects to your garden.

Chris Packham has led a remarkable life. He’s gained recognition as a naturalist, television presenter, writer, photographer, conservationist, campaigner and filmmaker.

This event is postponed, due to predicted bad weather. It will be taking place on 4th November instead. Join Michael Jordan the well known mycologist and founder of the Association of British Fungal Groups on a fungi and mushroom foray in Stockhill Forest, and learn about the 13,000 different species that occur in the UK.

Francis Farr Cox talks about Britain’s fascinating variety of spiders, and their different biology and behaviours.

This winter we are holding a free legacy seminar with Clarke Willmott Solicitors for our supporters and their guests. This opportunity will help you learn more about making a Will, keeping it updated and other topical issues, such as inheritance tax planning, and lasting powers of attorney. The event will last about 90 minutes in total and will include a presentation and a question and answer session, which will be followed by tea and cake. It will be a relaxed, informal afternoon with an opportunity to meet fellow supporters and Somerset Wildlife Trust staff.

Come along to a Fungi Foray, exploring East Harptree Woods to discover the world of fungi. You will joined with West Mendip Widllife Watch group, Mendip Hills area group, and North Somerset and Bristol Fungus Group. Followed by a picnic lunch at East Harptree Village Hall, and time to identify our finds.

Mike Blackmore of The Wild Trout Trust describes the key role of wild trout in freshwater conservation and river restoration in the UK.

Join Cathy Horsley of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust for a talk on bumblebees in the farmed landscape. She will talk about their ecology, what they need to survive and thrive, how to recognise them and the threats they face.

We are looking for volunteers to help us manage our old reserve, Asham Woods, Mendip's largest and most diverse ancient semi-natural woodland. Training in coppicing techniques with be provided by local Coppicer, Harry Samuel. If you are interested in joining a volunteer day with SWT, come join us in the woods and brush up on your skills in this ancient technique.

Chris Sperring MBE will look at the natural history of the Somerset Levels over the centuries. He will outline changes in conditions and the species occurring there.

David Spears will tell of the trials, tribulations & some of the laughs involved in making natural history and science programmes for the broadcasters. This partly autobiographical presentation will include some incidents and experiences rarely encountered by the layperson: from Cape Buffalo in South Africa to bacterial trains trundling around their culture dish in Chicago.

John Dickson presents a talk about the Reptile and Amphibian Group’s project to restore 14 Great Crested Newt ponds on the Mendip Hills. The project started in the autumn of 2016 and continues to the end of 2017.

Les Cloutman tell us about a year in the life of a naturalist in Somerset. From your own backyard to the wild places of the county; from Hills to The Levels, lakes, rivers and coast, looking at native willdife and plants through the season, he will show why our county is so very special.

Bob Gibbons will talk about the beautifully unspoilt landscape and wildlife of Transylvania, and reflect on how Britain may well have looked similar before industrialisation.

Basic facts of bird migration have been known for many years. In this talk, James Packer reviews the impact on our knowledge of bird migration of the many recent developments in radio bird tags and GPS location.

Author and expert, Ed Drewitt, has been following the lives of urban peregrines for almost 20 years. In this talk, Ed gives more details about some of those discoveries and how the future looks for the urban peregrines in Somerset and across the UK.

Join West Mendip Wildlife Watch group to explore White cliff and cave on Wavering Down, if weather permits we hope to have a campfire afterwards. Please wear sensible clothing, suitable for spending time out of doors, with strong shoes or boots. Refreshments won't be provided, so you may wish to bring a drink or snack.