Somerset Wildlife Trust

July

Sat 4, 9am-12pm	Art and Wildlife Workshop HL Part 1 of 2. Talk and guided walk for photography, sketching, notes for creative writing. Choice of short moderate routes and challenging hilly paths. Leader David German, artistic guidance Jenny Graham. Meet Compton Dundon village hall ST 485 328. £4 per session. Unsuitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. Further details from David on 01458 259688. Part 2 on 18 July.

Sun 5, 2-4pm	Westhay Moor MH A visit to Westhay at this time of year will provide us with an opportunity to see the flora of the raised acid mire, which includes royal fern. Dragon and damsel flies should be on the wing. Mark Blake, SWT Brue Valley Reserves officer will lead this easy going walk. Park reserve car park on minor road from Westhay to Godney (ST 456 437. Unsuitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. £1.

Sun 5, 8.30-10pm	Nightjar spotting P Gentle walk to spot nightjars with Den Bridel. Deer and glow-worms may also be around. Meet Staple Hill car park (ST 118 411) near Bicknoller. Unsuitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. Adults £2, under 16s free. Bring torch, binoculars and telescopes if you have them. Children welcome.

Sat 11, 2pm	White admirals and other butterflies EM Leader Derek Remington. Fifehead Magdalen and Duncliffe Woods where we shall be looking for white admiral and silver-washed fritillaries as well as other species of butterflies and woodland birds. Park at entrance to Fifehead Magdalen Woods ST 779218. Adults £2, children £1. Unsuitable for wheelchair-users/limited mobility. Booking essential as numbers limited. Ring Mick Ridgard on 01373 463875.

Sat 11, 2-4pm	Butterflies IC Walk through fields managed by Countryside Stewardship Scheme to see butterflies and wildflowers with Arthur Stoodley. Meet Folly Farm near Crewkerne (ST 432 085). Park in field entrance. Unsuitable for wheelchair-users/limited mobility. Donations. Children welcome.

Sat 11, 2.30-4.30pm	Walk on the Wild Side of Dulverton WS Meet by the front of Exmoor House (by kind permission of Exmoor National Park Authority). “First Bus” service 398 passes close by. Suitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. Members and non members welcome – a collection will be taken.

Sun 12, 2.30pm	Legends of the Trees FC Traditionally trees have many stories and beliefs attached to them, and folklore historian Brian Wright will relate many of these, giving participants the chance to look at Fyne Court’s many different trees in a new way! (ST 223 321). No need to book. Adults £2.50, children £1. Unsuitable for wheelchairs but limited mobility welcome.

Sat 18, 9am-12pm	Art and Wildlife Workshop HL Part 2 of 2. Talk and guided walk for photography, sketching, notes for creative writing. Choice of short moderate routes and challenging hilly paths. Leader David German, artistic guidance Jenny Graham. Meet Compton Dundon village hall ST 485 328. £4 per session. Unsuitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. Further details from David on 01458 259688.

Tue 21, 7-9pm	King's Wood and Cross Plain MH An evening walk with Ged Keele through ancient woodland and up on to the Mendip Hills providing us with splendid views – there is one steep climb up through Kings Wood. (ST 422 561). Park car off A38 between Cross and Sidcot. Unsuitable for wheelchairs/limited mobility welcome. £1.

Tue 28, 7.30pm	Ebbor Gorge W Walk through the last 10,000 years with Les Cloutman. Explore caves and rock shelters in this superb Mendip gorge. Family friendly but strenuous hill walk in parts. Meet Ebbor Gorge car park ST 521 485. Strong shoes recommended. Unsuitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. Donations.

Thu 30, 11am-2pm	Samaritans Way WS A walk along the Samaritans Way, starting at Exford, to see some of the wildlife that frequents the Exe valley. Possible view of red deer, dragonflies and fritillary butterflies as well as some of the rarer birds which nest on Exmoor. Meet Exford car park SS 853 384. Unsuitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. Donations. Stout footwear. Picnic lunch if required.

August

Sun 2, 2-4pm	Dolebury to Burrington MH This moderate walk with Vic Matthews takes us on a circular 4.5 mile route from Dolebury to Burrington Combe returning via Mendip Lodge. Park Dolebury Bottom. ST 446589. Unsuitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. £1.

Sun 2, 2-5pm	Dragonflies, Bees and other insects P A walk through the Catcott reserves, flat but soft, with Tom Tookey. Meet at Higher Ropes Drove (ST 406 412) near Catcott/Burtle. Unsuitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. Adults £2, under 16s free. Children welcome.

Thu 6, 2-4pm	Family Day at Nettlecombe Court, nr Williton SWT SWT and the Field Studies Council have teamed up to bring you an afternoon of wonderful wildlife activities at Nettlecombe Court (ST 057 379). Come along and take part in a range of activities that the whole family will enjoy. No booking required. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Sun 9, 2.30pm	Exploring Fyne Court and Broomfield FC Looking at the story of Fyne Court (ST 223 321) and its most famous owner, the pioneering electrical scientist Andrew Crosse. This walk will also explore the village of Broomfield with its fascinating church. No need to book. Adults £2.50, children £1. Unsuitable for wheelchairs but limited mobility welcome.

Sat 15, 2-4pm	Chard Reservoir IC Walk around this reservoir with warden to see waterfowl, woodland birds and fish. Meet off A30 just east of Chard, down Oaklands Avenue ST 333 097. Park at entrance to reservoir. Partly suitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. £2pp. Children welcome.

Wed 19, 7.30pm	Bat Evening EM This evening will be a short talk by Ed Wells on bats followed by a walk on the Rodden nature reserve to check out the bat population. Meet at rear of Asda car park in Frome (ST 788478). Adults £2, children £1. Unsuitable for wheelchair-users/limited mobility. Further details from Mick Ridgard on 01373 463875.

Sun 23, 2.30pm	The Dragons of Somerset FC Somerset has many traditional stories about dragons, some of which date back over a thousand years. Come and hear some of these on this `walk and talk’ and consider such questions as did dragons exist, with local dragon hunter Brian Wright. No need to book. Fyne Court, Broomfield (ST 223 321). Adults £2.50, children £1. Unsuitable for wheelchairs but limited mobility welcome.

Fri 28, 8.30pm	Bat Walk W You can’t afford to miss local bat expert Dave Cottle’s popular bat walk. Meet Bishops Palace Gate, Wells. Suitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. Donations. Children welcome.

Sat 29, 10.30am-4pm	Book Fair FC Sale of books and CD’s to suit every taste. August Bank Holiday and following week. Donations of books to Fyne Court please. Refreshments available on the two weekends. Fyne Court, Broomfield (ST 223 321). Car park donation £1. Suitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. Until Sunday 6 September.

September

Wed 2, 7.30-10pm	From K2 to Kanchenjunga P An illustrated talk with Andy Callow on his experiences on his journey through the Himalayas. Shapwick Village Hall, Shapwick. (ST 418 384). Suitable for wheelchair users/limited mobility. Adults £2, under 16s free. Children welcome.

Sun 6, 2.30pm	Legends of the Trees FC Traditionally trees have many stories and beliefs attached to them, and folklore historian Brian Wright will relate many of these, giving participants the chance to look at Fyne Court’s many different trees in a new way! (ST 223 321). No need to book. Adults £2.50, children £1. Unsuitable for wheelchairs but limited mobility welcome.

Sun 13, 2-4pm	Folly Farm MH Folly Farm is a 250 acre Avon Wildlife Trust reserve with splendid unimproved wildflower meadows and woodland. There are spectacular views over Chew Valley Lake and the surrounding Mendip countryside. Entrance to Folly Farm is on the A383 a mile north of Bishop Sutton. No accessibility for wheelchairs. £1 donation

Events