Latest News

10 March 2010

Flower Power Day

01 March 2010

Spring Otter Survey

The Otter Group’s big spring survey will be on 24th and 25th April this year.  The 2Day Event has now been held annually for 14 years, and the accumulated data is building a good understanding of the status of this keystone species across the county.  It is important that we get enough volunteers this year to answer several important questions. Is the species still doing better in the west than the East of Somerset?  Has the increase in deaths in the central Brue valley had an effect on the numbers there?  What damage to the population as a whole is the new Bile Fluke disease having?  We know from the post mortems that it is affecting several of our scarce otters badly, so we need to ascertain the strength of the population as a whole in the areas where it is most prevalent.  Was the picture of the otter population in the Exmoor National Park, which we surveyed fully for the first time last year, a typical and sustainable one?

The objective is to cover the whole of the waterways in the county.  Each volunteer is given a stretch, and asked to cover it twice, on Saturday and Sunday.  That way we can map the whereabouts of this nomadic animal on the intervening night.  There is a special form to complete, but we would also welcome any chance observations from the public at that period.  Those that want to help should try to attend one of the catchment-based planning meetings.

Mon. 15th March  TONE   World’s End,  Bradford-on-Tone, 7pm   Margaret Davis,  fifibint@yahoo.co.uk
Mon. 22nd March  EXMOOR/N. COAST  Rest &be Thankful, Wheddon Cross,  7pm,  Martin McNeill,  Martin.McNeill@luxborough.com
Thu.25th March    PARRETT  White Hart,  Martock   7pm  Shelley Saltman    s.saltman@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
Mon 29th March    NORTH EAST/AVON   Mason’s Arms,  Frome  7pm   Tony House  tony.house311@btopenworld.com
Weds 31st March   BRUE VALLEY    Ring o’Bells,   Ashcott   7pm   Jo Pearse     jopearse@yahoo.co.uk

Click here to download a copy of the Somerset Otter Group 2-day event recording form.

01 March 2010

24 hours of wildlife watching on the Avalon Marshes

Discover the abundance of wildlife on the Avalon Marshes at a spectacular 24-hour nature event.

Avalon 24 is 24 hours of guided walks where everyone is invited to see and hear as much wildlife as possible from noon on Saturday, May 29 to noon on Sunday May 30.

The two hour walks take place on some of the Avalon Marshes nature reserves including Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Westhay Moor and Catcott Lows, the RSPB’s Ham Wall, Natural England’s Shapwick Heath, and the Hawk and Owl Trust’s Shapwick Moor.

There are 27 walks to choose from, each led by an expert in their field, and data collected on the walk will be used to produce a list of species found on the marshes.

Chris Sperring of the Hawk and Owl Trust, said: ”Avalon 24 is a unique chance to experience the wildlife that makes the marshes so special and to find out how local conservation organisations are working together to protect wildlife.”

Throughout the day and night there will be a variety of walks giving participants the chance to enjoy local wildlife including: otter spotting and bittern searches, small mammal trapping and a midnight walk with moth traps. See the hobbies flying over the marshes, listen to the chorus of marsh frogs and learn about the wildflowers, dragonflies and local history.  Some activities are designed specifically for children and families and some walks will have support for those with hearing impairments.

A one-off charge of £3 is payable regardless of the number of walks you wish to do (one child is free with each paying adult.) For those brave enough to complete 24-hours of walks and activities they will receive ‘The Avalon 24 Naturalist Endurance Award’.

The event starts at noon on Saturday May 29 and the walks end at noon on Sunday May 30 to coincide with the Avalon Marshes Open Day. It follows the success of the first Avalon 24, held in May last year.  

For more information about the programme of walks call 01458 860736 or e-mail avalon24@live.co.uk. Prior booking is essential.

18 February 2010

West Somerset’s young wildlife enthusiasts recognised

In The Wildlife Trusts’ Watch Group of the Year awards

A group of young naturalists from West Somerset has received a special award from The Wildlife Trusts.

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Nettlecombe Court Watch Club, near Williton, has been named Watch Group of the Year 2009 for the South West region. Wildlife Watch is The Wildlife Trusts’ branch for junior members, and the Watch Group of the Year Award aims to recognise and celebrate young people’s love of wildlife.

Watch club members enjoyed a variety of activities to win their award including surveying earthworms, making reptile flaps, building dens, scavenger hunts, and looking for animal tracks. The group is looking forward to a visit from the Secret World Wildlife Rescue staff and animals, and will soon be starting work on a nature garden.

Lydia Hayes, 10, who has been going to the Watch club from about four years said: “I think Watch club is amazing! We do lots of fun and exciting activities, my favourite was building sparrow nest boxes. I remember doing lots of other activities like den building, arts and crafts, fire lighting and baking fresh bread over the fire, making reptile hides and attracting, investigating and recording moths. I am really looking forward to Secret World Wildlife Rescue coming to visit us.”

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Education Outreach Manager, Jessy Emery, said: “Somerset Wildlife Trust is really proud of the young people in West Somerset who won this award and it is great to see their enthusiasm for wildlife recognised.

“Wildlife Watch is all about inspiring young people to care about wildlife and the natural environment and we look forward to welcoming new junior members to our award winning group in 2010.”

As well as three Wildlife Watch groups at Nettlecombe Court, near Williton, Chancellors Farm, near Cheddar (runner up in the Watch Group of the Year Award for the South West region) and Fyne Court near Taunton, Somerset Wildlife Trust also runs family events throughout the year.

“The judges are always impressed by the work of young people and Wildlife Watch group leaders when they see the entries for Watch Group of the Year.” said Amanda Morgan, People and Wildlife officer at The Wildlife Trusts.

“This year has been no exception, with groups taking a really creative and adventurous approach to the year’s activities. Making bird boxes and feeding the birds were ever popular, as were minibeast hunts and pond dipping. But there was also an intrepid explorer theme to the entries this year, with an increase in groups taking part in bushcraft and forest school activities.”

The winning group will receive a certificate signed by TV presenter and The Wildlife Trusts’ Vice President, Chris Packham.

18 February 2010

Mendip young wildlife enthusiasts recognised

In The Wildlife Trusts’ Watch Group of the Year awards

An outstanding group of young naturalists from Mendip has been recognised by   a special award from The Wildlife Trusts.

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Mendip Watch Club has been named runner up in the South West category of the national Watch Group of the Year Awards, 2009. Wildlife Watch is The Wildlife Trusts’ branch for junior members, and the Watch Group of the Year Award aims to recognise and celebrate young people’s love of wildlife.

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Education Outreach Manager, Jessy Emery, said: “Somerset Wildlife Trust is really proud of the young people in Mendip whose enthusiasm for wildlife has been recognised.

“Wildlife Watch is all about inspiring young people to care about wildlife and the natural environment and we look forward to welcoming new junior members to our outstanding Mendip group in 2010.”

Whether making dormouse boxes, going on a night walk at camp or learning bushcraft skills, Mendip Watch Group was involved in a huge range of activities, which helped the young members to learn more, and to care more, about the natural environment.

Mary Scott, Mendip Watch Group Leader, said: “2009 was a really rewarding year with our forest school and bushcraft sessions developing the children’s independence and enjoyment of the place we’re so lucky to live in.

“We’ve got great plans for 2010 – we’re just starting the John Muir Award which asks us to ‘discover a place, explore it, conserve it and share our experiences’ and I’m really looking forward to doing this with the young people.”


As well as three Wildlife Watch groups at Chancellors Farm near Cheddar, Nettlecombe Court, near Williton (winner of the South West category of the national Watch Group of the Year Awards) and Fyne Court near Taunton, Somerset Wildlife Trust also runs family events throughout the year.

“The judges are always impressed by the work of young people and Wildlife Watch group leaders when they see the entries for Watch Group of the Year.” said Amanda Morgan, People and Wildlife officer at The Wildlife Trusts.

“This year has been no exception, with groups taking a really creative and adventurous approach to the year’s activities. Making bird boxes and feeding the birds were ever popular, as were minibeast hunts and pond dipping. But there was also an intrepid explorer theme to the entries this year, with an increase in groups taking part in bushcraft and forest school activities.”

The winning group will receive a certificate signed by TV presenter and The Wildlife Trusts’ Vice President, Chris Packham.

02 February 2010

Vote for Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust to win up to Eur30,000

 The Association of Conservation has been asked by Trail magazine to identify 6 projects in upland areas that Trail readers can vote for.  The project with the most votes, will be supported with a grant from AfC of up to EUR30,000. 

Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust  are through to the final 6, with their project appearing on the Live For The Outdoors Website.  

Please could you spare a few moments to help Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust be successful by voting for them.  Voting starts at 12 noon Wednesday 27^th January and finishes midnight Wednesday 10^th February.

Simply follow this link and click on the yellow button to vote:

20 January 2010

SPOTTING THE LARGE BLUE BUTTERFLY IN 2010

FOLLOWING the success of previous open days at our Green Down reserve, the Trust is pleased to announce date for 2010 – Sunday 13th June. Due to the sensitive nature of the site, places are limited and there will be a draw to allocate tickets. This year, the cost will be £3.50 per adult and £2 per child, payable in advance.

Please apply for your ticket by sending a letter and cheque payable to Somerset Wildlife Trust, together with your name, CONTACT & ADDRESS WRITTEN in BLOCK CAPITALS and a SAE to Green Down Open Day, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Tonedale Mill, Tonedale, Wellington, Somerset TA21 0AW. Somerset Wildlife Trust members should include their SWT membership numbers.

Your application needs to be in by 7 May 2010, as any received after this date will not be included in the draw. Ticket holders will receive their tickets during June and everyone else will have their cheques returned.

Please note: apart from this organised event, Green Down will be closed to all access, from 1st June to 15th July 2010

15 January 2010

Somerset Wildlife Trust patron receives OBE

The patron of Somerset Wildlife Trust, Simon King, has become an
OBE celebrating more than 20 years of dedication to wildlife and
conservation.
Simon, who lives near Bruton, has been patron of the Trust for more
than 10 years, championing the charity’s work to create an
environment rich in wildlife for everyone.
Simon, a TV wildlife presenter and cameraman, who appears on the
BBC's Springwatch and Autumnwatch series, was awarded the OBE
for services to conservation and wildlife photography.
Simon said: “I am absolutely delighted to be honored for something I
love doing. Somerset is home to some amazing wildlife and I am a
passionate supporter of the trust’s work to restore our damaged
countryside and preserve our natural heritage.”
Simon supports vital fundraising work undertaken by the trust,
recently speaking at a fundraising dinner, and he also opened a new
reserve at the trust’s Catcott complex, near Glastonbury.
Simon Nash, Chief Executive of Somerset Wildlife Trust said:”Simon
is a fantastic ambassador for wildlife locally and internationally. His
real gift is bringing people and wildlife closer together which is vital
to protecting wildlife for future generations.”
Simon is also a vice-president of The Wildlife Trusts, the umbrella
organisation of the 47 locally based trusts working to protect wildlife
Stephanie Hilborne, chief executive of The Wildlife
Trusts, has also become an OBE for services to nature
conservation.