Practical Events

Westcountry Rivers Trust is an environmental charity concerned with the preservation, protection and improvement of rivers, streams and watercourses. Scott West will outline some of the projects he is involved in around Somerset. Come along to learn more about our county's beautiful rivers.

Discover the best way to create or restore a pond with John Dickson, chairman of Somerset Reptile and Amphibian Group. After a detailed talk with a chance to ask questions, we will be visiting a local pond creation project to learn more.

Peter Thompson is the Game Conservancy Trust’s Biodiversity advisor, giving advice to farmers and land managers on practical methods of implementing conservation programmes. He will be talking about managing farmland for the brown hare, which is in decline.

A wander around Westhay Moor with Kevin Anderson, Avalon Marshes Visitor Experience Officer, to see what wildlife can be found. We'll be listening out for booming Bitterns and spring warblers.

In partnership with Clarke Willmott solicitors of Taunton, we are hosting another free seminar followed by a guided walk around Westhay. 

Stephen Powles will present an introduction to otters: their biology, population crash, their recovery and field signs. He will also introduce us to Hammer Scar, the female otter with whom he spent many hours (as featured on TV).

More information coming soon.

A lively and entertaining fundraising evening that will literally open your ears to the fascinating world of birdsong, brought to you by well-known Tweet of the Day authors Brett Westwood and Stephen Moss. 

Damon Bridge, Conservation Officer, Somerset Levels and Moors, will talk about the Reserve at West Sedgemoor and the woodland at Swell Wood – the bird,  plant and animal species, and how they are managed.

Steve Mewes of the Somerset Wildlife Trust will discuss the Global, UK and Somerset climate change situation, and look at the pressures facing our local wildlife. He will also tell us what the Trust is doing, as well as giving us suggestions of we can do to help.

A walk around Priddy Mineries with John Dickson, looking for emerging adders and other reptiles and amphibians. Numbers are limited so booking is essential.

Speaker to be confirmed. The Avalon Marshes covers a huge diversity of habitat and species. Managing reserves, farmland, marshes and woodland is a complex business and the talk covers the different challenges, priorities and concerns that face our conservationists.

A wander around Westhay Moor with Kevin Anderson, Avalon Marshes Visitor Experience Officer, to see what wildlife can be found. We'll be listening out for booming Bitterns and spring warblers.

John Bebbington FRPS, who was Somerset county moth recorder until the end of 2018, will give a talk on Somerset Moths. He will cover both the common and rarer, lost and newly arrived species, threats to our declining moth populations and what we can do to encourage moths.