Reserves and species

Posted by avon
2011-06-22 10:20

Weston Big Wood

In springtime the ground is covered with wood anemones, violets and masses of bluebells. The wood is very good for birds, including woodpecker, nuthatch and tawny owl. Southern and western areas of the wood were quarried away during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
68.98
Short Description: 
Weston Big Wood is one of the most wildlife-rich woodlands in the area. Evidence of man's historical activities also can be found within the wood.
Smartphone Description: 
One of the most wildlife-rich woodlands in the area, Weston Big Wood is covered with wood anemones, violets and bluebells in the springtime. The wood is very good for birds, including woodpecker, nuthatch and tawny owl.
Location
Address: 
Valley Road, Weston-in-Gordano
Town: 
Portishead
County: 
Bristol
Grid ref: 
ST 455 750
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Public footpaths allow access throughout the reserve. Access is through kissing gate, and steps. Main access to paths is uphill. Paths can be steep and muddy, with some steps. Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park in a layby on the left, just past the recycling centre on Valley Road
Walking information: 
Paths can be steep and muddy, with some steps. Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Grazing animals: 
no
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
0117 9177270
Reserve email address: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Photos
Photo: 
Weston Big Wood
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Best time to visit
Start: 
September
End: 
November
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by avon
2011-06-22 10:20

Weston Moor

Set in the heart of the Gordano Valley, Weston Moor is an expansive area of open moor, which includes three fields situated along the limestone ridge west of Weston-in-Gordano.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
43.29
Short Description: 
An expansive area of open moor that includes three fields, networked with species-rich rhynes
Smartphone Description: 
Networked with species-rich rhynes, the wet grassland is important for its breeding waders and rare plants such as cotton grass and fen pondweed. During the spring and summer the fields on the moor attract breeding lapwing, redshank and snipe. Other birds such as little owl, linnet, reed bunting and skylark also breed in the area. Sparrowhawk, buzzard and green woodpecker are regularly recorded over the reserve.
Location
Address: 
Cadbury Lane, Weston-in-Gordano
Town: 
Weston-in-Gordano
County: 
Bristol
Grid ref: 
ST 442 738
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Restriced access, permit holders only. A limited number of annual permits for the moorland area are available to members only. Open access is restricted to the fields north of Walton Brook, which give excellent views over the moor.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Cadbury Lane, Weston-in-Gordaino. Parking is restricted and approach to the reserve is hampered by traffic on the B3124 being particularly fast moving - please do not park and block any farm, field or private home entrances.
Walking information: 
Restriced access, permit holders only. A limited number of annual permits for the moorland area are available to members only. Please contact the Trust.
Grazing animals: 
yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
0117 917 7270
Reserve email address: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Photos
Photo: 
Weston Moor
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by avon
2011-06-22 10:20

Willsbridge Valley

Willsbridge Valley on the edge of Bristol is an oasis of wildlife amongst modern housing estates.
 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
3.92
Short Description: 
An oasis of wildlife amongst modern housing estates
Smartphone Description: 
Willsbridge Valley contains many habitats, including woodland and ponds. The woodlands, beautiful in springtime, are full of bluebells, red campion and the sound of birdsong at this time of year. Frogs, toads and dragonflies find homes in the ponds and dippers and kingfishers may be seen on the stream. Living in the valley are foxes and badgers and noctule and greater horsehoe bats feed on the many insects in the valley
Location
Address: 
Near to Bitton village, on the A431
Town: 
Willsbridge
County: 
Bristol
Postcode: 
BS30 6EX
Grid ref: 
ST 664 707
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Public footpaths allow access throughout the reserve. Car park is at rear of site and access is through the main footpath through the woodland. Wheelchair access via Willsbridge Hill to most of valley. Pathways enable exploration of the rest of the reserve. Can be muddy.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Car park is on Long Beach Road. For disabled parking, follow signs from Willsbridge Hill and park in layby before Mill buildings
Walking information: 
Wheelchair access via Willsbridge Hill to most of valley. Pathways enable exploration of the rest of the reserve. Can be muddy.
Grazing animals: 
no
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
0117 917 7270
Reserve email address: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Reserver deep link: 
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/willsbridge.htm
Photos
Photo: 
Willsbridge Valley
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by avon
2011-06-22 10:20

Royate Hill

The railway embankment creates a varied local topography with long and short, steep and gentle slopes. The habitats on the site range from limestone flora on the embankment top, to flower rich grassland, developing woodland and scrub on the embankment sides. Species such as ox-eyed daisy, mouse eared chickweed and bee orchid have been recorded at the site.
Hedgerows, a stream and an old orchard are also present within the reserve boundary.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
1.61
Short Description: 
Two disused railway embankments linked by a brick viaduct to make a city centre nature reserve
Smartphone Description: 
Habitats at this site range from limestone flora on the embankment to flower rich grassland and woodland on the embankment sites. Species such as bee orchid and mouse eared chickweed have been recorded at this site. Hedgerows, a stream and an old orchard are also present
Location
Address: 
St Edwards Road, off Royate Hill B4469
Town: 
Bristol
County: 
Bristol
Grid ref: 
ST 617 748
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Public footpath leads up to this site and along to the embankment footpaths. Slopes are steep so care must be taken. Fairly steep steps lead up to an embankment footpath. Can be strenuous and not allow access to all. Sides are steep so caution needs to be exercised
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Parking on St Edward Street
Walking information: 
Fairly steep steps lead up to an embankment footpath. Can be strenuous and not allow access to all. Sides are step so caution to be exercised
Grazing animals?: 
0
Grazing animals: 
yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
0117 917 7270
Reserve email address: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Photos
Photo: 
Royate Hill
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by avon
2011-06-22 10:20

Prior's Wood

Once part of the Tyntesfield Estate, this wildlife-rich nature reserve has ancient woodland, streams and plantations. Not forgetting, magnificent bluebell displays in spring! Parts of Prior's Wood date back to the 1600s, and are very close to the type of woodland that developed after the last Ice Age about 10,000 years ago.
 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
61.96
Short Description: 
Once part of the Tyntesfield Estate, ancient woodland, streams and plantations can all be found in this wildlife-rich wood. In spring, the bluebell displays are one of the best in the region.
Smartphone Description: 
Small-leaved lime trees, oak and hazel are abundant in this woodland and in spring the floor is a spectacular carpet of bluebells. In places, mature sweet chestnut reach high into the canopy. It is rich in bird life, including buzzard, garden warbler and chiffchaff. Spotted flycatcher is also recorded in most years.
Location
Address: 
Caswell Lane. Portbury
Town: 
Portbury
County: 
Avon
Grid ref: 
ST 491 741
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Public footpaths run though this site in a circuit, allowing access throughout the woodland and down to the pools. Some of the paths can be muddy, slippery and steep-sided. Keep to the best-used paths. Contact the Trust for disabled access information
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Limited Parking. Please respect local residents.
Walking information: 
Some of the paths can be muddy, slippery and steep-sided. Keep to the best-used paths.
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
0117 917 7270
Reserve email address: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Photos
Photo: 
Prior's Wood bluebells
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Best time to visit
Start: 
September
End: 
November
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by avon
2011-06-22 10:20

Walton Common

Walton Common has excellent views of the Gordano Valley and, above the quarry, across the Severn Estuary. It is a calcareous grassland reserve surrounded by woodland renowned for wildflowers and butterflies.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
26.50
Short Description: 
A grassland and woodland reserve, renowned for wildflowers and butterflies
Smartphone Description: 
Not only does Walton Common have excellent views of the Gordano Valley and Severn Estuary, it also offers fantastic views of wildflowers, including thyme, marjoram, rock-rose, autumn gentian and violets. Various butterfly species occur here, including common blue, brown argus, grizzled and dingy skipper and dark green fritillary. Grasshoppers, glow-worms and moth species are also found here. Nesting sites and food are available here for blackcap and whitethroat and various birds of prey can be seen hunting here.
Location
Address: 
Walton-in-Gordano
Town: 
Walton-in-Gordano
County: 
Avon
Grid ref: 
ST 428 737
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
There are public footpaths that allow access through this site. Pathways can be steep and slippery when wet. Pathways allow access across site, but can be steep for the less able. There is a stile to cross to allow access. Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park on the layby past the last last cottage coming from Walton-in-Gordano beside the Clevedon golf course
Walking information: 
Pathways allow access across site, but can be steep for the less able. There is a stile to cross to allow access. Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Grazing animals: 
Yes - Dexter Cattle
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
0117 917 7270
Reserve email address: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Photos
Photo: 
Walton Common
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by avon
2011-06-22 10:20

Walborough

Walborough is a beautiful limestone grassland and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with an exceptionally rich plants including a number of nationally rare species. The best areas of grassland are on the steeper slopes, where you will find dozens of butterfly species in summer. 
 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
20.96
Short Description: 
A salt marsh and limestone grassland home to rare plants and insects
Smartphone Description: 
Walborough consists of salt marsh and grassland and homes rare plants and insects. The grassland flora includes the nationally rare Somerset hair-grass and honewort. Also seen here are green-winged and early purple orchid. Butterflies can also be seen and include brown argus and dingy skipper amongst others. The salt marsh has a number of nationally rare plants, including sea barley and sea clover. An abundance of wildfowl and waders occurs in the estuary during autumn and winter, incuding skylark, rock and meadow pipit.
Location
Address: 
South of Uphill village
Town: 
Weston-super-Mare
County: 
Somerset
Grid ref: 
ST 315 578
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
There are public footpaths that access the site. A surfaced path allows access to parts of the site for those who are less mobile. There is open access to the grassland areas but please keep off the salt marsh to avoid disturbance to birds. Contact the Trust for disabled access information
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
After following signs to Uphill village from the south end of Weston-super-Mare, park near the large sluice gates on the left or by Uphill Way in the lay-by
Walking information: 
A surfaced path allows access to parts of the site for those who are less mobile. There is open access to the grassland areas but please keep off the salt marsh to avoid disturbance to birds
Grazing animals: 
yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
0117 917 7270
Reserve email address: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Photos
Photo: 
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by avon
2011-06-22 10:20

Stockwood Open Space

Most of the reserve is old grassland and unploughed meadows with cowslip, dyer's greenweed and bird's-foot trefoil providing splashes of yellow here in summer. Numerous butterflies include meadow brown, marbled white and large skipper.
The wood (known in early records as as Ilsyngrove) is very old and the home of bluebell, yellow archangel and the rare Bath asparagus. The thick hedges are full of birds and are ideal for many nesting warblers such as whitethroats. Two farm ponds are homes for frogs, toads and newts.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
51.73
Short Description: 
This expanse of old farmland on the edge of Bristol is a fascinating blend of old meadows, thick hedges and woodlands, with panoramic views of south Bristol
Smartphone Description: 
Most of the reserve is old grassland and unploughed meadows with cowslip, dyer's greenweed and bird's-foot trefoil providing splashes of yellow here in summer. Numerous butterflies include meadow brown, marbled white and large skipper. The wood (known in early records as as Ilsyngrove) is very old and the home of bluebell, yellow archangel and the rare Bath asparagus. The thick hedges are full of birds and are ideal for many nesting warblers such as whitethroats. Two farm ponds are homes for frogs, toads and newts.
Location
Address: 
Between Stockwood and Brislington on the south-east fringe of Bristol.
Town: 
Bristol
County: 
Bristol
Grid ref: 
ST 625 691
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
There are public footpaths and cycle tracks that access this site, as well as tarmac paths to allow access to all. Tarmac paths provide access for wheelchairs. Some slopes, which can be slippery when wet
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Parking at the end of Stockwood Road in the layby, before the sharp left turn into the Coots
Walking information: 
Tarmac paths provide access for wheelchairs. Cycleway crosses the reserve. Some slopes, which can be slippery when wet
Grazing animals: 
no
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
0117 917 7270
Reserve email address: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Photos
Photo: 
Stockwood Open Space
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by avon
2011-06-22 10:20

Stephen's Vale

The woodland surrounding Stephen's Vale was originally the hunting woods of the Earl of Warwick.
 
The beautiful woodland is awash with bluebells in springtime and brightly coloured leaves in the autumn. Popular with walkers, the highlight of the woodland is the waterfall. For ease of access, it is best to approach the waterfall from the downstream side.
 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
0.57
Short Description: 
This small wooded valley has a surprising variety of plant species and birds and boasts a beautiful waterfall.
Smartphone Description: 
This beautiful woodland is found on the steep sides of a valley and has a varied ground flora, including wood anemone, moschatel, goldilocks and buttercup. The waterfall area has the locally scarce small teasel plus carpets of opposite-leaved golden saxifrage. The stream here is well oxygenated and is ideal for dipper and grey wagtail. Insects such as the dark bush cricked and the bloody-nosed beetle are found here and butterflies such as brimstone, painted lady and red admiral can be seen in sunny areas.
Location
Address: 
High Littleton (between Hallatrow and Clutton).
Town: 
Clutton
County: 
North Somerset
Grid ref: 
ST 637 577
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
There are public footpaths through site, but the land is very steep. Paths are very steep for the less mobile. Please contact the Trust for disabled access information
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
There is a small carpark on the Greyfield Woods side of the Vale, leading off from Greyfield Road.
Walking information: 
Paths are very steep for the less mobile.
Grazing animals?: 
0
Grazing animals: 
Nearby yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
0117 917 7270
Reserve email address: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Photos
Photo: 
The waterfall at Stephen's Vale
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
November
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by avon
2011-06-22 10:20

Puxton Moor

The rhynes (watery ditches) are full of rare plants such as frogbit and rootless duckweed, along with many scarce invertebrates such as hairy dragonfly and water scorpion. Reed and sedge warblers are found in the rhynes, and migrating whimbrel are often seen here in the spring.
During the spring and summer ground nesting birds such as skylark are found in the fields, and lesser whitethroat and reed bunting can be heard in areas of wet scrub. The site also contains evidence of Roman habitation and Medieval earthwork.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
72.27
Short Description: 
A large area of pasture land networked with species-rich rhynes
Smartphone Description: 
The rhynes within this pasture land are full of rare plants, such as frogbit and rootless duckweed. There are also many scarce invertebrates such has hairy dragonfly and water scorpion. Reed and sedge warblers are found in the rhynes and migrating whimbrel are often seen here in the spring. The site also contains evidence of Roman habitation and Medieval earthwork
Location
Address: 
Dolemoor Lane, Puxton
Town: 
Puxton
County: 
North Somerset
Grid ref: 
ST 412 629
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Public footpath allows access through site. As well as the public footpaths that cross the reserve, there is an open access arrangement across the site. Caution - many of the rhynes are steep-sided and contain deep water. Contact the Trust for disabled access information
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park opposite the church within the village of Puxton
Walking information: 
As well as the public footpaths that cross the reserve, there is an open access arrangement across the site. Caution - many of the rhynes are steep-sided and contain deep water.
Grazing animals?: 
0
Grazing animals: 
yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
0117 917 7270
Reserve email address: 
Avon Wildlife Trust
Photos
Photo: 
Puxton Moor
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve