A host of wildlife walks, talks and activities announced for 2010
A host of wildlife walks, talks, courses and children’s and family events have been announced by the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project.
The programme of events for 2010 begins on February 2 with an illustrated book talk by local writer Geraldine Taylor, author of ‘The Coffee Thrush and other bird stories’.
Mandy Leivers, Education Officer for the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project explains: “The talk is based on a delightful little book that Geraldine has written describing her bird watching adventures on the Downs. During the evening you’ll hear about Marble the albino jackdaw, Chirrup the injured baby blackbird and the Coffee Thrush. Artist Dru Marland will also be at the talk showing some of the charming illustrations from the book.”
During February half-term, children can find out all about our feathered friends living on the Downs at the ‘Build a birdfeeder’ day on February 18 (for children aged 8-12, £8.50 per child).
Towards the end of February, adults can learn about the mysterious world of mosses and lichens and get to grips with these tiny plants as part of a one-day identification course in Leigh Woods.
Many added: “Our programme of events offers something for everyone. In March you can try your hand at making a sculpture in our ‘Willow wildlife workshop’, or discover the rare plants of Leigh Woods in the ‘Spring plants’ walk in April, or get to grips with the different kinds of bumblebee on our ‘Identifying bumblebees’ course in July.
“We’ve also created three family walks. Spot signs of spring in the ‘Spring detectives’ walk, enjoy a magical story-telling event called ‘Prickly tales and foxy fables’ or swoop along to the Downs for the ‘Gorge-ous peregrines’ event.”
The Coffee Thrush and other bird stories’ talk, takes place at Bristol Zoo Gardens on Tuesday February 2. It starts at 7pm and costs £3.00 per person.
Booking is essential for all events. Meeting points and course details are sent when participants book a place. To book a place or for a copy of the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events programme call Mandy Leivers on 0117 9030609. To find out more about the full line up of events for 2010 visit the website www.avongorge.org.uk.
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For further information please contact the Bristol Zoo Gardens Press Office
Lucy Parkinson – 0117 974 7369 or Mandy Leivers on 0117 9030609
Notes to the Editor:
- The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is a partnership of Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, the Downs Committee, Natural England and the Society of Merchant Venturers. The Project is also working with the National Trust who manage part of Leigh Woods on the North Somerset side of the Gorge.
- The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is working to secure the outstanding wildlife interest of the Bristol side of the Avon Gorge and Clifton and Durdham Downs and to raise awareness and understanding of this unique location and its importance for people and wildlife.
- Local writer and broadcaster, Geraldine Taylor has published a new wildlife book “The Coffee Thrush” featuring the birds on and around the Bristol Downs. Geraldine has been a keen bird watcher for over 20 years and brings her skills as a writer to describing the antics of the Downs’ feathered inhabitants. The Coffee Thrush is published by Eye on Books and is available from most Bristol bookshops.
The full list of events:
Booking is essential for all events. Meeting points and course details are sent when participants book a place.
To book a place call Mandy Leivers on 0117 9030609. To find out more about the full line up of events for 2010 visit the website www.avongorge.org.uk.
Talks
Tuesday 2nd February
The Coffee Thrush and other bird stories (Talk)
In her new book, The Coffee Thrush, Geraldine Taylor tells stories of her birdwatching adventures on the Downs. During this evening’s talk meet Marble the jackdaw, the Observatory robins, Chirrup the baby blackbird and of course the Coffee thrush.
7.00pm – 8.00pm £3.00
At Bristol Zoo Gardens. Venue accessible to wheelchair users. Hearing loop in place
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Tuesday 9th March
Where have all the sparrows gone? (Talk)
Steve Micklewright from Avon Wildlife Trust will talk about the ecology of these characterful little birds. He’ll explain the theories behind the decline in their numbers and talk about what we can all do to help them.
7.00pm – 8.00pm £3.00
At Bristol Zoo Gardens. Venue accessible to wheelchair users. Hearing loop in place
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Children events
Thursday 18th February
Build a birdfeeder
Spend a morning finding out about the birds that live on the Downs. In the afternoon make a couple of brilliant birdfeeders to take home for your feathered friends.
10.00am – 3.30pm £8.50 per child (children will need to bring their own packed lunch).
Run in conjunction with Avon Wildlife Trust for children aged 8 - 12 years.
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Thursday 3rd June
Fabulous falcons
Did you know that peregrine falcons can fly at over 200mph? Discover amazing facts about the Avon Gorge’s fastest and most beautiful predator and have lots of fun in our pigeon-peregrine game. In the afternoon create your own fabulous peregrine glider toy.
10.00am – 3.30pm £8.50 per child (children will need to bring their own packed lunch).
Run in conjunction with Avon Wildlife Trust for children aged 8 - 12 years.
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Courses
Saturday 27th February
Identifying mosses and liverworts (Course)
Delve into the wonderful world of mosses and liverworts with Justin Smith. We’ll venture into Nightingale Valley in Leigh Woods to learn how to identify these marvellous flowerless plants.
10.00am – 3.30pm £17.50
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Saturday 6th March
Willow wildlife workshop (Course)
Celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity by creating your own wildlife sculpture out of willow. Artist Julie Starks will show you how to weave a wonderful work of art for your garden.
10.00am – 3.30pm £30.00 (including materials)
NB: This event is aimed at adults.
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th April
Birdsong on the Downs (Course)
Learn how to identify birds from their song with Ed Drewitt. On Friday evening, Ed will give a multimedia talk to introduce the birds you’re likely to see and hear on the Downs. The next morning, our expert will lead you on a walk to identify birds ‘in the field’.
Fri 7.00pm – 9.00pm (Talk),
Sat 8.00am – 10.00am (Walk) £17.50
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Saturday 3rd July
Identifying bumblebees (Course)
We’ll start with an illustrated introduction to the different bumblebee species including: their lifecycles, distribution, conservation and identification features. Later, entomologist Janet Boyd will lead you on a walk on the Downs to identify bumblebees ‘in the field’.
10.00am – 3.30pm £17.50
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Walks
Sunday 18th April
Spring plants in Leigh Woods
The Avon Gorge is internationally famous for its rare and interesting plants. Discover some of the rarities that grow on the Leigh Woods side of the gorge with local botanist Libby Houston.
2.00pm – 4.00pm £4.00
NB: There are very, very steep slopes and uneven ground on this walk.
Run jointly with the National Trust.
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Sunday 25th April
Early birds and bacon butties
(with a veggie option)
Join us for an early morning walk with bird expert Richard Bland. After learning how to identify birds on the Downs, it’s back to the Zoo for a spot of breakfast.
6.00am – 8.30am Note the early start time!
£10.00 Includes bacon bap or egg butty plus tea or coffee.
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Sunday 16th May
Conserving the plants of the Avon Gorge
Join Libby Houston and Mandy Leivers for a special ‘International Plant Conservation Day’ walk. On this gentle stroll to the small rare plant display on the Suspension Bridge, we’ll talk about the conservation of the plants that make the gorge such an important wildlife site.
2.00pm – 3.30pm £3.00
This event is part of plant conservation day activities 15th & 16th May. F.F.I visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk in May.
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Thursday 27th May
Candles and blossom tree walk
Enjoy the candle flowers of majestic horse chestnuts and cream blossoms of historic hawthorns in this evening stroll on the Downs with Tony Titchen.
6.30pm – 8.30pm £4.00
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Thursday 8th July
Silky wave walk
The Avon Gorge is the only English site for the silky wave moth. Spend an evening with Ray Barnett (Bristol Naturalists’ Society) and Warren Spencer (Bristol Zoo Gardens) spotting this rare moth and some of the other invertebrates that make the Gorge their home.
6.30pm – 8.30pm £4.00
NB: This walk involves steep paths and steps.
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Family walks
Meeting point details will be given on booking
Children must be accompanied by adults on all of these events.
Sunday 28th March
Spring detectives
Have fun on this seasonal walk with Geraldine Taylor and Mandy Leivers. How many signs of spring can you spot along the way? Find out about the wildlife that lives on the Downs and get crafty creating some spring artwork.
2.00pm – 4.00pm £3.00
No charge for under 5s.
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Saturday 22nd May
Prickly tales and foxy fables
Join storyteller Martin Maudsley on an animated walk around the Downs. He’ll bring to life tales of plants and animals for International Biodiversity Day. A chance to stretch your legs and enjoy a flock of furry, feathered and floral stories.
2.00pm – 3.30pm £4.00
Suitable for families with children aged 6+.
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Saturday 19th June
Gorge-ous peregrines
Swoop along to the Downs for a special peregrine family event with Ed Drewitt. Through fun games and activities find out what makes super speedy peregrine falcons masters of the skies.
10.30am – 12.00pm £3.00
No charge for under 5s.
Run in conjunction with the Bristol Ornithological Club as part of a Peregrine Watch Weekend.
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
Parent and toddler event
Wednesday 14th July
Tall tales for little people
Join us for a feast of fun with ambling storyteller Martin Maudsley. After a short walk accompanied by tales of stories of mighty giants, wishing trees and clever birds we’ll have a picnic beside a meadow on the Downs.
10.30am –1.30pm £4.00 per child
This event is aimed at 3 – 5 year olds (with accompanying adults!) and is suitable for pushchairs. Please bring a picnic.
To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 or mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk
