Avon Gorge & Downs events
Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events programme spring – summer 2012.
For further information contact Mandy Leivers on 0117 903 0609* or e-mail mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk. Pre-booking for all events is essential. Details of meeting points are given on booking.
* NB, please quote this phone number and not the main Zoo switchboard number, bookings must be made via this line.
Tuesday 7th February
When nightingales sang (Talk)
Journey back in time with local naturalist and historian Richard Bland, to a time when skylarks sang above the Downs and the nightingale’s song could be heard on Bridge Valley Road. Discover the birds that used to live here and those that have more recently made the site their home.
7.00pm – 8.00pm £3.00
At Bristol Zoo Gardens. Venue accessible to wheelchair users. Hearing loop in place.
Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Saturday 11th February
Identifying mosses and liverworts (Course)
Delve into the wonderful world of mosses and liverworts with expert Justin Smith. We’ll venture into Leigh Woods to learn how to identify these marvellous flowerless plants.
10.00am – 3.30pm £17.50
Run jointly with the National Trust.
Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the Downs. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Thursday 16th February
Bird box bonanza (Children’s event for 8 – 12 year olds)
At this time of year birds are setting up home on the Downs. Through a fun morning of games and activities discover more about birds and their nests. In the afternoon make a nest box to take home for your feathered friends.
10.00am – 3.30pm £8.50 per child
Children will need to bring their own packed lunch.
Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the Downs. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Saturday 25th February
Identifying lichens on the Downs (Walk)
Explore some wonderful lichens growing on trees on the Downs with local lichen enthusiast Sheila Quin. On this guided walk Sheila will help you learn to identify these strange and beautiful organisms.
10.30am – 12.30pm £4.00
Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the Downs. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Tuesday 6th March
The people’s park (Talk)
The Downs Act of 1861 set out to preserve the Downs as a place of recreation for us all forever. Using paintings, prints and postcards, Francis Greenacre will explore the many ways in which Bristolians have enjoyed the Downs from ‘double horses’, penny-farthings, rickshaws, fairs, cricket and a great deal more.
7.00pm – 8.00pm £3.00
At Bristol Zoo Gardens. Venue accessible to wheelchair users. Hearing loop in place.
Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Saturday 17th March
Sketching birds (Course)
Do you want to learn to sketch birds? Bristol Zoo’s Wildlife Illustrator, Su Lees, will get you drawing, using simple techniques, practising first on some stuffed specimens and then drawing live, moving ones, outdoors!
10.00am – 3.30pm £17.50
Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the Downs. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Saturday 24th March
Meet the goatkeepers (Walk)
Join us for a strenuous walk in the Gully searching for our herd of goats. Along the way find out how they’re helping to save the Avon Gorge’s rare plants.
10.30am – 12.00pm £3.00
NB: There are very, very steep slopes and uneven ground on this walk.
On the Downs. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Sunday 25th March
Postcard promenade on Clifton Down (Walk)
Using postcards, prints and paintings Francis Greenacre will compare the current views of Clifton Down with those from days gone by.
10.30am - 12.30pm £4.00
On the Downs. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Sunday 1st April
Spring plants of the Avon Gorge (Walk)
The Avon Gorge is internationally famous for its 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. In Leigh Woods. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Sunday 15th April
Early birds and bacon butties (with a veggie option) (Walk)
Join us for an early morning walk with bird expert Michael Johnson. 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!
£10.00Includes a bacon bap or egg butty plus tea or coffee.
On the Downs. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Tuesday 1st May
The secret blackbird and other bird mysteries (Talk)
Geraldine and Dru will introduce their new book: The Secret Blackbird, and entertain you with other bird mysteries of the Downs! You will be invited to speculate on the some of the greatest puzzles in local birdwatching and perhaps bring your own stories of the unexplained...
7.00pm – 8.00pm £3.00
At Bristol Zoo Gardens. Venue accessible to wheelchair users. Hearing loop in place.
Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Friday 11th and Saturday 12th May
Identifying birds along the Avon (Course)
On Friday evening, Ed Drewitt will give an illustrated talk about the birds we’re likely to see along the river in spring. The next day our expert will take us on a guided boat tour identifying birds along the way. We should see young herons and possibly peregrines too.
Fri 7.00pm – 9.00pm and
Sat 9.30am – 1.00pm £35.00 (including a Bristol Ferry Boat Company trip through the Gorge).
Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Saturday 19th May
A beginner’s guide to identifying trees (Course)
Learn to tell your ash from your oak with Tony Titchen. Following an illustrated talk to teach you the basics, we’ll head out onto the Downs and get to grips with the most common British natives and a few of the introduced species too.
10.00am – 3.30pm £17.50
Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the Downs. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Sunday 20th May
Tree-mendous tales (Family walk)
On this storytelling walk around Leigh Woods, Martin Maudsley will bring to life magical folktales about the different trees we encounter.
10.30am – 12.30pm £4.00(no charge for under 5s)
Run in conjunction with the National Trust.
Suitable for families with children aged 6+
Children must be accompanied by adults on both of these events.
In Leigh Woods. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Thursday 24th May
Whitebeam wander (Walk)
The Avon Gorge is considered to be the most important whitebeam site in the world - some species grow nowhere else. On this stroll in Leigh Woods, botanist Libby Houston will introduce you to some of these special trees.
6.30pm – 8.30pm £4.00
Run in conjunction with the National Trust
In Leigh Woods. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Monday 4th June
Jubilee Downs day (Family event)
Enjoy an afternoon of traditional, live music and family activities on the Downs on this Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday Monday. Take part in family games, crazy golf and children’s art activities. Bring a picnic or enjoy some food from our top-quality food concessions. Put the date in your diary and look out for further details closer to the time www.avongorge.org.uk
Thursday 7th June
Brilliant butterflies (Children’s event for 8 – 12 year olds)
Did you know butterflies can taste with their feet? Discover the amazing world of these colourful insects as we spend a morning butterfly spotting on the Downs. In the afternoon create your own fabulous caterpillar or butterfly sock puppet.
10.00am – 3.30pm £8.50 per child
Children will need to bring their own packed lunch.
Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the Downs. Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
Saturday 30th June
Bus top safari (Family event)
We’ve joined forces with the City Sightseeing open top buses to offer you a unique wildlife tour. See the Avon Gorge and Downs from a whole new perspective. Mandy Leivers will be on board to point out the wildlife we encounter.
10.00am – 12.00pm
£10.00 adults £4.00 kids
Book with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609
The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is a partnership of Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, Natural England, University of Bristol, the Society of Merchant Venturers and the Downs Committee.
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.
