Avon Gorge and Downs events

Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events– spring and summer 2010.

For further information contact Mandy Leivers on 0117 9030609 or e-mail mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk. Pre-booking for all events is essential. Details of meeting points are given on booking.

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.
At Bristol Zoo Gardens. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

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
Venue accessible to wheelchair users and hearing loop in place.
At Bristol Zoo Gardens. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

Sunday 28th March
Spring detectives (Family walk)
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.
On the Downs. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

Sunday 18th April
Spring plants in Leigh Woods (Walk)
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.
Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

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
At Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the Downs. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

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.
At Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the Downs. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

Sunday 16th May
Conserving the plants of the Avon Gorge (Walk)
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.
On the Downs. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

Saturday 22nd May
Prickly tales and foxy fables (Family walk)
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+.
On the Downs. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

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
On the Downs. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

Thursday 3rd June
Fabulous falcons (Children’s event)
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.
At Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the Downs. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book

Saturday 19th June
Gorge-ous peregrines (Family event)
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. On the Downs. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

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
At Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the Downs. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

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.
In the Avon Gorge. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

Wednesday 14th July
Tall tales for little people (Parent and toddler event)
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.
On the Downs. Call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 9030609 to book.

The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is a partnership of Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, 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.