Botany Walk in Snuff Mills

On Tuesday evening whilst most of Bristol seemed to be watching something called the Olympic Flame a few took a walk through Snuff Mills with Botanists Rupert Higgins and Dawn Lawrence. An enjoyable 2 hours were spent wondering along the valley identifying some of the many wildflowers and plants. Here is a list that Rupert and Dawn identified along the valley Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)
Ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis)
Jack-By-The-Hedge (Alliaria petiolata)
Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)
Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum)
Dog's mercury (Mercurialis perennis )
Broad Buckler Fern (Dryopteris dilatata)
Soft Shield Fern (Polystichum setiferum)
Wood Millet (Milium effusum)
Hart's-tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium)
Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)
Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata)
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
Pendulous sedge (Carex pendula )
Wood Speedwell (Veronica montana)
Red Campion (Silene dioica)
Lesser Burdock (Arctium minus)
Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)
Greater Wood Rush (Luzula syvatica)
Small Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata)
Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon)
Lady's Smock (Cardamine Pratensis)
Small Teasel (Dipsacus Pilosus)
Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
Narrow-leaved Bitter-cress (Cardamine impatiens)
Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris)
Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)
Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea)
Enchanter's nightshade (Circaea lutetiana)
Greater burdock (Arctium lappa)
Wall lettuce (Lactuca muralis)

Some being a bit more unusual than others but just goes to show how many wonderful plants can be seen when you take the time!

Thanks to Rupert and Dawn for their enthusiasm and knowledge and we look forward to next year!

All the photos of the different plants can be found on our facebook page so see if you can identify them next time you are having a stroll.

Birdsong walk a treat for the early riser

This morning's birdsong walk led by Ed Drewitt was a real treat.  Among the highlights were the sound of the stock dove near Laundry Field - declining in numbers so good to know it's here in the valley, and a great spotted woodpeckers' nest with noisy fledglings in residence.  Other sightings/hearings included green woodpecker, chiff chaff, house sparrows, goldcrest, wood pigeon, grey wagtail, moorhen, mallard duck, wrens and robins aplenty, magpies, thrushes song and missle, black cap, great blue and long tail tits, blackbird, jay, grey heron, collar dove, lesser black back gull over Laundry Field, and of course the lovely kingfisher which obliged with a fly past or two as we walked along by the river.  Grove Wood was full of the bustle of birds foraging for their young and announcing their territorial rights.  It was a still, overcast morning, great for being able to hear what was going on.  Thanks to Ed for a really fascinating walk.
Don't miss Tuesday's Botany walk for an opportunity to find out about the plants in the valley - another fascinating event.  Meet in the garden at 6.30.

Sign the Laundry Field Petition

Bristol City Council have said that they would like to see the whole of Laundry Field, between Manor Rd, Blackberry Hill Hospital and Grove Wood, developed for housing as part of the redevelopment of the whole of the Blackberry Hill Hospital site.

Help us get the field taken out of their plans and designated as important open space by signing our petition

http://epetitions.bristol.gov.uk/epetition_core/community/petition/1863

Petition closes on May 24th, so hurry!