Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve is just south of Yate, near Bristol, in the West of England.
Please click on the menu items above to find out about the Reserve, or read the latest diary entries from our blog wapley.blogspot.com
NEWS UPDATES
DORMOUSE SURVEY UNDER WAY
You may see some dormouse nesting tubes in trees and hedges around the Wapley property for the next few weeks. A professional ecologist is carrying out a survey to see whether hazel dormice have moved into our area (previous surveys have had negative results)
The population of hazel dormice in the UK has dropped by 75% in less than 30 years. The species is currently classed as vulnerable, but there are thoughts that the status might be upgraded to endangered. We’ll let you know the outcome of the survey.
EXCELLENT RESULTS FROM SPRING BIRD WALK
On a nice clear morning our local bird expert Alan Daniells led seven of us on a bird walk through Wapley Common, the woods and the meadows. Many of the group were also experienced bird spotters, and in total we identified 23 species. We spotted double-figure numbers each of Chiffchaff, Blackcap, and Wren.
There was a wide range of other species too: Mallard, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, and Robin.
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES – SUMMER BIRD WALK
Please join us on Saturday 28 June starting at the Shire Way gate BS37 8US at 10.00 AM. Please wear suitable footwear.
NATURE RESERVE VOLUNTEER WORK MORNINGS
WAPLEY WORK MORNING – SUNDAY 11 MAY 10.00 AM
This workday will be a combination of a spring clean of the reserve and assorted vegetation management. Please wear stout footwear, and bring your own gloves if you can. Everyone is welcome, but young people under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Meet at 10 am at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US. Please wear stout footwear and bring gloves if you have them. If not, we’ll provide gloves that you can keep until the next workday – as a COVID precaution we’re not sharing gloves.
Please come and join us even if you haven’t been before. You can bring your own tools – for example a spade if you’ve got one – or if not, tools will be provided. Everyone is welcome, though children under 16 will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
WAPLEY WORK MORNING – SATURDAY 5 JULY 10.00 AM
On this workday we will aim to do a deep clean of the Reserve and cut back intruding vegetation along the woodland paths to get the reserve ready for our summer visitors. Please wear stout footwear, and bring your own gloves if you have them. Everyone welcome!
Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Would you like to be kept informed of work mornings and other activities? You can use our Contact Us page to ask for your email address to be added to our local list, so that you find out about environment events at Wapley and other local wildlife sites.
You can find out about our activities on the Wapley Bushes Events Page.
Please watch this page for future events.
WAPLEY BUSHES LOCAL NATURE RESERVE – A WARM WELCOME
This area of woodlands and meadows is a haven for wildlife. Please enjoy the views and the peace and quiet. Visitors of all ages are welcome to explore the Reserve – look for secret places like the Lower Pond hidden in a copse, and the Dragon Tree on the Lower Path in the Ancient Woodland.
The Reserve is owned by Dodington Parish Council and managed in partnership with Wapley Bushes Conservation Group. The Reserve was set up in 1992.
Wapley Bushes Conservation Group holds regular workdays and always welcomes new volunteers – there is something for everyone, and it’s a very friendly group. The Conservation Group is affiliated to Avon Wildlife Trust, and can tell you about other local nature areas and volunteering opportunities.
Enjoy your visit and please come back soon.
Ash Dieback Disease tree surgery
Major tree surgery works were carried out over the last two winters to deal with Ash Dieback Disease. The contractors returned to the Centenary Wood area in autumn 2021 to remove the stumps and get rid of the deepest ruts. By the end of winter 2021 – 2022 we had planted more than 130 new trees, and about 240 in winter 2022 – 2023. Please check out our Ash Dieback Disease page.
Telephone contacts
Wapley Bushes Conservation Group
01454 315851 or 01454 313055
Dodington Parish Council
01454 866546