Cam Valley Wildlife Group

an independent wildlife conservation group covering Midsomer Norton, Radstock and surrounding villages

About The Group

Introduction
Aims & Activities
Our Area
Local Wildlife
The Wildlife Year
Contact Us

Membership
How To Join
Membership Form
Projects
Group Projects
Barn Owl Project
Bat Project
Bird Recording
Butterfly Project
Dormouse Project
Flora Project
Otter Project
Owls & Raptors
Small Mammal
Goosard Reserve
Paulton Reserve
Stephen's Vale
Events
Events Diary
Newsletter

Latest Newsletter
Articles Archive

Links
Links


Bithynian Vetch (Vicia bithynica) Welcome to the Cam Valley Wildlife Group

Cam Valley Wildlife Group is an independent, volunteer-run, wildlife group based around Midsomer Norton and Radstock. The area covers the towns and villages of Cameley, Camerton, Carlingcott, Chelwood, Chewton Mendip, Chilcompton, Clapton, Clutton, Coleford, Combe Hay, Dunkerton, Emborough, Farmborough, Farrington Gurney, Faulkland, Foxcote, Hallatrow, Haydon, High Littleton, Hinton Blewett, Hinton Charterhouse, Holcombe, Kilmersdon, Litton, Midford, Midsomer Norton, Norton St Philip, Paulton, Peasedown St John, Priston, Radford, Radstock, Shoscombe, Southstoke, Ston Easton, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Temple Cloud, Timsbury, Tunley, Welton, Westfield, Wellow and Writhlington.

Our aims are the conservation of local biodiversity, the promoting awareness and understanding of local wildlife, and the encouraging the enjoyment of wildlife. Our activities include a varied events programme, talks, walks, field trips, workshops, social events, survey projects and practical conservation projects.

We produce a newsletter four times a year and have an online discussion group for members. Membership is open to anyone who supports our aims and an annual fee of £5.00 covers all members in one household.

Feel free to browse around our website.

What To Look For in... August

Another good month for insects and flora, with berries starting to appear. Still a quiet time for birds.

Flora

  • Yew fruits ripen.
  • Bramble berries appear.
  • Elderberries, haws, Rowan berries, sloes, Dog Rose hips and Guelder Rose fruit develop.
  • Alder trees bear their green cone-like fruits and Beech nuts appear.
  • Cuckoo-pint (Lords-and-Ladies) berries ripen.
  • Japanese Knotweed in flower!

Insects

  • Burnet Moth caterpillars feeding on legumes.
  • Garden Tiger Moth caterpillars (hairy Marys or woolly bears) feeding on docks and dandelions.
  • Second generation: Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Comma, Common Blue and Holly Blue on the wing.
  • Butterfly caterpillars include: Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Small Skipper.

Mammals

  • Badgers collect bedding.
  • Bats are actively feeding, with pups becoming independent feeders too. Males beginning to search for a mate.

Birds

  • Tawny Owls start calling to establish next year’s territory.
  • Swifts and Blackcaps start to depart.

 

Reptiles & Amphibians

  • Adder and Slow-worm young are born.
  • Grass Snake eggs hatch.

From 'The Wildlife Year' - a month by month guide to the things that may be happening in the Cam Valley Wildlife Group area.

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