Wildlife walkabouts

That time again....

Bat box checks today for @avonbatgroup What a great sunny day to spend in ancient woodland surrounded by woodland wildflowers, including native bluebells and early purple orchids. We had a few bats as well from two different species. Natterers bat and soprano pipistrelle. Thanks to @arbologyltd for lending a hand as so many people came out to play I needed some back up. #bats #batsofinstagram #batconservation #ecology #ecologist #ecologistlifestyle🌿 #natureismychurch #nature #naturelovers #cult #thecult #wildflowers #ancientwoodland

A shield fern is starting to unfurl ready for the season at
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Spot the Adder!
It's important to have binoculars or a zoom camera when looking for reptiles and adders in particular.
Not because they are dangerous, but because you can disturb them if you approach to close, and this will waste their energy when they dart off. At this time of year they are out soaking up the sun and rebooting after hibernation.
You need to get your survey skills up to scratch to be able to spot from a distance, but once you got your eye in, you got it.
The first 5 slides are of the same spot, just zoomed in on my phone camera.

A selection of photos from the past decade living on the wild side 🐸👀🤣

A collection of photos from over the past ten ish years of my wildlife Walkabouts, surveys and outings. Take a walk on the wild side 👀😎🐸 #wildlifewalkabouts #wildlifewarrior #ecology #ecologist #ecologylife #natureismychurch #nature #outdoors #herpetology #reptiles #amphibians #bats #batconservation #insects #botany #bogorchid #wildside

The pond at Arnos Vale is coming along nicely

A few years ago, @arnosvalecemetery had a community garden built along with a pond. I wanted to see how it was getting on regarding amphibian life and was not disappointed. Common frogs and smooth newts a plenty. This is what I would consider an urban pond and just goes to show, create, and they will come! People often confuse smooth newts with great crested newts, but once you have seen the difference there is no mistaking either. I love the spotted markings of the smooth newt. #amphibians ##herpetology #nature #wildlife #ponds #frogs #newts #ecology

https://wildlifewalkabouts.com/2024/02/05/bat-emergence-survey/
Want to know why you may have to do an extra bat survey for your roof works or conversion...

Bat Emergence Survey…. Want to know why you may have bat potential?

Do you know someone who is planning on some home improvements, like a loft conversion or extension? Or even building a house? Share this with them and give them the ecology heads up so they don't get frustrated when they get told they need an ecology report and holds up their work. Always best to try and be one step ahead.

Don’t Let Ecology Bite You In The Backside!! Nothing worse than being told you need ecology surveys at the end of summer! Don’t let it happen!

New website launched. Probably a bit clunky because I'm not a Web designer but I got there in the end.
Take a look. And if you need a bat survey....you know who to ask 👀
https://wildlifewalkabouts.com/about/

Hibernation count time!

I've been doing the roost count at @arnosvalecemetery for over ten years now. The numbers have been steadily increasing, more so for summer roosting, but have doubled for hibernation count since 2014. This is very good but I still want more. Checked under licence and done quickly to avoid disturbance and temperature changes in the roost. If you visit this stunning victorian garden cemetery you won't see the bats, but in some areas you may see signs of them. We do bat walks in the summer where you can learn about the bats and see some flying overhead. #bats #batsofinstagram #batconservation #hibernation #ecology #ecologist #nature #natureismychurch #lesserhorseshoebat #cemetery #victorian #nocturnal #sleep #bristol

Seen a pair of barn owls yesterday ☺️

Excuse the poor footage, but While on a little walk about yesterday (boxing day) and out away from my usual hobbit hole I had the pleasure of seeing not one but two barn owls Tyto alba out hunting. It was approximately 15.30, and barn owls will come out this early during brief spells of calm weather in amongst prolonged bad weather, which it has been wet and windy forever now. Its the wet weather that is bad for barn owls because they don't have the waterproof feathers like most birds so end up wet through and potentially grounded. If you know why I've chosen the song to go with the video then well done 10 points. #barnowl #barnowls #wildlife #ecology #nature #birds #birdsofinstagram #owlsofinstagram #natureismychurch #Green #wildlifewarrior #flying

Leading an early evening harbour side walk for the Avon wildlife Trust last night with the aim of getting people to notice what wildlife use the area. It was focused on nocturnal wildlife but not limited to just that.
Everyone had a great time, especially when the bats came out.