Nailsea Wildlife Wardens
See also www.nailseanature.org.uk
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The town of Nailsea (population about 20,000) grew from a small village in the 1980s. Many of the inhabitants work in the city of Bristol that is about 12km away. |
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Although much of our countryside was used for building new houses, some areas are still relatively undisturbed and remain as havens for wildlife. At the time of development, many trees were planted in Nailsea and these are now enhancing the appearance of the Town.
Below is the Girdled Snail Hygromia cinctella found in Stockway North Nature Reserve
On the right are some of the English Bluebells from Towerhouse Wood These should be distinguished from the Spanish Bluebells which are aggressive aliens
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One of the substantial Oak trees in Nailsea - The Royal Oak
Nailsea Wildlife Wardens are volunteers sponsored by North Somerset Council and by Nailsea Town Council who help to preserve and monitor our native plants and animals, working closely with the North Somerset Wildlife Wardens of which we are all members.
Towerhouse Wood, a site of semi-natural ancient woodland about 1 km to the north of Nailsea owned by The Woodland Trust, is famous for its bluebells and veteran oak trees. Unfortunately, the wood is being invaded by a variety of alien trees and shrubs that could overwhelm our native plants if they are not controlled. Removal of these is one of the tasks that is undertaken by the Friends of Towerhouse Wood. There is also a threat from Himalayan Balsam to the west. We have recently removed a large number of these plants from Spilsbury Wood.
The in-filled quarry in the centre of Nailsea has been converted into a nature reserve with the installation of a pond and bird nesting boxes and by planting trees. This reserve is managed by the Friends of Stockway North Nature Reserve, a group set up in 1998 with financial support from the local Councils and the administrators of the landfill tax (Yansec).
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Marbled White Butterflies
Photograph taken by Hilary West on Jose Luscombe's field in Stoney Steep - 2nd July 2008
