Apr 21st 2012 – Portbury Warth-Weston Moor – 8 A.M. to 2 P.M. Warbler migration and other birds. Identifying warblers etc. by call and song. We will also look at the ecology of these two sites

May 5th 2012 – Weston Bigwood (Gordano Valley) – 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. 2 for 1 in the wood – birdsong and flowers. A repeat of this popular course A.M. Identifying woodland birds by call and song. P.M. Woodland flora

June 23rd 2012 – Portbury Warth (Gordano Valley) – 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Saltmarsh, an eroding habitat? A.M and Hedgerow and wasteland flora P.M.. In conjunction with AWT

July 7-8th 2012 Middle Hill (Sat) and Weston Moor (sun) both in the Gordano Valley - 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Mix and match either of these- A tale of two meadows - Flora and fauna of two quite different meadows.

July28th 2012 – Weston and Clapton Moors (Gordano Valley) 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Dragonflies and rhyne flora, also rhyne dipping for water invertebrates.

Sep 8 2012 – Middle Hill Common (A.M.) and Weston Moor (P.M.) Gordano Valley – 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. In search of the Rufous Grasshopper – a late summer bonanza concentrating on Grasshopper and Bumblebee identification. A repeat of this popular course - will also include flora, butterflies and bird identification

Preliminary notes

These courses are intended as a part replacement for the sadly now defunct Lifelong Learning courses offered by the University of Bristol Natural Sciences department. The setting up of these courses has been prompted in part by the huge void now left in natural history courses and in part by the huge support I have received from course attendees to offer a continuation of this facility. This is a totally independent facility and as such has nothing to do with the University of Bristol.

The courses format will consist of practical day schools usually on Saturdays and typically lasting about 6 hours. I can offer flexibility in the minimum number of attendees necessary for any particular course to run. Courses at present will be run by myself. I may look for other lecturers in future if demand etc. is suitable.

Cost

The cost will be £20 per person with a reduction to £15 for the following.

Registered students

Block bookings (5+)

AWT or BNATS members

Courses will include free topical image(s) taken by myself (choice) and full course notes.

Course fees are payable in advance by cheque to Dr W E Dixon

In the unlikely event of a course being cancelled monies will be returned. Non attendance will not be reimbursed.

The courses are fully insured.

Many of the courses are situated in the Gordano Valley which lies between Portishead and clevedon flanked on both sides by limestone ridges.

The valley is a very rich habitat with conditions varying between peat and clay in the valley bottoms to limestsone and pennant in the ridges

If you have ideas about other courses you would be interested please let me know and I will see what I can do.

Below are some views of the valley from one of the ridges

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