Dr Bill’s Ecology Courses

Full Prospectus and other details are available online at www.drbilldixon.co.uk, by email to dixon.dr_bill@btinternet.com or phone 01275-849200

 

The setting up of these courses has been prompted in part by the huge void now left in natural history courses in the Bristol area since the University of Bristol has cut many of it’s Earth Science and related courses, and in part by the huge support I have received from course attendees to offer a continuation of this facility. These courses are totally independently run and as such have 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.

 

The cost will be £20 per person with a reduction to £15 for 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 normally be reimbursed. The courses are fully insured.

 

Currently on offer are – (all Saturdays unless stated)

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 – Portishead Sea Front and Portbury Warth (Gordano Valley)  – 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Saltmarsh, an eroding habitat?  Portishead Sea Front saltmarsh(AM) and Portbury Warth saltmarsh (PM) with lunch break at cafι on sea front. 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

 

 

October  2012 Weston Bigwood  – Leaf litter analysis : what happens to dead leaves. A look at leaves, leaf decomposers and their predators – Woodlice, Millepedes, Spiders, Beetles etc.

 

NEW

Winter educated walks (about 2-3 hours on Sunday aftenoons starting at 1 or 2 P.M.) cost £4 (½ for kids)

 

Oct 23 – Weston Bigwood – Autumn trees and leaves and basic fungi.

Nov 27 – Ashton Plantation – A fine plantation including Beech and Fir

Dec 11- Xmas mystery walk

Jan 29 – Portbury Warth and possibly Sheepway corridor (good for winter birds)

Feb 19 – Clevedon Pill and Hill (look out for Peregrines and Rock Pipits)

 

All walks details and times by advanced booking (phone or email to above details)

If you want a walk or course not on the list this can be arranged depending on numbers, date, etc.