WOOLAVINGTON WI MEETING REPORT OCTOBER 2016
Where might you find the rare Bristol onion and the Bristol whitebeam? The clue is in the name, as we discovered at our latest meeting, when Mandy Leivers, who is the Biodiversity Education Officer for the Avon Gorge and Downs, gave us a fascinating, entertaining and informative presentation.
They are of course just two of the species of plants endemic to the Bristol Downs and Avon Gorge area, but are by no means the only species which are unique to this site. There are three other types of whitebeam, Wilmott's, Houstons and Leighwoods as well as the Bristol whitebeam. The lollipop-like Bristol onion and the delicate Bristol rock cress are also not found anywhere else in the British Isles. The Downs are recognised as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest and the Gorge as a Site of Special Scientific Interest
For at least 450 years plant lovers have been scaling the craggy ledges of the Gorge for rarities such as honewort, spiked speedwell and the marvelously named autumn squill, mouse ear and fingered sedge.
In addition, 27 species of bird nest on the Downs, rare lesser and greater horseshoe bats are to be found roosting in the Gorge and more than half the UK species of butterfly can be seen as well as the rare silky wave mot
The Downs consist of Clifton Down, south west of Stoke Road and Durdham Down north east of Stoke Road. The fact that they exist as open spaces today is due to the forward thinking of a group of Bristolians over 150 years ago. Thanks to their efforts an Act was passed in 1861 to secure the Downs as a place of recreation for us all forever.
Mandy was an accomplished speaker, who engaged her audience and there is no doubt that a visit to the Downs will result.
Where might you find the rare Bristol onion and the Bristol whitebeam? The clue is in the name, as we discovered at our latest meeting, when Mandy Leivers, who is the Biodiversity Education Officer for the Avon Gorge and Downs, gave us a fascinating, entertaining and informative presentation.
They are of course just two of the species of plants endemic to the Bristol Downs and Avon Gorge area, but are by no means the only species which are unique to this site. There are three other types of whitebeam, Wilmott's, Houstons and Leighwoods as well as the Bristol whitebeam. The lollipop-like Bristol onion and the delicate Bristol rock cress are also not found anywhere else in the British Isles. The Downs are recognised as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest and the Gorge as a Site of Special Scientific Interest
For at least 450 years plant lovers have been scaling the craggy ledges of the Gorge for rarities such as honewort, spiked speedwell and the marvelously named autumn squill, mouse ear and fingered sedge.
In addition, 27 species of bird nest on the Downs, rare lesser and greater horseshoe bats are to be found roosting in the Gorge and more than half the UK species of butterfly can be seen as well as the rare silky wave mot
The Downs consist of Clifton Down, south west of Stoke Road and Durdham Down north east of Stoke Road. The fact that they exist as open spaces today is due to the forward thinking of a group of Bristolians over 150 years ago. Thanks to their efforts an Act was passed in 1861 to secure the Downs as a place of recreation for us all forever.
Mandy was an accomplished speaker, who engaged her audience and there is no doubt that a visit to the Downs will result.