The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project (AGDWP) team works incredibly hard to ensure that the beautiful flora and fauna of the Downs continue to thrive throughout the year, while at the same time creating plenty of opportunities for visitors to enjoy this precious green space in the heart of the city.
Taking place now and throughout the summer, the team has organised a wide range of activities, a summary of which you can find below, or head over to the AGDWP website for more information.
Wildflower watch
The Downs wildflowers really come into their own at this time of year as the meadow species erupt in bloom. Plants which are only found on the species-rich limestone grassland can be seen popping up all over the extensive wildflower meadows as the grasses begin to grow up all around them. These plants include UK red list plants such as the green-winged orchid, which is flowering abundantly in certain sections of Clifton Down. Other limestone specialists include cowslip and salad burnet.
Bee photo credit: Phil Jearey
Granny Downs on Durdham Down
As part of Bristol Walk Fest, visitors can explore the Granny Downs – a tapestry of trees that form part of a tree trail where you can find out fascinating facts and folklore, and enjoy learning about the laburnums, horse chestnuts and hawthorns that are all currently displaying their glorious spring blossom. Find out more here.
Heritage on the Promenade
Also part of Bristol Walk Fest, author Clare Reddaway has created a new heritage session during which visitors will explore the iconic tree-lined Promenade to find a snuff mill, an iron age fort, a masterpiece of Victorian engineering, the first war memorial and a hermit’s cave. Find out more here.
Half-term fun
During half-term, the children’s nature club offers an opportunity to get involved and explore the spectacular wildflower meadows with an exciting wildflower treasure hunt. Children will follow clues which lead to the ‘lost’ Bristol onion, take a deep dive into the colours of the meadow and make a felt flower a colourful mandala to take home. Find out more here.
Birdsong workshop
An immersive birdsong workshop delivered by well-known author and expert naturalist Ed Drewitt, is a great opportunity to learn top tips for identifying birds by delving deeply into the make-up of their distinctive songs. Find out more here.
Peregrine falcons
With telescopes at the ready, visitors will be looking out for Bristol’s famous Gorge inhabitants – the peregrine falcons – as they perch on the cliffs or call across the chasm. Expert naturalist Ed Drewitt will be revealing their history, following 26 years of study. Find out more here.
Invertebrate hunt
Join an immersive invertebrate hunt in the long grass, while learning survey techniques such as sweep-netting from entomology expert Ray Barnett, and discover how to identify the invertebrates which call the wildflower meadow home. With 50 years of knowledge, Ray is Bristol Museum’s entomology lead. Find out more here.
Love your Living Downs
Love your Living Downs is a special campaign run by AGDWP to discourage irresponsible behaviour which negatively impacts both the ecology of the Downs and the visitor experience. The key messages are to please take your litter home, and to keep the Downs free from fire and BBQs.
Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project exists to secure the outstanding wildlife interest of these sites through engagement, habitat management and surveying/monitoring. AGDWP also represents these sites on the Downs Advisory Panel and the Downs Committee.
All income generated by the Project goes straight back into delivering learning and engagement to schools and other groups, higher education and the community.
