Nature in Nailsea

 In the 1950s Nailsea had a population of about 3000, but today it has grown to become a small town with a population approaching 20,000, and inevitably some of its rural character has been lost in this transition. Yet much unspoilt countryside still remains and we are determined to preserve and enhance it. The wildlife often depends on the 'untidiness' of our gardens, which can be a haven for slow worms, hedgehogs and butterflies. Many gardens now include ponds that are a refuge for frogs and newts, and which also encourage dragonflies. The natural ponds around Nailsea have been largely destroyed, but Backwell Lake has provided a new environment, which attracts many water birds. Kingfishers may also be seen close to the bridge and Herons are often seen fishing for eels. Many different dragonflies can be seen, and at night Daubenton's Bats skim the lake to feed on the small insects that are abundant here.

Close by, Netcott's Meadow, managed by the Avon Wildlife Trust, is well known for its spring flowers and especially for its Bee- and Green-Winged orchids. Since fertilizers have never been used on this area, the wild flowers are able to flourish without competition from the grasses. In addition the field has a plant called Hay Rattle that is parasitic on the grasses, reducing their vigour. Further to the west, Nailsea Ponds, which were dug to provide embankments for the nearby railway, is a good fishing ground and also attracts water birds, while glow worms can be seen in the grass nearby.  

The Wood close to St Francis School is a remnant of a Pennant Sandstone quarry, dating back to the 19th Century. Volunteers, the Friends of Nowhere Wood, are helping to protect this woodland and to preserve the wildlife here. The pond has abundant frog spawn in the Spring and at night it is occupied by several Tawny Owls. Towerhouse Wood to the north of Nailsea, owned by the Woodland Trust, is well known for its carpet of Bluebells in the Spring, for its veteran Oak trees and for the mysterious bubbling pond in the South West corner. A small piece of woodland to the west of this has been recently donated to Nailsea Town Council by Dr Sarah Spilsbury for the preservation of its wildlife and as a public amenity. Volunteers are installing bird nesting boxes here and a new management plan has been implemented.

There is much wildlife even in the centre of Nailsea. Stockway North Nature Reserve that was established in 1996 is owned by North Somerset Council. The large artificial pond here attracts newts and frogs, and is of great educational value for local schools. Even the site of the old Glassworks has developed a distinctive flora and visitors to Tesco can see some quite unusual plants growing here. The small area with the remains of the coal mine at Middle Engine Pit is now  overgrown, but it is hoped that this also will be developed as a nature reserve, since English Heritage has declared that the pit buildings should be preserved. 

Nailsea Wildlife Wardens monitor the local wildlife and help to improve the habitats on which our native flora and fauna depend.

Terry Smith

13^th June 2007