Nature in the Back Gardens of Pill and Easton in Gordano

24/03/2026

This might be worth sharing with the whole community.. re local overdevelopment...

Discover the latest challenges and successes for woods and trees and find out how you can make a difference.

05/02/2026

At last, some activity on the cyclepath in Pill. 17 males and 7 ravishingly large female toads - and a solitary female smooth newt. Should be plenty of amphibian action over the next few days, so please take care on the roads. Thanks

31/01/2026

So, I'm not about to launch into a pastiche of a Radiohead song*...just wanted to note that these are the only toads I have seen in the last few days; but surely it can't be long now? I will head out tonight circa 8 or 9 PM, probably try to make 6PM on Sunday and a tad earlier on monday - looking at the weather forecast, none of these days is a definite for toad activity but I did hear my first frog chorus of the new year last night, so hope springs eternal. Maybe see you down on the cyclepath? (*the song is, of course, fake plastic trees/toads)

28/01/2026

Avon Wildlife Trust has a handy page if you want to start uploading your wildlfie sightings to BRERC.

Green spaces are invaluable resources for local people, their wellbeing, and the wildlife coexisting in these areas. Citizen wildlife reporting helps protect these areas. Be part of Team Wilder and support actions for nature at home and in the community to benefit people and wildlife.

27/01/2026

(Rob Harvey) I'm heading out onto the Pill cyclepath (from Avon Road to the motorway bridge) this evening (tuesday 27th January) to see if there is much amphibian action. It's certainly wet enough and just about warm enough. I shall be heading out (in high viz with a bucket and torch and wellies) around 5.45 this evening, if anyone wants to join up. I am thinking that we might start seeing good numbers this weekend, if the temperature at night stays at 6 degrees or above.

10/03/2025

Some really lovely bird portraits from Cornell Bird Lab.

To learn more about each of the clips in this video visit https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/best-bird-videos-macaulay-2025The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's M...

10/03/2025

Just 9 toads last night and I wonder (given the forecast) if this will be last pair to cross the road to the breeding pool this year... Maybe some more will turn up but it is already late in the season; preliminary numbers suggest a low toad turnout this year with only circa 600 counted by patrollers (only 62 of these being females compared to 110 last year).
Thanks to everyone who patrolled this year.

07/03/2025

Could be one of the last good nights of the season to witness the toad migration (had 30 toads last night but a few were definitely on their way back). I will be down on the cyclepath to the motorway bridge from about 6.40. Hope to see a few of you there

06/03/2025

Though we are quite late in the season, I think that there is a good chance of some decent toad numbers in the next few nights. The weather forecast for thursday night (6th March) and Friday and Saturday (7th and 8th) look promising. As it is late on in their activity cycle, I cannot guarantee that any toads or other amphibians will show up but after over a week of cold evenings I feel like there should be some stragglers ready to pop out onto the cycle track. As sunset is just after 6 now, probably worth turning out at around 6.40 pm when the light levels have dropped enough for the toads to start.
(Pic purloined from another Patrol website)

22/02/2025

22/02/2025

Good patrol friday night . Thanks to everyone who came along. We ended up with around 130 amphibians moved off the track, so well done. I am, unfortunately not around for the next few days...although today looks to be too dry for big activity but sunday and possibly monday look to be potentially good nights for toad movement. If you do visit the sit, please take care to be seen by other users, wear hi viz if possible or at least light clothing, bring a powerful torch and a bucket if you can and if you don't know quite where to place the rescued toads and newts and frogs, just move them off the cycletrack and onto the grass or footpath towards the Avon river side of the track. Thanks and please do let me know how you get on, pictures and numbers. (thanks to Sue Adamson for the pictures)