Wotton Area CAN

18/06/2026

Tuesday’s talk by Mark Pasco on the remarkable life of the swift was a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable evening, attracting a full house.
The event began with a walk around the Chipping to view local nest sites before an engaging illustrated presentation packed with stunning images, poetry, and fascinating insights into one of nature’s most extraordinary birds.
Mark’s passion and knowledge brought the swift’s incredible lifestyle and epic migrations to life, leaving the audience with a renewed appreciation for these iconic summer visitors.

14/06/2026

Just 2 days to go!

Have you ever watched swifts screaming through the summer sky and wondered where they've come from - or how they spend almost their entire lives in the air?

Join local swift champion Mark Pasco on Tuesday 16th June for a fascinating evening exploring the lives of these incredible birds.

7:00pm – Guided walk to see local nest sites
7:30pm – Illustrated talk and Q&A

Free entry and the bar will be open
Don't miss this chance to discover one of Wotton's most remarkable summer visitors.

https://www.wottonareacan.org/event-details-registration/wottons-swifts

All of our public talks are free to attend and are recorded so that they are available to all. This is made possible by support from

13/06/2026

EARLY RISERS WANTED! 🐦

Have you ever wondered what birds are singing around Nibley Knoll on a summer morning?

Join North Nibley's very own bird expert, Peter Kirmond, for a guided Bird Walk at 8am tomorrow as part of the Nibley Knoll BioBlitz.

Peter is well known locally as our resident swift champion and this is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the birds that use the Knoll and help us build a valuable species record.

Whether you're a keen birder or can't tell a chaffinch from a blackbird, everyone is welcome!

If you'd like to come please send us a DM or email [email protected] for more information.

12/06/2026

How about a lovely mid-summer's day spent down at 100 Acer Wood? They've got lots of fun activities to see and try. Bring the kids, all welcome, dogs on leads please.

11/06/2026

A short, PAID opportunity for anyone aged 18-25 interested in gaining experience in the environmental sector.

Looking to break into the environmental sector but can’t afford to volunteer? 🌿

The Cotswolds National Landscape is offering a paid placement week in Stroud for young people aged 18–25 looking to gain hands-on experience outdoors.

Participants will learn practical green skills including woodland management, fencing, footpath maintenance and plant identification - while earning £13.45 per hour plus subsidised travel and outdoor workwear. 🌱

📅 Monday 29 June – Friday 3 July 2026
📍 Stroud
⏰ 10am–4pm

This is a fantastic opportunity to build confidence, gain transferable skills, and explore a future environmental career pathway.

Places are limited and selected on a first come, first served basis - so apply soon!

📩Email [email protected] to request an application form.

11/06/2026

They're back!
Every summer, swifts travel thousands of miles from Africa to return to Wotton - and they're among the most extraordinary birds on Earth.

Join local swift champion Mark Pasco on Tuesday 16th June to discover the amazing life of the swift: the bird that sleeps, feeds and even mates on the wing.

7:00pm – Short walk to spot nest sites and (hopefully) see swifts in action
7:30pm – Illustrated talk with stunning images, fascinating facts, poetry and Q&A

Free entry and the bar will be open.

https://www.wottonareacan.org/event-details-registration/wottons-swifts

Come and be inspired by one of nature's greatest travellers and learn how we can help protect these incredible birds.

31/05/2026

Just look at these beautiful flowers! 🌼

As No Mow May comes to an end, Holywell Leaze is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when land is actively managed to encourage wildflowers and wildlife to thrive.

These vibrant displays didn't appear by accident. The wildflower beds were planted by local volunteers over the past three autumns, with a mix of perennial flowers and grasses chosen to suit the damp soils alongside the stream. Careful management, including annual cutting and removing the cuttings, helps keep the balance right and allows a rich variety of flowers to flourish year after year.

Alongside the wildflower beds, you'll find cowslips, fruit trees and disease-resistant elms, all contributing to a space that's buzzing with life and colour this spring.

Holywell Leaze is one of Wotton's most beautiful and secluded picnic spots, managed by Wotton Area CAN volunteers in partnership with Wotton Town Council. It's a great example of how thoughtful stewardship can transform a piece of land into a haven for pollinators, wildlife and people alike.

29/05/2026

As we come to the end of No Mow May, we finish as we began, with St Mary’s Church and its beautiful wildflower areas.

Over the past month, we’ve seen different plants taking centre stage as the weeks have gone on, creating amazing diversity and providing the perfect habitat for insects, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. 🐝🦋

Thank you to everyone who has shared their photos and supported No Mow May this year - it’s been wonderful to see so many local spaces left to flourish.

Why not keep these wild areas going beyond May and continue helping nature thrive throughout the summer?

26/05/2026

Sunshine after showers = beautiful wildflowers 🌼☀️🌧️

Our No Mow May spaces are really starting to bloom now, with plenty of colour appearing across local green spaces. These wild areas are providing valuable habitats and food sources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. 🐝🦋

Thank you to everyone taking part and sharing your photos with us, please keep them coming!

22/05/2026

A walk around the churchyard of St Martin's Church in North Nibley this morning and the wildflowers are in full swing. A wonderful variety of native plants, with biodiversity in action all around - the flowers attracting insects, and the swifts, house martins and swallows making the most of the feast overhead.

A perfect example of why initiatives like No Mow May matter so much. By letting grass and wildflowers grow naturally, even for a short time, we can create vital habitats and food sources for pollinators and other wildlife. A beautiful reminder of how important these spaces are for nature.