WHAT'S ON
Our programme of talks for the 2025/26 Autumn and Winter season has now been announced. Please see below.
If you have any suggestions for speakers for our next season please get in touch.
Our field trips run from April to September, details of upcoming events below.
And we are happy to hear your thoughts on our programmes past and present.
Click in the image above for a full screen version
or download a printable version of our 2025/26 talks programme by clicking HERE
All talks take place in the Baptist Church Hall, Keynsham BS31 1DS. They commence at 7:30pm, with refreshments available from 7:15pm
Entrance fees: £3.50 for Avon Wildlife Trust members and £5 for non-members, to include the refreshments.
Everyone is welcome to attend with no pre-booking necessary, just turn up and pay on the door with cash or card.
Pond Dipping for the under 7s
Our popular short sessions
for young children at Wellsway School
These two short 1 hour sessions are for younger children accompanied by a responsible adult. Please book the appropriate number of places for both child and adult.
Our events will enable young children to experience the wonders of pond life in a safe environment. The pond at Wellsway has a healthy ecosystem and you can be sure there will be some interesting creatures to find when the pond is netted and it will help to give the children some background as to how this environment works.
Please note, booking is essential through Eventbrite here:
https://pond-dipping2025.eventbrite.co.uk
This is a free event however donations are always welcome for Avon Wildlife Trust either when booking or on the day.
Saturday 27th September
River Dipping for the over 7s
Our popular short sessions
for older children on the River Chew
This event is for older children, 7 and above, accompanied by a responsible adult. Please book the appropriate number of places for both child and adult.
These two short 1 hour sessions will enable children to experience the wonders of river life and the aim is to check the health of the River Chew. You can be sure there will be some interesting creatures to find when the river is netted and it will help to give the children some background as to how this environment works.
Children must be accompanied by an adult who can assist their child/children in the river. Wellies are essential for all participants.
Please note, booking is essential through Eventbrite here:
https://river-dipping2025.eventbrite.co.uk
This is a free event however donations are always welcome for Avon Wildlife Trust either when booking or on the day.
Sunday 28th September
Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project
Did you know that the Avon Gorge is one of the top three botanical sites in England, hosting five endemic species of tree, two flowering plants which grow nowhere else in the UK and over thirty rare and scarce botanical species? Why are there goats in the Gorge? Did the peregrine falcons raise any young this year? Why is there a moth which is found nowhere else in England? Has the Avon Gorge always been of interest to botanists and what has Brunel got to do with it?
Discover a host of fascinating facts with Anna, biodiversity engagement manager at Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife – the body which is working to secure the outstanding wildlife interest of the Avon Gorge, Clifton and Durdham Downs. She aims to encourage awareness and understanding of this unique location and its importance for wildlife, people and local habitat.
Friday October 10th
with Anna Stevens
Lamplighter’s Marsh, situated on the banks of the River Avon in Shirehampton, forms part of an important wildlife corridor along the tidal river near the Bristol Channel. The rich natural history of the area led to its designation as a Local Nature Reserve in 2016. This talk, with Stephen Judd from Friends of Lamplighter’s Marsh (FOLM), will cover the history and how this has influenced land use, with subsequent development of the site to increase diversity, supporting the national and regional rarities so far discovered. Conservation efforts have led to this former ‘wasteland’ becoming a treasured local resource.
Haven on the Avon
"Lamplighter's Marsh"
Friday November 8th
with Stephen Judd
A Christmas Cracker
Travelling down under to New Zealand!
Short talk , film and quiz
Our members evening this year comprises a short film introduced by Dr Peter Smithers, on the tree lobster of Lord Howe Island between Australia and New Zealand; short talk "Antipodean Adventures in New Zealand" with our VC Kathy Farrell, and a wildlife quiz compiled by Rita Andrews alongside festive refreshments
The evening is not restricted to members, and is open to all.
Friday December 13th
Jaguars in the Clouds
Friday January 10th
Xavier has spent months in the field in Brazil tracking jaguars and giant otters. He has worked with Brazilian/National Geographic teams researching five metre+ black caiman, 150kg+ arapaima, tucuxi and pink dolphins. Those teams GPS tagged, surveyed, measured and sampled tissues for studies from genetics up to distribution.
In this lecture Xavier speaks about some of his experiences with these animals and conservation research he has been involved with. He focusses on the significance of alpha predators and habitat connectivity, linking these concepts to projects being run from Bath, such as the incredible work of Rainforest Concern.
with Xavier Tobin
Seeing the Wood for the Trees!
Friday February 14th
Avon Needs Trees is a charity working to create new permanent woodland throughout the Bristol-Avon catchment to fight the climate and nature emergencies. Now with 4 established woodlands and a community of over 1,000 volunteers, they are embarking on their most ambitious project yet; to create the South West’s largest new woodland in a generation, the Lower Chew Forest, their groundbreaking 422 acre woodland project between Bristol and Bath.
This is a project of huge significance for climate action and nature recovery for the region. It is a perfect opportunity to find out more about how to get involved before tree planting commences at the site this winter.
with Mark Funnell, chair of Avon Needs Trees
Claws for Thought!
Saving crayfish in the South West
In a quest to halt the decline of the Endangered white-clawed crayfish – the UK’s only native freshwater crayfish - the Bristol Zoological Society teamed up with other conservation experts over a decade ago and formed the South West Crayfish Partnership. This partnership is a ‘tour de force’ in helping to conserve this elusive crustacean, an ecosystem engineer of our freshwater habitats and an important part of our English heritage. Dr Jen Nightingale will explain how a group of experts came together to work out how to save a species and will discuss the different ways they have worked in partnership to ensure that this keynote species remains part of our aquatic ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.
Friday March 14th
with Dr Jen Nightingale
Browne's Folly
A walk at this local SSSI
led by AWT Nature Reserves Manager Alex Preston
The minibus wil not be available for this trip, so please contact our Field Trips Officer, Liz Wintle, if you would like a car share place or can offer spaces: 0117 909 9667.
Meet at the car park at 2pm. Donation requested for Avon Wildlife Trust on the day.
Saturday 5th April
Discover Tasmania's Wild Wonders
Kathy travels worldwide with her husband Martin seeking out unusual wildlife for their photography. Their trip to Tasmania last year was a highlight with such diverse environment and unique wildlife. The tale of their trip combined with amazing photos and video will transport you down under to this captivating island.
Friday April 11th
with Kathy Farrell
Dave's Dawn Chorus
An early morning walk with our chair, Dave Sage
The best time to appreciate the sounds of the early morning chorus of bird song.
Meet at The Shallows car park, Saltford at 4:30am (yes, really that early!). Please wear warm, waterproof clothes and bring binoculars.
Optional donation requested for Avon Wildlife Trust on the day. FFI phone Dave: 07899 716068
Sunday 27th April
Love Your Burial Ground
Celebrate cemeteries and church grounds where wonderful wildlife can be found. Can you help record what you see?
Saturday 7th - Sunday 15th June
Great Avon Wood
Walk part of the new Forest of Avon
with Vicki Cracknell from Avon Needs Trees
Follow up from our talk this February. Transport in the minibus is available, cost £2.50 .
Contact Field Trips Officer, Liz Wintle, to book your space and for more information. Tel: 0117 909 9667. Donation requested for Forest of Avon on the day.
Saturday 14th June
Eastwood Farm LNR
A walk with Dougal Matthews, Friend of Eastwood Farm
The minibus is available, cost £3. Or meet at the entrance at 2pm, BS4 4ED. Contact our Field Trips Officer, Liz Wintle, to book your space and for more information: tel 0117 909 9667
Donation requested for friends of Eastwood Farm on the day.
Sunday 29th June
Lamplighter's Marsh LNR
A guided walk with Stephen Judd, a follow-up to his talk last November
Transport in the minibus is available, cost £3, or meet at Station Road, Shirehampton BS11 9XA.
Contact Field Trips Officer, Liz Wintle, to book your space and for more information. Tel: 0117 909 9667. Donation requested for Friends of Lamplighter's Marsh on the day.
Saturday 19th July
Birds of Keynsham
Memorial Park
A gentle amble with Liz Wintle
A walk to check out the places in our park where you are most likely to find our common birds in summer. For more information contact our Field Trips Officer, Liz Wintle: 0117 909 9667
Optional donation for Avon Wildlife Trust on the day.
