Wildlife in Shirehampton Park

shire

Daffodils with the former Kingsweston Inn beyond

Daffodils with the former Kingsweston Inn beyond

The sunny slope near the Georgian Viewing Terrace is full of wild violets and yellow narcissi in spring. The grassland is also a haunt for early butterflies such as Brimstone and Orange Tip.

Across Shirehampton Road, the margins around the golf course are home to many native trees and shrubs.  You can often spy bands of long tailed tits, ‘travelling’ through them, searching for food.  Please take great care while walking on the golf course and stay on the footpaths, which are marked at each entrance.

DSC_6967 BeeThe path on the far side of the golf course leads to a wonderful view of the river Avon’s famous horseshoe bend. This is also a good place for spotting birds flying overhead.

marble1In the centre of the golf course is Longcombe, a hidden glen surrounded by woodland and ancient trees. Behind a steel shed here you’ll find an 18th century man made pond, fed by a spring that keeps it full of fresh water during the winter. Originally created for watering cattle, sadly it’s no longer watertight, and dries up in hot weather, but, when it’s full, it’s a useful resource for the wildlife of Longcombe Woods.

478461_512632852136512_1156510555_oAcross the busy A4 near the river wildflowers and grasses abound on Crabtree Slip. (Please take great care crossing this busy road.) The wild flower meadow is a wonderful habitat for butterflies and insects in summer. Under the slip, and over the Park boundary, you can see the area of Special Scientific Interest along the river, a wooded cliff, home to the largest known population of the rare True Service tree. Below this is salt marsh where sea asters bloom.