Information and pictures about wildlife and nature.
Friday 2nd January 2026
Danny Howell writes:
I saw a big flock (or should that be a deceit) of lapwings at Bishopstrow Farm late afternoon today. I loved watching them in their erratic bouts of flight over Bridge Park, Dairy Field and the Gully Field, turning and tumbling, their white parts glinting in the winter sunshine. A wonderful sight.
Tuesday 26th November 2025
Danny Howell writes:
As I walked from Bishopstrow to Boreham during the early part of this afternoon (Tuesday 26th November 2025) I saw a white egret flying over the course of the River Wylye at Hounds Mead.
Later that afternoon when I called in at Bishopstrow Mill to see Paul and Julia Gibson, Julia told me how that morning she had been for coffee with Hannah Anderson at Waterways, Watery Lane, Bishopstrow, and on the water by Waterways were an egret, two herons and two swans.
Saturday 1st November 2025
Amy Darbyshire, of Sustainable Warminster, writes:
Thank you to those who came and volunteered with idverde on Thursday morning to revitalise the field off of Fore Street. It’s going to be a nicer place for our pollinators and of course for our town!
Plug plants planted included wild marjoram, vipers bugloss, common knapweed, scabious, and red clover.
Amazing effort, looking forward to seeing it buzzing with life!
Friday 24th October 2025
From Frome Town Council:
We’re very sad to report that Kretzschmaria deusta, the fungal infection that affected a beautiful Norway Maple in Victoria Park in May, has also taken hold of a veteran sycamore at Millennium Green. However, this time the team are hopeful the tree can be saved, with some works required to make it safe. The footpath that runs under the tree is closed until the work is complete.
Due to the infection, the tree’s limbs have lost their structural strength and without careful tree works, a limb could fall, with an obvious risk to safety and to the tree itself.
Work starts Monday 27 October and is following veteran tree best practice management, undertaking a phased crown reduction. It is hoped that with these careful works the tree will live on for a long time to come
Friday 24th October 2025
From Frome Town Council:
Something special is taking root in Frome . . . .
Next Wednesday 29th October, the amazing shire horses Dime & Flynn will be helping us prepare the ground for Frome’s new community woodland!
This two-acre space near Spring Gardens is being created in memory of the much-loved Moko Sellars, thanks to a £25,000 crowdfunder by her friends and family, and a generous 99-year lease donated by the landowners (who’ve chosen to remain anonymous).
Over 3,800 native trees and shrubs will be planted here in Spring 2026 – a peaceful space for the whole community to enjoy.
Fancy spending some time in nature? Come along for a guided walk, learn about traditional land preparation and enjoy a hot drink while you’re at it.
Book your free spot here bit.ly/woodland-walkout
18th October 2025
From Viva:
FINALLY! After more than 230,000 badgers have been cruelly killed, the badger cull is finally ending in 2025.
Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on 13 October, triggered by Protect the Wild’s petition, Defra secretary Angela Eagle confirmed:
“I will be clear from the outset that this Government are committed to ending the badger cull. We stand by that commitment, and I say again that the badger cull is ending.”
The senseless killing of badgers has been cruel and ineffective.
The government aims to replace culling with a combination of enhanced cattle testing, better farm biosecurity and mass badger and cattle vaccination, as part of a strategy to eradicate bTB in England by 2038.
Thank you to Protect the Wild for rallying public support to trigger the debate in Parliament!
Viva Facebook
15th October 2025
From Sustainable Warminster:
Looking for a wholesome, family friendly activity which aims to enhance our community and pollinator biodiversity?
We’re looking for volunteers to join us for a wildflower plug planting session at Fore Street, Warminster, on Thursday, 30 October, starting at 9:30 am.
This is a fantastic opportunity to help bring more colour, biodiversity, and pollinator-friendly planting to this community space, and we’d love your involvement.
Event Details: Fore Street, Warminster, Starting at 9:30 am.
Induction: Brief 15-minute overview before we get started.
Duration: Around 3 hours.
Please bring the following:
-Your own water or refreshments, such as hot drinks (especially if it’s chilly), plus snacks.
-Clothing: Please wear suitable outdoor clothing for the weather, gardening gloves and sturdy footwear for uneven ground.
-A hand trowel.
Please note that you will need to complete a volunteer form on arrival.
This event is during half term, so it’s a perfect chance for families and young people to get involved too.
Let us know if you can make it by either commenting on this post or emailing Amy directly: press@sustainablewarminster.co.uk, and feel free to spread the word!
Monday 13th October 2025
From the MINUTES of the Planning Advisory Committee
of Warminster Town Council,
held on Monday 13th October 2025 at 7.00pm
at
Warminster Civic Centre, Sambourne Road, Warminster BA12 8LB.
Membership:
Cllr Allensby (West) Vice Chairman *
Cllr J Kirkwood (Broadway) *
Cllr Carter (West) A
Cllr Lee (Broadway) *
Cllr Hawker (West) *
Cllr Robbins (East) *
Cllr Keeble (West) Chairman *
Key: * Present A Apologies AB Absent
In attendance:
Officers: Tom Dommett (Town Clerk), Judith Halls (Deputy Town Clerk).
Attendees:
Visiting Councillors: Cllr Stephen Kirkwood
Members of the press: None
Members of the public: One
PL/2025/07204 1 Shelley Way, Warminster, BA12 8EJ
T1 Oak tree – Reduction of lateral branches on all sides by 1-2 metres. Crown lift up to 4-5 metres. General pruning to round over and balance the trees shape.
Noted.
Monday 13th October 2025
From the MINUTES of the Planning Advisory Committee
of Warminster Town Council,
held on Monday 13th October 2025 at 7.00pm
at
Warminster Civic Centre, Sambourne Road, Warminster BA12 8LB.
Membership:
Cllr Allensby (West) Vice Chairman *
Cllr J Kirkwood (Broadway) *
Cllr Carter (West) A
Cllr Lee (Broadway) *
Cllr Hawker (West) *
Cllr Robbins (East) *
Cllr Keeble (West) Chairman *
Key: * Present A Apologies AB Absent
In attendance:
Officers: Tom Dommett (Town Clerk), Judith Halls (Deputy Town Clerk).
Attendees:
Visiting Councillors: Cllr Stephen Kirkwood
Members of the press: None
Members of the public: One
PL/2025/07465 Phar Lap, 48a Vicarage Street, Warminster, BA12 8JF
T1 Birch tree – Dismantle the tree, cutting the stump close to ground level.
Noted.
Monday 13th October 2025
From the MINUTES of the Planning Advisory Committee
of Warminster Town Council,
held on Monday 13th October 2025 at 7.00pm
at
Warminster Civic Centre, Sambourne Road, Warminster BA12 8LB.
Membership:
Cllr Allensby (West) Vice Chairman *
Cllr J Kirkwood (Broadway) *
Cllr Carter (West) A
Cllr Lee (Broadway) *
Cllr Hawker (West) *
Cllr Robbins (East) *
Cllr Keeble (West) Chairman *
Key: * Present A Apologies AB Absent
In attendance:
Officers: Tom Dommett (Town Clerk), Judith Halls (Deputy Town Clerk).
Attendees:
Visiting Councillors: Cllr Stephen Kirkwood
Members of the press: None
Members of the public: One
PL/2025/07136 6 The Homelands, Warminster, BA12 8DX
T1 Sycamore – reduce up to nine long lateral branches that extend out over the roof of number 6 by up to six metres. Thin the crown by up to 20% to match the crown density of the adjacent sycamore tree (T2). T2 sycamore – remove the small diameter central stem to allow a better view of the internal crown. Reduce two long lateral branches that extend over the roof by up to six metres.
Noted.
