Category: Nature Study

Information and pictures about wildlife and nature.

Pulling Ragwort At Oxendean

Sunday 28th September 2025

A message for members of Sustainable Warminster:

Good morning, Sustainable Warminster members,

We’re heading to Oxendean (BA12 0DZ) on 1 October, 13:30-15:00, for a ragwort pulling session in the paddock. The weather is looking promising for a lovely day outdoors. By helping clear ragwort from the paddock, we can make a real difference for local wildlife. This hands-on session supports Warminster Plan Bee, creating healthier habitats and vital stepping stones for pollinators to thrive. Come enjoy the fresh air, meet like-minded volunteers, and lend a hand for biodiversity.

No experience needed – just enthusiasm. If you would like to volunteer, please email Iain via PlanB@sustainablewarminster.co.uk or just turn up on the day. 

To keep safe and comfortable during our ragwort pulling session, please come prepared with:

  • Sturdy footwear, such as walking boots or tough trainers with a good grip. No sandals or open-toed shoes.
  • Suitable clothing to protect against foliage scratches, nettles, and sun exposure, etc.
  • Gardening gloves
  • Weather-appropriate layers. Bring a waterproof jacket if rain is forecast, or a sunhat and sunscreen if the weather is sunny.
  • A water bottle to keep hydrated.

Best wishes,
Rebecca and Amy,
Co-Chairs, Sustainable Warminster. 

Last Minute Work At The Warminster Community Orchard

Monday 2nd December 2024

From the Facebook page of Warminster Community Orchard:

“Last Sunday did see the weather peel back and give us a dry afternoon. Our Chief Yellow Pixie was there to do quality control and over half the orchard trees have been mulched, grass cleared from the bases with unwanted guards and stakes removed. A small group but one that got stuck in, with refreshments at a break. I shall be there tomorrow from 2pm to do some more. Last minute but that’s what this time of year is. If you are free you might need a wheel barrow.”

“By the kitchen door is a sticker that reads ‘When I’m outside, I’m happy inside’. Exactly.”

Cyclamens Annihilated In The Central Car Park, Warminster

Thursday 17th October 2024

An anonymous post on the Facebook page Spotted In Warminster Town:

It seems like the clueless Grounds maintenance crew decided to annihilate all the cyclamen flowering bulbs that had been growing on the border of Central Car Park . Near the public conveniences . The lack of thought and caring indicates they couldn’t tell the difference or name one plant between them . They could at least strim around them .

Proposed Closure Of Smallbrook Road, Warminster, During The Toad Breeding Season

Wednesday 9th October 2024

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧

Warminster Town Councillors are urging the public to have their say on plans to close part of Smallbrook Road to motor vehicles during the toad breeding season.

Town councillors previously encouraged the public to avoid the road during the evenings during the toad breeding season and have given support in principle for a proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

Members discussed the proposed TRO at a Full Council meeting on Monday 30th September, with residents urged to give their views to Wiltshire Council, who will make the final decision as to whether the TRO goes ahead.

Public consultation is being undertaken by Wiltshire Council. Comments on the proposal together with the reasons for which they are made should be sent to reach the Traffic Order Team, Sustainable Transport, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN by 28th October 2024 quoting reference LJB/TRO/WARMpmv.

The closure would cover the length of Smallbrook Road from its junction with Gypsy Lane to its junction with Upper Marsh Road and be enforced annually between 5pm and 5am from 1st February to 30th April.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥, 𝐓𝐞𝐥: 𝟎𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟓 𝟐𝟏𝟒𝟖𝟒𝟕, 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧@𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐭𝐜.𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐮𝐤 𝐨𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐭𝐜.𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐮𝐤

The Positive Impact Of Closing A Road For Toads To Cross

Wednesday 2nd October 2024

A tweet from Toad Rescue on X (Twitter):

Its fab to see our fellow patrollers in Warminster applying for a road closure to help the amphibians on their journeys to breeding ponds. We’ve seen ourselves what a positive impact closing a road has for amphibians. This would be a very welcome 4th road closure in the UK.

Keyford Hedgehog Rescue And Rehab – First Aid Course

Thursday 19th September 2024

From Keyford Hedgehog Rescue And Rehab, Frome:

We are hosting this internationally recognised Hedgehog First Aid Course in the hopes of recruiting volunteer hedgehog assessors and fosterers in Frome. With both hedgehog rescues in Frome run by volunteers who also have to work full time, help is needed to respond to the numerous calls we receive regarding hedgehogs of concern across the area. With this course, and the support of ourselves and Hedgehog Hogspital Rescue & Rehabilitation , our assessors will be able to decide if a hedgehog needs to come in to rescue, go to a vet for medical intervention or be left alone to go about it’s business. We want to create a town-wide cooperation of ‘Hedgehog Champions’. 🦔💚

The course is also suitable for vet professionals, and is CPD registered.

Course runs on 9 November 9am – 5pm in Frome Town Hall

You do not need to live in BA11 in order to enrol.

Cost of course and all materials is £80, which goes directly to support Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre.

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094367106531&locale=en_GB

The Sap Has Risen On Avian Males!

Monday 15th April 2024

Nigel Linge writes:

Spring is clearly upon us and the sap has risen on avian males! I watched a pair of male blackbirds scrapping on my lawn [at Swift Mead, Warminster] when I noticed some fluttering by the shed door. It was a blue tit fighting with its own image on a curved mirror on the shed door. The poor thing was flying up and down and was getting exhausted. I shooed it off yesterday but it was back again this morning. I covered the mirror so hopefully he will get on with his life.

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