Day 28 Have a hoot at Portbury Wharf

Visit our wonderful nature reserve at Portbury Wharf tonight for an evening walk with the warden, Bernie D'arcy for a chance to see owls, bats, foxes, and perhaps even a water vole.You'll need to book a place but the walk is free to everyone. Craig Vale said of the last walk: "thanks to Bernie for a lovely evening, we were even lucky enough to see some owls in flight." 

Portbury Wharf is unusual in that it was created as a condition of planning permission being granted for the adjoining Port Marine housing development. Bernie D'arcy (warden) and Neil Hutton (community officer) were employed in 2010 and work on the reserve to maintain and develop the wetlands habitat for wildlife and provide opportunities for the wider community to discover and learn more about the reserve. Large pools, ditches, marshland and of course, the estuary, provide invaluable habitats for species such as water voles and otters, migrating birds and invertebrates including the rare, hairy dragonfly.

Find out more about all the different species that can be found at this lovely wetlands reserve here, find out about the fantastic breeding barn owls here and follow Portbury Wharf on facebook to get news about family events, wildlife sightings and more.

Day 4 : Explore harbourside wildlife from the water

Get a new perspective on the city and take the Bristol Ferry through the city harbour - look out for wildlife including cormorants, otters, and swans - binoculars recommended!

Aside from regular city center harbour trips every day look out for their special wildlife tours and longer cruises to Beeses tea rooms (who doesn't love a trip with a bit of tea and cake at the end of it).

For general ferry times go to http://www.bristolferry.com/

For a rundown of wildlife around the harbour see this guide created by Bristol Floating Harbour

'What about the otters' I hear you say, well take a look at this clip