About Us
Wells & District Wildlife Group (WDWG) is an independent local wildlife group actively involved in promoting awareness of wildlife in our environment, its conservation and enjoyment.
WDWG has come into being from the closure of the Somerset Wildlife Trust's local area group in Wells. Therefore, the group's area is centred on the city of Wells but also encompasses surrounding areas of the Mendip Hills and Somerset levels.
WDWG is not (yet) a registered charity but operates on a 'not for profit' basis, with any surplus funds being donated to such local or national wildlife charities as may be appropriate at the time.
Each year we hold a series of informational talks about the wildlife both within our area and further afield and conduct a number of nature walks and other activities in the area to experience our natural environment first hand.
We send out messages about our upcoming events and those of other organisations that we associate with. We use email for this and also to notify members of changes or additions to our programme. Please consider joining us. We welcome any news of wildlife sightings, comments and queries.
This new website is still under development - please be patient with us.
Activities
A Nature walk on the Mendip Hills
Coach outing to Lorton Meadows
At the RSPB Nagshead reserve
Going to Nagshead by steam train
Wildflower walk at Ubley Warren
Looking at Adders
Outings & Activities
During the summer months we arrange a programme of nature walks around our area. Some of these are aimed at spotting specific species, such as adders, or butterflies but often they are just to see what's about and enjoy our environment.
Pre-Covid we also arranged an annual coach outing for our members, usually to reserves or sites of interest a little further away. We are hoping to be able to re-instate them when there is sufficient interest again.
Throughout the winter months we put on wildlife related talks at the Wells Museum. Suggestions for topics and speakers are always welcome.
What's On
We are planning a full programme of quality events for 2023. These are the ones that we have organised so far. Check back here regularly for updates. Click the links for more details. Please note that due to the nature of our wildlife walks, we do not allow dogs.
In view of the distance that some of our speakers have to travel and the fact that many of our members aren't keen to venture out on dark winter nights, we are moving our January & February talks to afternoon slots at 2.30pm.
Strawberry Line Progress
Tue, Nov 28th, 2023
A talk by Richard Jones
The “Strawberry Line” was the nickname of the Cheddar Valley Line, a Great Western Railway branch line that ran from Witham Junction to Yatton via Shepton Mallet, Wells and Cheddar until the late 1960s.
Since the 1980s, the route has been in the process of being transformed, step by step, into a beautiful greenway through North and Mid-Somerset. The path will be suitable for walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users, mobility scooters, and on some sections, equestrians.
Come and hear of the latest developments and sections whic will shortly be coming 'online'.
WELLS MUSEUM (enter via side entrance) off Cathedral Green, Wells BA5 2UE
Full Disabled Access 7.30pm start Admission £5 payable on the door(under 16's free)
Tea / Coffee and biscuits served in the interval
Climate Change for sceptics
Tue, Jan 30th, 2024
Image by Martin Eklund from Pixabay
Climate and Ecological Crisis? What's all the fuss about?
A talk by David Ramsden MBE co-founder of the Barn Owl Trust.
It’s an easy-to-follow look at the whole subject primarily aimed at sceptics, people who don’t get it, and people think they do, but haven’t done anything about it.
WELLS MUSEUM (enter via side entrance) off Cathedral Green, Wells BA5 2UE
Full Disabled Access 2.30pm start Admission £5 payable on the door(under 16's free)
Refreshments served at the start
The modern bird of prey and urban evolution
Tue, Feb 27th, 2024
A talk by Naomi Johns. Director - West Of England Falconry Ltd
The topic is a really interesting one, particularly for modern day bird watching and giving a better insight of adapting wildlife to a wider variety of communities. You don’t have to be able to access the best of British countryside to be a raptor watcher anymore, and urban environments are becoming just as dependable as traditional ones for a few native species, but for others, proving a great challenge.
When most people hear the word ‘evolution’ we think of Charles Darwin, finches or something that occurred millions of years ago. But evolution is one of nature’s most incredible superpowers – evolution is triggered by change – and todays world is changing faster and moving quicker than ever before.
Evolution is happening right around us and right in front of us. Birds of prey are one of the modern day experts in evolution – from the Peregrine hunting by streetlights, to the kestrel nesting in a planter or the Sparrowhawk haunting the suburban network.
Take a step back, and a glance upward, to see a whole new world of modern avian biology.
WELLS MUSEUM (enter via side entrance) off Cathedral Green, Wells BA5 2UE
Full Disabled Access 2.30pm start Admission £5 payable on the door(under 16's free)
Tea / Coffee and biscuits served in the interval
Swans & Wildlife at the Bishop's Palace
Tue, Apr 16th, 2024
A talk by Moira Anderson.
A light-hearted look at life on the moat throughout the year showing how nature is wonderful and totally unpredictable! Some background about the swans on the moat, the annual cycle of the swans’ life and what other wildlife people might expect to see. There will also be some “behind the scenes” and personal stories about the swans.
WELLS MUSEUM (enter via side entrance) off Cathedral Green, Wells BA5 2UE
Full Disabled Access 7.30pm start. Admission £5 payable on the door(under 16's free)
Tea / Coffee and biscuits served in the interval
Contact Us
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