Author Tufa Field Blogger
The unusually warm October weather means that there is still considerable Slow Worm activity in the Tufa Field. By now, we might be expecting hibernation preparation but there is still plenty of above ground activity and they can be seen… Continue Reading →
Following initial repair work to the reptile fence and exfiltration testing, work has now begun in earnest to clear the field. Grasses and wildflower plants have been cut with brushcutters removing the cover for voles, fieldmice and reptiles as well… Continue Reading →
The Slow Worm has proven to be the most iconic of the Tufa Field’s many and diverse inhabitants. These fetching, often misunderstood reptiles are the flag-bearer for wild spaces, existing quietly in undisturbed grassy and sunny locations. They are voracious… Continue Reading →
3rd August 2026 Today sees the start of clearance work at the Tufa Field SNCI. In what seems to have become an annual event, once again, contractors are destroying a significant Butterfly and Moth breeding and feeding ground, at the… Continue Reading →
Ecology July is the main month for Butterfly and Moth activity, and this year is no different. Hundreds of Gatekeeper butterflies have been observed, together with Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, and an increasingly rare Silver Studded Blue. The… Continue Reading →
June 9th, 2026 Today the first development contract for the Supported Housing scheme has been published. This was awarded 6 months ago in a closed single bidder event, but has only now been published on the UK Government Contracts finder… Continue Reading →
The long grasses and damp conditions of the Tufa Field, together with the itinerant Deer population, make an ideal habitat for Ticks. There are 20 species of Tick in the UK, but the most prevalent is Ixodes Ricinus , otherwise… Continue Reading →
Early risers may have noticed the return of the Dawn Chorus. At the Tufa Field, this phenomenon is particularly vibrant and, sadly, the last year we will hear it. Since we have disconnected our live cameras, you can no longer… Continue Reading →
Bath and North-East Somerset Council has passed it’s budget for the financial year 2026/27, commencing April 2026. Changes to central government funding, plus overspends from the 25/26 financial year mean that the budget includes both savings by reducing services, and… Continue Reading →
Unsurprisingly with the wettest winter since 2013, all 3 streams in the Tufa Field are now running freely. The East stream is in full flow, and creating significant marsh areas south of the reptile fence. The Main (Central) stream is… Continue Reading →
2 responses to “February 2026 Update – Streams and £17M cost revealed !”
Have you had any invertebrate survey of what is breeding in your tufa streams and runnels? There should be some soldierflies of such limy springs to be found.
Unfortunately, the Council (who own the site) ecological survey did not include any expertise on calcareous wetland entomology, so there is no information. However, earlier observations suggested that there may be a rich source of such species, from wet grassland that has been undisturbed for over 50 years. The building work to be undertaken in this SNCI means that we will probably never know.