News
August 2025 – Greater Dodder
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I recently found a rare and interesting plant called Greater Dodder Cuscuta europaea next to the River Avon in Bath. It is a member of the Bindweed family and is parasitic, primarily on Stinging Nettle.
Greater Dodder is often found alongside waterways and flowers from late-July to September. The stems are reddish as they have no chlorophyll and the flowers are small and pink (though not very prominent in this photo). It mainly differs from Dodder in its size and habitat. Dodder is found in heathland and is parasitic on Gorse and Heather.
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April 2025 - We are 10 years old!
It’s hard to believe but Avellana Ecology has just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Since I moved down to Bristol in 2015, Avellana Ecology has gone from strength to strength. We’ve been busier than ever over the past couple of years with lots of new clients and many exciting projects with valued clients on fantastic sites such as Leigh Woods in Bristol (images below show green hellebore, wych elm flowers and yellow pimpernel seen on a recent visit there).
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It’s been particularly enjoyable to work on training courses and guided walks with wonderful organisations such as Avon Wildlife Trust, Plantlife and Avon Needs Trees, as well local authorities and local groups in the Bristol area including the Friends Of the Downs and Avon Gorge.
Here’s to the next 10 years!
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September 2025 - NATIONAL PLANT MONITORING SURVEY (NPMS)
​I have been doing this annual botanical survey since it started in 2015, surveying a wonderful site at Severn Beach near Bristol. The NPMS is a fantastic project that is run by Plantlife and is now celebrating its 10th anniversary. I'd highly recommend it to people who are looking to improve their botanical skills. Here are some photos of species seen during the saltmarsh surveys – sea-lavender, sea-milkwort and sea arrowgrass. See https://www.npms.org.uk/ for further details.
