First to talk about fires. There have been fires recently on Corfe Hills, Upton Heath and Canford Heath. Now the problem has hit the Broadstone Reserve. Luckily, it only destroyed around half an acre, but even this is a measurable amount of Dorset's total heathland. About 0.04% if my maths are still working. Its important to stop heath fires, so if you feel you know the instigators please contact someone who will take action to stop them. Also of course, if you see a young fire try to alert the emergency services ASAP. (Lots of mobile phones around now). Also of course, if you can advise the fire service of how best to approach the site, please do. After all the fires Poole has had this Summer. the Police have also set up a small team to work on the problem.

May has been a better month for our wildlife. We have at last started to see the summer butterflies, but not yet in large numbers. Birds are around in moderate numbers, but presumably due to adverse winds there are not hordes of visitors.

My highlight for June was a walk around the Dorset Gap, where we were following a path that had been closed for months. Going across the hillside around 3.00pm, we came very close - 10 metres - to at least four young badgers, who took very little notice of us. A positive result of foot and mouth I guess.

Events this month feature nightjars:-

There is also an evening walk on Upton Heath 9.00 pm, Beacon Road, and an afternoon exploration of Upton House (22nd 2pm)

On Canford Heath it will be possible to dig some nice muddy dragonfly ponds, (22nd June 10.00 am, Steeple Close) and a walk with the Warden (29th June 2.00 pm, Francis Avenue)

The Friends of Broadstone Nature Reserve will be looking for any butterflies and dragonflies, again on 22nd June, 10.30 am Fontmell Road.

The latest Greenlink Guide is now published, with lots of activities in East Dorset for parents and children.

I have also tracked down this year's Countryside Guide, which covers events all across Dorset (01305 225037).

Dudley Hull
For Broadstone.net

See the Broadstone Environment main page for information on this organisation.

Say you saw it on "Broadstone NET"