Notes have to cover a longer period this month, as I am off for a holiday tour round the Galapagos Islands and Peru. Its a hard life! But I really expect to come home with some wonderful memories. A year ago, the Countryside was shutting down with foot and mouth. This year access is difficult due to the heavy rain.

First signs of Spring are appearing now, and guided walks are back on the Agenda, as well as the Conservation tasks. For those who want to see, rather than do, Poole's Countryside Wardens are in action at Upton Country Park (23rd Feb, 16th March, both at 2.30 pm) and Canford Heath (3rd Mar, 3.00pm). There is also a search for early migrants (Durlston, 17th March 10.30am). If you are keen to learn about bird surveys, Dorset Bird Club are having a training day at Arne, on March 23rd. Poole RSPB are running bird-boats on 24th Feb and 10th March.

Conservation tasks within a ten mile band, are being run by English Nature, Dorset Conservation Volunteers, Friends of Broadstone Nature Reserve (FBNR) and DWT.

Activities over a wider area are listed in the Greenlink publication.

Written for Broadstone.net, by

Dudley Hull

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