February always strikes me as a month full of promise. It does not always deliver but when it does, it tells me Spring is on the way. One such example was a perfect white camellia (the first on our late flowering bush), that burst forth just before last weeks cold spell. My wife heeded the forecast, and for several days the bloom graced our dining table.

Snow for 24 hours in Dorset! I can just about remember the last time, and for once the snowdrops at Kingston Lacy lived up to their name.

Sorry to have mislead you all about consultation regarding changes within Leisure Services. The consultation is directly with the Countryside Wardens, and results will be announced some time before April 1st.

As for things natural, birds are still very much in view, and of course easier to spot on leafless trees. We have recently been putting out seed and peanuts, the latter providing an interesting contest between wood pigeons and squirrels. In small numbers the squirrels win, but pigeons must be related to vultures, since once three or four get set, others seem to fly in from all directions. On Sunday there were 22 in our courtyard. We also had 20 chaffinch this morning, and for the first time ever a pied wagtail. He must have come in from the road to see what all the excitement was about.

Squirrels are very active too, looking for all the acorns they buried last year. There seem to be lots of pairs racing around, which almost certainly means a high population count this summer.

Still plenty of working tasks on offer. No DCV in the area until next month (Dunyeats Hill), but regular tasks at Durlston, and around East Dorset details from Moors Valley. Also Upton Heath Volunteers work normally on Thursdays. (DWT for details). Poole RSPB work at Arne on the first Sat and Sun. in the month, 10.00 AM car park. Also a task group on Canford Heath (tel. 261337 for details) friends of Broadstone Nature Reserve will be working on Sunday 15th, meet 10.00 at the bridge in the reserve.

The new issue of Dorset on your Doorstep is now available free, in the Library. Interesting articles as well as all the activities.

Useful numbers:

Other useful wildlife web sites for wildlife news in this area are:

http://www.greenlink.co.uk/

http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/dorset

http://www.dorsetbutterflies.com

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dudley.hull

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