A wet month at last, though still incredibly warm. Global Warming??

Seems to have confused most things, with flowers still blooming, birds not migrating yet and insects and butterflies still buzzing around.

I was out at Durlston last weekend on a bird spotting tour, and the guide told us that he had been up since dawn counting wood pigeons en route for the South. As he spoke to us, he pointed out a fast flying squadron of little specks high in the sky and said “there go roughly 250 more. But I have been up since dawn, and seen approx. 70,000 today”. Apparently these are mainly from Scandinavia, and certainly the bully boys in my garden do not migrate. At the end of the walk, we saw a lovely adder sunning itself and then a Painted Lady flew down almost on top of it. Other butterflies – mainly red admirals – are still to be seen, and provided it is warm the rain does not bother them.

The rain has at long last brought forth a splendid crop of Fungii. Almost everywhere you go, there seem to be good examples of several species, but not many real mushrooms. So do take care.

Task groups are starting up again, so those of you who enjoy a good hack at invading plants, time to sharpen your saws and cutters. Friends of Broadstone Nature Reserve have their first hack on 13th Nov. meeting at the Fontmell Road entrance to the reserve at 10.00 hrs.

There are also regular tasks on Canford Heath and Bourne Valley (PCMS) and Upton Heath (DWT)

Dorset Coast and Countryside gives activities for groups and walks through to March 2006. Tel 01305 224214 for your free copy.

Poole RSPB run at Bird Boat round the harbour on 20th, (463203) and have a field trip to Arne 20th.(01929 480248)

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

Prepared for Broadstone.net by
dudley.hull

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

Say you saw it on "Broadstone NET"