The directory of community and business organisations in Broadstone Dorset

Environmental News March 2007

Spring seems really on its way. Lots of spring flowers, birds calling, (but as yet not a lot of nest building) and still a few butterflies - mainly red admirals and peacocks.

But certainly when the sun is out and we are not subjected to high winds, it really feels good.

I have not seen any 'exciting' birds around, mainly because I have not travelled near the harbour, but this last week I did come across a small population of Mandarin ducks (8 or 9) all sitting by a small lake and looking very orange in the sunshine. They were near a spot where a brood was raised last year, and I wonder if they return at breeding time. I noted last month that there seemed to be early bees with no flowers, but I see now that they are very fond of hellebore flowers, and this year we seem to have plenty in our garden.

Several work parties still battling away. Friends of Broadstone Nature Reserve are scrub bashing again on 4th Mar and 1st Apr.. (9.30 at Fontmell Rd Entrance. DWT arrange working parties on Upton Heath, and Borough of Poole are pine pulling on Canford heath (13th Mar 10.00am, Culliford Crescent.)

BoP/DWT are also running a 4 week course on birdwatching, 261364 for details.

RSPB (Arne) 3rd March are looking at the last of the Winter birds, and Durlston (4th March, 25th March) are looking for new arrivals. With global warming, some of the new arrivals could be surprising. The last winter Bird Boat will be 4th March (01929 462383 for details).

The happy souls that watch and record Butterflies are having their 'Wake-up' meetings now. E. Dorset on 2nd March, and S. Dorset on 8th March.

Useful Numbers of organisations running tasks or walks:-

Dorset Countryside	01305 225037
Durlston Country Park	01929 424443
Avon Country Park	01425 478470
Poole Countryside	01202 261339
Moors Valley	01425 470721
NT (Studland)	01929 450259
Dorset Conservation Volunteers	01202 573213

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

Environmental News March 2007

Prepared for Broadstone.net by dudley hull

Prepared for Broadstone.net by
dudley hull