The directory of community and business organisations in Broadstone Dorset

Environmental News August 2008

Normally I try to give some idea of what is happening in the natural world around Broadstone, and how one can join in. There will be a bit of that later, but first to air a personal grumble.

As some of you will know, Broadstone has its own Local Nature Reserve, a precious remnant of heath, situated in the Recreation Ground, to the north of the football pitches.

This area has, in the past, been managed by Poole Countryside Rangers, a branch of Leisure Services. This Summer, the Warden left for a post in the Scilly Isles, and since the Reserve has languished unloved and unmanaged. Naturally, as a result much of the heathland section has become badly overgrown, and in places inaccessible – unless you take your own snippers.

At the moment there are no plans to replace the warden, or to adhere to any form of management plan, and it will not be long before the heathland habitat is lost, and the turned into mixed scrub and woodland. If you enjoy our little heath, do ask you local councillor about it.

The recent spell of hot weather has brought forth insects and flowers in fairly good numbers. Butterflies are doing quite nicely in places (not the Reserve), but some species are still affected by last year’s wet weather which washed out eggs and larvae. Birds become less common, as many head out into the wider countryside for supplies of seeds and insects. Reptiles are still around, but generally hard to spot, and quick to take evasive action at the sound of a footfall.

I have just purchased a moth trap, and some time soon I will be setting it up, to see what is in my garden. I am a rear beginner in identifying moths, so it promises to be a hard learning curve. Luckily most moths are not very active by day, so one gets a chance to study them.

Dorset Coast and Countryside magazine has over 70 activities listed in August, including a guided walk on Canford Heath, (2.00 PM 3rd August, Francis Avenue), and a Moth trap survey, (9.30AM Upton House, 17thAugust). The events cover almost every outdoor topic you can think of, with. NT Studland, Durlston and Avon Country Park as major contributors, and a range of sites from Butterfly Conservation. So if you want a walk, just ring 01305 224214 for a copy of Coast and Countryside, or try your local library.

Useful Numbers of organisations running tasks or walks:-

Local Dorset Wildlife Trust	01202 420909
Durlston Country Park	01929 424443
Avon Country Park	01425 478470
Dorset Countryside	01305 224214
Poole Countryside	01202 265265
Moors Valley	01425 470721
NT (Studland)	01929 450259

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

Environmental News August 2008

Prepared for Broadstone.net by dudley hull

Prepared for Broadstone.net by
dudley hull