Environmental News February 2009
Somehow the January notes got lost in a welter of hungry Christmas visitors. Then they got completely frozen out, by the cold start to January.
During that cold spell the birds managed to stay active, and occasionally a squirrel appeared too. Not much else!
We seemed to be handing out double rations, but were rewarded by the steady stream of tits that visited the feeders for both seeds and nuts. We provided lots of fresh water, but generally it froze quickly.
Now the cold spell seems to have passed, there is a surfeit of water everywhere, and it is gardening in wellies time. Still plenty of birds around, and they are starting to pair up, but as yet no evidence of nesting.
Last year we had both a greater spotted and a green woodpecker in the garden, and a little while ago we had both species back. But suddenly all has gone quiet – no drumming, no yaffling.
I have been very impressed by the pied wagtails this year. They are always so busy trying to find insects, and adapt very well to scouring roads and car parks. There have been a pair outside Somerfields almost every time I go there.
Very few organised walks this month. Birds at Durlston (8th), harbingers of Spring, Studland (25th), and an RSPB bird boat, landing on Brownsea on the 15th.(01929 462383)
Most of the areas run practical conservation groups, and details should be available at the numbers below, or for a wider picture ring 01305 224214 for a copy of Coast and Countryside, or try your local library.
Useful Numbers for tasks and events :-
| Local Dorset Wildlife Trust | 01202 420909 |
| Durlston Country Park | 01929 424443 |
| Avon Country Park | 01425 478470 |
| Poole Countryside | 01202 265265 |
| Moors Valley | 01425 470721 |
| NT (Studland) | 01929 450259 |
| Natural England | 01929 557450 |
Other useful wildlife web sites for wildlife news in this area are:
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