Environmental News June 2009
Weatherwise, May has been a kind month. No dreadful downpours of rain, no blistering sunshine, no snow but an awful lot of wind which we don’t really expect.
A lovely display of Spring flowers everywhere. We visited Holt Forest during the month and the track at the North end had verges showing a wide range of species in full bloom. Not all common flowers. We also drove over to the DWT meadow at the back of Corfe Mullen, to see the green winged orchids that grow profusely there. Earlier we had visited and the meadow had looked to be cut too short, but DWT had got it right, and hundreds of orchids appeared.
Birds have all been busy, finding food to shove into ever open beaks. We have had the green woodpecker in our garden again, and whilst he seems very cautious normally, when he has to feed the youngster(s) he is brazenly hanging just outside the hole and passing on ants and grubs. We have also had robins, wrens, blackbirds and tits around, but I guess in a week or two’s time they will all leave the gardens for more open country. The Dorset Bird Club sightings board, recorded 3 Bee Eaters over Broadstone last week. Such colourful immigrants. Also a couple of sighting of a red kite, only 3 or 4 miles away.
Butterflies are turning up, but not very good numbers, EXCEPT for a massive migration of Painted Ladies from across the Channel. Some keen observers had counts of eighty or more. The last migration of this size was way back in 1993. Unfortunately they don’t really breed, so next year will be a different story.
Plenty of guided walks this month, but only a few locally. BoP have a bat evening at Upton Country Park, (6th June 19.00) and a small mammals hunt the following morning (7th 8.00 AM). There will also be a Moth Trap event on 20th at 9.30 AM. There is also a walk on Canford Heath(14th June 14.00).
For bids and flowers contact Durlston and RSPB, and for those who like cool evenings, the first nightjar walks are coming.
Most of the areas run practical conservation groups, and details of these and further interesting walks 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 692033 |
| 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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