Environmental News August 2009
Birds, flowers and butterflies, all busy in the sunshine – when it isn’t pelting with rain.
Birds have more or less raised second broods, and a lot have departed for the countryside where insects and seeds are more abundant. There are a few that still come to the feeders, and we have a bright (?) wood pigeon that hangs out below the feeders gobbling and seeds that the smaller birds drop.
Further afield, there has been an osprey at Middlebere (near Arne) for the last week. And the first migrants on their way back to Africa, are appearing along the coast.
Butterflies had a good July, despite the showers. Most species were around in good numbers, though the various species of blues were not very numerous. The big star, was a LARGE TORTOISESHELL, spotted in Broadstone on the 16th. This is a fairly rare migrant from France/Spain, and is one of the species that may take up residence in the UK, thanks to global warming. Results for this year, continue to show large numbers of painted ladies. The first wave have obviously produced large numbers of offspring, - they love thistles – and there is one report from a thistle filled valley in North Dorset, of 10,000.
During the month, I went to the new Butterfly World super-site near St Albans. It already has a large garden area full of attractive flowers, but awaits the large geodome which will house a multitude of tropical butterflies. Worth a visit if you are in that area.
Coast and Countryside is round again, and lots of events arranged. However I can see that a number will be washed out. Wildlife, like us, keeps its head down in the wet. Durlston and Avon heath have many events planned, but not much in the Poole area. There is a dragonfly day on Brownsea Island ( NT 24th 707744), and for the adventurous spirits BoP is leading a walk to Pergin island (24th evening, Upton House 7.00 PM)
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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