Environmental News February 2010
An exceptionally cold January! Its surprising that anything is still alive, but luckily most plants and animals are more adaptable than we are.
Certainly the birds in our garden look to be thriving, though they are rather helped with all kinds of seeds. Water has been more of a problem though.
For me the highlight of last month was a visit by a substantial flock of redwings. We have an area of trees, which was well covered by a carpet of leaves. Looking out one day, it seemed the carpet was alive with leaves flying up in the air, all over. Of course it was the birds digging down through the leaves and tossing them in the air. Still plenty of other birds though, and today (which was RSPB big garden birdwatch) we saw 11 species, mainly round the feeders, where the small birds peck away inside the cage, and the large birds gratefuly hoover up all the seeds that are dropped.
First snowdrops are about, and I guess it will soon be time to visit Kingston Lacey again. Another early flower I admire is the witch hazel, not very common, but appreciating the weather this year.
Now this month nature should really get moving. Bulbs and leaves should be sprouting, and birds looking for nest sites. If you have nest boxes and as yet they have no occupants, it is a good time to turn out any old nest material.
Not many events, but a few more than January. Conservation work parties almost everywhere – just ring numbers below to find your nearest. Friends of Broadstone Nature Reserve are back in action (14th) Poole RSPB have a walk over shell bay and Studland (9.30 am Shell Bay car park 21st} a bird boat, stopping on Brownsea on 28th (01929 462383).
If weather permits, most of the areas run practical conservation groups, and details of these and further interesting walks should be available at the numbers below. Broadstone Library has copies of Coast and Countryside, where you can get your own free copy, and find information about the few January events in Dorset.
Useful Numbers for tasks and events :-
| Local Dorset Wildlife Trust | 01202 692033 |
| Durlston Country Park | 01929 424443 |
| Avon Country Park | 01425 478470 |
| Poole Countryside (BoP) | 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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dudley hull
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