Environmental News January 2008
Afraid our Environment got a bit delayed this month, due to hordes of visiting grandchildren. There seemed to be a permanent quest for food and goodies both inside the house and outside.
The cold spell in December made the birds hungry, and suddenly all the beautiful holly berries we were lining up for Christmas, just disappeared. In the end we found just a single berry left, and we must have at least 20 bushes.
Immediately after Christmas we have a good mixed diet for the birds, but as it gets into January bread is not really enough. Some birds like robins and blackbirds need some form of fatty protein, so chopped bacon rind or similar is essential. The current weather forecast is promising a spell of arctic temperatures, so it is important to try and provide fresh water instead of ice. Squirrels also have a hard time. There were plenty of cones and acorns for them to hide, but once it freezes they have problems digging food up.
Did plenty of walking over the holidays, but cold and grey and very little to be seen. Two rabbits come to mind but not much else.
The latest Dorset Coast and Countryside has just been issued Plenty of walks and talks for all tastes, and towards the end of the month (26th/27th) it is the Big Garden Birdwatch (RSPB Arne) The next Bird Boats round the harbour are on 13th Jan and 24th Feb (01929 462383 for details). Also a comprehensive list of groups running physical conservation tasks.
Locally, Friends of Broadstone Local Nature Reserve are busy on 13th and 27th. Details 250148.
Useful Numbers of organisations running tasks or walks:-
| Dorset Countryside | 01305 225037 |
| Durlston Country Park | 01929 424443 |
| Poole Countryside | 01202 265265 |
| Avon Country Park | 01425 478470 |
| Moors Valley | 01425 470721 |
| NT (Studland) | 01929 450259 |
| DWT | 01305 264620 |
Other useful wildlife web sites for wildlife news in this area are:
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dudley hull
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