Race for Life

On Sunday my sister Christine and I took part in the Race for Life in Poole in aid of Cancer Research. OK, this isn’t wildlife related but I just thought it was important to publicise such a great event.

The Return of the Spotted Flycatchers

Lying in bed yesterday morning half asleep Andrew (husband) suddenly said to me “what’s that bird on the telephone line?”. I have to admit I couldn’t believe my eyes. There on the line sat a small, perky little spotted flycatcher. Then she was gone. But where?

Digging a Wildlife Pond with Help!

This is obviously the finished article (minus the water plants). I now have a fantastic wildlife pond. However, it didn’t just “happen”. The following shows how it came about.

Moth Identification Course in Dorset

Just a quick post to let people know that Dorset Wildlife Trust have arranged a Moth Trapping/Identification Course (they are only “trapped” for one night and then let go!) for anyone with a keen interest in moths (or like me just wants to know a little bit more about them) starting on the 21 June 2008. I think there are several sessions split over several weeks and you can go along to all or just one or two of them.

I know I get some local “Dorset” visitors to Urban Extension, so I thought I would just let you know. It’s bound to be a great course (I’ve attended a lot of their courses before). For further details (and you don’t need to be a Dorset Wildlife Trust member to attend) contact Steve Davis at Dorset Wildlife Trust at 01202 692033 or email him at sdavis@dorsetwildlife.co.uk

Four Fledgling Long-Tailed Tits Make an Appearance

A few weeks ago we thought that the Long-Tailed Tit nest in our garden had been raided by a Magpie. There was a lot of noise, flapping and fuss and then silence. We haven’t really seen the parents since.

Bats on Brownsea

This week I went on a “bat training” workshop organised by Steve Davis at Dorset Wildlife Trust (thanks Steve!). It was held on the idyllic island of Brownsea (in the middle of Poole Harbour). But it’s not just bats that you can see at Brownsea…

A Very Fussy Orchid and Acid Yellow Spikes

I don’t often write about wildflowers but as I’d never seen these two before I thought I would stick them in.

The Spotted Flycatcher Vigil

Do you like suspense? Personally I hate it. So the last few weeks have been excruciating as I wait and hope that the rare spotted flycatchers will fly back from Africa and nest in the nestbox on the side of my house.

Trying to find an Adder

Today I went back to the place I saw the smooth snake in the hope of maybe seeing an adder. Believe it or not I’ve never seen one!

An unexpected smooth snake

Sometimes things just happen out of the blue.

Sunday Badger Watch

Last Sunday I spent the evening watching badgers in deepest-darkest Dorset.

The farmer who owns this land has set up a hide for people who want to watch the badgers. He also puts some very tempting peanuts down for them! Every night they come out of their sett and wander down to the peanut-field in front of the hide.

It was wet, cold and generally a bit rubbish for badgers…. but we were lucky.

We ended up seeing three badgers. The footage is pretty “damp” looking (as it’s through rain-covered glass) but they did come out in broad daylight (about 7.30pm) so we still managed to get a good look at them.

I will try to go back later in the year to see the cubs and to take some “better” video.

Cowslips: once common, now a lovely surprise!

I don’t know why but I’ve never noticed these cowslips at the side of the road before. Maybe they weren’t there before?

Interesting Fox Behaviour

As you know, I regularly film the garden foxes at night using the infra-red camera. There seem to be at least four visitors at the moment, and the other night I filmed some really cute behaviour that I’d never seen before.

Birds eye view

The birds in my garden are really important to me. Before we moved to this house the previous owner had fed the birds for over 40 years. There was no way I was going to stop, there might have been an “urban extension” bird-riot.

Badger & Foxes Update

I haven’t updated you lately on the regular visitors to my garden, so if you have been wondering about them here’s an update with latest videos.

Nature Watch Corfe Mullen

I think I told you some time ago that I was working on a new project… well this is it “Nature Watch Corfe Mullen”. So what is it?

Badger Visit

The badger, Apple, made a short and sweet “walk through” visit early this morning at 2.56am squatting to leave a scent mark as she walked! No food left for her so she kept on going. First time I’ve seen her since the two days of snow on the 6 and 7 April. Dry last night and slightly warmer, but still a frost.

Snowing

Before I forget to post this diary note. It has snowed today. Big, cold flakes of snow settling on the grass, magnolia (which is just blooming) and camelias (which are nearly over).

Badger Visit

Diary note for me. The badger visited again early this morning. Arrived at the camera at 1.58am stayed until 2.28am. Weather was cooler than the previous night but dry. Snow forecast!

Badger Visit

Just a diary note for me. The badger visited early this morning at 3.09am. Didn’t stay long, just sniffed the air a lot. Not comfortable and moved on within a couple of minutes, even though there was food on the ground. It was dry and fairly warm.