Page 25 - BR August 2023

August 2023 August 2023

Moving to Bere Regis in 1986 Enjoy Each Day May’s Wood
May’s Wood and its associated meadow areas are now an exceptional area for
We’re lucky to be Dorset born and bred, Enjoy each day that comes along wildlife. Much has been said recently about the importance of bringing back
To have lived in Poole by the sea. Put on a smile and sing a song. nature to create a ‘Living Landscape’ and we now have a wonderful example of
We’ve always loved Evening Hill, Most things are right and little is wrong this for the benefit not only for wildlife but also the wellbeing of local people. The
meadows and woodland are buzzing with a wide range of insects and as you
Poole Park and the colourful Quay. In this beautiful world we all belong. walk along the edge the meadow masses of grasshopper jump before you. At
the time of writing over 10 butterflies could be seen including – Marbled White,
For years we enjoyed the harbour, Enjoy each day that comes your way Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large and Small Skippers, Peacock, Red Admiral
Spending happy hours afloat. And try to do a good deed each day. and Brimstone, a sight that has been missing in much of the countryside for many
years.
Trips to Brownsea, Studland and Shell Bay; Seek the silver lining when skies are
We were lucky to have a boat. grey The wild flower areas have been carefully managed with preliminary ploughing to
create the great show of annuals flowers with a sown mix including cornflower,
And remember to say thank you when
corn marigold, and the white corn chamomile. As well as the sown plants other
But Poole became so busy, you pray. native plants have found a home here rather than on intensively cultivated land.

The traffic seemed so loud. Be grateful for your happiness If you have walked past the perennial meadow areas you will have seen many
The people were all hurrying Be hopeful when you seek success. native plants, notably knapweeds, wild carrot, ox-eye daisy and yellow patches
And everywhere was a crowd. of lady’s bedstraw, these were sown some years ago and have now become well
Be young in heart and full of jest established, although by August the best of the display is over.
In search of somewhere quieter, Always remember how you’ve been We now have a wonderful range of contrasting wildlife habitats from the
We looked at villages far and near. blessed. heathland on the top of Black Hill, ancient woodland on the southern slope, Mays
Wood and the sown dry meadow, then our village wet meadow nature reserve
We wanted to move to the country, Eileen Richardson and Bere Stream. Many would say “You can’t get better than that!”
And found our home in Bere.

Still glad to be Dorset born and bred Glow Worms
Now here in idyllic tranquility, In previous years Glow Worms have been spotted in the hedgerows bounding
Exploring the Dorset that we love May’s Wood, below Black Hill. This year one has been spotted in the verge of the
track that runs up on to Black Hill from the far end of Shitterton. The best time to
And enjoying a life of serenity. spot them is at dusk or just after. If you have seen any, please let us know.

Eileen Richardson The glow worm, Lampyris noctiluca, is not at all worm-like but is a beetle up to 25
mm long. Only the wingless female glows strongly, to attract the flying males.
Each individual female has an adult glowing life of only a few weeks (usually
during June and July, although you may spot them through to early September)
until she mates, lays her eggs and dies. A chemical reaction in the tail of the
beetle forms the glow, which is about as bright as an LED light on a hi-fi.

Water for Wildlife
At this time of year the usual natural sources of water may disappear during
periods of prolonged dry weather, but our wildlife still needs to drink. Please do

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