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May 2018 May 2018
We are planning a series of other events over the coming summer months, so
watch this space for further news of these. PURBECK DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORT

Conservation Working Parties Local Plan Review

As Spring is now upon us our Autumn and Winter working parties are over. Our last The ‘new homes for Purbeck’ consultation has now
working party in March concentrated on sowing wildflower seeds near to the finished. Over 6,700 residents and 131 businesses
entrance to the school. As last year, hopefully to give a stunning display this completed the questionnaire which was sent to
coming Summer. The flowers will also provide a great source of nectar for bees, every household and business in Purbeck. Nineteen
butterflies and other insects adding to the wildlife value of the area. At our town and parish councils responded and over 500
previous working party in early February we continued with clearance of people attended the drop-in sessions. Information
undergrowth along the riverside path, particularly in some wetter areas to give from this will be published in due course.
plants such as the Marsh Marigold (which are now giving a wonderfully bright
yellow display) and Flag Iris the opportunity to flourish. We also translocated some
Flag Iris and rush to the new pond at Souls Moor. We will translocate other suitable The Purbeck Mile
wetland plants as the opportunity arises, making it a wildlife haven as well as a The Purbeck Integrated Health and Wellbeing Locality Group is working with
source of drinking water for the ponies. Nature is, though, already doing a good partners on the Purbeck Mile. The aim of the Purbeck Mile is to increase people’s
job with various creatures and plants already colonising it – go and take a look to participation in walking as short walks are proven to improve physical and mental
see what you can spot.
health. Each GP practice and
A very big thank you to all our hard working volunteers. Please come and join us hospital in Purbeck will be provided
when we re-commence in the Autumn – it’s great fun! with a free map showing a 1 and 2
mile walk starting from the GP

surgery. Maps will also be provided
Wildlife Sightings in both Wareham and Swanage
Hospital and at the Council Offices.
There is a long list of birds that have
been spotted on Souls Moor Nature This work forms part of the Locality
Reserve and alongside the streamside Sustainability and Transformation
walk from the Scout hut to Shitterton. plan and links to the wider
This shows how valuable a wildlife Prevention at Scale Agenda. A
resource we are creating. The birds steering group is working with the
spotted include house sparrow, GP surgeries to ensure that Maps
dunnock or hedge sparrow, thrush, are displayed and that GPs and other staff promote the walks to patients. Work
fieldfare, redwing, blackbird, magpie, will also take place with local Patient Participation Groups to look to put in place
jackdaw, crow, robin, wren, kestrel, weekly walking groups from each surgery to support take up. It is hoped that
kingfisher, collared dove, wood Maps will be in place by May.
pigeon, chaffinch, blue tit, great tit,
long tailed tit, starling, goldfinch, little
egret, buzzard and a tree creeper (see Surgery
photo). The tree creeper is a small, very Surgeries are held on the first Saturday of every month. These are held at the
active, bird that (as the name communal Lounge in Turberville Court in Bere Regis from 09.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.
suggests) creeps up the trunks of trees If you have any questions or queries related to the business of Purbeck District
in its quest for small grubs and insects. It Council please do come along. If anyone wants to contact me and cannot get
has a long, slender, down curved bill, speckly brown above and mainly white to the surgery my email address is peter.wharf@btopenworld.com.
below.
Peter Wharf - District Councillor
Let us know about your local wildlife sightings so we can add to the list.

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