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May 2019 May 2019

BERE REGIS WILDLIFE AND
ENVIRONMENT GROUP

With the warmth of Spring our wildlife has become
more active (eg butterflies are on the wing, birds are
singing their hearts out in attempts to find a mate,
hedgehogs are wandering at nights and bats are
flying at nights), trees are bursting into leaf and
blossom and the beautiful blue of our native bluebells
is decorating local woods. Make the most of these warmer months and if you can
get out to see, hear and smell our these natural wonders.

Conservation Working Parties

Our last working party of the season was held at the beginning of April. We now
have a break until the Autumn as we don’t want to disturb nesting birds or
trample plants that are growing over the Summer period.
A very big thank you to the volunteers who have turned out over the winter
period, often getting wet and cold but doing a grand job. We have achieved
much this year including planting trees and a hedgerow, restoring part of the river
bank by weaving willow between stakes, sowing wild flower seeds and clearing
brambles and other undergrowth. We clear brambles and other undergrowth in a
rotation over four or five years. Many people ask us why. The simple reason is if the
undergrowth is left unchecked it will create a thicket and choke smaller plants. By
clearing on a rotational basis we create a matrix of habitats that suit the widest
possible range of habitats for invertebrates, small mammals and plants. A number
of people have commented that this year’s display of Marsh Marigolds is one of
the best ever. This is a direct result of the work we have been doing. Also, some
areas of primroses are clumping up nicely and we will see a range of other
flowers and plants emerging during the coming months.

Wild Flowers

We have seeded two areas with native wild flower seeds. These are near to the
kick about area (between the bench and the stream) and under the beacon on
Souls Moor. Hopefully these will give a colourful display in the Summer and
provide much needed nectar for bees, butterflies, moths and other insects.

Cormorants
There have been a number of recent spottings of a Cormorant in the vicinity of

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