Page 45 - br-november-2019

November 2019 November 2019

BERE REGIS SCOUT GROUP Bere Stream
We mentioned last month how fortunate we are to have a healthy population of
brown trout in the Bere Stream. There have also been recent sightings of a water
Explorer News vole and, of course, the Little Egret is often seen locally – it would only be there if
there was a plentiful food source for it. All this points to the relatively good
The autumn term is now
in full swing and the condition our stream is in.

Explorers have already had several activity We have had the good
nights. One of their favourite evenings to plan condition of the stream
and run is always one involving ‘creative confirmed at a recent inspection
cooking’. Lots of mystery tins (all the labels were of the area by the Rivers Officer
taken off) were handed out to eager teams of from Dorset Wildlife Trust. He was
Scout chefs to create an edible meal judged on able to give us some good
teamwork, taste, imagination and cleanliness! pointers as to what is working
well and what we might do to
Making the most help improve the stream’s health
of the weather
before if gets too and wildlife value further. He said
w i n t r y , t h e there was generally a
Explorers, along reasonable balance of open
w i t h s o m e water and area with water
Network Scouts, had an evening at Buddens weed. The water weed is very
learning how to zip wire and climb on a new important habitat and should be left untouched as the current levels are looking
structure that has recently been installed at the really good – these areas will be home to invertebrates and sheltering fish etc
(especially smaller fish and young fish, known as ‘fry’). The water weed also helps
centre. The group enjoyed a beautiful sunset
and tried out these new and enjoyable to push the water around, creates meanders and varies flow rates, see photo. This
is really good news as the Wildlife Group volunteers put in a number of gravel
challenges.
berms or banks a few years ago and these have worked really well in helping to

form the faster flowing meanders along with areas of still water.
DofE News
There is still work to do to help improve the stream environment. There are some
On Wednesday 2nd bare areas of bank which we hope to re-seed and silt traps that need to be
October, Josh Lightfoot and Cameron Fletcher (both cleared out. These actions should help to reduce sediment run off into the stream.
ex Kingsbere Explorers) made their way to London, To allow more light to reach the stream there are opportunities to coppice some
with their perspective parents Julien and Mo, to trees and shrubbery and cut back low overhanging branches. Any coppiced
receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards. The stools will be allowed to regrow with some branches being laid into the stream to
ceremony took place at St James’s Palace where create further meanders with areas of still water and contrasting narrower faster
they all met Prince Edward and were presented their flowing zones. These will be some of the tasks the working parties will be
certificates by Jo Doherty, the first scout to ski to the undertaking in the coming months.
South Pole and kite ski back. A great achievement!
Well done to both of you!
Join Us on our Conservation Working Parties

Our first full Conservation Working Party of the Autumn season will be held on the
An update on the 24th World Scout Jamboree 2019 morning of Saturday 2nd November. We will meet at the bridge near to the Scout
Hut, Elder Road at 10am. We normally finish about 12.30.
– as experienced and written by one of our Explorers, Aidan Findler who

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