Community Award

One of our member Guardians, wildlife photographer/recorder George Dunkling recently attended the Dorset CC Community Awards. We are delighted that he was awarded a Merit Certificate in the environmental and conservation category in well deserved acknowledgement for his life long contribution to local recording of wildlife and presenting his findings to the public. George is a major influence on all those involved with Slop Bog and his extensive knowledge and wonderful photographs have been invaluable in recording and understanding the site's habitat.

Nature Watch

The wet and windy weather experienced during February into March made it difficult to locate wild life on Slop Bog. On the occasional dry monitoring day the following species were recorded:-

On the heathland - A Heron in flight, Buzzards, Green Woodpeckers, a pair of Dartford Warblers and flocks of Meadow Pipits, Redwings and Fieldfares passing through, A pair of Stonechats have reappeared after an absence last summer. A male Tree Pipit has returned from his winter quarters and observed at the top a of a pine tree declaring his territory and advertising for a mate. A female Roe Deer grazing near the cover of the north boundary woodland.

In the woodland - Wrens, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Nuthatch, Tree Creepers, Robins, Blackbirds a Sparrowhawk and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. A Kingfisher in flight over the stream in the south east corner of Slop Bog nb Kingfishers have been recorded on previous occasions probably visiting from Uddens Water north of the Ferndown by-pass. The last of the winter forming fungi are now beginning to deteriorate, such as the Yellow Brain, although many Bracket fungi remain on numerous tree trunks.

From the boardwalk - a pair of Mallard ducks, Brimstone butterflies, Newts, Water Skaters, Frogs and Frog Spawn.

Nature Fact

Foxes feed on a variety of prey. Should you find a pile of bird feathers eg crow, pigeon or duck the way to tell if a fox is the culprit (rather than a bird of prey) is to look for the chewed ends of the feather shafts. If a Sparrowhawk was responsible a ring of feathers would be seen with no damage to the shafts

Site Management

On the last Thursday in February members of Slop Bog Guardians turned out in heavy rain for the monthly work party assisting the DCC Rangers with removal and burning of brush from previously felled Silver Birch trees. Log piles were constructed from the trunks thus creating habitat for insects and small mammals. Maintenance of the bird nesting boxes has been completed where required.
The Dorset Bat Group visited Slop Bog on a preliminary visit but due to adverse weather conditions were unable to carry out any inspection of the boxes on site. A date has been arranged for the end of March when a base line assessment will be carried out.

Notification signs for dog walkers have been placed at the entrances to the heathland enclosure. With the return of grazing cattle and ground nesting birds in March it is important for all visitors to keep to the main paths and for dogs to be kept under close control in this area of Slop Bog. This responsible behaviour will minimise disturbance to livestock and wildlife.

Heavy rain over the past month has resulted in much of the site becoming waterlogged but the recent warm sunny weather has greatly improved the path conditions outside the enclosure

Nature Watch

The latter half of January was a quiet time on the heathland,bog and wooded areas. Evidence of Sparrowhawk strikes were discovered at various locations within the woodland. The 1st February erupted in bird song throughout the woodland with male songbirds in fine voice, declaring their territories and advertising for mates. Many species of the Tit family are visiting the nest boxes on site, either seeking out potential homes in readiness for the breeding season or as overnight roosts during the colder nights. The three bird feeding tables have frequent visitors where a selection of suitable winter food is provided at regular intervals. The discovery of hair and evidence of grubbing for food at the base of a gorse bush has indicated the possible visiting of Badgers to Slop Bog.

The following bird sitings have been recorded:- a Snipe, Wrens, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Tree Creepers, Great Tit, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Goldcrests, Robins, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Magpies, Jays, a female Reed Bunting, a pair of Dartford Warblers, a flock of Redwing passing through, a buck and a doe Roe Deer. Territory and mate calling by the Tawny Owl has been heard at night as has the barking of foxes. Frogs have emerged from hibernation so look out for spawn in the pools bordering the boardwalk in the coming weeks. The Gorse bushes are bursting their buds providing a cheerful glow of yellow on the darker winter days