Photographic Competition

Photographs to be taken at Slop Bog Nature Reserve any subject
Prints no larger than A4 - up to 3 prints per entrant
Two sections - Adults and Juniors under 16
Please put name, address and telephone number on reverse plus age if a Junior
Closing date 17th June 2007
All entries will be displayed at the Slop Bog Open Day Sunday 24th June 2007
Winners will be announced at the Open Day at 3pm and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes awarded
Post entries to Mr G Dunkling 123 Pinehurst Park West Moors BH22 0BS
All enquiries to G Dunkling tel: 01202 897293

Drawing and Picture Competition

Subject - Life on Slop Bog eg creatures, plants, views
Upper age limit 16
Please put name, address, age and telephone number on the reverse
Closing date 17th June 2007
All entries will be displayed at the Slop Bog Open Day Sunday 24th June 2007
Winners to be announced at the Open Day at 3pm
Entries to :- Mrs C Wilcox 19 Hazel Drive Ferndown BH22 9SP

Nature Watch

March ended in cold windy weather but early April saw clearer, brighter, warm days. The following sightings were recorded on the Nature Reserve within the past month

Birds :- Wood Pidgeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Robin, Dunnock, Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Green Woodpecker, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Goldcrest, Jay, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Stonechat, Dartford Warbler, Reed Bunting, Heron, Mallard Duck, Kingfisher, Meadow Pipit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff

Plants in flower :- Hazel, Gorse, Primrose, Lesser Celandine, Sallow, Willow, Bog Myrtle, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Spring Snowflake

Insects :- Buff tailed bumble, Drone Fly, Pond Skater, Crab Spider, Wolf Spider, Hunting Spider, Brimstone Butterfly, Speckled Wood Butterfly

Fungi :- Many Zoned Polypore, Candle Snuff Fungus, Witches Butter

Animals :- Grey Squirrel, Roe Deer, Fox, Mole, Common Frog, Pipistrelle Bat

It has been noted that little frog spawn has been recorded this Spring and although monitors sighted frogs in February, no more sights have been made. Many of the bird boxes are now occupied. The first recording of Bat movement after winter hibernation was on Good Friday.
Sound recordings are now on file. Items of interest found include the skeleton of a Hedgehog, Roe Deer antler, Long Tailed Tit nest

Nature Fact

A Long Tailed Tit nest appears very small when first constructed. However, as more space is required for a growing family, the nest nest is built in a way that enables it to expand

Site Management

The clearance of tree branches and brush by burning continued on the Guardian work party morning in late March. Out on the central heathland the commencement of heather cutting has begun, part of a programme of work to encourage new growth, which will support the habitat of Silver Studded Blue butterflies. The heather seeds collected were then scattered on the newly formed clearings.

A visit by Jan Freeborn of the Dorset Bat Group took place on Saturday 31st March. This was a base line visit to confirm occupancy of the existing boxes and to offer recommendations for the future support of the Bats, which are known to feed on Slop Bog. Due to the late installation of the newest boxes and the lack of dry roosting material, no roosting Bats were found on site. It was suggested that sponsorship for the purchase of Schwegler boxes be obtained which are more robust, weather proof and have a life span of about 25 years. Two Guardians attending the Annual General Meeting offered sponsorship for two of these Bat boxes and further sponsorship is invited from interested persons wishing to support the wildlife at Slop Bog