Nature Fact

The Bullfinch prefers a woodland habitat, especially coniferous forest. They rarely move more than a few miles from home territory. Adult Bullfinch with their short, stubby bill is ideally suited to eating buds of trees and shrubs although they feed their nestlings on large quantities of insects and spiders as well as seeds as the young grow. Many of these beautiful birds were trapped or shot to prevent damage to orchards in Southern England.

Nature Watch

The weather during this period has been cold and mostly dry with a few snow flurries and the occasional milder day. Much of the wildlife which frequents heath land and the perimeter woodland has spilt into surrounding areas with more birds visiting gardens.

SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Jays, Buzzards, Black headed Gulls, Heron, Redwings, Fieldfare, Pheasant, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Stonechats, Crows, Wood Pigeon, Siskin, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Blue/Great/Coal/Long-tailed Tits, Dunnocks, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds and a group of Mallard Ducks flying in formation over the site. A small number of house sparrows have been seen along the fence line of Hazelwood/Hazel Drive. On the open bog good numbers of Snipe are still feeding. Grazing by the cattle last year has opened up the tussocky grass providing excellent conditions for this secretive bird.

The Great Spotted Woodpeckers have paired and are often seen in each others company.

A trial of feeding the Stonechats with mealworms during the harsher weather conditions has proved sucessful. Suitable winter food continues to be supplied at the feeding stations for the woodland birds.

Blue Tits continue to night roost in the camera nest boxes.

One of the earliest ground nesting birds on open heath is the Woodlark which start singing from the tops of scattered pines in February. Recordings of this bird are rare at Slop Bog so please let the Ranger staff know if you are lucky enough to see or hear one (telephone 01425 483809; e-mail w.holland@dorset.gov.uk).

Nature Fact

Birds keep warm in cold weather by fluffing out their feathers. This traps an insulating layer of warm air. Some species huddle together forming roosts thereby creating a collective body temperature. During severe cold spells constant access to food is essential as an underweight bird is more likely to perish than a well fed one.

Site Management

Dorset Countryside staff and volunteers have been controlling scrub on the bog. Scrub in itself a valuable habitat for invertebrates and birds but left unchecked it spread rapidly and shades out light demanding species at ground level. An extra weekend work party in January went a long way in helping with 9 volunteers clearing willow and bramble scrub. Another part of wet heath in the Eastern enclosure has had birch growth reduced. This is an area Marsh Gentians flower in late Summer.

Events Sunday 24th January

"Conservation at work" 10am - 1pm
Help Dorset Countryside staff with practical conservation. No experience needed. Tools and gloves provided. We will be having a bonfire whilst clearing branches left from recent tree felling. Wear strong shoes and old clothes that embers from the fire won't spoil. Toasted tea cakes likely! Follow signs from West Moors Road and Redwood drive entrances.

"Winter trees and working woods" 2pm - 3pm. No need to book.
Adults £2.50 Children £1.50 (free for those "Conservation at work" helpers).
Spend an hour looking at some of our trees and shrubs in more detail. Learn to recognise some of our common species and find out how these trees have been used throughout history in construction, medicine, crafts and even the kitchen! Explore the folklore and mythology behind the "Lady of the Woods", the "Poisonberry" and the "Witches Aspirin". Meet at West Moors entrance.