Dorset

Countryside

Volunteers

No 191 February - April 2020

Reg Charity No 1071723 www.dcv.org.uk

©Carole Ramsdown

©Val Warren Wood

©Don Fontmell Down

©Don Warren Wood

©Don Creech Heath

©Val Parley Common

DCV is . . . · A practical conservation group run by volunteers since 1972 doing practical work in the

countryside that would not otherwise be done · Volunteers are male and female, from all walks

of life and from all over the county · Work is seasonal, e.g. woodlands in winter -

hedgelaying, coppicing; in summer dry stone walling, clearing ponds, footpath work

· Organisations we work for include: Dorset Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Natural England, Amphibian Reptile Conservation Trust

· We work at weekends throughout Dorset · No super-human strength or special skills

needed, or attendance on every task or even for the whole weekend - any time is a bonus for us and for you!

DCV offers . . .

· Practical care for the environment · Opportunity to learn new skills - training given · Use of all necessary tools · Beautiful countryside, social events, fun &

companionship YOU should bring . . .

· Stout footwear (steel toecaps if possible) · Old clothes (wear layers) Long trousers and

sleeves are best · Tough gloves (we have some to sell/lend) · Waterproofs, sun block, sun hat, insect repellent · Lunch and some water · Don’t forget an up to date tetanus jab Reaching a task . . .

· If you need, or can offer, a lift phone Richard Meatyard or Peter Warren 3 days before a task

· Lifts from Wool station (toolstore is nearby) · Travel links: http://www.morebus.co.uk/ https://www.dorsetforyou.com/travel-dorset/rail A DCV day lasts . . . · 10.00a.m. – 5.00p.m. approximately including

breaks for drinks (which are supplied) and lunch

(please bring your own lunch) FINDING DCV . . .

· Maps with the task programme (at the back of this newsletter) show the locations of task sites

· DCV website dcv.org.uk · Facebook · Look for DCV’s yellow arrows near the worksite or

the DCV information board may show an explanatory note

· If unsure of the worksite try to arrive by 10.00 to meet other volunteers. The worksite may be some way off. Lost? give us a call on 07929 961532 (after 10.00 a.m.) ring longer than normal

· If the phone goes to answer phone there is no signal on the work site

FOOD & DRINK

· Please bring your own lunch · DCV provides free hot/cold drinks and biscuits

during the day - bring your own mug if you wish · Occasionally DCV may hold a shared lunch or

supper (aka bring a dish) when it is usual for people to bring some food to share around

· Note: If you have a medical condition or allergies

of any sort, please carry a card and bring necessary medicines. If you wish, bring this to the attention of the task leader. Please complete the “in case of emergency” details at the end of the newsletter, and bring on task. “In case of emergency details” can be inserted into a small key fob which can be attached to your rucksack. Key fobs are available from Richard Meatyard.

· All youngsters are welcome, but should be

accompanied by a responsible adult.

Who we are, what we do, where, why and how . .

EDITORIAL

Welcome to 2020 and a happy new year to you all. Our new programme stretches from the cutting and burning of a wet and dismal winter through to the end of April by which time we would normally be well into footpath work, fencing, drystone walling . . . however you will see that currently there are quite a few tasks yet to be finalised. Reasons for this include budgetary constraints, uncertain priorities by clients, loss of traditional clients. So, welcome to the new quarter, along the way countless cultural and religious festivals - lent, the official start of spring, spring equinox, the beginning of summertime, Easter. Already there are signs of spring, in a relatively short space of time winter will be gone and with it the skeletal trees, spectacular sunsets and glowing embers that we all enjoy on task, so let’s make the most of these short winter days. We have a packed newsletter - thanks to the many and varied contributions from all those of you who have submitted articles - all interesting and relevant to DCV and our work. We are asked more frequently by our own volunteers and passers by, why we are burning trees and shrubs that we cut down. Hopefully Richard’s article goes some way to explaining this. Cut material, ‘arisings’ need to be removed or they would enrich the soil and affect the delicate ecosystem/biodiversity of the habitat that we are working to conserve. At the end of the day DCV has agreed to work as a contractor for the client and we carry out their instructions. You will see that there are no Tyneham tasks in this programme and perhaps you have also heard that some of the buildings there have been fenced off. For the full picture, see Project Manager Lynda Price’s article explaining the position and if we hear more we will pass it on to you. Following the Warren Wood coppicing task last quarter, we received many thanks from David Jones, National Trust and Toby Hoad, the woodsman who works the wood there. We completed a coup of about 7/10 year old hazel, leaving the cut wood ready for Toby to work through. Membership fees are due for 2020, unless you joined after last September. A membership form is enclosed with this newsletter. Please complete and hand to Chris together with your fee. This money goes towards the printing of the newsletter and running of our very comprehensive website. Here’s looking forward to a good 2020 and many more enjoyable tasks in Dorset’s beautiful countryside.

The last few tasks of the previous quarter served as an introduction to the weather which was to continue into the early winter tasks and an advance warning of what has turned out to be one of the warmest and wettest winters for many years. Perhaps a precursor of the effects of climate change and winters to come.

Firstly, a brief round up of the 3 tasks that missed my last report. On Stonebarrow Hill a wet Saturday was followed by a bright sunny Sunday setting the pattern for the next few weekends. A slightly unusual task as here we were removing trees to allow small scrub, gorse etc. to regenerate.

Then it was eastwards to Upton Wood for a day of path widening and general clearing around the entrance from the housing estate and finally back to the far west and Hardown Hill. This was the task that was cancelled last spring, here we were clearing a band of scrub from alongside the hedgebank.

The pattern of wet, poorly attended Saturdays and fine, well attended Sundays continued for the first few tasks of the new quarter.

The first was a return to Stonebarrow Hill to continue our tree removal to allow smaller scrub to flourish.

Then it was north to Fontmell Down where we made a start on pushing into the belt of scrub along the top of the east facing slope for DWT. Also, the bank of scrub that is starting to develop along the lower fenceline.

The following weekend, a Sunday only task in Rempstone Forest. The favourable wind

conditions allowed us to make a start burning up the mountain of gorse cut during the Orchis weekend. Good progress was made both burning and cutting so by the end of the day the mountain had shrunk but not by much.

Then west again to the remote and very wet Bracket’s Coppice reserve. No problems with having a fire here. This always wet site was decidedly waterlogged and getting to and from the worksite involved a fair amount of slipping and sliding up and down slopes. It was more a case of ride widening than coppicing.

Finally, a dry weekend for our first true coppicing task at Warren Wood. After many years of cutting overstood mocks to restore the coppice rotation, time had come to cut the first of the restored coupes. The cut material being laid out in rows for subsequent processing by the woodsman. Fortunately, there were arisings remaining from a previous volunteer session allowing us to have a fire both days to keep the chill out.

After Warren Wood we settled into a run of pine clearing tasks for ARC, starting with Parley Common.

We returned to Parley after a 5-year break and it was surprising the extent to which the heathland had been recolonised by small pines. Over the two days we cleared a large area of the small pines and pushed into a few areas that we didn’t reach on our last visit.

The following weekend was the Christmas Tree task on Creech Heath, followed on the Saturday evening by the DCV Christmas

meal. This was our first visit to this part of the heath for many years and the magnitude of the pine infestation brought back memories of the many years we spent battling pine in Newton Gully. So this may become a regular on our Winter schedule.

The Sunday before Christmas it was a return to Great Ovens and the area around the old clay pits, now ponds. We cleared the area immediately around the pond a couple of years back. This time we extended the cleared area westwards down into the next gully.

The Sunday between Christmas and New Year was an opportunity to burn off a few calories before the New year celebrations. DWTs Powerstock Common reserve is one of our regular sites, fencing in the Summer and scrub clearing in the Winter. This time we were opening a corridor through some scrub to encourage the livestock to roam more widely around the reserve. We return to complete this as the last task of the quarter.

The first task of the New Year and a return to Rempstone Forest and clearing the backlog of gorse cut previously and cutting and stacking pine on the opposite side of the track. Again, the wind was in the right direction allowing a fire both days. Late on Saturday our fire control techniques were tested when the fire made a bid, unsuccessfully, to escape into a nearby section of gorse hedge.

The following weekend was our regular January visit to Coney’s Castle in the West of the county. Over the last few years we have cleared a long bank of roadside

Co-ordinator’s Report Richard Meatyard

scrub. This time we cleared along the northern boundary and made a start of clearing scattered scrub along the eastern boundary and removing lower boughs on the trees to improve access for cutting and hay making.

The final task before the newsletter deadline was East

Ramsdown. A bit of a shock to the system as Sunday dawned with sub-zero temperatures, a thick layer of frost and bright sunshine. Once again we were clearing birch and pine from amongst the heather on this reserve adjacent to the A338. Even with the bright warm day there were still pockets of frost to be found amongst the heather at

the end of the day.

Co-ordinator’s Report cont’d . . .

It’s always lovely to have an unexpected donation. It means that Butterfly Conservation has a contingency pot to cover the unexpected.

At Alners Gorse the £500 we received from DCV has been used to pay for two unexpected vet bills and fence repairs. We graze 4 Dartmoor ponies on the reserve which has probably looked better this year than for a long time thanks partly to our four-legged grazing team. This small herd has been here amicably since 2012 – but last Summer one of them, Scarface, has been bullied by one of the others. She went missing for two days and was eventually found in a blackthorn thicket on the west side of the reserve. A thorn turned septic and had to be treated. Later she was also driven out of the grazing enclosure they were in on our neighbours’ land on Rooksmoor and we ended up with less income than we had expected from that grazing contract. Once back on the reserve there was another fracas and she was kicked in the face by Star and needed more treatment. And during that same argie bargie, a gate and a line of rather ancient fence posts were broken and we now need to arrange repairs. The extraordinary thing is that in between the arguing , Scarface and Star seem to be the best of friends – it could be a human story!

These ponies are a management tool on the reserve. Their grazing enhances the habitat for, amongst other things, Marsh Fritillary and Brown Hairstreak. Nightingales can be heard here in the Spring.

If you wish to visit, the reserve is open all year. We do arrange guided walks in the summer- so keep your eye on the branch website Events page.

With thanks again from Butterfly Conservation Dorset branch for DCV’s generosity. https://www.dorsetbutterflies.com/places/alners-gorse/

DCV donation to Butterfly Conservation helps grazing ponies on Alners Gorse reserve

Georgie Laing

Thanks to DCV for the extra litter pick carried out last year and also reports that the 2minute beach clean station located at the cafe at Abbotsbury beach and sponsored by DCV, has been very well received by visitors and locals and has already been very well used. CBFNR has also installed a fishing line bin to specifically tackle the hazardous fishing line waste, so it will be interesting to see on our next beach clean task - 19th April - if this is making a difference.

News from Chesil Bank and Fleet Nature Reserve website http://www.fleetandchesilreserve.org/

Last summer I nearly bought a bug hotel at a country show but decided that it would be much more satisfying to make one myself. It looked quite straightforward so what could go wrong?

I chose a sunny spot where I had noticed that bumble bees liked to hang out; it fits into a corner but with a curved front to complement my ‘curvy’ garden, I know the bugs don’t care but I might as well be happy as well. I gathered ideas online, including the RSPB website, but ended up doing my own thing. It was mostly quite fun to make and a good excuse to use the cordless screwdriver which I was given last year. I had some help shaping the roof and I finished the whole thing off with some roofing felt left over from a fun(?) day I had re-felting the shed a couple of years ago. The base and one end are squares of decking, all the materials were either found or scrounged.

I won’t go into the techniques used as I know there are members of our group who are never heard to utter the words ‘that’ll do’ and I don’t want to offend anyone’s sensibilities.

The contents are: drilled tree trunks, fir cones, bamboo - both canes and fresh from the garden, dead leaves, broken flowerpots, sawdust and off cuts from the wood used in making it.

And here is the more or less finished result. Kate Ormerod

Bug Hotel

Here are two easy “How To” projects From https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/activity-sheets

Tyneham changes explained by Lynda Price

What’s going on?... This title photo hints that all is not well at Tyneham. A couple of weeks after your last visit in late September all nine of the cottages in Tyneham Village were cordoned off on health and safety grounds. Three months on and no statement as to their fate has been released to the media.

Several meetings, dedicated to the future of this unique historical site, have been held over the past nine months. They were attended by senior members of the MoD’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and representatives from their prime contractor, Landmarc. Despite being very vocal (no surprise there!) at all of these meetings I have been unable to influence any decisions made.

As many of you know, there has been a policy of reactive or no maintenance on the site for several years. With your wonderful support we have been ‘patching things up’ but with the ‘big stuff’ now failing and an ‘approved contractors only’ policy in place I have been left frustrated, and with a deep sense of foreboding. All of this has culminated in my resigning from my role at Tyneham in early January.

I have been involved with Tyneham, in various capacities, for twenty five years but it is over seventy five years since Churchill’s War Cabinet evacuated this quiet, isolated coastal village and put Tyneham in the history books. It has never been far from the news. Often for the wrong reasons.

Over the past ten years the DCV have played an important part in this history. You have all been aware of the tremendous goodwill created by your efforts to preserve and maintain this special place. I know the personal thanks given from complete strangers gave you great pleasure. Certainly, for me that was the job’s greatest reward.

The parting words on the Century of Change panel in Post Office Row now have a particular poignancy as Tyneham begins another chapter in its turbulent history.

‘Much has been written in which this place is cast as somehow lost, a ‘Ghost Village’, it is neither lost nor dead, but it has evolved in unfamiliar ways and remains one of the most beautiful places in the country. Tyneham gave its heart for its country in 1943, but with sympathetic management its soul will survive for generations to come’

Lynda Price January 21st 2020 lynda.p1066@btinternet.com

Hog Cliff National Nature Reserve A landscape from the past

In March we will be working on a new site, the Hog Cliff NNR. This almost hidden reserve is chalk downland comprising three sites with an area of 84 hectares. The reserves lies North

of Dorchester and East of Maiden Newton within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

(AONB). The site is managed by Natural England and DCV have been asked to cut back an area of dense scrub to allow more ground flora to grow. This reserve is important for its unimproved chalk downland that includes flowers, butterflies and other insect populations it is a stronghold for Marsh fritillary and Adonis Blue butterflies. The reserve comprises steep chalk downland, unimproved by ploughing or fertilisers, mixed scrub and woodland. The downland would have been

part of an extensive area of natural grassland, with species of grass, flower and orchids used for sheep grazing, unlike the managed improved monoculture downlands we have today. Plants include Horseshoe vetch, Autumn gentian, Clustered bellflower, numerous grasses and over 100 species of fungi including waxcaps. The scrub provides areas for nesting birds and mammals as well as shelter for all species including insects and invertebrates. The woodland comprises small areas of ancient woodland which means continuous tree cover for at least 300 years. The Oak and Ash standards have

an under-story of Hazel and Field maple which would have been coppiced on a rotation for their timber products. There are rare lichens as well as uncommon plants such as Herb paris and the parasitic plant Toothwort.

The steep slopes have avoided ploughing and modern farming techniques and this has helped preserve the rare plant life but also the local archaeology, medieval field patterns, strip lynchets and ancient field boundaries to give one a sense of how much of Dorset might have looked hundreds of year ago.

To burn or not to burn?

In the campaign running up to the recent election, the political parties were trying to out compete each other with the millions of trees they are going to plant to combat climate change. This seems to have instilled in the less educated public the notion that all trees are good and cutting a tree down is heinous crime. As a result, recently, we have been challenged on several occasions as to why we are cutting down and burning trees.

Hopefully, all our members are aware that the reason we clear scrub including trees is to conserve grassland and heathland habitats. These are habitats that, nationally, are in decline and in Dorset we are fortunate still to have extensive areas of these. However, even here, especially around urban conurbations these are increasingly under pressure from recreation and dogs. Historically these area would have been maintained by grazing and the harvesting of animal fodder / bedding and firewood. This all changed in the wake of the two world wars with a dramatic reduction in what was effectively subsistence farming, the mechanisation of agriculture and the consequential reduction of people working the countryside. Now the maintenance of these areas has become heavily dependant on “mechanical” grazing be it by machine or enthusiastic volunteers. Part of our work is to recover heathland that was, misguidedly many would say, converted to coniferous forestry plantations in the early part of the last century.

Now these have been clear felled we return at intervals to remove the pine regrowth which unchecked would convert them back into coniferous forest.

Once we accept that this work needs to be done we come to the question of what is the best way, for the environment in the context of climate change, to deal with the “arisings” (techie term for what we cut down). A point of discussion that has been raised occasionally on task, so I thought I would see if I could find a definitive answer.

In practical terms there are four ways of disposing of the arisings:

Burning on site, Stacking on site, Chipping & Composting. So, let’s take a quick look at these:

Chipping – This reduces the volume of what is cut but creates the issue what to do with the chip. Spreading raw chip on the ground causes issues with nitrogen sequestration from the soil. It can contaminate the soil with acids and pathogens and if spread in thick layers blocks regrowth and results in anaerobic rather than aerobic composting. The process of chipping also means burning fossil fuel. If the chip is in sufficient quantity then some of the climate change emissions can be offset by sending the chip away to a biomass generation or heating schemes. (Not viable for the small volume that DCV’s activities generate.)

Stacking – This is only feasible where there are suitable

locations to stack without impacting on the habitat being restored. Stacking also creates a potential fire risk in areas which are particularly vulnerable to fires. Unless very densely stacked this material will compost/decay aerobically.

Burning – Converts a large volume of arisings quickly to a relatively small quantity of ash. The area of the fire site itself will be degraded and contaminated with potash etc. It also generates various climate change gases and other particulate pollution, some of which are beneficial in respect of climate change although not human health! The proportion and quantity of these depends on the material being burnt and moisture content.

Composting – Can be anaerobic or aerobic both of which processes generate climate change gases. Which gases and the proportions of these differ significantly. Unlike burning the release of these is much slower as it will take several years for the process to complete. However, since climate scientists work on the basis of a 100-year horizon when considering the impact of climate change then impact is equivalent to immediate release by burning.

For DCV activities it comes down to do we compost or burn? Surprisingly while there have been numerous scientific studies of the impact of commercial scale composting and burning biomass, small scale bonfires of “green”

To burn or not to burn? Cont’d . . .

material and low intensity composting seems, so far, not to have been studied. Possibly because in the scale of things it is just to trivial to warrant study. What little research I can find suggests that anaerobic composting without methane recovery generates nearly twice as much climate change effect as burning or aerobic composting. There seems to be little difference between the greenhouse gas effects of burning or aerobic composting other than one results in immediate release and the other releases slowly over several years.

It should be noted that, provided you don’t pull things up with their roots between a quarter and a third of the CO2 absorbed

during growth remains trapped in the root system and even if the root dies and decays most of this carbon remains bound in the soil. Also, some of the trees we cut down find their way to various wood burning stoves so reduce emissions by reducing the gas or oil used by heating of some of our members.

By way of a footnote: It seems that planting trees as a method of sequestering CO2 released by burning fossil fuels is surprisingly controversial. The problem is that it only remains sequestered for the life of the tree or until wood produced from the tree is disposed of. This means we are potentially passing on a responsibility for future generations to maintain these forests for many centuries

until greenhouse gas levels fall to the point where the sequestered CO2 can safely be released. Humm does this remind anyone of arguments against nuclear energy?

Anyone fancy extending this debate with some scientific evidence? If so how about an article for the next newsletter.

Richard Meatyard

The creation of a special zone to help protect Dorset's rare and vulnerable seabirds from human activity, such as fishing or outdoor recreation, has been announced. Close to 1,000 pairs of three species of tern will benefit from a new Solent and Dorset Coast Special Protection Area (SPA) which will span more than 891 km2. The area, which includes the Purbeck coast east of Lulworth Cove, is the fifth most important foraging site in the UK for little terns and the seventh most important for common terns during their breeding season. Environment Minister Rebecca Pow also confirmed a comprehensive Seabird Conservation Strategy, to be published in December. This will assess the vulnerability of each species in light of the pressures they are facing and will propose actions to address them. She also reiterated the UK’s commitment to strengthen protections for marine life impacted by climate change. SPAs form part of the UK’s ‘Blue Belt’ of Marine Protected Areas and join 41 new Marine Conservation Zones designated in May 2019 – which include the Purbeck coast and area south of Portland – in helping to boost resilience to human-made pressures, as well as providing space to help species adapt to the impacts of climate change. The UK holds around one quarter of Europe’s breeding seabirds, with the marine SPA network said to be of critical conservation importance for many birds and protecting important breeding sites and foraging grounds. The impacts of climate change are considered to be one of the main causes of a decline in a number of species, mainly through changes to the availability of prey, rising temperatures and extreme weather events. Regulators, such as Natural England, the Marine Management Organisation and local Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), will be responsible for ensuring the SPAs are managed to protect their species and habitats, working with local fishing communities and other organisations.

Good news for seabirds

Bird Migration Out of Africa the great aerial river

Just the sheer scale of numbers is staggering, estimates between 2 and 5 BILLION birds leave Africa every Spring to breed in Europe and Asia and then return again. We have a better idea of how many reach the UK, 15 million. Are they British birds or African birds, well probably both. They are indeed in both books on British birds and books of birds of the sub Sahara. They spend the warmer winters in Africa where adult birds and juveniles fatten up for the long journey and leave Africa as the hot summer starts and the food their young would need dries up. In fact some are on their way now, to arrive in our Spring where the explosion in insect life occurs, the food they need to feed their young, who after fledging, fatten up and ready themselves for the return flight. They really don’t have a choice , they are born to migrate, each of the birds two homes will not support it all year around. Most migratory birds will do the journey in stages stopping off at farms and lakes on the way but there are some who will fly virtually non-stop to get here. Just imagine for a minute if they all arrived at once on one day and in the daylight, the skies would be black. But of course they don’t, they arrive over a 12 to 15 week period flying up through Spain, France and over to the UK or through Italy and the Low countries.

One of the best places in Dorset to see them is at Portland Bill, http://www.portlandbirdobs.com/ With sightings during the day and radar at night they can estimate the numbers arriving. Not all the birds make it with so many dangers ahead of them, storms and drought account for a lot but also hunting in Southern Europe and predators such as other birds and bats all take their toll. In the UK our bird population increases by 25% in the Spring but this is higher the further North one goes, up to 85% of all birds in the Northern Arctic are migrants. One of the first to arrive in Britain is the Wheatear in early March followed by warblers, Chiff-chaffs and Blackcaps, the willow warbler may account for 4 million. Later the Swallows, Martins and Swifts arrive, the show off birds we see all Summer. The one species we hardly ever see but often hear is the Cuckoo, this Dove sized bird is a master of disguise, is it a bird of prey or a pigeon? As soon as egg laying (in other birds nests) has finished then it’s on its journey back to Africa. The cuckoo population has been dropping for some time, by 65% in 40 years, possibly due the host bird breeding later. Another bird we hardly see is the Nightingale which will sing day and night.

Whilst all these birds are flying into Britain there are also millions of birds leaving to breed in Northern Europe and the Arctic. Most of the over-wintering Ducks and Geese leave as well as many Blackbirds, Robins and other garden birds. Bird migration is one of the world’s great events yet it was only recently in the 1970s that it was studied every year in detail and until recently we still didn’t know where the birds went in Africa. It isn’t just birds that migrate but butterflies like the Painted lady from Morocco, moths, bats, whales and turtles. All these species have evolved to migrate over tens of thousands of years with very little human intervention. This is changing as we alter the places where they over-winter or breed affecting their very survival.

Our mid January task was at Coney's Castle, a small iron age hillfort, looked after by National Trust, and tucked away in a peaceful hidden corner of West Dorset, with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. Fortunately, in the midst of fairly dire January weather, it treated us on the Sunday with a nice, mostly sunny day for clearing ramparts of the ancient earthworks of invading scrub and small trees.

At lunchtime we were lucky to have a visit from Ruth Worsley of the National Trust, a volunteering and community involvement officer, who gave us an interesting talk, very relevant to DCV, about the Trust's "Wessex Hillforts and Habitats Project". They have been recruiting and training additional rangers and volunteers to survey the many Dorset hillforts to assess the condition of both the earthworks themselves and also their unique wildlife habitats, with a view to improving the management of these fascinating and sensitive sites, and undertaking remedial works where necessary. Many of these hillforts have been on Historic England's - Heritage at Risk register. They have gathered a lot of valuable data on these sites, and surveying and monitoring is ongoing this year.

Jane Faulkner

£100,000 of funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery is facilitating this project which will enhance the conservation of 13 National Trust Iron Age hillforts across Dorset and South Wiltshire, inspiring people involvement in monitoring and research, providing new interpretation and highlighting nature. Willing farmers are needed to provide the right number and type of stock, at the right time and, as DCV knows, rangers and volunteers are needed to cut regenerating scrub, pull Ragwort, fix fences and gates. Without all this, the earthworks will become overgrown, grassland habitat will be lost, the archaeology disrupted and magical views hidden.

What happens to Butterflies in Winter Recently at the DCV Rempstone task Kate discovered a Peacock butterfly in the gorse litter, it was moving its wings to warm up and ready itself for escape. At one point it was showing itself upside down with its rear wings uppermost. This is a predator survival strategy to make it look like a small owl and will often flick its wings to make a hissing noise. The other survival instinct is to close its wings and look like a leaf.

When we are out on task, in our garden or visiting a park we will often see butterflies flying around, egg laying or feeding but what happens to them in the winter? Whilst most butterflies will die in the Autumn after egg laying some will live through the winter as an adult but in a state of dormancy or torpor where the heart, breathing and metabolic rate decreases. This is a strategy to survive the winter and ensure that it is awake as an adult when their food and egg laying plants are growing and in flower. There are many butterflies besides the Peacock that overwinter, these include Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Red Admiral.

Often these butterflies will seek shelter such as holes in trees, log piles, caves, empty burrows and more frequently these days our homes, sheds, bird boxes and more recently bug hotels. In the UK we have the Winter moth Operophtera brumata which

flies in late Autumn and early winter with its larvae feeding on trees and shrubs.

Wessex Hillforts and Habitats Project - National Trust

DCV - Association Orchis May 2020 exchange visit

Association Orchis, our twin volunteer conservation group from Normandy, will be joining us for their 2020 exchange visit on the weekend of Friday 15th of May to Monday 18th of May.

This is the second time they are coming to us in the space of a year, because every few years we swap visiting ‘seasons’ to add a bit of variety and open up different task opportunities. We will be looking forward to our return visit to Normandy in September this year.

They will arrive at Poole on the ferry from Cherbourg at 21:45pm on the Friday, and will catch the 8:30 return ferry on the Monday morning.

We will be enjoying a task day with them on the Saturday (task site to be confirmed), followed by dinner in a village hall with as many DCV members

as would like to come (small charge applicable).

Sunday will be a social day for our French guests and hosts.

We don’t yet know who or how many are coming, but we need to find sufficient of us to host one or two of them each. This will be for three nights, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you are willing and able to do this, please let us know.

We will be having a meeting a little closer to the time to finalise the events and the host arrangements for that weekend, and sort out the all important meal arrangements. An email will be sent out to all members giving details of the time and place of the meeting, and encouraging anyone interested in getting involved in this great exchange programme to come to the meeting, hopefully with

plenty of good ideas for the visit. So get your thinking caps on!

Please let Jane or John know if you think you can help out in May, or have any great ideas to share. Our contact details are in this newsletter.

Jane Faulkner, John Marsh

The Environment Agency, RSPB and Natural England are working together to adapt approximately 150 hectares of the Moors at Arne into a diverse wetland habitat. The Moors, low-lying, low grade agricultural land, would be naturally inter-tidal if not for existing historic artificial embankments built along the shoreline.

With rising sea levels, important coastal habitat for wildlife will be lost over the next 30 years caused by “coastal squeeze”, resulting in loss of inter-tidal features such as mudflats and salt marsh. New areas will need to be created, particularly if the government is to realise its ambitious 25 year environment plan.

The Poole Harbour project explores how The Moors at Arne can be converted to inter-tidal habitat to compensate for these losses in a scheme involving construction of new tidal embankments further inland than existing ones. Once in place, land in front of the new embankments will be opened to the action of tides and thus new salt marsh habitats created.

Timeline: 2020/2021 planning application submission 2021-2023 construction

Detailed information worth a look is available on the Dorset Coast Forum website, especially the link to Public Exhibition Display Boards https://www.dorsetcoast.com/groups/the-moors-at-arne-coastal-change-project/

Of further interest is a reference to planned enhancements to existing freshwater habitats at East Stoke (upstream along the River Frome), to compensate for the project’s impact on the grassland on The Moors - as yet still in the early stages.

Exciting developments at Arne

Artificial light at night (ALAN) can affect every aspect of insects’ lives, researchers have found, luring moths to their deaths around bulbs, spotlighting insect prey for rats, bats and toads, obscuring mating signals of fireflies, disrupting reproduction, nourishment, sleep and protection from predators. Habitat loss, intensive agriculture and urbanisation, agro-chemical pollutants, invasive species and climate change are the main causes of decline in insects, however light pollution is a significant but overlooked driver of the rapid decline of insect populations according to a review of scientific evidence assessing over 150 studies, Light pollution is a driver of insect declines Biological Conservation November 2019. Human-caused artificial light at night – be it streetlights to gas flares from oil extraction - affects insects in almost every imaginable part of their lives. However, unlike other drivers of

Effects of artificial light at night on insect decline

Upton Wood has won a Gold Award in the 2019 South & South East in Bloom Awards for the "Small Conservation Area" category. Judging was across a number of categories including access for all; providing signage, benches and bins; protection of flora and fauna; and recognising involvement of local people and educational opportunities. The site was awarded 171 points out of 200! Dorset Council co-ordinates volunteer days to help maintain and improve the Wood. *DCV’s next task here is Sunday 16th February

decline, light pollution was relatively easy to prevent, the researchers said - switching off unnecessary lights and using proper shades could greatly reduce insect losses immediately. Artificial light can disrupt birds migrating or hunting at night navigating by moon or starlight. Light pollution affects dung beetles, which use starlight to navigate. For humans, our view of the night stars is dimmed, but for a beetle it is literally life and death. In Florida alone millions of sea turtle hatchlings die every year, drawn away from the ocean by artificial lights. Corn earworm moths stop mating if light levels exceed the illumination provided by a quarter moon at night. Some fruit flies emerge from their eggs before dawn when the temperature and humidity is just right, but artificial light can interfere with this. Artificial light can make insects think dusk is later than it is, leaving them vulnerable to cold, or meaning night pollinators

miss the opening of flowers. Warning colours that deter predators, such as those of Heliconius butterflies, can be obscured by light pollution, while unnatural colours of light have been shown to prevent parasitic wasps finding their victims.

The natural cycle of light and dark constant for all of evolutionary time, is now disrupted.

Individually, with small steps we can reduce the impact of this by

turning off unnecessary lights making lights motion-activated also cuts light pollution shading lights so only the area needed is illuminated avoiding blue-white lights, which interfere with daily rhythms Tuning LED lights to avoid harmful colours and flicker rates

Enjoying Dorset’s Countryside (Dorset Council’s e-newsletter) reports that:

Upton Wood is blooming marvellous!

include restoration of eight sand dune and associated wetland habitats; implementing sustainable grazing, nitrogen action plans, better long term management; improving resilience of the sand dune ecosystem; demonstrating best practices promoting better understanding of value and function of dynamic dune systems; creating a citizen science

programme, including thousands of children, to help monitor wildlife and how the sand dune systems are changing; improving access and sharing learning In Dorset between now and 2023 The National Trust, using knowledge gained from the Cyril Diver Project (recording species on Studland’s dunes in the 1930s), aim to improve the Studland dune habitats for many of its rarest and most threatened species. Prior to the Second World War, dunes were far more open and sandy than currently and were grazed by cattle feeding mostly on purple moor grass, keeping these areas as open, botanically diverse marshes; ideal for dragonflies, beetles, spiders and other

wetland

invertebrates. On drier parts cattle would have created bare sandy patches - ideal for dune wildlife from sand lizards to burrowing sand wasps. And

An ambitious and innovative £4m new project launching this year aims to improve the conservation status of habitats and species in eight coastal sand dune sites in England. Natural England, Plantlife, National Trust, Natural Resources Wales and the Wildlife Trusts are working in partnership to deliver this with funding by the EU through the LIFE Nature programme and National Lottery Heritage Fund. The quality of sand dune habitats

in Europe has declined due to nutrient enrichment, water availability, invasive species, accelerated successional change, past and current management. In the UK dunes are thought to have reduced to 30% of that present in 1990, in England losses are closer to 50%. Dunes are ever changing structures, naturally mobile and need to be dynamic to be effective ecosystems. However, previous management measures

restricted public access, and invasive species have prevented dunes from moving,

causing many to become static, sterile grassy hillocks. To thrive as an ecosystem, sand dunes need to be allowed to have bare sand and, vitally, be able to move. Key objectives of the project

Dynamic Dunescapes around the edges, places where annual flowering plants grow providing nectar outside the heather flowering season. Now, with a new grazing project officer appointed, cattle will be fitted with GPS collars marking out the virtual boundaries of their grazing area - the collars buzz on approaching the boundary and give a small electric shock if it is crossed, cattle learning to turn back before they get the shock. A vet will ensure animal welfare is not put at risk. Initially there will be a ‘real’ fence but it is hoped eventually no infrastructure will be needed. The Dynamic Dunescapes

project is big and ambitious – targeting some of the most important sand dune systems across England and Wales. There will be work with schools and local groups, volunteers and visitors of all ages and abilities to create more bare sand which will breathe life into the dunes and allow threatened wildlife to flourish. www.dynamicdunescapes.co.uk https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/habitats/coastal/sand-dunes

It wasn’t a good night for a youngster to be out on their own. I found her at the entrance to my flat where it was out of the cold wind but there were no leaves to snuggle into and certainly no food. And weighing in at just 10 ounces her prospects were not good.

With the children across the road, we hatched a plan. I would make a hedgehog hotel in the foyer of my flats and provide breakfast, whilst they would sort out supper and clean out the box. They wanted to call her Mrs Tiggywinkle, but I said she wasn’t big enough to be a Mrs, so we settled on MissT

Some people go to Lidls for good prices on groceries. I was there because the cartons they use have a lip so were ideal for a nest box. I was in search of a particular size – to go inside a banana box – so was there with my tape measure to make sure it

When Miss T came to stay Viv Endecott

fitted!

That week, whilst the wind howled and the rain fell in torrents, MissT found refuge in the best hedgehog hotel in Lytchett. The box was filled with old newspaper and dry bracken from Rempstone. I bought some mince from Tesco, lightly cooked it and froze it into individual portions. For supper she was getting a pouch of Whiskers kitten food, showing a distinct preference for in gravy over in jelly. She also liked kitten biscuits. Overcoming the yuk factor, I even found her a nice fresh slug, and was quite relieved when she declined to eat it!

Each evening the children weighed her on my grandmother’s kitchen scales, and wrote the weight on the door of my hallway cupboard. She was thriving, putting on weight, bright of eye, free of fleas, and

intent on escape! We realised that we had a choice, either to release her soon, or keep her all through the winter.

Two weeks after finding her, the weather changed and I found a large bramble patch in the churchyard. It was well away from a road, protected under some conifers, and not due to be tidied up by the church warden. Rosie found a broken terracotta flowerpot which was filled with moss and leaves from Bracketts Coppice and at the start of December she was gently rolled into her new home, now weighing 18 ounces. It was as dry and cosy as I could make it.

In my freezer I still had some portions of mince, not eaten by the hedgehog. Not one to let food go to waste, I had a plan. John was visiting, so I made him a nice chilli for dinner.

Task Etiquette A reminder to volunteers about some of the graces, courtesies and etiquette whilst on task. Be sure to find out who is leading the task - they are the person who knows what the job is and can tell you what needs doing. They know all the details of what to do and not to cut, the site hazards and the specific area we are to clear or to leave for another group. So remember to listen up whilst they explain. At the beginning of the day help carry some tools and equipment to the site. If leaving early let the task leader know and also ask if there is anything to go back to the trailer. Sometimes two trips back to the trailer are needed at the end of the day if volunteers leave empty handed. If arriving late on task ask who is leading and ask the leader what the task of the day is, another volunteer might have heard wrong or forgotten. It’s a definite no no to drop a tree on a volunteer, if you do, say sorry, but expect a rebuke! Even felling one close to another volunteer can get you into trouble. Beware of working too close to others and do not chip or hammer on a dry stone walling task near to others, wear safety glasses at all times. Bring the tools you have been using back to our base at end of day, tell the leader if you’ve lost one so we can look for it in the day light. Leave the site as you would expect to find, pristine, no rubbish, orange peel or banana skins laying around. Take your rubbish home with you and any you might find on site.

Clothing has the DCV logo and "Dorset Countryside Volunteers" embroidered on. The hats have "DORSET COUNTRYSIDE VOLUNTEERS" in gold but not the logo. Typical examples of colours are: Black, Navy Blue, Bottle Green, Burgundy, Royal Blue, Light Grey, Purple, and Red. Some items are available in other colours so ask if you have a specific requirement. Adult sizes: Sweatshirt (crew neck, unisex S to XXL) £16.50, Sweatshirt (crew neck, ladies, slightly lighter weight material, sizes 8 to 18) £16.50, Hooded Sweatshirt (unisex S to XXL with kangaroo pocket) £17.95, Zip sweatshirt - lightweight without hood (unisex S to XXL) £19.80 Zip Hooded Sweatshirt (unisex S to XXL with side pockets) £21.00, Polo Shirt - our traditional poly-cotton type (men S to XXL, ladies size 8 to 24) £12.50, Polo Shirt - a lighter all cotton shirt with an additional colour - sand (unisex S to XXL) £11.60, T-shirt (unisex S to XXL) £8.50, Soft-shell jacket (unisex S to XXL) £45, Sleeveless soft-shell jacket (unisex S to XXL) £36.

Child sizes: Sweatshirt (crew neck) £10.50, Hooded Sweatshirts £13.50, Zip Hooded Sweatshirt £15.50, Polo Shirt £9.50, T-shirt £6.50. Child sizes are by age: 2yrs, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9,10, 11/12, 13.

Hats and caps: Baseball caps £6.50. Bucket Hat (double layer cotton) suitable as a small sun hat or for you to apply a waterproofing £8. Fleece ski hat (with turn-up band) £6.95. Note that these are polyester so should be kept away from fire. Outback Hat (wide brim sun hat, cotton, chin strap) £10. Available in pebble (light fawn), navy, or olive. All hats except the bucket ones are single size. Bucket hats are in two sizes (try samples held by Gareth) N.B. there may be slight variations in details dependant on the stock that our supplier can obtain at the time. Orders take up to 30 days to complete. Payment in advance is by cheque payable to Dorset Countryside Volunteers. Either collect the clothing on task, or contact Gareth for alternative arrangements. Gareth Morgan DCVpublicity@gmail.com 07923 498760 (text or voicemail)

Dorset Countryside Volunteers Clothing

Tick Borne Encephalitis & Lymes Disease For many decades DCV have had to live with the low level threat of ticks and many of us take precautions against them like wearing long trousers in the summer and applying insect repellent. Some Ticks may carry Lymes disease and may produce a red rash after a few weeks, with flu like symptoms and headaches. This is easily treated with antibiotics. Recently Tick-Borne Encephalitis has also been discovered in the UK. This is an inflammation of the brain, symptoms are similar to Lymes disease but also include

fever and confusion and vomiting. This can also be treated by your doctor and also by vaccination if you are travelling to an infected part of the world. Prevention is better than the cure. Use an insect repellent with a high percentage of the active ingredient DEET (diethyltoluamide). Areas frequented by Deer and Badger and dog walking areas may have higher concentrations of ticks. Check yourself when you get home for any unusual dark spots and use tweezers or a tick removal tool to pull them off.

The tick should not be squeezed as it may contain harmful bacteria but put into alcohol if it is to be kept for future examination or wrapped in sticky tape and into a sealed bag and into the bin. Always use an antiseptic wipe to clean the wound area. If you have any symptoms do not hesitate to visit your doctor. Further information on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/

The soup evening at Helen’s was well supported with the usual enjoyment of food and varied discussion. The money raised by donations (£30) was spent on food for the local food bank. The annual DCV Christmas dinner went well the beautifully decorated tree and tables were an appropriate background for a traditional meal followed by silly games. Unfortunately the journey home was rather hazardous, there had been torrential rain during the evening which made driving very difficult. Thanks to Jane for organising an impromptu New Years day walk from Kingston to Kimmeridge and back. With 11 volunteers and a misty start, we had lunch on the beach and later a drink in the Scott Arms in Kingston. The advertised pub meal at The Silent Woman needed a change of venue the pub was closed that week. The Ship Inn at Wool proved a good alternative, 16 DCV members enjoyed the good food and usual chat. Thanks to Doug and Jane an additional social event took place on Saturday 18th January, a Barn dance was held at Bradford Peverell village Hall led by Tatterdemalion. 14 DCV members enjoyed a great evening of dancing and food (there’s always food somewhere in our socials). The next quarter’s socials begin with the traditional celebration of Shrove Tuesday 25th February This will be held at Peter’s at 7.30pm. Bring a pancake filling and a drink of your choice. Please contact Peter or Helen if you would like to attend. Thursday 19th March at 7.30pm there will be a pub meal hopefully at The Silent Woman under the new owners. Please contact Helen if you would like to attend. (Last year there was a successful social where we hired the glass bottomed boat at Chesil Beach if you are interested in the same event please let me know as places are limited. This event will be in May I just want to sound out interest).

Socials Helen Gorman

Mark Cocker has an easy style with previous books such as “Birders, tales of a tribe” and “Claxton, field notes from a small planet” are easy reads. His new book tackles a much bigger subject. “Our Place, can we save Britain’s wildlife before it is too late?” looks at our relationship with the countryside over the last 150 years. How many millions of us are members of societies such as National Trust, RSPB, County wildlife groups in the highest proportion per population than any other country in the world yet unable to stem the decline in the things we love like birds and butterflies and wildlife. He charts the history of conservation groups in this country and the challenges they have faced.

Book of the Month

DCV TASK PROGRAMME : February - April 2020

1 & 2 February: East Gore, nr Sandford, Purbeck This task takes us to the eastern side of Wareham Forest close to the edge of Sandford. Much of the area was open heathland until the early 20th century when a vast tract was planted with conifers as part of the national drive to increase the domestic supply of timber. In recent decades the natural value of heathland has become recognised. Increasing parts of the Forest have been cleared to return back to heath. We have been asked to help on a small clearance managed as a nature reserve for rare reptiles, such as sand lizard which requires heathy vegetation with an open, sunny aspect. On small sites gorse, birch and other scrub can quickly close over the open heath. With our really sharp bows saws and loppers we shall be ruthlessly cutting out the problem scrub and using its remains for a warming bonfire and plenty of teas and coffees. Work site might be wet. NB: Work site approx 1 mile from B3075 Morden Road along gravel forest tracks. Parking next to work site or on track just inside ARC/Forestry gate or in small lay-by on opposite side of road. Look out for DCV signs on the roadside for the entrance gate and signs along track to work site.

Sunday 16 February: Upton Wood, Purbeck-Poole border The management of this natural greenspace on the urban fringe of Poole relies heavily on volunteers and especially DCV. Despite its location, bounded by the Upton by-pass and the residential edge of Upton, the site has a diverse mosaic of wildlife habitats. These range from mature woodland to relic heath and even a heathland mire. For local people the site provides an escape from the built environment, a readily accessible place for everyday contact with the natural world. Much of the management is low key, aimed at maintaining and improving the value of the various habitats. On this visit we have been asked to do some hedgerow maintenance and bramble cutting. We can’t have a bonfire due to the proximity of roads and people’s homes. But the site is in a very sheltered area not far from the innermost shore of Poole Harbour. Hopefully the weather will treat us kindly. There will be steaming hot teas and coffees during the day, to be enjoyed with biscuits with maybe even some cake and plenty of gossip.

8 & 9 February: Lankham Bottom, West Dorset This chalkland reserve covers a deep bowl at the head of a dry valley. Old photos show the valley as open chalk grassland with just a few patches of scrub. At some time the management declined allowing a scrub of gorse, thorns and young trees to spread over the slopes. The chalk grassland with its rich diversity of flowers and butterflies became increasing confined to the steepest slopes. Since becoming a nature reserve the scrub has been steadily pushed back allowing a return of the grassland and its insect wildlife. Scrub, as scattered patches, provides valuable shelter for birds and other insects, habitat for spiders and the coconut scented flowers of gorse are a nectar source for bees. So remaining scrub and re-growth are being cut to form a mosaic with areas of grassland - habitat for birds and those insects requiring less open conditions. We shall be cutting back some unwanted patches of scrub and consigning them to a hot bonfire for our teas and coffees. NB: The slopes are steep and can be slippery, so please bring suitable footwear. Meet & park at reserve entrance.

East Gore OS 195

Lankham Bottom OS 194

Meet at reserve entrance ST 606 004 50.803238, -2.552666

Meet at Car Park SY 923 904

Upton Wood OS 195

Park & meet on Pony Drive BH16 5SU

Work site & parking SY 929 910 50.718582, -2.1019376

DCV TASK PROGRAMME : February - April 2020

22 & 23 February: Ferndown Common, East Dorset In the past we had regular tasks at this site going back to its early establishment as a heathland nature reserve nearly 30 years ago. But for some years our tasks have only rarely taken us back to the reserve. So for the ‘older hands’ this is an opportunity to see how the reserve has progressed and for many others this will be a new task site. The Common covers a sizeable area of heathland that escaped the urban expansion of Ferndown during the 60s and 70s. Housing now abuts the east side but the west side bordering farmland and small woods still retains a rural tranquillity. It is here on the western slopes that we shall be working. As on many of Dorset’s heathland reserves, young pine has re-invaded in abundance. This invasion is a legacy of the massive pine clearance that was carried out to restore the newly established reserve to more open heathland after decades of management neglect. The young pines threaten to overwhelm the restored heath vegetation and its special wildlife. We shall be cutting the offending invaders in our usual ruthless ways then burning them up on a bonfire, keeping us warm and brewing hot teas and coffees through the day. NB: Look out for DCVs distinctive yellow arrows for the parking site on Pompeys Lane off Stapehill Road.

Split weekend, different work site each day

Saturday 29 February: Powerstock Common, West Dorset This weekend we have a split task at two very different sites. On Saturday, as a leap day treat, we return to this large and varied nature reserve in the west of the county. For the history of this site please read the info for task on 29th December 2019. On this occasion we shall be continuing ride-side coppicing in an area of woodland. This will encourage a more varied vegetation structure to develop along the ride edge and allow in more sunlight. The combined effect will favour woodland edge flowers and provide warm, sheltered conditions that benefit butterflies. As this is a leap day there may be some suitable fayre on offer, all accompanied by plenty of down time to catch up on chat and enjoy the countryside. NB: Bring wellies as we may need to cross wet ground.

Ferndown Common OS 195

Sunday 1 March: Creech Heath (south-east), Purbeck On Sunday, the second part of this split weekend task takes us back to this secluded heathland reserve in Purbeck that we visited last December. This is ball clay mining territory. The clay deposits have been worked for generations, in past times by underground mining and by seemingly haphazard surface excavations. These old workings have often left their mark on the land as a chaotic terrain of mounds, hollows and ponds. Over the years heath vegetation has recolonised some workings, spreading back from adjacent heathland that escaped excavation. Such is the case at Creech Heath and this visit takes us to an area now secured as a nature reserve. But the heath vegetation and its rare wildlife have a fragile existence. Without management they can disappear under invading trees and scrub. Our task will be to rid a further area of young pine in our usual ruthless way with bowsaws and loppers. We shall also be offering a warming bonfire and our speciality of fire boiled, charcoaled tea, all with lots of biscuits and chat - don’t miss out.

Powerstock OS 194

Parking at reserve entrance Barrowland Lane and further along track SY 547 974 50.774437, -2.644070

Creech Heath OS 195

Park on track SY 918 838 BH20 5DG 50.654817, -2.1173385

Work Site

Park on Pompeys Lane BH21 7LW SZ 065 997 50.796866, -1.909264

Work site

DCV TASK PROGRAMME : February - April 2020

Sunday 8 March: Hog Cliff, nr Dorchester Over the years our tasks have taken us to well over 100 sites across Dorset, in the east, far north, all over Purbeck and deep into the rural west. So it’s rather unusual these days to be invited to do a task at an entirely new site. This is one of those rare occasions. The site is part of a wider National Nature Reserve centred on dry chalkland valleys high in the Dorset Downs. The steep slopes escaped agricultural improvement during the 20th century and continue to support unspoilt chalk grassland with a rich variety of wild flowers. Many insects thrive here, including scarce butterflies like Adonis blue and Marsh fritillary. Patches of gorse and thorn scrub provide shelter and nesting places for birds like Yellowhammer and Stonechat that frequent open landscapes. But this scrub can quickly close over the grassland, shading out the chalkland plants and their associated insects. So it needs to be managed by cutting, providing a balance of grassland with patches of re-growing scrub. We have been asked to clear back an area of dense scrub on one of the chalkland slopes. This we will do in our usual ruthless ways with bowsaws and loppers. Their remains will burn nicely on a bonfire, and boil kettles for our teas and coffees while we take in a timeless landscape. NB: The entrance to this reserve off the A37 (danger fast road) and is easily missed. From Dorchester, after going up the steep inclines beyond Grimstone look out for a lay-by on the left. Slow down, a wide farm track entrance to the reserve is a few hundred yards further, just before a pine tree thicket - look out for DCV’s yellow arrows. Park at top of the track, tight on fences, and not blocking farm access. Bring good griping boots for the steep terrain. There is a long walk in, down a very steep track into a dry valley, then upward on grassland to the task site.

14 & 15 March: Greenlands, Studland, Purbeck This is likely to be our last cutting task and big bonfire of the winter cutting season. We are returning to the southern side of Poole Harbour, to an area that will be familiar to those that come on past summer tasks to tug and pull the ragwort. This time our attention will be on another yellow-flowered plant, one that is a whole lot bigger and comes with unfriendly prickles. But it does burn nicely. Yes its gorse. In an area just inland from the ragwort fields it has become rather too abundant and has also grown up along old wire fences. We have been asked to cut out gorse along a length of old fence and then take down the fence. So some of us will be carefully cutting it out, while others dismantle the fence, all between socialising and feeding a bonfire for our teas and coffees. And there are lovely views across the harbour and to the Purbeck ridge. NB: Take the track from the Studland ferry road and follow DCV’s yellow arrows to an ample parking area by the buildings at Greenlands. Don’t block parking for the big house. Then follow more yellow arrows to the task site in one of the surrounding gorsy fields.

21 & 22 March: At the time of writing the task this weekend needed firming up. We have tasks lined up for drystone walling, fence post replacement and new deer fencing at grassland and wooded sites in wonderful settings in west Dorset. So look out for details on our web site and for a DCV email update. Or phone Doug, Peter or Richard for details near the time.

Hog Cliff OS 194

Studland OS 195

Parking at Greenlands Farm SZ018846 50.661395, -1.975546

Park on track SY620975 50.776182, -2.540047

DCV TASK PROGRAMME : February - April 2020

11 & 12 April: Easter! No task this weekend. Enjoy a chocolate egg or maybe more, then burn off the extra calories in the great outdoors at our next tasks

Sunday 19 April: Abbotsbury Beach, West Dorset Once again we shall be joining the Great Dorset Beach Clean. This is easily the biggest environmental volunteering event of the year through a co-ordinated mass litter clearance at beaches all along the Dorset coast. We shall be tackling the biggest of all the beaches – Chesil Beach. But don’t despair, we shall not be doing all 16 miles, only our traditional stretch near Abbotsbury. Even so, this is a very big beach, popular with tourists and sea anglers and one that accumulates flotsam from the open sea, both the natural and the rubbish. In the past we only just managed to cover the section of beach that runs east from the car park to the edge of the Fleet lagoon, the amount of litter collected filling a very big pile of large bags. But in the last few years we have found a big drop in the litter present. Hopefully this is because people are being more careful, especially about disposing used plastic, or perhaps it’s because there are more litter picks during the year. Whatever the reasons, the beach is still likely to yield a haul of litter, from fragments of fishing net and line, to bottle tops and plastic, and stranger items to ponder over. It’s a bit of a hike eastward to the far reaches of our litter pick, rewarded by lovely views along a remote coast. Our main focus will be along the sheltered landward side where litter collects and closer to the car park if the long walk in is not for you. In the afternoon we shall probably switch focus and head west to tackle litter on another section of beach. There will be the usual tea breaks and lots of chatter. Come for all or part of the day. NB: Gloves provided for the day if you forget. Meet at Abbotsbury Beach car park. Car parking is free for the litter pick - bring your newsletter for your car windscreen.

Sunday 29th March the clocks change at 01:00am clocks go forward 1 hour

28 & 29 March: At the time of writing the task this weekend needed firming up. We have tasks lined up for drystone walling, fence post replacement and new deer fencing at grassland and wooded sites in wonderful settings in west Dorset. So look out for details on our web site and for a DCV email update. Or phone Doug, Peter or Richard for details near the time.

4 & 5 April: At the time of writing the task this weekend needed firming up. We have tasks lined up for drystone walling, fence post replacement and new deer fencing at grassland and wooded sites in wonderful settings in west Dorset. So look out for details on our web site and for a DCV email update. Or phone Doug, Peter or Richard for details near the time.

25 & 26 April: At the time of writing the task this weekend needed firming up. We have tasks lined up for drystone walling, fence post replacement and new deer fencing at grassland and wooded sites in wonderful settings in west Dorset. So look out for details on our web site and for a DCV email update. Or phone Doug, Peter or Richard for details near the time.

Abbotsbury Beach OS 194

Car park DT3 4LA

Tropical gardens Butlers Way

D C V DIARY February—April 2020 Date Task Site Client Work

1 & 2 February East Gore, Nr Sandford, Purbeck

Amphibian Reptile Conservation

Cutting mixed scrub

8 & 9 February Lankham Bottom, West Dorset

Butterfly Conservation Scrub cutting

16 February Sunday

Upton Wood, Purbeck-Poole border

Formerly Purbeck District Council

Hedge maintenance & bramble cutting

22 & 23 February

Ferndown Common Nr Wimborne

Amphibian Reptile Conservation

Pine bashing

25 February Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday Pancake evening

At Peters & Lesley’s 7:30pm

Book with Helen or Peter

29 February Saturday

Powerstock Common, West Dorset

Dorset Wildlife Trust Ride clearance

1 March Sunday

Creech Heath, Purbeck

Amphibian Reptile Conservation

Heathland management

8 March Sunday

Hog Cliff, Nr Dorchester, West Dorset

Natural England Scrub cutting

14 & 15 March Greenlands, Studland, Purbeck

National Trust Gorse cutting & fence removal

19 March Thursday

Pub meal 7:30pm Silent Woman Nr Wareham

Book with Helen

21 & 22 March Task to be arranged Check DCV website or phone Doug or Richard

28 & 29 March Task to be arranged Check DCV website or phone Doug or Richard 4 & 5 April Task to be arranged Check DCV website or phone Doug or Richard

11 & 12 April Easter break Look out for pop up Social event

Walk? Visit reserve?

19 April Sunday

Abbotsbury Beach, West Dorset

Litter Free Coast & Sea Great Dorset Beach Clean

25 & 26 April Task to be arranged Check DCV website or phone Doug or Richard

15th to 18th May

Association Orchis Visit Dorset

See details nearer the time

April and May Dawn chorus DWT & RSPB

Bird song walks DCC Thornecombe Wood

Nightingales Various sites

Thurs 9 April DCV planning meeting At Rosie’s 7:45pm

DCV mobile: 07929 961532 (task hours) or try other mobiles. Please check DCV web site.

Keep a note of the DCV mobile phone number - a task may have to be cancelled last minute or finish early.

If coming out later in the day, phone to check task still running