Photo: Abby Eaton (Mute swan)
We resumed our excursions when it was safe to do so and are rescheduling some of the missed excursions that had been planned in between April and June. To comply with government regulations about Covid19, we need you to book with us in advance for our forthcoming events.
Saturday 19 September, 10am
Field Trip to the River Nadder to conduct an invertebrate survey
This is a great opportunity to see the myriad forms of life that exist in our local river. It should be of interest to everyone, and a great way to introduce youngsters and children to the life hidden all around us.
David Holroyd, Secretary of the Teffont Fishing Club, will lead us to a favourite stretch of river, just outside Teffont Evias, where he will wade the stream to collect a sample and bring it to the river bank for us to examine close-up in a sampling tray. Having been on a similar excursion once before, Dick Budden says how fascinating – and surprising – it is to discover the wide variety of insects that give life to our rivers.
There’s a limit to the numbers the trip can accommodate. For COVID-security the group around each tray will be limited to six people. If the number who want to take part is more than 12 we will run a second trip, starting at 11:30.
If you would like to join this Field Trip, please email Dick Budden at treasurer.tisnathist@gmail.com for more details.
Wednesday 14 October
We are unable to go ahead with this guided walk on Brownsea Island because Dorset Wildlife Trust have cancelled all such group visits.
However, you could if you wished make your own arrangements because Brownsea Island has re-opened and they can accommodate individual visits, though there are limitations:
We very much hope, of course, to be able to re-schedule this Field Trip for next year.
Saturday 17 October
Young TNHS is organising a a Harvest mice nest survey - open to all ages but <12 years old must come with a parent/carer. Priority will be given to <21s, but if you are interested please contact youngtnhs@gmail.com.
Saturday 19 September, 10am
Field Trip to the River Nadder to conduct an invertebrate survey
This is a great opportunity to see the myriad forms of life that exist in our local river. It should be of interest to everyone, and a great way to introduce youngsters and children to the life hidden all around us.
David Holroyd, Secretary of the Teffont Fishing Club, will lead us to a favourite stretch of river, just outside Teffont Evias, where he will wade the stream to collect a sample and bring it to the river bank for us to examine close-up in a sampling tray. Having been on a similar excursion once before, Dick Budden says how fascinating – and surprising – it is to discover the wide variety of insects that give life to our rivers.
There’s a limit to the numbers the trip can accommodate. For COVID-security the group around each tray will be limited to six people. If the number who want to take part is more than 12 we will run a second trip, starting at 11:30.
If you would like to join this Field Trip, please email Dick Budden at treasurer.tisnathist@gmail.com for more details.
Wednesday 14 October
We are unable to go ahead with this guided walk on Brownsea Island because Dorset Wildlife Trust have cancelled all such group visits.
However, you could if you wished make your own arrangements because Brownsea Island has re-opened and they can accommodate individual visits, though there are limitations:
- None of the buildings are open
- Visits must be pre-booked via the National Trust, with strict controls on entry and exit times (i.e. on specific ferry trips)
- No guides or guidance is available
- Individuals are responsible for their own social distancing.
We very much hope, of course, to be able to re-schedule this Field Trip for next year.
Saturday 17 October
Young TNHS is organising a a Harvest mice nest survey - open to all ages but <12 years old must come with a parent/carer. Priority will be given to <21s, but if you are interested please contact youngtnhs@gmail.com.
Thursday 18 June
Martin Green, Farmer and archaeologist
Down Farm, Sixpenny Handley - wildlife and archaeology
Virtual field trip
Martin Green, Farmer and archaeologist
Down Farm, Sixpenny Handley - wildlife and archaeology
Virtual field trip
If it hadn’t been for the corona virus we would be urging you to join an excursion we were due to make to Martin Green’s organic farm at Sixpenny Handley.
When our Chairman Peter Shallcross asked him to give us some idea of what we will miss, Martin replied:
“We have just had an unprecedented number of raptors on the farm & adjacent this weekend. My neighbours cut an adjacent field for silage last week and since it has been a focal point for feeding - a few hundred corvids at least 7 red kites & 10 buzzards and a marsh harrier - not bad!
Anyway my friend James Phillips visited and recorded these species on the farm – around our pond and in a re-wilding area - hopefully gives a feel for what your group may have seen here.
Maybe next year…………….?”
And he copied James Phillips’ message:
“17th May 2020:
Around the pond and woodland planting:
Highlights were Emperor dragonfly, Azure and Large Red damselfly, Small blue, Common blue, Green hairstreak, Large skipper butterflies, Burnet companion moth plus singing Lesser Whitethroat in the woodland scrub and a pair of Corn bunting and a pair of Yellowhammer on territory around the pond.
12 Hectares: Highlights were Grey partridge on territory calling, 3 pairs of Yellowhammer, a flock of 16 Corn bunting plus 4 pairs on territory, 1 pair of Linnets, 6 singing Skylark and 2 Brown hare with at least 3-4 Red kite over the nearby woodlands towards Wimborne St Giles.
It’s was also great to see the Woad still in flower.”
To give you a start on what to look out for when up on Cranborne Chase, here are James's photos and others from our growing photo-library. Should you need help identifying, I do intend to provide a list of the myriad apps now available. For birds, meantime, the British Trust for Ornithology has a wonderful page to help you.
When our Chairman Peter Shallcross asked him to give us some idea of what we will miss, Martin replied:
“We have just had an unprecedented number of raptors on the farm & adjacent this weekend. My neighbours cut an adjacent field for silage last week and since it has been a focal point for feeding - a few hundred corvids at least 7 red kites & 10 buzzards and a marsh harrier - not bad!
Anyway my friend James Phillips visited and recorded these species on the farm – around our pond and in a re-wilding area - hopefully gives a feel for what your group may have seen here.
Maybe next year…………….?”
And he copied James Phillips’ message:
“17th May 2020:
Around the pond and woodland planting:
Highlights were Emperor dragonfly, Azure and Large Red damselfly, Small blue, Common blue, Green hairstreak, Large skipper butterflies, Burnet companion moth plus singing Lesser Whitethroat in the woodland scrub and a pair of Corn bunting and a pair of Yellowhammer on territory around the pond.
12 Hectares: Highlights were Grey partridge on territory calling, 3 pairs of Yellowhammer, a flock of 16 Corn bunting plus 4 pairs on territory, 1 pair of Linnets, 6 singing Skylark and 2 Brown hare with at least 3-4 Red kite over the nearby woodlands towards Wimborne St Giles.
It’s was also great to see the Woad still in flower.”
To give you a start on what to look out for when up on Cranborne Chase, here are James's photos and others from our growing photo-library. Should you need help identifying, I do intend to provide a list of the myriad apps now available. For birds, meantime, the British Trust for Ornithology has a wonderful page to help you.
7 June 2020
It's high season for orchids!
We had a wonderfully inspiring talk last year from Leif Bersweden, who wrote The Orchid Hunter, describing how he spent the summer of his gap year searching for and finding all but one of Britain's 52 indigenous orchids. Our chalk downland and surrounding woodland and pasture is prime orchid territory and already several people have sent in photos of their finds.
Here are some of them - hover over each photo to see species - and location if provided, click to enlarge:
It's high season for orchids!
We had a wonderfully inspiring talk last year from Leif Bersweden, who wrote The Orchid Hunter, describing how he spent the summer of his gap year searching for and finding all but one of Britain's 52 indigenous orchids. Our chalk downland and surrounding woodland and pasture is prime orchid territory and already several people have sent in photos of their finds.
Here are some of them - hover over each photo to see species - and location if provided, click to enlarge:
