BCP Countryside

23/10/2026

🍄Fungi Friday🍄

Have you ever seen a mushroom turn itself into ink?

The Magpie Inkcap is an eye-catching and toxic mushroom. As the mushroom matures, the cap breaks down into a black, inky liquid. This fascinating process, known as deliquescence, is a unique way that many inkcaps use to spread their spores and reproduce.

As with all mushrooms, what we see above ground is only a small part of the story. The mushroom is simply the fruiting body of a vast underground network hidden beneath our feet.

📍 Canford Heath Nature Reserv

22/10/2026

Looking for Something to do during half term?

Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre and Local Nature Reserve Halloween has returned! Join the family fun and walk our spooky trail - if you dare!

Please see details on poster, book online or pay on the day.

21/10/2026

🐍 Wildlife Wednesday 🐍

The Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca)

Restricted to mainly lowland heathland in southern England, the smooth snake is the rarest native snake species in the UK. It is also the smallest at a maximum of 70cm and quite slender. With mottle browns and beiges - this little snake is a master camouflage. It needs this to hide from predators such as birds of prey, foxes and even domestic cats.

For a long time, it has been accepted that smooth snakes are non-venomous. Astonishingly, new studies have discovered that this isn't quite true! It has been discovered that they produce a very low-pressure venom from the back fangs, only capable of subduing small prey items like mice and lizards - not humans!

As is autumn is now fully underway, all our UK reptiles will be getting ready for hibernation. If you find any snakes or other reptiles while outside, it is very important to leave them undisturbed to keep them and yourselves safe. These photos have been taken by under an accredited licence.
📍St Catherine's Hill, Christchurch
📍Canford Heath, Poole

- Eva

20/10/2026

Come along to our very popular and really rather special Christmas Fair at Stanpit Marsh, in the scout hut, on 28th November!

19/10/2026

With Halloween just around the corner, it seems only right to celebrate some of nature’s misunderstood residents.

Spiders might not be everyone's favourite, but they're fascinating creatures that play a crucial role in a healthy ecosystem by helping keep insect populations in balance.

Here's just a few highlights that our rangers have spotted around the reserves:

🕸️ A female wasp spider, unmistakable due to her bold colours and much larger size compared to the males.

🕷️ Evarcha arcuata, a curious little jumping spider looking right into the camera. Jumping spiders are known for their exceptional eyesight.

🛶 A raft spider enjoying a successful hunt, having caught a male vapourer moth for lunch. These large spiders can hunt on vegetation as well as on the water's surface.

18/10/2026

🐾 Many of us enjoy sharing our local green spaces with our four-legged companions, and protecting our pets and the wildlife we love can go hand in hand.

Did you know that some pet parasite treatments can enter our environment and affect wildlife and water quality? Vet Sustain has produced resources to help veterinary professionals and pet owners work together to make informed decisions that protect animal health while reducing impacts on nature. 🌿

Every pet is different. By talking to your vet about your dog's or cat's lifestyle and parasite risk, you can help ensure they receive the most appropriate treatment while making a big difference for the wildlife and habitats we all care about. ❤️

Find out more here:

The Parasiticide Subgroup of Vet Sustain's Greener Veterinary Practice Working Group has developed a new suite of resources to equip veterinary professionals with the evidence, tools and knowledge they need to make informed, responsible prescribing decisions around parasiticides for pets.

16/10/2026

🍄Fungi Friday🍄

Autumn brings one of nature's most fascinating displays. Thanks to the recent rainfall, a variety of fungi are emerging and making an appearance.

Whilst on a task day yesterday some volunteers spotted some incredibly vibrant Orange Peel Fungus.

These colourful fungi prefer bare gravelly soils and path edges but can also be found in fields and gardens. It is a saprobic fungus, meaning it decomposes dead organic matter and helps recycle nutrients back into the environment.

📍 Canford Heath Nature Reserve
-Chloe

14/10/2026

🐝 Wildlife Wednesday - A wasp nest raided!

It looks like an animal has been digging for dinner, unearthing this wasp nest in search of a tasty snack. Badgers are well known for digging up wasp nests, using their strong claws to get at the protein-rich larvae and pupae inside.

Although wasps sometimes get a bad reputation, they play an important role in our ecosystems. Adult wasps hunt other insects, helping to control populations of caterpillars, flies and other invertebrates. They also visit flowers to feed on nectar, contributing to pollination.

Even a destroyed nest has a role to play, providing a meal for wildlife and returning nutrients to the soil. Nature is full of these fascinating interactions, where one animal's home becomes another animal's dinner! 🌿

13/10/2026

09/10/2026

One of our favourite events of the year to pop into your diaries!