BCP Countryside

29/08/2026

28/08/2026

What a lovely start to the bank holiday weekend! One of our rangers enjoyed spotting some amazing wildlife while out on the heathlands today.

🐉 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly: a common but striking species that can be seen in a broad range of habitats, including gardens!

🐛 Beautiful Yellow Underwing: these colourful caterpillars feed on Common Heather and Bell Heather. The intricately detailed adult moths are a common sight during our moth surveys on Canford Heath.

🦎 Sand Lizard: a rare lizard that relies on heathland and sand dune habitats. Protected by law, these special reptiles are vulnerable to disturbance, so it's important to give them plenty of space.

If you are heading out onto the heathlands this bank holiday, please remember to stay on the paths to help protect wildlife and conserve these special habitats💚

26/08/2026

Wildlife Wednesday – Common carder bee 🐝

One of the bumblebees you’re likely to spot buzzing around gardens, grasslands and wildflower meadows is the common carder bee (Bombus pascuorum).

Unlike many bumblebees, common carder bees have a distinctive gingery-brown coat, often with darker hairs towards the rear. They’re relatively small and can be seen foraging on a wide variety of flowers, making them important pollinators.

They get their name from their unusual nesting behaviour. Rather than digging their own nest underground, they often use existing cavities among grass, moss and vegetation. The female gathers plant material and uses it to “card” together a cosy nest for her colony.

Common carder bees are also one of the later bumblebees to be seen in the year, with workers and queens often still active well into autumn.

So next time you spot a little ginger bumblebee working its way through the flowers, take a closer look – it might be a common carder bee! 🌼🐝

25/08/2026

We're saddened to share that the Dartford Warbler sculpture at Ham Common Nature Reserve has been damaged and destroyed.

The sculpture was one of four wildlife artworks installed last summer by talented local artists to celebrate the amazing and unique species that live in or use the reserve.

We know that people really enjoyed being able to spot the sculptures of White-tailed Eagle, Nightjar, Dartford Warbler and Sand Lizard while exploring the paths. It's such a shame to see local artwork that was created for everyone to enjoy treated in this way.

The Sand Lizard sculpture was unfortunately also damaged and removed earlier this year.

We hope that visitors still enjoy getting to discover the amazing White-tailed Eagle and Nightjar sculptures still on the reserve.

19/08/2026

Wildlife Wednesday - Dragonfly exuviae 🐉🌿

Did you know dragonflies spend most of their lives underwater?

While adult dragonflies may only live for a few weeks or months, their underwater larval stage can last up to five years in some species! such as the distinctive golden-ringed dragonfly.

When the larva is ready to transform, it climbs out of the water onto nearby vegetation and emerges from its exoskeleton in a process that can take several hours. Once its wings have expanded and hardened, it takes its first flight!

The remaining empty exoskeleton is called an exuvia. Look out for these exuviae clinging to vegetation around ponds and streams.

Fun fact: With up to a 97% hunting success rate, dragonflies are one of the top predators on Earth!

17/08/2026

Looking for a free activity this Saturday? Come along to Ham Common Nature Reserve for a relaxed wildlife walk with our rangers and learn more about the reserve's unique wildlife 🐝🦋🦎🌱

A few spaces still available. Booking essential via Poole's Heathland Eventbrite page: https://hamcommonwildifewalk.eventbrite.co.uk

16/08/2026

Nine cygnets and still going strong! 🦢❤️ It’s great to see this family thriving at Stour Valley Nature Reserve.

14/08/2026