Like spring, early autumn is a time of transition. Some wildlife prepares for hibernation. Others have already left, or are leaving, for warmer places to overwinter before returning next spring to breed.
At RSPB Arne, a large nature reserve on the shores of Poole Harbour near Wareham, we were privileged to play host to BBC Springwatch again this year. If you watched the live shows, you would have seen Iolo Williams visiting the RSPB reserve at Garston Woods near Sixpenny Handley. Here, Iolo met RSPB volunteer dormouse surveyor Emma, to learn about these rare and elusive creatures. The Garston Wood dormice will now be busy eating as much as they can to build up their fat reserves before they hibernate for winter.
Iolo hoped to spot a badger on the live show. Although much to his disappointment he didn’t manage to, he did see footage filmed earlier in the week of a family of badgers playing there. They will also be feeding up before winter. If you know of any badger setts, this can be a good time of year to get a glimpse. Aim for dusk and find somewhere to sit very quietly, preferably downwind so that they can’t pick up your scent and wait patiently.
The BBC Springwatch team asked us if they could use a space at the reserve to have a wildlife mural painted. We offered the curved wall outside our shop and café building. Mark Anthony, of ATM Streetart, then painted a stunning mural during week three of Springwatch. Visitors to RSPB Arne were excited, not only to watch Mark painting the mural live, but also to watch filming take place as presenters interviewed Mark for the show. It’s remained a popular attraction, and we hope that many more visitors will enjoy the mural’s stunning depictions of some iconic Purbeck species including Dartford warbler, sand lizard, ladybird spider, Purbeck mason wasp and nightjar.
The heather is in full bloom now. As you drive down Arne Road, towards the reserve, you will see huge swathes of purple across the heathlands. On Springwatch, Michaela Strachan talked about another of our mural species, the Purbeck mason wasp. Measuring just 10mm, these are one of the UK’s most endangered species of insect, only found in a few places in Purbeck. This is partly due to their very specific requirements. The wasp needs sandy/clay ground to construct its nest in. It then needs the caterpillars of the heath button moth, to feed on, and the heath button moth only feeds on bell heather. The RSPB and other local conservation organisations, manage areas of land so that their very specific dietary requirements can be met, enabling this wasp to find what it needs to thrive.
Chris Packham very kindly took time out of his hectic daily schedule to visit nearby St Mary’s School. The pupils had prepared with some great questions for him. Chris brought along some of the props seen in the live shows and left the bagworm moth prop for the children to keep. This was given pride of place on the assembly hall wall.
By the end of the weekend, after the last live Springwatch show, the entire temporary production village was dismantled and removed with minimal disruption to the site and residents. It was like watching a well-oiled machine in action. We had a brief peek during the production of the live shows, but there is so much prep work that happens throughout the year in the build-up to a show like this.
The BBC Springwatch presenters have announced their return to RSPB Arne for Winterwatch early next year. We wait with bated breath to see what exciting new stories will emerge from our Dorset wildlife in 2025.
Inspiring Young Minds: The RSPB offers free school visits at several of their Dorset reserves including Garston Woods near Sixpenny Handley (pictured above in spring), Radipole Lake in Weymouth, Holten Lee near Poole, and RSPB Arne near Wareham. These trips are a great opportunity for children of all ages to experience the reserves and wildlife in curriculum-based activities. Teachers just need to email arne@rspb.org.uk to find out more.
