Latest news with #DorsetWildlifeTrust
BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Canford Heath recovery after fire damage shown in photographs
Before and after images have been released to show how a heath is being restored back to life after a major fire.A blaze, which was believed to have been started deliberately in April 2022, saw 20 families forced to flee their homes at Canford Heath in Poole, the last 18 months Dorset Peat Partnership, led by Dorset Wildlife Trust, has worked to restore 172 hectares (425 acres) of damaged peatlands."I am delighted to see the completion of such important work at Canford Heath," said Councillor Andy Hadley. The portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy, at BCP Council said: "Peatlands across Dorset have, unfortunately, been in a state of decline over recent years. This project secures essential revitalisation to the habitats."Restoring peatlands will deliver long-term ecological benefits for the surrounding areas and help protect the many species that live in our wetlands and help protect the urban area from flooding events." The work forms part of a £1m project by Dorset Peat Partnership - of which Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is a partner - to restore 16 peatlands across the Heath's restoration has taken about six weeks with fire-damaged pines removed and repurposed to create a functioning bog from the pines has been used to block drainage channels, dense areas of Molinia grass tussocks have been reduced to increase groundwater saturation, and contour bunds have been created with peat to hold water of this work improves the habitat for nature and reduces the risk of flooding, carbon emissions and urban wildfires, Dorset Peat Partnership said. It is hoped the rewetting of Canford Heath will help rare species like dragonflies to thrive in the Hervé, project manager at Dorset Peat Partnership, said: "After many months of planning, it's great to see the works completed and to already see water being stored on the heath using nature-based solutions. "We hope that local users will be impressed with the new habitats that will form in the future."Dorset's heathland has faced a series of fires in recent April firefighters were called to two blazes at Upton Heath and Canford Heath in fire service also believed those incidents were caused by "human intervention". You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Warnings after dolphin sighting in Lyme Regis Harbous
The appearance of a solitary bottlenose dolphin in a Dorset harbour has led conservation experts to release animal has appeared in Lyme Regis Harbour and sparked the initiative Operation Seabird, after reports of people getting too Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Dorset Police and Dorset Wildlife Trust have joined forces to remind people dolphins, whales and porpoises are protected by guidance said while dolphin sightings had led to excitement among residents and visitors, they were urged to keep their distance. Jess Churchill-Bissett, head of marine conservation, said: "The arrival of a dolphin in a small coastal community like Lyme Regis can be a source of wonder and pride. "But it's vital to remember dolphins are vulnerable and unpredictable wild animals protected by law. "We all have a responsibility to respect their space, keep a safe distance, and understand how our actions can unintentionally cause harm or even constitute a criminal offence."Intentionally approaching, or recklessly disturbing a dolphin can result in up to six months in prison as well as an unlimited fine. 'Let the animals leave' Ms Churchill-Bissett added: "By giving these animals space, observing them from a distance and acting responsibly, we help ensure their health and survival, so they remain a part of our coast now and for generations to come."Guidance for someone who encounters a dolphin while on the water includes slowing down to a speed below six knots, staying at least 100m (328ft) away, not chasing or encircling the animal and never trying to swim with, touch or feed guidance adds: "Sometimes dolphins may choose to approach you, in this situation you should maintain a steady speed and direction and let the animals leave when they choose."Anyone who witnesses a dolphin being disturbed is asked to contact the MMO, which is hosting a talk on marine wildlife disturbance on Thursday between 17:00 and 19:00 BST in the Fishing College, The Cobb. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
11-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Konik ponies introduced to Luscombe nature reserve
Three konik ponies have been introduced to a wildlife reserve to help enhance habitats for other animals have been released at Lyscombe Nature Reserve, near Piddletrenthide, by Dorset Wildlife closely resemble the now-extinct wild horse, the tarpan, which the trust said made them ideal for conservation grazing and will join the longhorn cattle already on the site, but their distinct grazing habits will affect the habitat in different ways. In an update on Facebook, the trust said the ponies were "settling in well", adding: "For now, they're being kept in a smaller area while they bond with each other and adjust to their new surroundings. "They'll then be allowed to explore the newly fenced areas around Lyscombe Bottom, and eventually will be able to roam across the entire reserve."It's not just how they eat that makes them great for conservation, their natural behaviours — including trampling, dust bathing and dunging — help create complexity in the landscape and open up more opportunities for wildlife to thrive."Dorset Wildlife Trust and Natural England bought 335 hectares at Lyscombe in March 2024, including a 50-hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), and several Scheduled trust is using natural regeneration techniques and a rewilding approach along with traditional conservation management to enhance and restore the habitats. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Wildlife ‘could take five years to recover' from heathland fires
Heathlands damaged by wildfires this week could take up to five years to recover, according a local wildlife expert. Major blazes erupted during dry weather in Scotland and Dorset this week, with around 80 firefighters called to the scene of a fire estimated to cover 50 hectares on Upton Heath on Wednesday night. Although heathlands are manmade landscapes, Dorset Wildlife Trust chief executive Brian Bleese said such landscapes take thousands of years to develop and there are no easy re-population routes for wildlife. 'To see it in good condition again is going to be four or five years,' the 59-year-old told the PA news agency. 'We've got global crises we're trying to deal with internationally including a global ecological crisis… Dorset is not immune to this global ecological crisis. 'With heathlands now being so fragmented it means fires on a particular site, especially large fires, can have a significant blow that has an impact for many years to come.' Mr Bleese said Upton Heath is home to all six British reptiles – including sand lizards, blue snakes, adders, grass snakes, slow worms and common lizards. 'This is devastating for animal populations,' he said in a TikTok video from the burned heath. The Dorset Wildlife Trust has been working across Upton Heath to recover dead reptiles and re-locate ones found alive to safer areas of the heathlands. Mr Bleese said Fires across heathlands in England do not occur naturally and would have been started by negligence or arson. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue shared advice to walkers not to lave barbecues unattended or leave glass bottles in direct sunlight and to ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and correctly disposed of. 'Going forward we want everybody's help to make sure we are vigilant on heathlands through the rest of this year,' Mr Bleese said. 'Let's try and avoid any further major fires and we need everybody's help to do that.' Mr Bleese said Dorset has seen extensive habitat loss in recent years and there have been 100 wildfires reported in the area this year.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wildlife ‘could take five years to recover' from heathland fires
Heathlands damaged by wildfires this week could take up to five years to recover, according a local wildlife expert. Major blazes erupted during dry weather in Scotland and Dorset this week, with around 80 firefighters called to the scene of a fire estimated to cover 50 hectares on Upton Heath on Wednesday night. Although heathlands are manmade landscapes, Dorset Wildlife Trust chief executive Brian Bleese said such landscapes take thousands of years to develop and there are no easy re-population routes for wildlife. 'To see it in good condition again is going to be four or five years,' the 59-year-old told the PA news agency. 'We've got global crises we're trying to deal with internationally including a global ecological crisis… Dorset is not immune to this global ecological crisis. 'With heathlands now being so fragmented it means fires on a particular site, especially large fires, can have a significant blow that has an impact for many years to come.' Mr Bleese said Upton Heath is home to all six British reptiles – including sand lizards, blue snakes, adders, grass snakes, slow worms and common lizards. 'This is devastating for animal populations,' he said in a TikTok video from the burned heath. The Dorset Wildlife Trust has been working across Upton Heath to recover dead reptiles and re-locate ones found alive to safer areas of the heathlands. Mr Bleese said Fires across heathlands in England do not occur naturally and would have been started by negligence or arson. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue shared advice to walkers not to lave barbecues unattended or leave glass bottles in direct sunlight and to ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and correctly disposed of. 'Going forward we want everybody's help to make sure we are vigilant on heathlands through the rest of this year,' Mr Bleese said. 'Let's try and avoid any further major fires and we need everybody's help to do that.' Mr Bleese said Dorset has seen extensive habitat loss in recent years and there have been 100 wildfires reported in the area this year.
