It is as if Noah had finished the Ark after a very wet December and put out the call: we have had two barn owls, two otters and also two herons on the pond.

The pair of owls is pleasing sight after all the effort put into repairing the barn.

The two otters are a male and a female. Whilst otters have an extensive range of roughly 10 miles, the fresh spraint on the river bank is a promising sign.

The herons are a bonus and show that the pond is relatively healthy; however, they have to compete with a kingfisher.

We intend to do a bit of management work around the pond to let some light into it to improve it further. Other plans include some hedge laying, tree planting, making bird and bat boxes and installing them.

But of course, this is all subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

Andy Fale
Dorset Wildlife Monitor and Volunteer Manager 

Thanks to Alan Wicks Photography for the beautiful images. 

Donate to help our monitors