Newcomer to the Bat cave

In the Bothy, cute long eared brown

Out of the mist today our resident Dark Knight emerged ready for the second count of  2013,  so we all set off to the Bat cave with fingers crossed that the Bat population was still  as healthy as the January census. The good news was an increased population now of 164 [+3] Lesser Horseshoes and as a bonus my first exposure to a single Natterer squeezed into a crevice. As usual the temperature inside the cave was a pleasant 8C-9C compared with the outside temperature 4C. The roosts in the Sherborne village yielded 0 in the Kennels, 1 Long eared brown in the Bothy and 6 Lesser Horseshoes in the cellar so no change since January,  again good news. Next count will be the end of March and again fingers crossed that our Bat population remains healthy and the spring will provide a good supply of insects for them.

Was pretty chilly at lunchtime but I still enjoyed a walk around the Pleasure Grounds and Sherborne Brook. The snowdrops still looking good with an increasing appearance of daffodils. Was surprised by a sudden appearance of what i thought were small white ponies but turned out to be 3 Pyrenean dogs, friendly fortunately, with their owners. Also spotted a single Red Kite as it passed over the village.

The afternoon was spent up in Snowbottom Belt where we continued the thinning. Fortunately for me not too many Beeches but plenty to do and we haven't even finished the top section of the Belt near the lane. Good news was that the sky cleared and the sun made an appearance, so not a bad way of finishing the day.

We really need our bees

More detail from Mark Avery guest  blog on pesticides and bugs [Buglife conservation] lengthy but on the mark!.