COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING
Fox Cubs
Having had to endure the screaming mating
sounds of the foxes earlier in the year. The
young cubs will start to become more
independent and confident. This means that
they will be active during the day time partly
through curiousity but more importantly
looking for food and new territories. Food
put out for birds is easy pickings for the
young fox cub.
Butterflies
Expect to see an increase in their numbers
and species variety. Warm sunny days and
sheltered spots are their favoured locations.
Different sites support different kinds of
butterflies. The Chalkhill Blue can be found
quite easily on our downlands, the males
being a vibrant sky blue colour, can be seen
in large groups literally making the ground a
shimmering blue.
life
Summer visitors
Many birds only come to our island in the
summer to breed, before flying off to warmer
climates to spend their winter. Swallows and
Housemartins have been busy constructing
their nests and will begin to raise their young.
They may have as many as three clutches
before building up their reserves later in the
year, for their mammoth migration flight.
The Long Stone
One of the Islands best known, but misunderstood
ancient monuments is undergoing conservation
work by the National Trust.
The two stones that you can now see are thought
to have stood upright at the entrance of a Neolithic
long barrow or burial mound constructed around
5000 years ago and it is believed that they were
moved to their present location during the Victorian
period.
Recently the long barrow has suffered increased
erosion by visitors.
Using harder wearing soils and turf to fill the
eroded area, the Trust hopes to re-establish the
damaged area around the stones.
The IW
Snorkling guide
The excellent (and waterproof) Isle of Wight
Snorkelling Guide was launched
recently at Bembridge Ledge
with an invitation to either
take a dip and search for
wildlife offshore, or paddle
and net what rockpool life
there might be. It was a
lovely day and several brave
souls did indeed take the
plunge. The excursion
into the sea was led ,
by ‘Gift to Natures’,
Sam Buck, author of
the guide. There will be
a second event in the summer. For more
information on the guide, contact the Gift
to Nature team on 298098 or at tourism@
Island2000.org.uk.
www.wightfrog.com/islandlife
Long-tailed tit
Despite the gloom of once
familiar birds now appearing
on the Red List o b(