One man's conservation....

Barrow Mount is an isolated down between Kingsdown golf course and St Margaret's, and has a few crevices of rich flora although it is mostly covered by the dastardly tor grass that smothers all other life. It only covers a couple of acres or so, and cries out for reclamation so I was pleased to read this notice which holds out hope that improvement may be at hand, courtesy of the National Trust.
Perhaps the new yews were planted by the same person who put in some stocks which were quickly nibbled by rabbits.

No doubt they were acting with the best interests of the site at heart, but not in line with the views of the NT. The poisonous yews would not be welcomed if livestock are to be introduced, of course. There have been a number of discussions locally about conflicting conservation policies where the intentions of one party are questioned by another, and I hope that those involved can find the time to stand back and try to understand other people's point of view.

The pressing need to curb the spread of red valerian and other invaders along the beach, to prevent them from choking out the rare native species, will no doubt be criticised by casual passers-by who like the colour that these newcomers bring to an otherwise "dull" patch of shingle. We need to show them how lovely our less showy plants can be.

There seems to be a good show of sweet violets this year, or is it just that they have run amok on my lawn?
Red deadnettles are also showing well, and a white version was found on a walk..... when digging on the allotment later in the day I found a plant that had a sprig of red flowers and one of white. I fail to understand how that happens.


Bird life activity is incresing with the onset of spring, although no new individuals have been seen or heard yet. Visitors to the feeders have increased now that the fat male blackcap has gone - a female is now regular, and this pair of long-tailed tits are easily recognisable as one has a smart appearance and a broad white headstripe, while the other is a scruffy urchin, and they return for a quick bite every half hour.