BCP Countryside

24/06/2026

Wildlife Wednesday - Ivy Broomrape 🌱

A hidden botanical gem with a very unusual way of life, ivy broomrape (Orobanche hederae) has no chlorophyll unlike most plants, meaning it cannot photosynthesise and make its own food. Instead, it is a root parasite, attaching itself to the roots of ivy (Hedera species) and taking the nutrients and water it needs to survive.

During late summer, its distinctive flower spikes emerge from the ground, the flowers are typically pale pink, purple or brownish, with a curved, tubular shape that attracts pollinating insects.

Because it relies on ivy, ivy broomrape is often found in habitats where mature ivy is established, such as woodland edges, hedgerows, churchyards and old walls. Its presence can be a sign of a long-established habitat, as it depends on a stable relationship with its host plant.

Ivy broomrape's specialised lifestyle makes it a great reminder of the incredible relationships and adaptations found in our wild spaces. 🌱

📍 Stour Valley Nature Reserve

21/06/2026

21/06/2026

🦢 Swan and 9 cygnets at Stour Valley Nature Reserve on Friday 🦢

19/06/2026

⭐️The below link is the new page for Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre.⭐️

Please follow to keep up to date with everything going on at the visitor centre.

Many thanks

https://www.facebook.com/KingfisherBarnVisitorCentre

Welcome to our Visitor Centre on the Stour Valley Nature Reserve, where you can get a coffee and cake and find out more about the local area and wildlife. The Visitor Centre is run by The Parks Foundation charity.

17/06/2026

Wildlife Wednesday - Stag Beetles 🪲

A special visitor joined the team yesterday This impressive female stag beetle actually landed on one of the rangers, giving us a fantastic close-up encounter with one of the UK’s most iconic insects.

Stag beetles are Britain’s largest beetle and are now a priority species due to the loss of the old, decaying wood habitats they depend on. Their larvae spend several years underground feeding on rotting wood, so log piles, fallen timber, and old tree stumps are incredibly important for their survival. The adult males sport distinctive antler-like jaws used to wrestle rivals during the breeding season.

After a quick photo opportunity, our unexpected guest was carefully released into a nearby log pile, where it can continue its important role in the ecosystem.

If you're lucky enough to spot a stag beetle, please admire it from a distance and leave any deadwood habitats undisturbed, they provide a home for these remarkable insects and many other species. 🪵

You can also record your sightings with the People's Trust for Endangered Species to help them build a national picture of how stag beetles are doing.

03/06/2026

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" was our theme at Tots this week. After reading the well-loved book by Eric Carle, we went on a hunt for all the food that the caterpillar ate. The rain held off and the sun shone as we took a lovely stroll along the river path. Back at Kingfisher Barn the tots printed some fabulous hungry caterpillars using potatoes.

Our Nature tots’ groups run from 10:30-11:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, meeting at Kingfisher Barn. Please book for the Tuesday session at www.eventbrite.co,uk (search for Nature Tots at Kingfisher Barn), you can just turn up on the Thursday sessions.

Nature Tots is run in conjunction with BCP Council and Dorset Heaths

03/06/2026

🪲 Wildlife Wednesday: Dock Beetle 🪲

The dock beetle (Gastrophysa viridula) is a small but striking insect, easily recognised by its metallic green sheen. Found on docks and sorrels, both adults and larvae feed on the leaves, often creating distinctive holes as they munch their way through the foliage.

Despite their tiny size, dock beetles play an important role in our ecosystems helping to regulate plant growth, and as part of the wider food web, they provide a valuable food source for birds, spiders, and other predators, demonstrating how even the smallest insects contribute to healthy ecosystems.

Next time you spot a dock plant covered in holes, take a closer look—you may find these jewel-like beetles hard at work 🌿🪲