Something
for everyone...  |
Grasslands are excellent places for wildlife watching
especially for wild flowers and mammal spotting. Why
not try your hand at some nature spotting in the glorious summer meadows of the
British Isles? | | Orchid
orgy - gorge yourself on a feast of these beautiful blooms. |
Here
are two great nature activities which you can take part in grassland areas:
*
Badger watching.
* Orchid safari.
Badger
spotting  The
Badger is the largest land carnivore in the British Isles, with an estimated national
population of around 250,000.
Across Europe, Badger numbers have been declining,
although the British Isles remains one of the species聮 strongholds. Badgers
are rarely seen, largely because they are secretive and predominantly nocturnal. However,
you can improve your chances of spotting this wonderful mammal by following our
top tips: Check out these Nature Calendar Badger watching locations before
planning your trip out: *
Gilfach Nature Reserve
*
Slad Valley On previous series of Nature's Calendar
we also visited the following Badger locations:
*
Heligan, Cornwall
*
Caerlaverock Reserve, Solway Firth
*
Falls of Clyde, Scotland
*
Kingcombe Meadows, Dorset
Many wildlife groups run Badger
watching sessions so why not book on one of their trips and get some top advice
from the experts?
Badger
tips  Once
in Badger territory, here's a few helpful tips to ensure that you're close to
the Badger action.
But remember there's no substitute for patience, and
being in the right place at the right time!
*
Keep quiet, don't move too much or make any noise. *
Watch out for Badger prints - they have five toes with big front claws. Good places
to look are along streams where you may find a crossing place with softer mud.
* Look out for
the Badgers' home - the unmistakable sett with its huge entrance - they are much
bigger than rabbit holes. * Check for signs
that the sett is still active including leaves strewn outside the entrance. *
Also look to see if the grass is worn away just outside the sett - that may indicate
where the young cubs come out to play near the sett. *
Having found the sett, plan where you are going to sit to observe - if you're
slightly raised up, the Badgers are less likely to pick up your scent. *
Check the prevailing wind as these creatures have a superb sense - sit where they
won't catch your scent. * Wear neutral clothes
and be very quiet. Don't rustle your clothing or move around. Sit still, perhaps
next to a tree so you blend into the landscape. *
Choose your time - Badgers tend to come out in the evening.
Orchard
safari  There
is little doubt that the Orchid is one of the superstars of Britain's flora.
The
group has been top of the plant pops ever since the Victorian naturalists obsessed
over them and made huge collections of both our native and many exotic species.
The South of England is one of the richest part of the British Isles for
Orchids due to its midl climate and chalk grasslands. A
great place to go Orchid spotting featured on Nature's Calendar is Kent
Downs. Other great Orchid locations in Kent include: *
Yockletts Bank - renowned for its Lady Orchids.
* Wye and Crundale Downs.
*
Sandwich Golf Course.
* Chappetts Copse near East Meon.
* Noar Hill near
Selborne.
 Top
tips:
Here are some top tips from the
Nature's Calendar team to make the most of your Orchid spotting experiences: *
Early June is a great time to see the Orchids when they are in bloom.
*
Take a good flower identification guide with you. A magnifying glass can be helpful
if you want to see the flowers close up. *
Look for a profusion of colour and use your sense of smell - a strong perfumed
odour is a good clue!
* Be careful where you're walking - keep to paths
and tracks to avoid trampling on the flowers. *
And remember that old moniker聟. take only photographs, leave only footprints.
 There
are many great places to go Orchid spotting in the British Isles but the south
of England does tend to be something of a stronghold.
Other
good locations include the following: *
Murlough, Northern Ireland
*
Kingcombe Meadows, Dorset
* Martin Down National Nature Reserve, near Salisbury
* Fontmell Down, Dorset
* Whitenothe Undercliffe, Wiltshire.
* Cuckmere
Haven, East Sussex.
* Ditchling Beacon, Sussex Wildlife Trust.
Photo
credits Orchid photographs courtesy and
copyright of West Kent Downs Countryside Trust. | 
