A home to hundreds of wildlife species

Hundreds of wildlife species were recorded on bank holiday Saturday at the Corfe Mullen BioBlitz.

The event, organised by Corfe Mullen Nature Watch and Dorset Wildlife Trust, brought local residents, families and some of the county’s top experts together to find as much wildlife as they could over 12 hours.

Opened by wildlife film maker Hugh Miles, the day included guided walks, wildlife hunts, moth traps and bat detecting as well as people recording wildlife in their own gardens.  The event will be featured on BBC Radio 4’s Saving Species programme at 11am on 7 September, and repeated at 9pm on 9 September.

Wildlife highlights of the day included the hobby, nightjar, spotted flycatcher and yellow wagtail, with sightings of rare reptiles including the smooth snake and sand lizard.  One expert alone found 100 different plant species at St Hubert’s Church field, while other finds included a brown argus butterfly and the scarce marsh gentian.

Nicky Hoar, Communications Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said, “This was a wonderful opportunity to find out about the huge variety of wildlife living side by side with people.  The data coming from this event will help in the task of protecting the wildlife and habitats of Dorset.”