June on the League Against Cruel Sports’ wildlife reserves

Spring has settled seamlessly into summer on the League Against Cruel Sports’ wildlife reserves and meadows, woodlands and wetlands are alive with new life.

Red deer calves start appearing around the fields on the League Against Cruel Sports’ Baronsdown wildlife reserve at the beginning of June. Their russet coats, scattered with creamy white spots, give them amazing camouflage, as they lie motionless on the edge of the fields of lush green grass. Only their oversized ears give their presence away as they scan constantly for the sound of their mother returning to feed them or potential predators. After just a few days, calves are capable of turning on an impressive burst of speed if the threat comes too close for comfort and within a week they will be up and running with their mother.

Fox cubs are also on the move as they begin following their mother about while she is feeding; moving away from the den where they were born and taking refuge in the nearest bit of cover. It is a dangerous time for fox cubs, but fortunately they are safe while they remain on the League’s wildlife reserves.

When you work with nature there is always the concern that your actions could have an adverse effect on the very things that you are trying to help and so it is gratifying when you see new species arrive or species reappear that have been missing for a while. On the Cove Down wildlife reserves, where we are working with neighbouring landowners on a nature recovery scheme, pied flycatchers started breeding for the first time last year and this year we have breeding yellowhammers for the first time for over a decade.

We have been busy carrying out surveys to record the wildlife that we have present on the wildlife reserves; from birds to bats, from bees to butterflies and beetles, and from flowers to fungi, The number of species recorded continues to grow at an impressive rate, which clearly shows that we are doing great things to help halt the decline in nature. Everyone can do their bit to help too, by just setting aside a small area for wildlife. Even if you don’t have a garden, a window box full of flowering plants will help and there are many opportunities across the country to get involved with community gardens.