The League Against Cruel Sports’ wildlife reserves bring hope

Snowdrops shine out like tiny beacons of hope in the gloom of yet another rainy February day on the League Against Cruel Sports’ Baronsdown wildlife reserve.

The drifts of bright green leaves and pure white petals are in sharp contrast to the dull red-brown hues of earth and decaying leaves they have forced their way through; like little parcels of fortitude battling against the odds. It is small wonder that the church adopted snowdrops as a symbol of purity and new beginnings and planted them enthusiastically around sacred places. Snowdrops may not be strictly native to the UK, but that doesn’t matter if you are a bee that has woken early and are desperately searching for a first feed of nectar.

Frogs are also enjoying the mild, wet weather and there are already large balls of frogspawn appearing in almost every available patch of still water on the wildlife reserves. After a brief frenzy of activity, the adult frogs will disappear and leave the spawn to develop on its own; vulnerable to predation by a host of other species that are drawn to the prospect of an easy meal. It is amazing that any frogs make it to adulthood to continue the cycle.

The same could be said of foxes, especially in the countryside where they are heavily persecuted through a combination of hunting, shooting, snaring, trapping and poisoning. Foxes are a vital component of the natural ecosystem, but unfortunately, they are also convenient scapegoats for poor animal husbandry and victims of the gross excesses of the gamebird shooting industry. Right now, newborn fox cubs will be sheltering in the relative security of their underground earths, blissfully unaware of the dangers they will face.

The League’s wildlife reserves provide safe spaces where foxes and other animals can get a good start in life. It is something we could all do with from time to time.