VV june july 2022

MCV
www.milfordconservation.org
Nature Walks
MCV have planned a series of 6 nature walks around our parish. They will take place on the last
Wednesday morning of the month and each will be led by a member of the committee or a local
expert. The idea is for a social walk as well as learning a bit more about the specific location and
observing as much wildlife as we can along the way.
Largest of the Downton lakes.
Photo by David Horne
Our first walk was held on 27 th April at Downton Manor Farm Quarry. Sixteen of us spent a lovely
morning finding out more about the site from MCV Chairman David Horne. We spotted 29 species
of birds and an Orange-tip butterfly. Our May walk will start from the Keyhaven Bird Observatory,
more details about this can be found on the website. These walks are for MCV members only. You
can easily join by completing a membership application form which can be found at the Sturt
Pond Bird Hide, the Keyhaven Bird Observatory, or downloaded from our website:
milfordconservation.org/membership.
Bats in Milford
Over the next few months, you may spot a few of us at dusk, listening - through our bat meters
and monitoring the area for these small flying mammals. We shall be led by a local expert from
the Hampshire Bat Group and will report back later in the year.
Mink Spotted at the Observatory
A wild Mink was recently observed at our Keyhaven Pans nature reserve. Mink are a highly efficient,
voracious predator able to climb trees like a squirrel and swim in water like an otter. They
can take birds, small mammals and fish. The animal seen was of the North American species, and
not native to Europe.
In August 1998 up to 6000 were released by animal activists
from a fur farm near Ringwood. Most were shot or trapped but
inevitably some have survived in the wild where they continue
to pose a threat to our dwindling water vole population in local
rivers as well as ground nesting birds in the New Forest.
Mink.
Photo by Chris Barrass
Recent studies have indicated that the presence of Otters (also seen at Keyhaven) may cause a
decrease in the Mink population and also restrict their range. MCV will continue to monitor the
situation, notify the landowner and seek advice with respect to possible control measures.
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