Poole Harbour Osprey Project MAY to end of 2020 season

It could be just air frost, with the grass freezing and thawing a few time it can wilt and flatten easier with the larger birds walking on it.

Thanks, Richard and Tony. Sorry, I should have been more clear--I never meant to imply I thought it was actually Pine Martens who had caused the flattened grass! Was just attempting to suggest an answer to the question of the name of the brown Scottish creature which Cirrus was trying to remember! I should have also posted my theory which is pretty much what you said, Tony, intermittent frost on the grass causing it to become flattened. But it is just a possible idea--I've no proof to offer, unfortunately.

Unknown said:

Pine Marten perhaps, Cirrus? I do not know if there are any in Dorset or not--possibly made extinct there years ago...Just looked for them online. Have a look here at the Vincent Wildlife Trust website--seems there might be some in the New Forest (and that is Hampshire--possibly!): www.vwt.org.uk/.../. The map on Wikipedia has no dot in the south of England, but I expect they may not have updated their map. The VWT are the experts on Pine Martens apparently, and are involved in translocating them to other spots in the UK.

Yep that's it Gardenbirder . Pine Marten  yes yes yes, thank you (I was just being silly, didn't actually mean any of those geese or pine marten 0

Oh dear oh dear, there I go again ........ sorry everyone. Of course it was the air frost Tony , something quite natural if it wasn't that . I really didn't mean my post seriously

You made me smile, Cirrus!

I love the idea of Pine Martins Cirrus, that would be fab.

Tony T said:

I love the idea of Pine Martins Cirrus, that would be fab.

Harrumph,Tony - I agree they are gorgeous but ruefully remember the recent season at Loch Arkaig when one stole all 3 eggs  

Anyway, must get on, who knows what excitement awaits us in the unchecked downloads?

Luckily they are absent from the South of England

Unknown said:

Luckily they are absent from the South of England

But we've got these threats and who can blame them feeling miffed when the intruder takes over their playpen in the spring?

Does that mean that the map on the Vincent Wildlife Trust website is wrong, Richard? Sorry, but I thought that the Trust were up to date with Pine Marten stuff. They state that "pine martens have been recorded in Shropshire and Hampshire (the New Forest)." I will enquire tomorrow when Martens were last reported there and I will be back here if they answer.