Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) is delighted to announce the return of the Ocean Cruises events for 2019, inviting members of the public on a boat trip around Poole Harbour to learn about Dorset’s marine and coastal wildlife, with experts on-board to answer questions and help with wildlife identification.
The Ocean Cruises are taking place on Saturday 11th May and Saturday 15th June and last for approximately 3 hours, travelling through Poole Harbour to Dancing Ledge. These events are timed to help celebrate World Oceans Day on 8th June, an internationally-recognised celebration of our watery word, providing people with the chance to learn more about the ocean and how to take action to help conserve it.
DWT Fundraising Officer, Clare Busby said, “Due to popular demand, we are running cruises on two dates, giving more people the chance to come on board to experience the beauty of Dorset by boat whilst benefiting from onboard experts who will be on hand to point out wildlife, answer any questions, and talk about the local hotspots for wildlife and what we can do to protect them.”
Wildlife watchers on the cruises last year were treated to a sighting of puffins as well as sightings of nesting seabirds along the cliffs.
Emma Rance, Dorset Wildlife Trust Marine Conservation Officer added: “We might even be lucky and spot Dorset’s most exciting marine life this year. We have already been alerted to large pods of common and bottlenose dolphins in Poole and Weymouth Bay this year and last summer we had oceanic sunfish, and numerous jellyfish species recorded. All of these species are more visible from a boat than land, so you never know, anything could appear. And that’s the exciting bit!”
The boat will leave Poole Quay at 3pm on both dates (weather permitting) and arrive back at 6pm. Tickets are £16.50 for adults and £8 for under 16s. Booking is essential as demand is expected to be high. Too book your place on the May cruise visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/ocmay
and for June visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/ocjune.
For more information contact 01305 264620.
