TUES 2 TO FRI 5 EASTER EGG HUNT
10.30 am to 3.00 pm. Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826]
Come along to Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Lorton Meadows nature reserve for an Easter Egg hunt. Pick up a trail guide from the Conservation Centre and follow the self guided trail to find the eggs, then return to collect your prize. Call 01305 816546 for more information. Family event. Cost: £1 per child No unaccompanied children please.
TUES 2 CATERPILLAR KIDS – TINY TADPOLES
10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
Explore the underwater world of Lorton’s ponds, & discover the life cycle of amphibians – frogs, newts & toads; plus games art & more with Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Community Conservation Officer at Lorton Meadows. Family event. Cost: £2 per child; no unaccompanied children please. Booking essential. Call 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
WED 3 CATERPILLAR KIDS – OWLS
10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
Learn all about owls, their baby owlets & how we can find out what they eat; plus games art & more with Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Community Conservation Officer at Lorton Meadows. Family event. Cost: £2 per child; no unaccompanied children please. Booking essential. Call 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
WED 3 GREAT PURBECK EGG CASE HUNT
1.30 pm to 3.00 pm. Worbarrow Bay. [SY 865 803].
Join Dorset Wildlife Trust for a seashore search. What does a mermaid keep in her purse? Find out as we hunt for empty eggcases to win a chocolate egg reward! Cost: £2 per person. Family Event: no unaccompanied children please. Call 01929 481044 for further information.
WED 3 A MORNING WALK AT ASHLEY WOOD
9.00 am Ashley Wood, Tarrant Keyneston.
Join wih Dorset Wildlife Trust to learn about the birdsong & woodland flora on this guided walk led by DWT reserve warden Steve Oliver DWT members £1.50, non-members £3 (inc. tea, coffee & biscuits). Meet at 9 am at the True Lovers Knot pub car park, Tarrant Keyneston. To book a place contact Steve Oliver on 07824 874273.
WED 3 BOURNEMOUTH NATURALLY – URBAN BATS FOR BEGINNERS WORKSHOP
2.00 pm to 4.00 pm. Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3NS. Steve Davis from Dorset Wildlife Trust will be giving an introduction to urban bats for beginners. An opportunity to learn more about the bats you might see flying around your garden or local green space. Event, open to everyone; a small donation is requested from visiting non-members. Contact Heather Dixon for more information: [email protected], or 07590909933
THURS 4 CATERPILLAR KIDS – TRACKS & SIGNS
10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
Discover tracks & signs, like a footprint or a nibbled leaf, left by animals living on the reserve; plus games art & more with Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Community Conservation Officer at Lorton Meadows. Family event. Cost: £2 per child; no unaccompanied children please. Booking essential. Call 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
FRI 5 CATERPILLAR KIDS – MINI-BEASTIES IN THE WOODS
10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
Explore the woods & discover minibeasts in their woodland homes, under logs & leaves; plus games art & more with Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Community Conservation Officer at Lorton Meadows. Family event. Cost: £2 per child; no unaccompanied children please. Booking essential. Call 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
FRI 5 TO SAT 6 BOURNEMOUTH NATURALLY – SMALL MAMMAL WORKSHOP
Friday 3pm to 5pm, Saturday 7am to 9am. Stour Valley Local Nature Reserve, Bournemouth.
Another opportunity to have a go at small mammal trapping, this workshop will be in two sessions to include a short talk about small mammal ecology and identification on the Friday afternoon and an early start to check the traps on the Saturday morning. Event open to everyone; a small donation is requested from visiting non-members. Booking essential
Contact Heather Dixon to book and for further information: [email protected], or 07590 909933.
FRI 5 TO SUN 7 AN INTRODUCTION TO LICHENS & BRYOPHYTES
4.00 pm Friday 5th April to 2.00 pm. Sunday 7th April The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, nr. Maiden Newton, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Join tutor Bryan Edwards at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre to acquire the skills to identify the major groups of these highly interesting and important plants, including an introduction to their ecology, reproduction & importance as indicators of the health of our planet. Booking essential Course fee: £240 (£192 non-residential).
To book your place on the course rin 01300 320684 or visit www.kingcombe.org.
SAT 6 ARTY CRAFTY – MARINE ANIMAL FUN DAY!
12 noon to 3.00 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755].
Come along to Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre to make marine themed art & crafts. Suitable for ages 6 to 12 years. £1 per item. Family event,no unaccompanied children please. Call 01305 206191 for further information.
SUN 7 WALK FOR WILDLIFE
Starting from Langton Matravers, nr. Swanage
Support Dorset Wildlife Trust by joining a walk through Purbeck; rescheduled after bad weather last year. Two great routes taking in some of the best of the Jurassic coast. Choose from 7 or 14 miles. All routes start from Leeson House, Langton Matravers, nr. Swanage. For more information & to book your place go to dorsetwildlifetrust org.uk.walkforwildlife, or call 01305 264620.
TUES 9 KAYAK SAFARI
The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay, nr. Corfe Castle, BH20 5PF. [SY 909 787].
Experience wildlife like never before with Dorset Wildlife Trust on a 2-hour guided session in clear bottomed kayaks & with goggle viewers in Kimmeridge Bay. £25 per person. 12+ yr-olds only. Family event; no unaccompanied children please, (max. 6 people per session). Booking essential. Phone 01929 481044 for times, further information and to book. All Kayak Safaris require payment at the time of booking.
WED 10 MARINE BEASTIES EGG HUNT
1.00 pm to 2.30 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, DT4 9XE [SY 668 755].
Come along to the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre and hunt for eggs of sea creatures to win a chocolate egg. Family event. Cost: £2 per person. No unaccompanied children please. Call 01305 206191 for further information.
THURS 11 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY
10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill Lane, Corfe Mullen, nr. Wimborne, BH21 3RX. [SY 978 951].
Join Dorset Wildlife Trust at the Urban Wildlife Centre for a mix of practical tasks and survey work; there will be something to meet everybody’s needs. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the weather.
THURS 11 SEAWEED SAFARI
1.30 pm to 3.30 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755].
Come along to the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre and learn to identify seaweed & have fun pressing them. Cost: £3 per adult& £2 per child. No unaccompanied children please. Call 01305 206191 for further information.
THURS 11 ROCKPOOL RAMBLE
1.30 pm to 3.00 pm. The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay, Kimmeridge, nr. Corfe Castle, BH20 5PF. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust for a seashore search at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. Short walk involved: wear suitable sturdy shoes suitable for walking over uneven rocks & boulders. Cost: £3 per adult & £1.50 per child. Meet at the WW2 Pillbox, Kimmeridge Bay [map ref. SY 907792]. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Call the People and Wildlife Officer on 01929 481044 for further information. Weather dependent; please call the Marine Centre if unsure.
FRI 12 REPTILE RAMBLE
10.00 am to 1.00 pm. Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill Lane, Corfe Mullen, nr. Wimborne, BH21 3RX. [SY 978 951].
Join Dorset Wildlife Trust as Upton Heath wakes up in spring sunshine and accompany warden Andy Fale for a morning of snake & lizard activities, including a fun quiz, reptile ramble on Upton Heath and a free activity pack to take home. Suggested donation £2 per child. Family event, no unaccompanied children please. Call 01202 692033 for further information.
FRI 12 INVESTIGATING IDENTITY THEFT! – INSECT MIMICRY
7.30 pm United Church Hall, East Street, Bridport, DT6 3LJ.
Join the West Dorset group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust for an illustrated talk on insect mimicry by John Bebbington, FRPS, Secretary of Somerset Moth Group. The meeting includes a very brief AGM of the group. Admission free. Contact Monty Crook: 01308 423442 for further details.
SAT 13 THE NATURE CONNECTION
10.00 am to 4.30 pm. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, nr. Maiden Newton, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Join tutor Chris Holland at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre for an exploration through experience and story telling. With gentle humour & wordsmithing, Chris will lead you into a place of wonder, smiles and laughter as we explore the natural world together, using our senses and stories to guide us on our way. Perfect for families. Booking essential. Course fee: £65 per adult (£35 per child). To book ring 01300 320684 or visit www.kingcombe.org.
SUN 14 THE NATURE CONNECTION
10.00 am to 4.30 pm. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, nr. Maiden Newton, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Join tutor Chris Holland at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre for an exploration through experience and story telling. With gentle humour & wordsmithing, Chris will lead you into a place of wonder, smiles and laughter as we explore the natural world together, using our senses and stories to guide us on our way. Perfect for families. Booking essential.
Course fee: £65 per adult (£35 per child).
To book ring 01300 320684 or visit www.kingcombe.org.
MON 15 TO FRI 19 PAINTING SPRING FLOWERS
10.00 am Monday 15th April to 4.00 pm Friday 19th April. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, nr. Maiden Newton, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Join tutor Sheila Mannes Abbot at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre to capture the essence of spring as you learn the stages to build up a beautiful painting of bluebells & pansies, or if you prefer, bring another specimen you want to paint. Suitable for all levels of experience. Booking essential. Course fee: £415 (£332 non-residential)
To book ring 01300 320684 or visit www.kingcombe.org.
WED 17 MOTHS
7.30 pm Fontmell Magna Village Hall, Fontmell Magna, SP7 0JU.
An illustrated talk by Phil Sterling, County Ecologist, who has written a book on this subject. The talk will be preceded by a rapid AGM. Cost £2 (children free) inc. tea/coffee & biscuits.
Call Tony Stables (Chairman) on 01258 471478 for further information.
WED 17 HOW HEDGEHOGS CAN SAVE THE WORLD
7.30 pm Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne,
A light, illustrated talk by Hugh Warwick about the natural (& unnatural) history of hedgehogs, for the Sherborne Group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Visitors welcome. Cost £2.50. Call John Gaye (Chairman) on 01258 821499 for further information.
FRI 19 HOW DORSET’S WILDLIFE LINKS ACROSS THE SW REGION
7.30 pm Priory House, Christchurch.
An illustrated talk by Tony Bates for the Bournemouth & Christchurch Group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust; the talk wil be preceded by the group AGM. Visitors welcome. Cost £2 inc. coffee & biscuits. Call Duncan Gee (Chairman) on 01202 520340 for further information.
THURS 18 DWT’S REACTION TO BADGER CULLING
7.30 pm St Catherine’s Church Hall, Rodway’s Corner, Wimborne.
A talk for the Wimborne Group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust by Dr. Simon Cripps, Chief Executive of Dorset Wildlife Trust; the talk wil be preceded by the group AGM. Visitors welcome. Cost £2. Call Ken Wood (Chairman) on 01202 887322 for further information.
SAT 20 LORTON MEADOWS OPEN DAY
10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey,Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Conservation Centre is open for visitors, come along for a walk around the reserve then drop in for a hot drink, and peruse our selection of gifts & wildlife books; pus watch watch birds nesting around the reserve on screen, & purchase nest boxes & bird food suitable for birds during spring. Call the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 for more information. Free of charge. No unaccompanied children please. Ring 01305 816546 for further information.
SAT 20 SPRING WILDLIFE WALK
2.00 pm to 4.00 pm. Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
Discover the sights & sounds of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Lorton Meadows nature reserve in the spring on a guided walk with the Community Conservation Officer. Refreshments afterwards. No unaccompanied children please. Call the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 for more information.
SAT 20 AN INTRODUCTION TO INSECTS
10.00 am to 4.30 pm. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, nr. Maiden Newton, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Join tutor Bryan Pinchen at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre for a ‘hands-on’ day that will explore the life cycles, basic ecology and recognition of the major groups of terrestrial insect groups and demonstrate different collecting techniques. Booking essential.
Course fee: £55. (20% discount if booked together with the spiders course on the 21st April)
To book ring 01300 320684 or visit www.kingcombe.org.
SUN 21 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SPIDERS OF SPRINGTIME
10.00 am to 4.00 pm. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, nr. Maiden Newton, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Join tutor William Blumsom at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre for a ‘hands-on’ introduction to the fascinating world of springtime spiders covering basic biology, structure and life history, for both general naturalists and those keen to start a serious study of spiders. Booking essential.
Course fee: £55. (20% discount if booked together with the insects course on the 20th April)
To book ring 01300 320684 or visit www.kingcombe.org.
SUN 21 GREAT DORSET BEACH CLEAN
11.00 am to 1.00 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755].
Come along to the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, and bring family & friends for this yearly event helping to clean one of Dorset’s most spectacular beaches.
Free of charge. Call 01305 206191 for further information.
SUN 21 BROWNSEA ISLAND VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY
9.30 am to 3.00 pm. Brownsea Island nature reserve, Poole, BH13 7EE. [SZ 028 878].
Join with Dorset Wildlife Trust’s regular volunteering group on Brownsea Island at 9.30am on alternate Sundays throughout the year. Tasks include pine thinning, opening out the alder carr & rhododendron clearing. For details of boat timings etc please contact Richard Proctor on 01202 693039 or 07718 511432. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the weather
SUN 21 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY
10.00 am to 3.00 pm.
Join with Dorset Wildlife Trust for a work day of habitat management on a North Dorset nature reserve. Please contact DWT Warden, Steve Oliver: 07824 874273 for further information
WED 24 LORTON MEADOWS VOLUNTEERS CONSERVATION TASK
10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].].
Join with Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Community Conservation Officer at Lorton Meadows nature reserve for a day of practical work on site to restore the habitats important for local wildlife. Tools, gloves & drinks supplied. For further information contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 or [email protected]. Free of charge.
No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the weather.
THURS 25 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY
10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill Lane, Corfe Mullen, nr. Wimborne, BH21 3RX. [SY 978 951].
Join Dorset Wildlife Trust at the Urban Wildlife Centre for a mix of practical tasks and survey work; there will be something to meet everybody’s needs. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.. .
No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the weather.
FRI 26 TO SUN 28 WILLOW WORKSHOP
12 noon Friday 26th April to 4.30 pm Sunday 28th April. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, nr. Maiden Newton, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Join tutor Norah Kennedy at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre and be introduced to different weaves, colours & varieties of willow whilst you enjoy making traditional baskets and learning about the history and traditions of this 5000 year old craft. Booking essential.
Course fee: £240 (£192 non-residential); a material fee is payable at end of course.
To book ring 01300 320684 or visit www.kingcombe.org.
SAT 26 BOURNEMOUTH NATURALLY – BEGINNERS BOTANY WORKSHOP
10am till 12pm. Meet outside the Cricket Pavilion Café off Ashley Road, Bournemouth, (BH1 4NN).
Botanist Robin Walls will be providing an introduction to the common wild flowers found in Kings Park and how to identify them. Event open to everyone; a small donation is requested from visiting non-members. Booking Essential. Contact Heather Dixon to book and for more information, [email protected], or 07590 909933
MON 29 WILLOW FOR THE GARDEN
10.00 am to 4.00 pm. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, nr. Maiden Newton, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Join tutor Norah Kennedy at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre for a fun, ‘hands-on’ course which teaches simple willow weaving techniques. . You can expect to make your own wigwams, supports and a trellis to add to your garden. Booking essential. Course fee: £55; a material fee is payable at end of course. To book ring 01300 320684 or visit www.kingcombe.org.
