SAT 1 MINI MEADOWS AT LORTON, 10am – 4pm. Create your own mini meadow, sow seeds to take home, for your own mini habitat (£2/meadow, available all day). Plus, the Centre is open for visitors, follow a self-guided trail, drop in for a hot drink, watch the birds on screen, & peruse our selection of wildlife books & ID guides. Children must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. 01305 816546.
SAT 1 SOVELL DOWN VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 4pm. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. Please bring lunch. For details of each task please contact Steve Claxton on 07967 032626.
SUN 2 EAST DORSET/ARC WORK PARTY, Lend a hand with practical conservation work at Sopley Common nature reserve. Tasks include scrub clearance, pine and sycamore control, path clearance etc. Meet at the Ramsdown car park. For more information, please contact Jon Crewe on 07989 777757.
TUES 4 SPRING BIRDS ON BROWNSEA, 11am – 1pm. Discover the birds of the Dorset Wildlife Trust Brownsea Island Nature Reserve in spring. Boats from Poole or Sandbanks from 10am. No DWT charge but normal boat fares & NT landing charges apply. BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01202 692033 or email [email protected].
WED 5 LORTON VOLUNTEER CONSERVATION TASK, 10am – 3pm. Join us for our fortnightly practical tasks at Lorton Meadows reserve, restoring habitats for local wildlife; no experience necessary. Tools, gloves & drinks supplied. Please bring a packed lunch. No charge. Meet at the Conservation Centre. For further information please phone 01305 816546.
FRI 7 GROUP AGM followed by AN INTRODUCTION TO THE FLORA & FAUNA OF ISLAY, an illustrated talk by Becky Williamson, keen photographer, 10 year resident of Islay & member of Dorset Wildlife Trust. 7.30pm, Bridport United Church Hall, East Street, Bridport. West Dorset Group.
FRI 7 DAWN CHORUS BREAKFAST Early morning in spring is a feast for the senses at Kingcombe. Join Steve Piotrowski for a guided bird walk followed by a hearty breakfast. D £18. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.
SAT 8 WILDLIFE GARDENING WORKSHOPS & MUSEUM OPEN DAY! 10am – 4pm. Come & learn how to improve your garden for wildlife with activities for adults & children, PLUS see the Bournemouth Natural Science Society (BNSS) museum collection & live specimens! Refreshments available. FREE ENTRY (with small charge for some activities & refreshments) at BNSS, 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NS.
SUN 9 SEASHORE SCAVENGERS, 11am – 12.30pm. Walk along Chesil Beach, hunting for rare pink sea fans, shark eggcases & other treasures blown in from the Atlantic. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Adults £3, Children £2, must be accompanied. The Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT4 9XE. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/chesil.
MON 10 – WED 12 LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP Develop your skills in technique, composition & image processing on this workshop covering the land & coast of West Dorset, with award-winning photographer Mark Bauer. R £349, NR £269. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.
TUES 11 SEASHORE SAFARI, 12.30pm – 2pm. Join us at low tide to explore the amazing underwater world of the Fleet Lagoon. Hunt for the marine wildlife which calls our shores their home, as well as looking for the tell-tale tracks & signs of hidden species. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Wellies advised. Adults £3, Children £2, must be accompanied. See p20 for full details.
TUES 11 GREAT KIMMERIDGE EGGCASE HUNT, 2 – 3.30pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. What does a mermaid keep in her purse? Find out as we hunt for empty egg capsules to win a chocolate egg reward! £2.50 per person. Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF.
TUES 11 SOUTH DORSET MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS, Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Booking essential. Please contact warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for further details or to book your place.
WED 12 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS, Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273.
WED 12 ROCKPOOL RAMBLE, 2 – 3.30pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Join us at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. Adults £3/Children £2. Weather dependent. Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF.
WED 12 CATERPILLAR KIDS – BIRDS’ NESTS & EGGS, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Who builds the best nest? Join us to discover just how tricky it is to build a nest, plus games art & more. Meet at Lorton Meadows Centre. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816456. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH.
THUR 13 SEASHORE SAFARI, 1.30 – 3pm. Join us at low tide to explore the amazing underwater world of the Fleet Lagoon. Hunt for the marine wildlife which calls our shores their home, as well as looking for the tell-tale tracks & signs of hidden species. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Wellies advised. Adults £3, Children £2, must be accompanied. The Chesil Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT4 9XE. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/chesil.
THUR 13 SEASHORE DISCOVERY, 2 – 3.30pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Join a warden to explore the seashore & discover what animals live there. £3 adult/£2 child. The Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT4 9XE. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/chesil.
THUR 13 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS, Meet at 10am every Thursday at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. During April – September meet on the second Thursday of the month for moth trap analysis & recording/monitoring tasks. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.
THUR 13 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK, 10am. Join the regular volunteering group in West Dorset. Tasks can range from hedge laying to Himalayan balsam pulling in locations all over West Dorset. Please contact Nick Gray on 07824 438974 or at [email protected] for details.
FRI 14 GREAT CHESIL BEACH EGGCASE HUNT, 11am – 12.30pm. Find out what a mermaid keeps in her purse! Help search for shark & ray eggcases, & maybe find some of the chocolate variety. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Children £2, must be accompanied. The Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT4 9XE. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/chesil.
FRI 14 – SAT 15 WILLOW FOR THE GARDEN WORKSHOP. Create your own willow plant supports, hurdles or structures for your garden ready for spring on this two day workshop, with Richard Kerwood. R £219, NR £179. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.
FRI 14 – MON 17 LORTON EGGSPLORERS TRAIL, 10.30am – 4pm. Become an amazing eggsplorer for the day at Lorton Meadows! Collect a trail guide from the Conservation Centre & hunt for clues around the reserve to find out about the local wildlife & solve a mystery. Don’t forget to return to the Centre to claim your edible prize! Why not make a day of it & enjoy a picnic too. Children £2, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH.
FRI 14 – MON 17 KINGCOMBE SPRING EASTER WEEKEND Kicking off our celebrations for 30 years of Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve, join us for a weekend of fun seasonal activities for the family. Check the website www.kingcombe.org for more details.
MON 17 CHESIL ROCKS! 11am – 12.30pm. Join your guide to discover the secrets of Chesil Beach & the Fleet Lagoon. This whistle-stop tour covers everything from the formation of the beach to the rich wildlife & history. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Adults £3, Children £2, must be accompanied. The Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT4 9XE. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/chesil.
WED 19 ARTY OCEAN ACTIVITIES, 11am – 1pm or 2 – 4pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Join one of our 2 hour sessions making ocean-themed items to take home. £2.50 per child. Parents must accompany all children. BOOKING ESSENTIAL: tel. 01929 481044. Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5PF.
WED 19 THE WILDLIFE OF BROWNSEA ISLAND, an illustrated talk by DWT Brownsea Island Manager, Chris Thain. 7.30pm Fontmell Magna Village Hall (SP7 0JU). £2 incl. tea/coffee & biscuits. No charge for under 16s. The talk will be preceded by a rapid AGM. North Dorset Group
WED 19 BIRDS IN A CAGE, a talk by Derek Neimann, freelance writer & editor. 7.30pm, Digby Memorial Church Hall, Sherborne. Sherborne Group.
WED 19 CATERPILLAR KIDS – MINIBEAST MADNESS, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Discover the minibeasts of the wild woods, search under logs for beetles, bugs & millipedes, plus games, art & more. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH.
THUR 20 CUTTLEFISH KIDS – SLIMY SEAWEEDS, 11am – 1pm. Get slimy with seaweed! Did you know that you put seaweed in your mouth every day? Learn fascinating facts, how to identify seaweeds & have fun pressing them, plus crafts & games. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT4 9XE. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/chesil.
THUR 20 THE BROWN HARE IN DORSET, an illustrated talk by Briony Baxter, with a very short GROUP AGM. 7.30pm, Christchurch Baptist Church Hall, Bargates, corner of Beaconsfield Road,Christchurch. £2 incl. coffee & biscuits. Bournemouth & Christchurch Group
FRI 21 AGM followed by a selection of videos including flowers, local history & other topics by Brian House. 7.30pm, The Quarter Jack suite, Allendale Community Centre, Hanham Rd. Wimborne. Wimborne Group.
FRI 21 REPTILE RAMBLE ON UPTON HEATH, 10am – 1pm. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust to discover the reptiles waking up for spring on Upton Heath. Snake & lizard activities plus a ramble to find real reptiles in the wild! Suggested donation £3 per child. Meet at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill Rd, Corfe Mullen BH21 3RX. For more information ring 01202 692033. No unaccompanied children, please.
FRI 21 CATERPILLAR KIDS – TINY TADPOLES, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Explore the ponds & discover the lifecycle of amphibians – frogs, newts & toads, plus games, art & more. Meet at Lorton Meadows Centre. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH.
FRI 21 – SUN 23 WILLOW WORKSHOP WEEKEND Discover the ancient craft of willow weaving whilst you enjoy making traditional baskets to take home, with Norah Kennedy. R £289, NR £209. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.
SUN 23 GREAT DORSET BEACH CLEAN, 11am – 1pm. Bring family & friends for our spring clean, helping to clean one of Dorset’s most spectacular beaches. There is a 10% discount at the Taste* Cafe for those taking part & free parking for the duration of the event. All equipment provided. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT4 9XE. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/chesil.
SUN 23 WORBARROW BAY BEACH CLEAN, Worbarrow Bay (map ref. SY 865803), 11am – 1pm. Help with our coastal spring clean. All equipment provided. From Tyneham, follow signs to beach. Free Event.
SUN 23 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS, Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273.
MON 24 WILLOW STRUCTURES FOR THE GARDEN, One for the crafty garden lovers, creating wigwams, trellises & willow structures, with Norah Kennedy. £85 (incl. materials). Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org
or tel. 01300 320684.
TUES 25 LICHENS & MOSSES IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP Discover the world’s oldest land plants on this introduction to the small yet vital groups of lichens, mosses and liverworts. Led by Bryan Edwards. £65. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel 01300 320684.
TUES 25 – THUR 27 HISTORICAL ECOLOGY OF A SPRING DORSET LANDSCAPE led by Bryan Edwards. Uncover the hidden stories of the trees, woodland & plants of Powerstock Common & Kingcombe Meadows that define this ancient Dorset landscape through its ecology, geology & wildlife. R £289, NR £209. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.
TUES 25 SOUTH DORSET MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS, Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Booking essential. Please contact warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for further details or to book a place.
WED 26 LORTON VOLUNTEER CONSERVATION TASK, 10am – 3pm. Join us for our fortnightly practical tasks at Lorton Meadows reserve, restoring habitats for local wildlife; no experience necessary. Tools, gloves & drinks supplied. Please bring a packed lunch. No charge. Meet at the Conservation Centre. For further information please phone 01305 816546.
THUR 27 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK, 10am. New volunteers working on sites across West Dorset. Come & join in with all sorts of tasks from wild flower seeding to water vole conservation, coppicing to mayfly counting. Flapjacks are on us. Please call Nick Gray on 07824 438974 or at [email protected] for details.
THUR 27 ROCKPOOL RAMBLE led by Julie Hatcher (01929 481044). Join us at the best rock-pooling site in Dorset on one of the lowest tides of the year to see what secrets of low tide we can spot. Meet at 2.30pm at the Marine Centre (BH20 5PF). Park near the toilet block to the left (east) of Kimmeridge Bay & walk down the road to the Marine Centre. Tollgate fee £5 (parking is then free). The walk will be on uneven slippery rocks, so wear suitable footwear. Isle of Purbeck Group
