FRI 1 GROUP AGM followed by FARMING & VILLAGE LIFE IN THE EARLY 1900s, an illustrated talk by Bruce Upton, Bridport Museum. 7.30pm, The Bridport United Church, East Street, Bridport. Suggested £2 donation (£3 for non-members) inc. refreshments.
SAT 2 SPRING WILDLIFE WALK AT LORTON, 2 – 4pm. Join us for a guided spring time walk around the wonderful Lorton meadows reserve. Discover how it’s bursting into life and be on the lookout for orange tipped butterflies, blackthorn blossom, wonderful wildflowers and swooping swallows. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation CentreLorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826]. Phone01305 816546. Adults £3, Children £2.
SUN 3 SEASHORE SUPERHEROES, 11.30am – 1pm. We are looking for seashore superheroes! Learn how to protect local wildlife by completing a series of challenges to earn the right to make your own seashore superhero mask. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road,Weymouth, DT4 9XE. Children £2.
SUN 3 EAST DORSET/ARC WORK PARTY, 10am – approx 2.30pm. Lend a hand with practical conservation work at Sopley Common. Tasks include scrub clearance, pine and sycamore control, path clearance etc. Meet at the Ramsdown car park. For more information contact Jon Crewe on 07989 777757.
MON 4 SEAWEED SAFARI, 11am – 12.30pm. 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. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre,Weymouth, DT4 9XE. Children £2.
TUES 5 SEASHORE DETECTIVES, 11am – 12.30pm. Explore the amazing underwater world of the Fleet Lagoon. Use your detective skills to hunt for tracks & signs of marine wildlife along the shore. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre,Weymouth, DT4 9XE. Wellies advised. Adults £2, Children £2.
TUES 5 FOREST SCHOOL FUN! 10am – 12pm. Join us for this Forest School taster session at Upton Country Park. Enjoy fun filled games & craft activities in a woodland environment . Suitable for under 11’s, adult supervision required. £3 per child. Limited numbers so BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01202 692033 or email [email protected]
TUES 5 KINGCOMBE KIDS CLUB For more information & to book please see Kingcombe Centre website: www.kingcombe.org Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, DT2 0EQ.
WED 6 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, Lorton Lane, Upwey,DT3 5QH. Booking essential on 01305 816546. Children £2.
THUR 7 KINGCOMBE KIDS CLUB For more information & to book please see Kingcombe Centre website: www.kingcombe.org., Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, DT2 0EQ.
THUR 7 A GUIDE TO EVERYTHING CHESIL, 2 – 3.30pm. Join your guide to discover the secrets of Chesil Bank & the Fleet Lagoon. This whistle-stop tour covers everything from the formation of the beach to the rich wildlife & military history. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT49XE. Adults £3, Children £2.
FRI 8 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 8 CATERPILLAR KIDS ‘MINIBEASTS!’, 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 Centre,Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Booking essential on 01305 816546. Children £2.
SAT 9 SEASHORE DETECTIVES, 2 – 3.30pm. Explore the amazing underwater world of the Fleet Lagoon. Use your detective skills to hunt for tracks & signs of marine wildlife along the shore. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre,Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. Wellies advised. Adults £2, Children £2.
SAT 9 PECULIAR POND LIFE, 11am – 12.30pm. Join us at Lorton Meadows to discover the weird & wonderful underwater world of ponds. Have a go at pond dipping, get up close with dragonfly larvae, water boatmen & Ramshorn snails. Find out who’s top of the food chain! Meet at Lorton Meadows Centre,Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Children £2.
TUES 12 SOUTH-DORSET MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS, Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Booking essential. Please contact DWT warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for details or to book a place.
WED 13 THE GREAT HEATH VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 4pm. Practical conservation work on a variety of habitats. A wide range of tasks will be carried out; tools & training provided. Come along & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.
WED 13 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS, Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273.
WED 13 LORTON VOLUNTEERS CONSERVATION TASK, 10am – 3pm. A regular day of practical work at Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve restoring habitats important for local wildlife. Tools, gloves & drinks supplied. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Meet 10am at the Centre.
THUR 14 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS meet 9am at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill, for a moth trap opening & 10am for recording/monitoring tasks. For full details contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. If you are interested in receiving details about additional moth trap events please email [email protected]
THUR 14 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK, 10am. Join the regular group in West Dorset. Tasks range from hedgelaying to Himalayan balsam pulling in locations all over West Dorset. Contact Nick Gray on 07824 438974 or at [email protected] for details.
FRI 15 AGM followed by THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AT DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST, a talk by Dr Simon Cripps, CEO. 7.30pm, Quarterjack Suite, Allendale Community Centre, Hanham Rd, Wimborne, BH21 1AS.
SAT 16 WILDLIFE GARDENING WORKSHOP & 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 event. BNSS, 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NS. For more information contact [email protected] or ring 01202 692033.
SUN 17 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS, working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver – 07824 874273.
WED 20 PREDATOR CONTROL, GAME & CONSERVATION: SCIENCE IN A CONTROVERSIAL FIELD, talk by Dr Tom Porteus from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. 7.30pm, Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, DT9 3NL.
WED 20 RIVER STOUR MANAGEMENT & CONTROL, an illustrated talk by Sarah Williams (DWT Conservation Officer), preceded by a rapid AGM. 7.30pm, Fontmell Magna Village Hall (SP7 0JU). £2 inc. tea/coffee & biscuits. No charge for under 16s.
THUR 21 HOLES BAY NATURE PARK, an illustrated talk on this new reserve by Nicky Hoar, with a very short Group AGM. 7.30pm, Christchurch Baptist Church Hall, Bargates, corner of Beaconsfield Road, Christchurch. inc. coffee & biscuits £2. Bournemouth & Christchurch Group
SAT 23 WOODLAND WANDER, Lorton Meadows, 2 – 4pm. Join us for a guided walk to discover the woodlands in spring. Look out for bluebells, butterflies & wild garlic as well as learning about other species who are welcoming the return of spring. Meet at Lorton Meadows Centre,Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Adults £3, Children £2.
SUN 24 SPRING 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, Weymouth, DT4 9XE.
SUN 24 URBAN WEEKENDERS, 10am – 1pm. Join the Urban team of the Dorset Wildlife Trust on a regular work party on DWT Upton Heath, on the last Sunday of every month. Meeting at the Urban Wildlife Centre (BH21 3RX), volunteers will be helping wardens carry out conservation work on this important wildlife site. Tools & safety equipment provided. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, sensible footwear & bring food & drinks. Families welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Sally Wright on 01202 692033 for details or email [email protected]
TUES 26 SOUTH-DORSET MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS, Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Booking essential. Contact DWT warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for details or to book a place.
TUES 26 SOUTH-DORSET MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS, Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Booking essential. Contact DWT warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for details or to book a place.
WED 27 THE GREAT HEATH VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 4pm. Practical conservation work on a variety of habitats. A wide range of tasks will be carried out; tools & training provided. Come along & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.
WED 27 LORTON VOLUNTEERS CONSERVATION TASK, 10am – 3pm. A regular day of practical work at Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve restoring habitats important for local wildlife. Tools, gloves & drinks supplied. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Meet at the Centre at 10am.
WED 27 WILDLIFE OF PARLEY COMMON, 10am – 12 noon. Discover the wildlife of Parley Common, part of The Great Heath Living Landscape, with Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (ARC) & DWT. All welcome but children must be accompanied by adults & strong sturdy footwear is advised. For more information contact ARC on 01202 391319 or [email protected]. Suggested donation £3. Meet at the reserve entrance beside the Heatherlands Centre, Barns Road, Ferndown BH22 8XH.
THUR 28 AN AFTERNOON WALK AT STONEHILL NATURE RESERVE, led by Harold Gillen (01929 550850). Meet at the access point opposite Creech Barrow (map ref. SY 921821).
THUR 28 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK, 10am. Join the regular volunteering group in West Dorset. Tasks can range from hedgelaying to Himalayan balsam pulling in locations all over West Dorset. Please contact Nick Gray on 07824 438974 or at [email protected] for details.
SAT 30 MINIBEAST MADNESS, 11 – 12.30pm. Visit Lorton Meadows to discover more about the amazing world of minibeasts. Join us for a minibeast hunt & say hello to shiny shieldbugs, wiggly worms & mesmerising millipedes. Learn about these fascinating creatures & play a game of minibeast bingo! Meet at Lorton Meadows Centre. Children £2. See p22 for full details.
28 MAY – 12 JUNE Dorset Art Weeks is one of the largest Open Studio Events in the country. Dorset Wildlife Trust will be joining these weeks with a collection of artists exhibiting their work at The Kingcombe Centre in West Dorset and at the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre. Further details to be announced early 2016.
