MON 1 CUTTLEFISH KIDS – BUTTERFLIES & MOTHS AT CHESIL, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Join us for a butterfly beach hunt & look for surprises in our overnight moth trap. Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied by adult. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information and to book.
MON 1 – BRUSH WITH NATURE
FRI 5 ILLUSTRATING BUTTERFLIES & MOTHS Learn the techniques of drawing & painting the beautiful butterflies & moths that are abundant in Kingcombe’s meadows & woodlands in summer, on this brand new workshop with Sarah Morrish. R £495 NR £335. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
TUES 2 CATERPILLAR KIDS – PRECARIOUS POND LIFE, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Have a go at pond dipping & discover how difficult it is to survive in a pond full of other hungry creatures – can you discover their disguises? Plus crafts & games. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre. Booking essential: phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
TUES 2 KINGCOMBE KIDS CLUB, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Connect your family to the great outdoors on one of our special kids clubs. Nurture their creative imagination with natural material crafts or develop the nature detective in them. Age 6+. £7 per child. Find out what’s on at www.kingcombe.org. Booking essential: online or 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
WED 3 STOUR FLOWER STROLL, 10am – 12 noon. Discover the flowers of the Stour Valley with leader Dave Price. Suitable for all ages, maximum distance 4km on the Stour Valley Way/Castleman Trailway. Meet outside entrance to Canford School, Canford Magna, BH21 3AF. Limited parking (no parking within school grounds). Suggested donation £3. For more info. email [email protected] or ring 01202 692033.
WED 3 ROCKPOOL RAMBLE, 2.30 – 4pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Celebrate Marine Week. Join us at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. £3 adult/ £1.50 child. Short walk involved. Weather dependent. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787. Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
WED 3 SEASHORE SAFARI, 12.30 – 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. Wellies advised. Adults £3, Children £2. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
THUR 4 ROCKPOOL RAMBLE, 2.30 – 4pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Celebrate Marine Week. Join us at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. £3 adult/ £1.50 child. Short walk involved. Weather dependent. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
THUR 4 CATERPILLAR KIDS – GRASSHOPPERS & CRICKETS, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Can you tell the difference between a grasshopper & a cricket? Join us to find out. Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
FRI 5 SEASHORE SAFARI, 2 – 3.30pm. 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. Wellies advised. Adults £3, Children £2. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
FRI 5 ECO-CRABBING, 2.30 – 4pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Celebrate Marine Week. Learn how to catch & care for crabs without harm to other rockpool animals. Cost £3 incl. crab kit to take home, bait & equipment.Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
SAT 6 SNORKELLING FOR SOFTIES, 3 – 4.30pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Celebrate Marine Week. Join us at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. £3 adult/£1.50 child. Short walk involved. Weather dependent. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
SAT 6 ILLUSTRATING FEATHERS WORKSHOP Learn how to draw fabulous feathers & then illustrate them in detail using watercolours & gouache, with Sarah Morrish. No experience necessary. £80. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SAT 6 DINNER WITH BATS Join us for a very special dining experience hosted by Imogen Davenport before heading out to discover Kingcombe’s bats. £30. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.
SAT 6 CATERPILLAR KIDS – TREE-MENDOUS TREES, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Do you know an oak from a hawthorn or which trees provide the most homes & food for animals? Plus crafts & games. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.
SAT 6 BAT WALK led by local Bat Group expert, Chris Dieck. Meet at 8pm at White Mill, near Kingston Lacy. Cost £3 (payable on the day): proceeds to Bat Group. Booking essential: tel. Roy Davies on 01258 880699.
SUN 7 DRAGONFLY HEATH TO LAKE, 10.30am – 2.30pm. Starting on Upton Heath we move onto Alder Hill to explore the various habitats & associated species of dragonflies that we encounter. Bring packed lunch. Contact 07947 141539 for transport arrangements. Meet at Longmeadow Lane / Beechbank Avenue.
SUN 7 BIG WILD CHESIL, 10am – 5pm. Join us for Chesil’s BIGGEST wildlife event of the year. Find out about the fascinating wildlife of Chesil Beach, Portland & what Dorset Wildlife Trust is up to across the rest of the county. Join us for a shark & ray eggcase hunt, low tide walk or butterfly survey. There will be music, dancing, a barbecue & an action packed programme of wildlife activities for the whole family. FREE EVENT (donations welcome). Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
TUES 9 KINGCOMBE KIDS CLUB, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Connect your family to the great outdoors on one of our special kids clubs. Nurture their creative imagination with natural material crafts or develop the nature detective in them. Age 6+. £7 per child. Find out what’s on at www.kingcombe.org. Booking essential: online www.kingcombe.org or tel: 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
TUES 9 CATERPILLAR KIDS – BUZZY BEES, 10.30am – 12.30pm. What keeps bees so busy every day & how many different types are there? Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
WED 10 CUTTLEFISH KIDS – SEAWEED EXPLORER, 10.30am – 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. Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
THUR 11 CATERPILLAR KIDS – ‘STICK’ WITH NATURE, 1 – 3pm. Discover & explore Lorton Meadows, challenge your imagination – what can you create with a stick – a map, art, an animal? Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
THUR 11 SUPER SEALS, 2 – 4.30pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Learn all about super seals. Make & name your own seal, carry out a mock seal rescue & help protect them from dangers in the sea £2/child. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
FRI 12 CUTTLEFISH KIDS – SEASHORE SUPERHEROES, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Love the outdoors? Become a seashore superhero & learn how to protect our local wildlife by completing a series of challenges to become your own masked hero! Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information and to book.
SAT 13 BIRD RINGING DEMONSTRATION AT LYTCHETT BAY, 7.30 – 9.30am. A chance to see wild birds up close, being ringed by experts of the Stour Ringing Group. BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01202 692033 or email [email protected]. Suggested donation £3.
SAT 13 HEDGEROW HABITAT WALK, 2 – 4pm. Join us for a walk by the hedges of Lorton & discover the plants & animals that depend on these linear habitats. Adults £3, Children £2. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.
SAT 13/ SWANAGE SURVEY DIVES
SUN 14 (hard boat “Viper”/”Mary Jo”). For more info or to book email [email protected]. Seasearch Event
SUN 14 CATERPILLAR KIDS – BUGS & BEETLES, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Do you know the difference between beautiful bugs & busy beetles? Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
MON 15 A GUIDE TO EVERYTHING CHESIL, 11am – 12.30pm. 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 its richwildlife & military history. Adults £3, Children £2.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
TUES 16 CREATE YOUR OWN STRATA SHOES, 10am – 3pm. Transform old wellies & shoes into marvellous sculptures using expanding foam, collage & scrimming techniques. Led by Sarah Butterworth. Artsreach Partnership Event at The Kingcombe Centre. Age 9+. £10 per child. Booking essential: www.kingcombe.org or 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
TUES 16 CATERPILLAR KIDS – PECULIAR POND LIFE, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Have a go at pond dipping & discover the amazing underwater world of diving beetles, newts & nymphs. Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
WED 17 WEYMOUTH CARNIVAL Look for us at the carnival procession where we will be celebrating Dorset’s local wildlife.
WED 17 LIFE IN A MEADOW, a walk through Durlston Country Park & Townsend nature reserve. Meet at 2.30pm in Durlston Castle reception. Walk lasts approx. 2 hours. £3/person. Joint Townsend/Durlston Event.
THUR 18 FELTING FROM LOCAL SHEEP’S WOOL, 10am – 1pm. Create a felted picture using local sheep’s fleece. Learn how the fleece is turned into fibre & then using this as a base, decorate with other coloured fibres & fabrics to make a colourful individual item to take home. Led by Penny Blog. Artsreach Partnership Event at The Kingcombe Centre.Age 6+. £5 per child. Booking essential: www.kingcombe.org or tel: 01300 320684.The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
THUR 18 ECO-CRABBING, 2 – 3.30pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Learn how to catch & care for crabs without harm to other rockpool animals. Cost £3 incl. crab kit to take home, bait & equipment. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
THUR 18 WALK AROUND TOWN COMMON led by Robin Harley. Meet at 7pm in car park opposite the Avon Causeway Pub (map ref. SZ 137976). Please book: 01202 520340. No dogs.
FRI 19 SEASHORE SAFARI, 1 – 2.30pm. 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. Wellies advised. Adults £3, Children £2. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
SAT 20 MEADOW MEANDER AT LORTON, 2 – 4pm. Join us for a meander through the meadows to discover the management of this 75 hectares nature reserve. Adults £3, Children £2.Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.
SAT 20 ROCKPOOL RAMBLE, 2.30 – 4pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Join us at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. Short walk involved. £3 adult/£1.50 child. Weather dependent. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
SUN 21 SEASHORE SAFARI, 2.30 – 4pm. 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. Wellies advised. Adults £3, Children £2.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
SUN 21 A MORNING BUTTERFLY WALK ON BALLARD DOWN led by Jon Bellamy (01929 450182). Meet 11am in the Ulwell lay-by on the Swanage to Studland road (map ref. SZ 021809). We hope to see good numbers of the second broods of the Adonis blue & brown argus, as well as a variety of other summer butterflies & insects. Joint event with Dorset Butterfly Conservation.
TUES 23 CATERPILLAR KIDS – ANIMAL TRACKS & SIGNS, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Can you be an animal detective & find tracks & signs to discover what lives at Lorton? Plus crafts & games. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.
TUES 23 KINGCOMBE KIDS CLUB, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Connect your family to the great outdoors on one of our special kids clubs. Nurture their creative imagination with natural material crafts or develop the nature detective in them. Find out what’s on at www.kingcombe.org. Age 6+. £7 per child. Booking essential: online or 01300 320684.
WED 24 FLEET EXPLORER, SUNDOWN CRUISE, 7 – 8pm. Join us for an evening boat trip on the Fleet Explorer to watch the sun go down. Find out about the fascinating wildlife of the Fleet Lagoon, the famous Chesil Beach & the rich local history. The perfect time of day to relax; & you might even spot the Chesil hares. Adults £6.50, Children £4.50. Booking essential: tel. 01305 206191.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE.
WED 24 DISCOVER THE ALIEN WORLD OF PLANKTON, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, 11am – 4pm. Free entry (£1.50 per plankton net). Discover the bizarre micro-world of plankton with a quiz, fun facts & craft activities for kids. Make & use your own plankton net & examine your catch under our microscope. Parents must accompany children. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
THUR 25 CATERPILLAR KIDS – DAZZLING DRAGONFLIES, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Discover how dragonflies develop from underwater nymphs into foraging flyers travelling over 1km in a day! Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
THUR 25 AN AFTERNOON FUNGUS FORAY AT ARNE led by Joy Fildes (01929 450449). We hope to find a variety of fungi, some of which will be edible. Meet at 2.30pm at the information kiosk in the RSPB car park (SY 972878). Parking free for RSPB members.
FRI 26 SEASHORE SCAVENGERS, 11am – 12.30pm. Walk along Chesil Beach, hunting for rare pink sea fans, shark eggcases & other treasures blown in from the Atlantic. Adults £3, Children £2. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
SAT 27 CATERPILLAR KIDS – BAFFLING BATS, 1 – 3pm. Why do bats hang upside down to sleep – discover the secret life of these flying mammals & celebrate International Bat Weekend. Plus crafts & games. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied by an adult.Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
SUN 28 MIGRANT BIRDS, a walk through Durlston Country Park & Townsend nature reserve. Meet at 10am in Durlston Castle reception. Walk lasts approx. 2 hours. £3/person. Joint Townsend/Durlston Event.
SUN 28 DRAGONFLY & DAMSELFLY WALK, 1 – 3pm. Join us for a guided walk via the ponds of Lorton to see robust dragonflies & delicate damselflies, along with a host of other species enjoying life on the reserve. Adults £3, Children £2. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.
MON 29 MARINE GIANTS TALK & EGGCASE HUNT, 11am – 12.30pm. Learn about the whales, sharks, dolphins & huge jellyfish that we have in Dorset. You will be surprised & amazed by the giants that can be found around our coast. Join us to hunt for shark & ray eggcases along Chesil Beach. Adults £3, Children £2.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
MON 29 CATERPILLAR KIDS – WHO’S HIDING IN THE HEDGEROW? 1.30 – 3.30pm. Join us for a hedgerow hunt & discover shiny shieldbugs, wonderful webs & secret mammal paths. Plus crafts & games. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
TUES 30 RECYCLING & RECREATING, 10am – 1pm. Design & create your own hat/headdress using recycled cardboard, plastic, string, paint, glue & much more. How tall, broad, long & wild can you make it?! Use skills such as tearing, cutting, slotting, sticking & painting to make up your unique hat! Led by Frances Quinlan. Artsreach Partnership event at The Kingcombe Centre. Age 6+. £5 per child. Booking essential: www.kingcombe.org or 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
TUES 30 WILD BROWNSEA, 10.30am – 1pm. Get up close to the amazing wildlife of Brownsea Island with our experts. The wildlife of the Dorset Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve will be on show all morning (weather & wildlife permitting). Start at the reserve entrance & make your way to see nesting birds from our spectacular hides, spot rare red squirrels & meet some of Brownsea’s amazing moths & sea life. Free event but normal entry charges apply for DWT reserve, National Trust landing fee & boat fares. No need to book but please ring 01202 709445 or email [email protected] if you have any queries.
WED 31 CATERPILLAR KIDS – SPECTACULAR SPIDERS, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Discover the amazing webs, traps & subterfuge that wasp, hunting, funnel web & crab spiders use to catch their prey. Plus crafts & games. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre. Booking essential. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information and to book.
