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. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Booking essential: please phone 01305 206191. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
MON 1- MON 5 BRUSH WITH NATURE – 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. Residential £495 Non Residential £335. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.
TUES 2 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 3.30pm. Booking is essential for new volunteers as places are limited. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624 for further information.
WED 3 THE GREAT HEATH VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am. The group will be visiting various Great Heath reserves & alternating between wildlife survey days & practical conservation/access tasks. The length of the day will vary depending on the day & activity, e.g. survey days will be much shorter. Please contact Megan Lowe on 01202 692033 or at [email protected] for more information.
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, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
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. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Wellies advised. Adults £3, Children £2.
WED 3 ROCKPOOL RAMBLE, 2.30 – 4pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Celebrate Marine Week. Join us at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. £3 adult/ £1.50 child. Short walk involved. Weather dependent.
THUR 4 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.
THUR 4 ROCKPOOL RAMBLE, 2.30 – 4pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Celebrate Marine Week. Join us at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. £3 adult/ £1.50 child. Short walk involved. Weather dependent.
THUR 4 CATERPILLAR KIDS – GRASSHOPPERS & CRICKETS, 10.30pm – 12.30pm. Can you tell the difference between a grasshopper and a cricket? Join us to find out, plus crafts and games. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Booking essential, please phone: 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
THUR 4 KINGCOMBE KIDS CLUB will run every Thursday 10am till 12pm. Booking essential. Full details on www.kingcombe.org.
FRI 5 SEASHORE SAFARI, 2 – 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. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Wellies advised. Adults £3, Children £2.
FRI 5 ECO-CRABBING, 2.30 – 4pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Celebrate Marine Week. Learn how to catch & care for crabs without harm to other rockpool animals. Cost £3 includes crab kit to take home, bait & equipment.
SAT 6 SNORKELLING FOR SOFTIES, 3 – 4.30pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge,Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Celebrate Marine Week. Join us at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. £3 adult/ £1.50 child. Short walk involved. Weather dependent.
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. D £80. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.
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. D £30. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.
SAT 6 CATERPILLAR KIDS – TREE-MENDOUS TREES, 10.30pm – 12.30pm. Do you know an Oak from a Hawthorn & which trees provide the most homes & food for animals? Plus crafts & games. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre,Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
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 the 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 the 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, BH17.
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. The Chesil Centre,halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. FREE EVENT (donations welcome).
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. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
TUES 9 SOUTH DORSET MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS, Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact DWT warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for further details or to book a place.
TUES 9 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 3.30pm. Booking is essential for new volunteers as places are limited. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624 for further information.
WED 10 THE GREAT HEATH SURVEY GROUP, Join DWT staff and local experts in learning about & identifying your local wildlife! From dragonflies to birds to small mammals we will learn at the same time as surveying different sites. This is suitable for beginners as well as experienced naturalists. Times & meeting places will vary each session depending on which wildlife we are surveying. Please contact Katie Wilkinson on 01202 692033 or email [email protected] for more information.
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. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre,halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Booking essential: please phone 01305 206191. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
THUR 11 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS, From April until September meet on the second Thursday of the month at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill. For this week meet at 9am for a moth trap opening & 10am for recording/monitoring tasks. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.
THUR 11 KINGCOMBE KIDS CLUB will run every Thursday 10am till 12pm. Booking essential. Full details on www.kingcombe.org
THURS 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. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
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. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Booking essential: please phone 01305 206191. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
SAT 13/SUN 14 SWANAGE SURVEY DIVES (hard boat “Viper”/”Mary Jo”). For more info or to book email [email protected]. Seasearch Event
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. The Great Heath event.
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. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre. Adults £3, Children £2.
SUN 14
CATERPILLAR KIDS – BUGS & BEETLES, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Do you know the difference between beautiful bugs & busy beetles? Plus crafts & games. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Booking essential: please phone 1305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
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 the rich wildlife & military history. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Adults £3, Children £2.
TUE 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. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
TUES 16 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 3.30pm. Booking is essential for new volunteers as places are limited. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624 for further information.
WED 17 THE GREAT HEATH VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am. The group will be visiting various Great Heath reserves & alternating between wildlife survey days & practical conservation/access tasks. The length of the day will vary depending on the day & activity, e.g. survey days will be much shorter. Please contact Megan Lowe on 01202 692033 or at [email protected] for
WED 17 WEYMOUTH CARNIVAL Look for us at the carnival procession where we will be celebrating Dorset’s local wildlife.
THUR 18 KINGCOMBE KIDS CLUB will run every Thursday 10am till 12pm. Booking essential. Full details on www.kingcombe.org.
THUR 18 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.
THU 18 ECO-CRABBING, 2 – 3.30pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge,Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Learn how to catch & care for crabs without harm to other rockpool animals. Cost £3 includes crab kit to take home, bait & equipment.
THUR 18 WALK AROUND TOWN COMMON led by Robin Harley. Meet at 7pm in car park opp. 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. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Wellies advised. Adults £3, Children £2.
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. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Adults £3, Children £2.
SAT 20 ROCKPOOL RAMBLE, 2.30 – 4pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Join us at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. £3 adult/ £1.50 child. Short walk involved. Weather dependent.
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. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Wellies advised. Adults £3, Children £2.
SUN 21 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS, Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273.
SUN 21 A MORNING BUTTERFLY WALK ON BALLARD DOWN led by Jon Bellamy (01929 450182). Meet at 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.
TUE 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: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
TUES 23 SOUTH DORSET MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS, Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact DWT warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for further details or to book your place.
TUES 23 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 3.30pm. Booking is essential for new volunteers as places are limited. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624 for further information.
WED 24 THE GREAT HEATH SURVEY GROUP, Join DWT staff and local experts in learning about and identifying your local wildlife! From dragonflies to birds to small mammals we will learn at the same time as surveying different sites. This is suitable for beginners as well as experienced naturalists. Times & meeting places will vary each session depending on which wildlife we are surveying. Please contact Katie Wilkinson on 01202 692033 or email [email protected] for more information.
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. Meet at Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE.
THURS 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. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
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.
THUR 25 KINGCOMBE KIDS CLUB will run every Thursday 10am till 12pm. Booking essential. Full details on www.kingcombe.org
FRI 26 SEASHORE SCAVENGERS, 11am – 1pm. 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, halfway along the asueway between Weymouth and Portland, DT4 9XE. Adults £3, Children £2.
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: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
SUN 28 DAMSELS & DRAGONS OF LORTON 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. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre. Adults £3, Children £2.
MON 29 MARINE GIANTS TALK & EGGCASE HUNT, 10.30am – 12pm. 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, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Adults £3, Children £2.
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, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
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 and 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. The Great Heath event.
TUES 30 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am – 3.30pm. Booking is essential for new volunteers as places are limited. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624 for further information.
WED 31 THE GREAT HEATH VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY, 10am. The group will be visiting various Great Heath reserves & alternating between wildlife survey days & practical conservation/access tasks. The length of the day will vary depending on the day & activity, e.g. survey days will be much shorter. Please contact Megan Lowe on 01202 692033 or at [email protected] for more information.
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, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT4 5QH. Booking essential: please phone 01305 816546. Children £2.50, must be accompanied.
