FRI 1 – IDENTIFY BIRD SONGS & CALLS, SUN 3 Celebrate Dawn Chorus weekend on this workshop learning the art of identifying bird calls & songs with Edward Jackson. Cost R £280 (NR £199). Pre-booking Booking essential – limited places. Book online at www.kingcombe.org or call 01300 320684.
SAT 2 WILD LORTON DAY ‘POND LIFE’, Lorton Meadows NR, 10am – 4pm. The Conservation Centre is open for visitors. Come along for a walk around the reserve, follow a self-guided trail, then drop in for a hot drink, watch birds nesting on screen, peruse our selection of wildlife books & id guides. Discover what lives in Lorton’s ponds – pond dipping session 2 – 3pm, plus children’s activities. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.
SUN 3 EAST DORSET/ARC WORK PARTY, 10am – 1pm. Lend a hand with practical conservation work at the Sopley Common Reserve. Tasks include scrub clearance, pine & sycamore control, path clearance etc. Meet at the Ramsdown car park. For more information, please contact Jon Crewe on 07989 777757.
TUES 5 – BRUSH WITH NATURE & FRI 8 – ILLUSTRATING SPRING FLOWERS Brush up on your plant identification skills alongside botanical illustration techniques in pencil & watercolour with Sarah Morrish. Cost R £390 (NR £270). Pre-booking essential – limited places. Book online at www.kingcombe.org or call 01300 320684.
TUES 5 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.
TUES 5 DAWN CHORUS IN DELPH WOODS, 5.30am. Listen to the incredible sound of a woodland waking in springtime, in Delph Woods, part of The Great Heath Living Landscape. Suggested donation £3. Event in partnership with Borough of Poole. Please book with DWT on 01202 692033 or email [email protected]
TUES 5 MOTH IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP,10.30am & every Tuesday until end September. Learn & marvel at the moths trapped overnight on Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Brownsea Island reserve. Workshop open to all & led by DWT wardens. Meet at The Villa on the DWT nature reserve. Event lasts 1-1½ hours depending on the moths! Weather dependent. Boats from Poole or Sandbanks at 10am, fares & National Trust landing charges apply. Suggested donation £3. Please see website, ring 01202 709445 or email [email protected] to confirm the week before.
WED 6 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. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033 or at [email protected] for more information.
WED 6 VOLUNTEERS CONSERVATION TASK, Lorton Meadows NR (Free), 10am – 3pm. Join us for a day of practical work on site, to restore the habitats important for local Wildlife, with the Community Conservation Officer. Tools, gloves & drinks supplied. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Meet at the Conservation Centre. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.
SAT 9 PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP Create your own exciting lino-prints whilst learning simple techniques using the natural world as inspiration with Sarah Morrish. Cost £80 (inc. materials). Pre-booking essential – limited places. Book online at www.kingcombe.org or call 01300 320684.
SUN 10 WILLOW STRUCTURES FOR THE GARDEN: Discover the ancient craft of willow weaving creating obelisks, hurdles & willow structures with Kim Creswell. One for the crafty garden lovers! Cost £85 (includes materials). Pre-booking essential – limited places. Book online at www.kingcombe.org or call 01300 320684.
SUN 10 OPTICRON OPTICS DAY, 10am – 4pm, Chesil Beach Centre. Looking to buy some new binoculars or a telescope? Rob Laughton from Opticron will be on hand to give expert advice on optics. Try out a large range of binoculars & scopes whilst viewing the spectacular wildlife at Chesil. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
TUES 12 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.
TUES 12 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.
WED 13 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS, Meet one Sunday a month, on a DWT nature reserve, throughout the year, & various Wednesdays. Practical conservation tasks include habitat management, surveys & monitoring. Tasks subject to change. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273 or email [email protected]
THUR 14 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 14 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK, 10 am. Join the regular volunteering group in West Dorset. Tasks 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 15 DAWN CHORUS BREAKFAST, Dawn is a feast for the senses at Kingcombe. Join Su Gough for a guided walk followed by a hearty breakfast. Cost £15. Pre-booking essential – limited places. Book online at www.kingcombe.org or call 01300 320684.
SAT 16 WILD LORTON DAY ‘OWLS’, Lorton Meadows NR, 10am – 4pm. The Conservation Centre is open for visitors. Come along for a walk around the reserve, follow a self-guided trail, then drop in for a hot drink, watch birds nesting on screen, peruse our selection of wildlife books & id guides. Discover the owls of Lorton & make an owl tealight to take home. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.
SAT 16 DAWN CHORUS WALK, meet at 5am near Child Okeford. Event costs £12 (in advance) & includes farmhouse breakfast. Booking essential: please telephone Anna Aubrey on 01258 471339. North Dorset Group
SAT 16 & SUN 17 SEA KIMMERIDGE, 11am – 4pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. A weekend of family activities to coincide with the Landmark Trust’s Golden Weekend, when Clavell Tower will be open to the public & the new, temporary sculpture by Sir Anthony Gormley will be on view. Join us for eco-crabbing, rockpool rambles & arty activities or make use of the famous Kimmeridge Snorkel Trail. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
SUN 17 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS, Meet one Sunday a month, on a DWT nature reserve, throughout the year, & various Wednesdays. Practical conservation tasks include habitat management, surveys & monitoring. Tasks subject to change. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273 or email [email protected]
MON 18 SHORE THING SURVEY, 1 – 4.30pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. What changes are happening on the seashore? Help us discover what’s new & what’s not on our annual survey. Free Welly Zone Volunteer Event. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
TUES 19 AN EVENING WALK IN PUDDLETOWN FOREST for nightjars. Meet 9pm at the south end of Rhododendron Mile (map ref. SY 742917). Almost no walking involved. three Valleys Group
TUES 19 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 07557561624 for further information.
WED 20 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 Sally Wright on 01202 692033 or at [email protected] for more information.
WED 20 VOLUNTEERS CONSERVATION TASK, Lorton Meadows NR (Free), 10am – 3pm. Join us for a day of practical work on site, to restore habitats important for local wildlife, with the Community Conservation Officer. Tools, gloves & drinks supplied. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Meet at the Conservation Centre. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.
WED 20 BROWNSEA ISLAND – BRITAIN’S FAVOURITE NATURE RESERVE, an illustrated talk by Chris Thain, Reserve Manager, Brownsea Island. 7.30pm, Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Rd, Sherborne. Cost £2.50. Coffee/tea & biscuits available: donations appreciated. Sherborne Group
THUR 21 THE WILDLIFE OF BROWNSEA ISLAND, an illustrated talk by Chris Thain, DWT Brownsea Reserve Manager. 7.30pm, Christchurch Baptist Church Hall, Bargates, corner of Beaconsfield Road, Christchurch. Cost £2 incl. coffee & biscuits. Bournemouth & Christchurch Group
SAT 23 KINGCOMBE ARTS WEEKEND, MON 25 10.30am – 4.30pm. Join us in a 3 day celebration of nature, landscape & wildlife inspired art from Dorset & beyond at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Kingcombe Centre (map ref. SY 554990) inc. exhibitions, talks, sculpture, photography, landscape, botanical painting & more. Café open & free entry. Details on www.kingcombe.org or phone 01300 320684.
SAT 23 – SUN 31 DORSET WILDFLOWER WEEK: A week of walks & activities exploring the wonderful wildflowers of Dorset. Walks take place across the county & all events are suitable for those with no experience. As well as those in conjunction with DWT, listed here, other activities (at least one per day) can be found at https://www.derc.org.uk/local/dfg.htm. Wildflower Week is coordinated by the Dorset Flora Group.
SAT 23 POWERSTOCK COMMON RESERVE WILDFLOWER WEEK WALK, 10.30am. Rich & varied grassland & woodland flowers, some slopes/rough ground. Meet at entrance to DWT nature reserve (map ref. SY 547974). Limited parking. Leader: Jim White. Enquiries: tel 01929 481535. Donation £2 to Dorset Flora Group welcome. DWT coordinator: Richard Gillingham, 01308 423177.
SUN 24 TOWNSEND RESERVE, SWANAGE, WILDFLOWER WEEK WALK, 10.30am. Flowers of downland & scrub edges, some steep areas. Meet at NE entrance of DWT Reserve, off Townsend Rd (map ref. SZ 026783). Leader: David Leadbetter, Dorset Flora Group. Bookings: tel. 01929 426988. Donation £2 to Dorset Flora Group welcome.
SUN 24 A MORNING BUTTERFLY WALK ON BALLARD DOWN led by Colin Nunn (01929 439211). Meet 11am in the Ulwell lay-by on the Swanage to Studland road (map ref. SZ 021809). We hope to see some early butterflies, inc. Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak & first brood Adonis Blue & Brown Argus as well as a range of spring flowers. Joint Event with Dorset Butterfly Conservation. Isle of Purbeck Group
MON 25 WINFRITH/TADNOLL RESERVE WILDFLOWER WEEK WALK, 10pm. Looking at the flowers of our newly created ponds & other wetland areas. Please bring a packed lunch if you wish to stay on longer in the afternoon. Wellingtons advised. Meet in lay-by (map ref. SY 805863). Leader: Laurence Taylor, Dorset Flora Group. Booking (maximum 12), tel. 07541 075844. Donation £2 to Dorset Flora Group welcome.
TUES 26 HIGHER HYDE HEATH RESERVE WILDFLOWER WEEK WALK, 10am. Heathland with some wet woods, flushes & pools. Uneven ground with some hills, wellingtons advised. Walk will include some venturing further out into the heath to look also for reptiles & butterflies (binoculars help). Please bring a packed lunch if you wish to extend the walk into the afternoon. Meet in small DWT car park at SY 856898 (start of small road to East Dorset Golf Club). Leader: Laurence Taylor, Dorset Flora Group. Booking (maximum 12), tel. 07541 075844. Donation £2 to Dorset Flora Group welcome.
TUES 26 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.
TUES 26 ISLE OF PURBECK 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 26 CATERPILLAR KIDS – MEADOW MINIBEASTS, Lorton Meadows NR (£2/child, Family Event), 10.30am – 12.30pm. Explore the meadows & discover marvellous minibeasts hiding amongst the long grass. Plus games, art & more with the Community Conservation Officer. No unaccompanied children. Meet at the Conservation Centre. Booking essential, please contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH.
TUES 26 OWL DAY AT LORTON MEADOWS, 2 – 4pm, Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve: children’s activities – come and see a live Barn Owl & build a Barn Owl box. Please book a place by calling Emily Newton on 01300 32329. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH.
TUES 26 KAYAK SAFARI, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Experience wildlife like never before with our clear-bottomed kayaks & goggle-viewers. 3 x 2hr sessions, £25 per person, 6 per session. 2hr session includes guided safari in Kimmeridge Bay. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
TUES 26 WILD PHOTOGRAPHY FUN DAY, 10am – 1pm. Learn about wildlife photography from an expert then have a practice on & around Chesil Beach. Check out your photos on the big screen afterwards with lots of top tips to get that perfect shot. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Adults £5, children £3. Bring your own camera. Suitable for beginners. Booking essential, 01305 206191.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
TUES 26 CATERPILLAR KIDS – MEADOW MINIBEASTS, Lorton Meadows NR (£2/child, Family Event), 10.30am – 12.30pm. Explore the meadows of Lorton & discover marvellous minibeasts hiding amongst the long grass, plus games, art & more with the Community Conservation Officer. No unaccompanied children. Booking essential, please contact the Community Conservation Officer 01305 816546. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH.
TUES 26 SUMMER COMES TO HOLES BAY, 10.30am – 3pm. Join the DWT Poole Group for a stroll along Holes Bay & enjoy a chat about the Natural History we encounter on the way to Poole for a quick snack, before returning to Upton House. Please wear suitable clothes, & bring binoculars. Meet at Upton House Car Park. Poole Group
WED 27 KINGCOMBE MEADOWS RESERVE WILDFLOWER WEEK EVENT, 10.30am. A walk through the reserve, looking at the flowers, folklore & history. Meet at Kingcombe Centre (map ref. SY 554990). Leaders: Nick Gray & Emily Newton, DWT Conservation Officers. Café open afterwards for lunch or cream tea. Donation £2 to Dorset Flora Group welcome.
WED 27 SEASHORE SCAVENGERS, 11am– 12.30pm. Walk along the Chesil Beach, looking for signs of creatures washed in from the deep. Hunt for rare pink sea fans, shark eggcases or other treasures sometimes blown in from the Atlantic Ocean. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. £2 per person.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
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 entrance to the reserve beside the Heatherlands Centre, Barns Road, Ferndown BH22 8XH.
WED 27 CRAFTY CRABS, 11am – 12.30pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Make your own crazy crustaceans before going out on the shore to catch the real thing. Parents must accompany all children. Suitable for ages 6-12. £1.50 per child.Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
WED 27 ECO-CRABBING, 1.30 – 3pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Learn how to catch & care for crabs without harm to other rockpool animals. £3 per person. Cost includes crab kit, bait & equipment. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
WED 27 SEASHORE SCAVENGERS, 11am – 12.30pm. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre for a scavenger hunt along Chesil Beach, looking for washed up signs of marine wildlife & other treasures. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. £2 per person.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
THUR 28 WILD FLOWERS OF CHESIL AT ABBOTSBURY, 10 – 11.30am. As part of Wild Flower Week, Dorset Flora Group has organised a walk along the beach at Abbotsbury with local botanical expert Jonathon Cox looking at coastal shingle flora. Meet at Abbotsbury Beach car park (past Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical gardens). Adults £3, Children £2.
THUR 28 KAYAK SAFARI, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Experience wildlife like never before with our clear-bottomed kayaks & goggle-viewers. 3 x 2hr sessions, £25 per person, 6 per session. 2hr session includes guided safari in Kimmeridge Bay. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information and to book.
THUR 28 CATERPILLAR KIDS – POND LIFE, Lorton Meadows NR (£2/child, Family Event), 10.30am – 12.30pm. Use your skills of detection to discover life underwater in the mysterious world of ponds. Make an amazing amphibian, plus games & more with the Community Conservation Officer. No unaccompanied children. Meet at the Conservation Centre. Booking essential: please contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546.Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH.
THUR 28 AN AFTERNOON WALK TO WINSPIT led by Colin Nunn (01929 439211). Meet at 2.30pm in the car park at Worth Matravers (map ref. SY 974777). We hope to see a variety of spring birds, flowers & insects. £2 per person. Isle of Purbeck Group
THUR 28 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK, 10 am. Join the regular volunteering group in West Dorset. Tasks 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 28 THE GREAT HEATH DRAGONFLY SAFARI, 10am to 1pm. Find out more about the dragonflies of Upton Heath with Dorset Wildlife Trust. Dazzling dragonfly activities & a safari to look for the real thing at one of the best places in Britain for these mini winged dragons. Suggested donation £2 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 29 FONTMELL DOWN RESERVE WILDFLOWER WEEK EVENT, led by Amber Rosenthal, DWT Reserves Officer. Fontmell Down has an opulence of orchids & other downland spring flowers. Steep slopes on site worth exploring but can stay on mostly level paths if preferred. Supportive footwear & long trousers recommended. Meet at 10.30am at Spread Eagle car park (National Trust, no charge), map ref. ST 886187. Enquiries tel. 01305 217984. Donation £2 to Dorset Flora Group welcome.
FRI 29 SEASHORE SUPERHEROES, 11am – 12.30pm. We are looking for seashore superheroes! Learn how to protect our 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. Children £2. Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
SAT 30 LORTON MEADOWS FAMILY FESTIVAL, Family Event, 11am – 3pm. Join us for a day of fun wildlife activities, crafts, competitions & games at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre. Explore the reserve on our wildlife trail & get an edible prize at the end. Try your hand at fishing for ducks, join in wildlife games, discover the mini-beasties lurking in the ponds & woods, enter the ‘best nest’ competition & make a puppet to take home. Teas, coffees & cakes available – why not a bring a picnic & enjoy all your local nature reserve has to offer. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.
SUN 31 KILWOOD & STONEHILL DOWN RESERVES WILDFLOWER WEEK EVENT, led by Jon Crewe, Dorset Flora Group. Kilwood Reserve has deep pools, mature oaks & mixed wet woodland & small flower rich meadows. Then a 1/2 walk to Stonehill Down Reserve for downland flowers. Optional – bring packed lunch. Meet at 10.30am at map ref. SY 933825. Parking limit 10 vehicles so please share transport. Bookings tel. 07989 777757. Donation £2 to Dorset Flora Group welcome.
SUN 31 WILD FLOWERS OF CHESIL, 2 – 3.30 pm, a walk along the beach with local botanical expert, Bryan Edwards, looking at the specialist plants that thrive in this coastal habitat. The ‘Portland Pinks’ should be out making a spectacular show, so don’t forget your camera! Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. 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 31 URBAN WEEKENDERS, 9 – 10am moth trap, 10am – 12 noon wildlife survey on Upton Heath. Meet at the Urban Wildlife Centre BH21 3RX to help discover the wildlife of the heath. Families welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Please check website, contact Sally Wright on 01202 692033 or email [email protected] for more information.
