WED 1 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 every Wednesday throughout the year & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
THUR 2 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS Meet every Thursday at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill. A mix of practical tasks and survey work, there will be something to meet everybody’s needs. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.Map ref. SY 976949. The Urban Wildlife Centre lies at the top of Beacon Hill Lane, off the Old Wareham Road, SW. of Corfe Mullen. BH21 3RX.
THUR 2 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK, 10 am. 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 07824438974 or at [email protected] for details.
FRI 3 SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION: IS THERE SUCH A THING? An illustrated talk by Tim Stephens, Section Lead, Agriculture, Countryside & Food, Kingston Maurward College. 7.30pm, Bridport United Church, East Street, Bridport. Suggested £2 donation (£3 for non-members) to cover costs (inc. refreshments). West Dorset Group.
SAT 4 LORTON MEADOWS OPEN DAY, 10am – 4pm (Free). The Wildlife Centre is open for visitors, come along for a walk around the reserve, then drop in for a hot drink. Find out all about gathering & planting native tree seeds & peruse our selection of gifts & wildlife books. Plus watch the birds on the feeders on screen, find out what to feed your garden birds during the colder months, purchase bird seed, feeders & nest boxes.For further information, please contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 .Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
SAT 4 AUTUMN WILDLIFE WALK, 2pm – 4pm, Lorton Meadows NR(£1/person, Family Event). Discover the sights, sounds & smells of Lorton Meadows as Autumn draws in, on a guided walk with the Community Conservation Officer. Refreshments afterwards. No unaccompanied children.For further information, please contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 .Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
SAT 4 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 5 EAST DORSET/ARC WORK PARTY, 10am – approx.. 2.30pm. Lend a hand with practical conservation work at Parley Common. Meet at the Barrack Lane entrance at SZ 094993. The entrance can be accessed from Christchurch Road; drive past the Golden Acres Nursery & then drive along the road with speed bumps. For more information, please contact Jon Crewe on 07989 777757.
TUES 7 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY: Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624.
WED 8 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS, Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273.
WED 8 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 every Wednesday throughout the year & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
WED 8 VOLUNTEERS CONSERVATION TASK, 10am – 3pm, Lorton Meadows NR (Free). 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.For further information, please contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 .Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
THUR 9 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS
10am every Thursday at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.Map ref. SY 976949. The Urban Wildlife Centre lies at the top of Beacon Hill Lane, off the Old Wareham Road, SW. of Corfe Mullen. BH21 3RX.
THUR 9 DORSET SHIPWRECKS, an hour with Maureen Attwooll who has written countless books on the Weymouth & Portland area such as the ‘Bumper Books of Weymouth’, ‘Weymouth & Portland at War’, ‘Weymouth & Portland, Then Meets Now’ & ‘Shipwrecks’. Join Anne as she talks about this last book & reveals the secrets of the many wrecks off Dorset’s coasts. 7 – 8pm, Chesil Beach Centre. £3 per person. The Chesil Beach Centre. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755]. Tel: 01305 206191.
SAT 11/ LYME BAY SURVEY DIVES.
SUN 12 Contact Lin Baldock for details:
[email protected] Seasearch Event.
SAT 11 AUTUMN BIRDS ON BROWNSEA, 11am – 1pm. Discover the birds of Britain’s favourite nature reserve with Dorset Wildlife Trust. Brownsea Island’s lagoon is famous for spectacular flocks of wading birds in autumn. Meet at the public hide by the cormorant sculpture (100m from the quay). Boats from Poole or Sandbanks at 10am. No DWT charge but boat fares & National Trust landing charges apply. For more information ring 01202 692033 or 01202 709445 or email [email protected] .This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
SUN 12 BROWNSEA ISLAND WORK PARTY, 9.30 am. Join the regular volunteering group on Brownsea Island on alternate Sundays throughout the year. Tasks include pine thinning, opening out the alder carr & rhododendron cutting. For details of boat timings etc contact Richard Proctor on 01202 693039 or 07718 511432. Map ref. SZ 028878. No road access. Public ferries run daily to the island from Sandbanks from 10am March – November, check for details. Also, ferries from Poole Quay & Bournemouth Pier.
SUN 12 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 everthing from the formation of the beach to the rich wildlife & military history. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Adults £3, children £2. The Chesil Beach Centre. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755]. Tel: 01305 206191.
TUES 14 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY: Practical conservation work, scrub clearance & hedge laying. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624.
TUES 14 SOUTH DORSET MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS, 10am – 3pm: Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for further details or to book your place.
TUES 14 BIRDWATCHING IN JAPAN, a talk by Neil Gartshore (Calluna Books). 7.30pm, Herrison Hall, Charlton Down. Free entry but £3 donation requested inc. coffee & biscuits. Three Valleys Group.
TUES 14 TRACKING DORSET EMPERORS, SERENADING WAREHAM’S NIGHTJARS & TURTLE WRESTLING IN CYPRUS, a presentation by Sarah Levett from Biotrack about the use of radiotracking in discovering the secret lives of some elusive wildlife species. 7.30pm, Carter Community School, Blandford Close,
Hamworthy, BH15 4BQ. Poole Group. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
WED 15 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 every Wednesday throughout the year & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
WED 15 BADGERS, BADGER ECOLOGY & BOVINE TB, a talk by Imogen Davenport, DWT’s Director of Conservation, followed by general discussion. 7.30pm, Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne. Cost £2.50 (inc. coffee/tea & biscuits). Donations appreciated to cover costs. Sherborne Group.
WED 15 BUMBLE BEES, an illustrated talk by Bryan Pinchen. 7.30pm, Fontmell Magna Village Hall (SP7 0JU). £2 (inc. tea/coffee/biscuits). Children free. North Dorset Group.
THUR 16 BARN OWLS, an illustrated talk by Mike Read. 7.30pm, Christchurch Baptist Church Hall, Bargates, corner of Beaconsfield Road, Christchurch. Cost £2 incl. coffee & biscuits. Bournemouth & Christchurch Group. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
THUR 16 AN AFTERNOON FUNGUS FORAY AT ARNE. Join us for our annual look for fungi in the woods at Arne, later than usual this year in the hope there are more species about! Meet 2.30pm by the RSPB visitor centre in the main car park (SY972878). For more information: 01929 551708. Isle of Purbeck Group.
THUR 16 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS
10am every Thursday at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.Map ref. SY 976949. The Urban Wildlife Centre lies at the top of Beacon Hill Lane, off the Old Wareham Road, SW. of Corfe Mullen. BH21 3RX. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
THUR 16 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. Contact Nick Gray on 07824 438974 or at [email protected] for details.
FRI 17 CHRISTCHURCH & THE NEW FOREST, a talk by John Lewis. 7.30pm, Allendale Centre (open at 7pm). Wimborne Group. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
SAT 18 LORTON MEADOWS APPLE DAY & OPEN DAY, 11am – 3pm (Free). Discover the traditional practice of apple juice & cider making, by helping chop, crush & squeeze local apples, with the Weymouth Transition Town Group. Drop in any time during the day, fantastic but slightly messy fun, so please wear old clothes. Plus the Conservation Centre is open for visitors from 10am – 4pm. Come along for a walk around the reserve, then drop in for a hot drink, & peruse our selection of gifts & wildlife books.For further information, please contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 .Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
SUN 19 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS, Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273.
TUES 21 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY: Practical conservation work, scrub clearance and hedge laying. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624.
WED 22 VOLUNTEERS CONSERVATION TASK, 10am – 3pm, Lorton Meadows NR (Free). 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.For further information, please contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 .Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826].
WED 22 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEERS, Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Please contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273.
WED 22 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 every Wednesday throughout the year and enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
THUR 23 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS 10am every Thursday at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.Map ref. SY 976949. The Urban Wildlife Centre lies at the top of Beacon Hill Lane, off the Old Wareham Road, SW. of Corfe Mullen. BH21 3RX. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
SAT 25/ HALF-TERM BIRD BONANZA,
SUN 2 NOV 10am – 4 pm, Chesil Beach Centre. Find out about garden birds, the best things to feed them & how to ready your garden for winter. Fun activities for the kids will be running all week, like making fat balls & bird feeders. 50p per item.
The Chesil Beach Centre.Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755]. Tel: 01305 206191.
SUN 26 BROWNSEA ISLAND WORK PARTY, 9.30 am. Join the regular volunteering group on Brownsea Island on alternate Sundays throughout the year. Tasks include pine thinning, opening out the alder carr & rhododendron cutting. For details of boat timings etc contact Richard Proctor on 01202 693039 or 07718 511432.Map ref. SZ 028878. No road access. Public ferries run daily to the island from Sandbanks from 10am March – November, check for details. Also, ferries from Poole Quay & Bournemouth Pier.
SUN 26 URBAN WEEKENDERS, 10 am – 1pm. Join the Urban team of the DWT on a regular work party on DWT Upton Heath, on the last Sunday of every month. Meet 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]. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
SUN 26 WINTER BIRDS OF THE FLEET, TALK & OPTICS DAY, 10am – 4 pm. Join us to learn about the birds that visit the Fleet during winter. Try out a large range of binoculars & scopes while learning to identify the different species found here. Rob Laughton from Opticron will be on hand to give expert optics advice. Talks at 11 am & 2 pm. FREE Event at the Chesil Beach Centre.Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755]. Tel: 01305 206191.
SUN 26 BIRDS OF CHESIL, THE FLEET & PORTLAND HARBOUR, 11 am – 1 pm, a guided walk looking at the gulls, wading birds & geese on a guided walk along Chesil Beach & the Fleet with expert Nick Tomlinson. £3 per person. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre.Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755]. Tel: 01305 206191.
TUES 28 AUTUMN SCAVENGER HUNT, 10am – 12pm, £3 per child. Join us for a colourful Autumnal scavenger hunt! Collect all the items listed that are indicative of Autumn, & win a special Autumnal prize! Call 01300 321409 to be a part of the scavenger hunt. KKC Event. Meet at the Kingcombe Centre.The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, DT2 0EQ.
TUES 28 EXPLORATION SEASHORE!
2 – 4.30pm, Hengistbury Head visitor centre. Join Bournemouth Borough Council rangers & DWT marine wardens on a mission to explore the seashore for clues to what lives beneath the sea alongside Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve. Free Family activity. Free survey packs to collect. Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve,Bournemouth, BH6 4EW. Tel: 01202 420909.
TUES 28 WEST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY: Please contact DWT Warden Steve Masters on 07557 561624.
TUES 28 ISLE OF PURBECK MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS, 10am – 3pm: Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Contact warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for further details or to book your place.
WED 29 CATERPILLAR KIDS – SLUGS & BUGS IN THE WILD WOODS, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Lorton Meadows NR (£2/child, Family Event). Join us & explore the wild woods, looking for slugs, bugs & beetles, then get crafty & make spider badges. Plus games & 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. [SY 674 826].
WED 29 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 every Wednesday & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
THUR 30 CATERPILLAR KIDS – SPOOKY BATS, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Lorton Meadows NR (£2/child, Family Event). Discover the secret life of spooky bats & other Halloween creatures, then make bouncing bats to take home. Plus games & 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. [SY 674 826].
THUR 30 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS
10am every Thursday at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill. Practical conservation work; all tools & training provided. For details of each task contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.Map ref. SY 976949. The Urban Wildlife Centre lies at the top of Beacon Hill Lane, off the Old Wareham Road, SW. of Corfe Mullen. BH21 3RX. This is a Great Heath Living Landscape project event.
THUR 30 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK, 10 am. 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 30 THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STOUR RINGING GROUP, an illustrated talk by Ian Lewis of Dorset Bird Group. 7.30pm. Methodist Church, North Street, Wareham. Visitors welcome. Isle of Purbeck Group.
FRI 31 HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA – THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT! 5 – 8pm, £5 per child. Come & visit the centre for a spooky evening of exploring Kingcombe’s nocturnal wildlife. We will be looking at our weird & wonderful night time flyers including ghostly moths & ghoulish bats, & viewing our camera trapping images of the larger creatures that go bump in the night! Traditional pumpkin carving will also be on offer, & the chance to huddle round story-telling corner for spine-chilling tales from 7pm, the café will be serving up some tasty Halloween treats! Don’t miss a trick & book your place on: 01300 321409. KKC Special Event. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, DT2 0EQ.
