FRI 2 – SUN 4 SHIBORI WITH INDIGO WEEKEND WORKSHOP Learn this traditional Japanese art of stitch resist dyeing to create your own unique textiles for cushions, scarves, quilts or lampshades, with Annabel Wilson. R £279, NR £199. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SAT 3 ROCKPOOL RAMBLE, 2 – 3.30pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Join us at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. £3/adult, £1.50/child. Weather dependent. Purbeck Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, Wareham, BH20 5PF. Map Ref: SY 909787 Phone 01929 481044 for more information.
SAT 3 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.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information and to book.
WED 7 FLEET EXPLORER, SUNDOWN CRUISE, 6.30 – 7.30pm. 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.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information and to book.
THUR 8 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 its rich wildlife & 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.
FRI 9 – SUN 11 HISTORICAL ECOLOGY OF A DORSET LANDSCAPE Uncover the hidden stories of the trees, woodland & hedgerows that define the ancient Dorset landscape of Kingcombe, through its ecology, geology & wildlife. Led by Bryan Edwards. R £279 NR £199 Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SAT 10 AUTUMN MIGRANT BIRD WATCH AT WEST BEXINGTON Join us to discover the migrant birds of this stunning coastal reserve of reed beds, including a bird ringing demonstration, weather permitting. £5 Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684.The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SAT 10 CATERPILLAR KIDS – BIRDS OF PREY, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Kestrels, buzzards, hawks & harriers – hunt over the valley, but what do they eat? Plus crafts and 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.
SAT 10 TEA WITH AN AUTHOR – Medley of Readings by Julie Musk, 2 – 3.30pm. Join author Julie Musk from Roving Press publishers for tea & cake from the Taste* café at the Chesil Beach Centre, as she reads from a selection of their locally based books. Featuring excerpts from Dorset Voices, A Dorset Country Calendar, Weymouth Bound & Lesser Known Weymouth. £6pp .Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
MON 12 – TUES 13 GRAZING ANIMALS FOR HABITAT MANAGEMENT Learn about the benefits, challenges & management techniques of using animals to improve a variety of wildlife habitats across Dorset, led by Emily Newton. R £199, NR £159. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
TUES 13 BIRDS OF BROWNSEA – MIGRATION TIME, 11am – 1pm. Discover the birds of the Dorset Wildlife Trust Brownsea Island Nature Reserve. The bird migration season is underway & Brownsea’s internationally important lagoon is a stopover for many wading birds. Boats from Poole or Sandbanks from 10am. Suggested donation £2 plus normal boat fares & NT landing charges apply. BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01202 692033 or email [email protected]
WED 14 WILDLIFE OF DUNYEATS HILL, 10am – 12 noon. Discover the wildlife of Dunyeats Hill with Dorset Wildlife Trust & Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (ARC). Meet at the entrance marked ‘FP No 97’, 2nd turning in Merriefield Ave, off Upper Golf Links Rd, Broadstone. Please do not block residents’ access. All welcome but children must be accompanied by adults & strong, sturdy footwear is advised. Suggested donation £3. For more information contact ARC on 01202 391319 or [email protected].
THUR 15 KING BARROW QUARRIES – GEOLOGY WALK, 10am – 12noon. Join the Portland Project Officer on a guided walk around this disused quarry that nature has reclaimed, to discover the geology of the site exposed by the quarrymen, along with their huts, gullies & tunnels. Meet at the first car park on the left off New Ground Road, nearest to Portland Heights Hotel. Just off the A354, turn left on to Yeates road & shortly straight onto New Ground Road (map ref. SY 689730). Please wear suitable footwear. Booking essential: please contact the Chesil Centre on 01305 206191.
THUR 15 FUNGI ARE MORE THAN JUST SOUP, FIND OUT ABOUT FUNGI IN OUR LOCAL AREA, an illustrated talk by Stuart Skeates. 7.30pm, Christchurch Baptist Church Hall, Bargates, corner of Beaconsfield Road, Christchurch £2 incl. coffee & biscuits.
FRI 16 ITALY IN SPRINGTIME: THE FASCINATING WILDLIFE OF THE APPENINES & GARGANO ITALIAN NATIONAL PARKS, an illustrated talk by DWT President Tony Bates about flowers, insects etc. & why their habitats are very special. 7.30pm in the Quarterjack Suite, Allendale Community Centre, Hanham Rd, Wimborne.
FRI 16 BREAKFAST WITH BIRDS Join us for a morning bird discovery of Kingcombe residents & migrants, led by Steve Piotrowski, followed by a hearty breakfast. £16. Pre-booking essential on www.kingcombe.org or tel. 01300 320684. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT4 0EQ.
SAT 17 WEST FLEET WALK WITH A WARDEN, 10.30am – 12noon. Join the Warden for a guided walk along the Fleet Lagoon shore. Discover the wildlife & history of this internationally important site. Meet at Abbotsbury Swannery car park. Adults £3, Children £2.
SAT 17 FLEET EXPLORER, SUNDOWN CRUISE, 6.30 – 7.30pm. 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: 01305 206191.
SUN 18 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 18 AUTUMN BEACH CLEAN, 11am – 1pm. Bring family & friends for our autumn beach clean, helping to look after 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.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information.
SUN 18 WORBARROW BAY BEACH CLEAN, 1 – 3pm, Worbarrow Bay (SY 865 803). Free event. Help with our coastal spring clean. All equipment provided but bring your own gloves if you have them.
WED 21 WILDLIFE OF LYTCHETT HEATH, 10 – 11.30am. Discover the wildlife of Lytchett Bay Nature Reserve’s heathland. Led by Dorset Wildlife Trust & Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, this is a chance to find out about the wildlife & habitats of this special site on the shores of Poole Harbour. Meet at the Lytchett Heath entrance to Lytchett Bay Nature Reserve on Sandy Lane, Upton (100m West of Moorland Way junction) GR SY974927. Suggested donation £3. For more information contact ARC on 01202 391319 or [email protected]
WED 21 THE GREAT HEATH PROJECT, a talk by Nicky Hoar, DWT. 7.30pm, Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, DT9 3NL. £2.50 for both members & non-members.
THUR 22 A GUIDE TO EVERYTHING LORTON, 2 – 4pm. Ever wanted to know more about Lorton Meadows? Join us for guided walk to discover the fantastic species & special history of the reserve. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre. For more info & to book, please phone 01305 816546. Adults £3, Children £2. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH.
THUR 22 THE ART OF ENJOYING NATURE, 10am – 1pm. Drawing workshop led by artist Julie Herring. Suitable for adult beginners or improvers, this is a chance to see & draw the wild world of The Great Heath. Based at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Urban Wildlife Centre with refreshments provided. Please wear stout footwear for (weather permitting) a short walk on Upton Heath. Cost £10. Limited spaces. BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01202 692033 or email [email protected]
SAT 24 CORFE BARROWS GUIDED WALK, 10am – 1pm. Join Nicky Hoar from Dorset Wildlife Trust to explore the woods, meadows & heath of Corfe Barrows Nature Park, part of The Great Heath Living Landscape. Meet at Corfe Mullen Recreation Ground, Badbury Road. Stout footwear recommended. Suggested donation £3. For more information, ring 01202 692033 or email [email protected]
SAT 24 TEA WITH AN AUTHOR – Sam Scrivens “Fossils of the Jurassic Coast”, 11am – 12.30pm. Ever wanted to know more about the amazing fossils found in Dorset? Join author of Fossils of the Jurassic Coast, Sam Scrivens, for tea & cake from Taste* café at the Chesil Beach Centre, as he talks about this unique World Heritage Site and its spectacular fossils. £6pp Booking essential.Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the A354 between Weymouth and Portland. Post code: DT4 9XE. Phone 01305 206191 for more information and to book.
SUN 25 CATERPILLAR KIDS – SEED EXTRAVAGANZA, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Discover the secret life of plants & the lengths they go to, when dispersing their seeds – burrs, berries & exploding pods! 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.
TUES 27 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 brownseadorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk if you have any queries.
THUR 29 AN AFTERNOON FUNGUS & LICHEN FORAY AT STUDLAND, led by Joy Fildes (01929 450449). Meet at 2.30pm outside the National Trust Information Centre at Knoll Beach (SZ 033836). Parking free for National Trust members.
