To see our volunteering opportunities, visit www.dorsetwildifetrust.org.uk/volunteering
SAT 1 SUMMER WILDLIFE FUN AT BROWNSEA ISLAND, 11am – 3.30pm.
Go Wild about Brownsea! Come and find out more about the wonderful wildlife of Brownsea. Take part in self-led trails and visit the Villa Wildlife Centre for wildlife activities and discover some of Brownsea’s wildlife! Parental supervision required. No need to book. A small donation for materials for some activities may apply. Phone Brownsea on 01202 709445 for more information or visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/Brownsea. Boats from Poole or Sandbanks from 10am. Normal boat fares and NT landing charges apply (unless you are DWT members and only visiting the reserve; if so, you’ll need to show your DWT membership cards).
SAT 1 AUG -2ND SEPTEMBER SUMMER WILDLIFE FUN AT BROWNSEA ISLAND, 11am – 3.30pm. Go Wild about Brownsea! Come and find out more about the wonderful wildlife of Brownsea. Take part in self-led trails and visit the Villa Wildlife Centre for wildlife activities and discover some of Brownsea’s wildlife!
Parental supervision required. No need to book. A small donation for materials for some activities may apply. Phone Brownsea on 01202 709445 for more information or visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/Brownsea. Boats from Poole or Sandbanks from 10am. Normal boat fares and NT landing charges apply (unless you are DWT members and only visiting the reserve; if so, you’ll need to show your DWT membership cards).
SUN 2 FLEET EXPLORER ‘SUNDOWN CRUISE’, 7pm – 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 and the rich local history. The perfect time of day to relax; and you might even spot the Chesil hares. Adults £10; Children £8, must be accompanied. BOOKING ESSENTIAL, 01305 206191. Weather dependant. BOOKING ESSENTIAL, 01305 206191. Weather dependent. Chesil Beach Centre, Portland, DT4 9XE. Pay and Display Car Park. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort.
TUES 4 WILDIFE GARDEN PLANNING & DESIGN (KINGCOMBE CENTRE COURSE) Want to do more for wildlife in your garden? What you do in your garden can have a huge positive impact on your local wildlife. This special 3 day workshop will combine visits to some of the best exemplars of wildlife gardening around Dorset with practical demonstrations and talks. Residential £299pp Non residential £219pp. www.kingcombe.org
FRI 7 – SUN 9 ASTRO-PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKEND (KINGCOMBE CENTRE COURSE) Join local astro-photographer Stephen Banks for this fabulous opportunity to start learning how to shoot the stars! The workshop will start with an introductory session in which Stephen will cover the details on how you can plan your night shoot, then head out to practice! Residential £289pp Non residential £209pp. www.kingcombe.org.
SAT 8 BIRD RINGING AT W BEXINGTON BEACH, 9.30am – 12pm. Bird ringing with Neil Croton and an introductory talk from Mike Morse. West Bexington Beach. Car park DT2 9DG. For more details and booking, please phone Monty Crook 01308 423 442. Suggested donation of £2.00 (£3 for non-members). (WD)
SAT 8 NATURE DETECTIVES TRAIL AT LORTON – CRAZY CRICKETS, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Do you know the difference between grasshoppers & crickets – find the facts hiding in the undergrowth at Lorton Meadows. Pick up a trail guide from the Conservation Centre, approximately 30 – 45 minutes. No need to book, available all day. Children £1, must be accompanied. Start at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. The reserve can be muddy, please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. Toilets, parking, cycle racks, tea/coffee machine, bird webcams, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please phone 01305 816546 or see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
SUN 9 NATURE DETECTIVES TRAIL AT LORTON – CRAZY CRICKETS, 10.30am – 4.00pm. Do you know the difference between grasshoppers & crickets – find the facts hiding in the undergrowth at Lorton Meadows. Pick up a trail guide from the Conservation Centre, approximately 30 – 45 minutes. No need to book, available all day. Children £1, must be accompanied. Start at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. The reserve can be muddy, please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. Toilets, parking, cycle racks, tea/coffee machine, bird webcams, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please phone 01305 816546 or see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
SUN 9 GUIDED ROCKPOOL RAMBLE IN KIMMERIDGE BAY, 2pm – 3.30pm. A guided rockpool ramble in Kimmeridge Bay to discover wildlife on the seashore. For adults and families. Join a warden as we wander along the beach to discover what fascinating seashore wildlife can be spotted in Kimmeridge Bay, the best rockpooling site in Dorset. Learn about their bizarre lives, from sex-changing sea snails to crafty crabs. We will follow the Seashore Code to avoid causing any harm and find out what we can all do to help marine wildlife. Meet at the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre, located by the slipway in Kimmeridge Bay. Postcode: BH20 5PE. Please be aware that access to Kimmeridge Bay is via a private road for which a toll of £5 per car is charged by Smedmore Estate (charges vary for other types of vehicle). Park in the main car park and follow the footpath to the east side of the bay. Costs for the event are £3.00 per adult and £2.00 per child. Under 3yrs are free. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This event is weather dependent – phone the Marine Centre on 01929 481044 if unsure. For health & safety reasons we cannot accept late-comers – please arrive on time. This event includes walking over wet, uneven and sometimes slippery rocks therefore sturdy shoes or wellingtons are essential.
MON 10 HEALTH & WELLBEING WALK AT LORTON, 10am – 10.45am. Join us for a gentle weekly walk around Lorton Meadows nature reserve – the first step to better wellbeing. You don’t need to know anything about nature or be physically fit and you can even borrow welly boots, waterproofs and walking poles for the walk. No need to book. Adults suggested donation £3, includes free tea/coffee in the Conservation Centre afterwards. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. The reserve can be muddy, please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. Please notify us of important medical information prior to the event. Toilets, parking, cycle racks, bird webcams, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please phone 01305 816546 or see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
MON 10 FLEET EXPLORER ‘SUNDOWN CRUISE’ 6.45pm – 7.45pm. 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 and the rich local history. The perfect time of day to relax; and you might even spot the Chesil hares. Adults £10; Children £8, must be accompanied. BOOKING ESSENTIAL, 01305 206191. Weather dependant. BOOKING ESSENTIAL, 01305 206191. Weather dependent. Chesil Beach Centre, Portland, DT4 9XE. Pay and Display Car Park. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort.
TUES 11 GEOLOGY WALK – KINGBARROW 10am – 12pm. 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 and 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 and shortly straight onto New Ground Road. Grid reference SY 689 730. Please wear suitable footwear, there is one fairly steep slope down into the quarry. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome. Booking essential, please contact the Chesil Centre on 01305 206191. Adults £3, Children £2.
FRI 14 – SUN 16 HISTORICAL ECOLOGY OF KINGCOMBE & POWERSTOCK (KINGCOMBE CENTRE COURSE), The Kingcombe landscape is full of clues about its past, reflecting the impact that humankind has had on the landscape as well as the influence of geology and climate. Residential £289pp Non residential £209pp. www.kingcombe.org.
SAT 15 NATURE DETECTIVES TRAIL AT LORTON – DAZZLING DRAGONFLIES. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Find the dazzling dragonflies and delicate damselflies waiting to be discovered at Lorton Meadows Pick up a trail guide from the Conservation Centre and become a nature detective, follow the trail & find the clues. Approximately 30 – 45 minutes. No need to book, available all day. Children £1, must be accompanied. Start at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. The reserve can be muddy, please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. Toilets, parking, cycle racks, tea/coffee machine, bird webcams, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please phone 01305 816546 or see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
SAT 15 CHESIL ROCKS 2pm – 3.30pm. This whistle-stop tour covers everything from the formation of the beach to the rich wildlife and history Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Adults £3; Children £2, must be accompanied. The Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT4 9XE. Pay & Display car park. No booking required. Contact us on 01305 206191. For more Weymouth & Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
SAT 15 BIRD RINGING DEMONSTRATION AT LYTCHETT BAY, 7.30am – 9am. 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 £5. Wimborne Group.
SUN 16 OPTRICON DAY, 10am – 4pm. Looking to buy some new binoculars or a telescope? Expert Rob Laughton from Opticron will be on hand to help Looking to buy some new binoculars or a telescope? Rob Laughton from Opticron will also be on hand to give expert advice on optics. Try out a large range of binoculars and scopes whilst viewing the spectacular wildlife of Chesil and the Fleet Lagoon. Profits from the sale of binoculars or telescopes at the Centre go towards our conservation work. The Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland DT4 9XE. Pay and display car park. No booking required. Contact us on 01305 206191. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
SUN 16 NATURE DETECTIVES TRAIL AT LORTON – DAZZLING DRAGONFLIES, 10.30am – 4pm. Find the dazzling dragonflies and delicate damselflies waiting to be discovered at Lorton Meadows Pick up a trail guide from the Conservation Centre and become a nature detective, follow the trail & find the clues. Approximately 30 – 45 minutes. No need to book, available all day. Children £1, must be accompanied Start at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. The reserve can be muddy, please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. Toilets, parking, cycle racks, tea/coffee machine, bird webcams, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please phone 01305 816546 or see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
SUN 16 GREAT BRITISH BEACH CLEAN 25TH ANNIVERSARY, 1pm. Bring family and friends to help look after one of Dorset’s most spectacular beaches. For those taking part there is a 10% discount at the Taste* Cafe and free parking for the duration of the event. All equipment provided. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Free event, children must be accompanied. The Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT4 9XE. Pay & Display car park. No booking required. Contact us on 01305 206191. For more Weymouth & Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
MON 17 HEALTH & WELLBEING WALK AT LORTON, 10am – 10.45am. Join us for a gentle weekly walk around Lorton Meadows nature reserve – the first step to better wellbeing. You don’t need to know anything about nature, or be physically fit and you can even borrow welly boots, waterproofs and walking poles for the walk. No need to book. Adults suggested donation £3, includes free tea/coffee in the Conservation Centre afterwards. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. The reserve can be muddy, please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. Please notify us of important medical information prior to the event. Toilets, parking, cycle racks, bird webcams, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please phone 01305 816546 or see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort.
TUE 18 – WED 19 GRAZING ANIMALS FOR HABITAT MANGEMENT (KINGCOMBE CENTRE COURSE), This course offers a unique opportunity to learn about how DWT manages its own herds of cattle and sheep as part of the conservation management plan, directly from our team, on a variety of SSSI habitats including heathland, meadows, grassland and woodland. Residential £219pp Non residential £179pp. www.kingcombe.org.
TUE 18 FLEET EXPLORER ‘SUNDOWN CRUISE’, 6.30pm – 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 and the rich local history. The perfect time of day to relax; and you might even spot the Chesil hares. Adults £10; Children £8, must be accompanied. BOOKING ESSENTIAL, 01305 206191. Weather dependant Adults £10; Children £8, must be accompanied. BOOKING ESSENTIAL, 01305 206191. Weather dependant. Chesil Beach Centre, Portland, DT4 9XE. Pay and Display Car Park. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort.
THUR 20 THE STOUR VALLEY PARK PROJECT, illustrated talk by Mark Holloway. 7.30pm – 9.30pm Mark will be talking about this exciting new local project. The Stour Valley Park Project is a concept to improve recreational opportunities, wildlife and landscape in the river corridor between Kingston Lacy and Hengistbury Head. Mark will explain how this might be achieved. Christchurch Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch BH23 1QT. Contact Janet Crichton on 01202 521643 for further information. £2.00 entry, including tea/coffee and biscuits. NUS members free.
FRI 21 THE REPTILES OF DORSET, 7.30pm – 9.30pm.Talk by Steve Davis, head of HR at DWT and a licensed reptile handler Steve will talk about each of the species of reptiles, and give tips on identification and the best place to see each of them in the local area Venue: Quarter Jack Suite, Allendale Centre, Hanham Rd, Wimborne, BH21 1AS Cost: DWT £3, non-members £4 incl. refreshments. Parking nearby: Allenview Car Park. (W)
SAT 22 & SUN 23 NATURE DETECTIVES TRAIL AT LORTON – IT STARTS WITH A SEED! 10.30am – 4pm. Search for seeds among the meadows at Lorton and discover their journey to become a plant Pick up a trail guide from the Conservation Centre and become a nature detective, follow the trail & find the clues. Approximately 30 – 45 minutes. No need to book, available all day. Children £1, must be accompanied. Start at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. The reserve can be muddy, please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. Toilets, parking, cycle racks, tea/coffee machine, bird webcams, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please phone 01305 816546 or see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
MON 24 HEALTH & WELLBEING WALK AT LORTON, 10am – 10.45am. Join us for a gentle weekly walk around Lorton Meadows nature reserve – the first step to better wellbeing. You don’t need to know anything about nature, or be physically fit and you can even borrow welly boots, waterproofs and walking poles for the walk. No need to book. Adults suggested donation £3, includes free tea/coffee in the Conservation Centre afterwards. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. The reserve can be muddy, please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. Please notify us of important medical information prior to the event.Toilets, parking, cycle racks, bird webcams, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please phone 01305 816546 or see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
TUES 25 WEST FLEET WALK WITH A WARDEN 1pm – 2.30pm. Join the Warden for a guided walk along the Fleet Lagoon shore Join the Warden for a guided walk along the Fleet Lagoon shore. Discover the wildlife and history of this internationally important site. Meet at Abbotsbury Swannery car park. Adults £3; Children £2, must be accompanied. Meet at Abbotsbury Swannery car park. Adults £3; Children £2, must be accompanied. Suitable footwear required, no booking necessary. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort.
FRI 28 TASTE TALES ON THE TRAIL (KINGCOMBE CENTRE), 4.45pm – 9pm. We are really excited to welcome acclaimed storyteller, Martin Maudsley, back to Kingcombe for this truly unique evening of folklore stories and local legends into a walk before enjoying a long table supper of freshly prepared food. £30pp. www.kingcombe.org.
SAT 29 QUIET IN THE WILD WITH SIAN ALCOCK, 10am – 11.30am. Had a busy week and need to unwind? Find your inner calm with a journey of relaxing breath, movement and stillness as you connect with the wild and your deeper self in the spectacular location of Chesil Beach. Lead by mindfulness teacher, life coach and nature lover Sian Alcock. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring something small to sit on (e.g mat, jacket, towel). Event may be inside or out depending on weather. Booking Essential, 01305 206191. £10pp BOOKING ESSENTIAL, 01305 206191. Chesil Beach Centre, Portland, DT4 9XE. Pay and Display Car Park. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort.
SAT 29 & SUN 30 BUG HOUSES AT LORTON, 10.30am – 4pm. Make a bug house to encourage beneficial bugs like ladybirds and lacewings to your patch. (£1/house, available all day). Plus, the Centre is open for visitors, follow a trail, drop in for a hot drink, or watch the birds on screen. Children must be accompanied. Meet at Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. The reserve can be muddy – welly boots are advisable. Toilets, parking, cycle racks, tea/coffee machine, nature trails, bird webcams, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please phone 01305 816546 or see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
