SAT 01 LORTON MEADOWS OPEN DAY
10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826]. Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Centre is open for visitors, come along for a walk around the reserve then drop in for a hot drink, and peruse our selection of gifts & wildlife books; Plus watch birds nesting around the reserve on screen, & purchase nest boxes. Free family event. No unaccompanied children please. Ring 01305 816546 for more information.
SAT 01 WALK ON STONES COMMON
Join with the West Dorset group of Dorset Wildlife Trust for a guided walk with Debbie Watkins, near Lower Kingcombe. Booking essential – contact Margaret Dannatt [email protected] or 01297 445659 for further details.
SUN 02 WILD ART TRAIL
10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755]. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust for art workshops & activities along the Rodwell Trail and at the Chesil Beach Centre. Free All Day Event. Call 01305 206191, for further details. Find the Chesil Beach Centre halfway along the causeway fom Weymouth to Portland on the A 354.
MON 03 TO FRI 07 PAINTING SUMMER FLOWERS & FRUITS
4.00 pm Monday 3rd to 4.00 pm Fruiday 7th June. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, nr Maiden Newton, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990]. Join tutor Sheila Mannes Abbot at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre and use the wealth of material around the centre to inspire creativity while being guided in the art of botanical watercolour to include observation, drawing, colour mixing and application of paint. Course fee: £415.00( £332.00,non-residential ) Booking essential. To book your place on the course either ring 01300 320684 or visit www.kingcombe.org.
TUES 04 KAYAK SAFARI
The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay, nr Corfe Castle, BH20 5PF. [SY 909 787]. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust to experience wildlife like never before on a 2-hour session with our clear bottomed kayaks & goggle viewers in Kimmeridge Bay. £25 per person per session. 12+ yr-olds only. Three 2hr sessions; max. 6 people per session. Booking essential. Ring 01929 481044 for times & further information.
WED 05 BOURNEMOUTH NATURALLY BEETLE WORKSHOP
2.00 pm to 4.00 pm. Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NS. Come along & learn all about the beetles found in Bournemouth from local naturalist Jonathan McGowan This workshop will provide information about how to identify beetle species with opportunities to look at museum & live specimens. Free event. Please see website for more details of activities: www.bnss.org.uk/bournemouth-naturally.html.
THURS 06 URBAN WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY
10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill Lane, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, BH21 3RX. [SY 978 951]. Join with Dorset Wildlife Trust at the Urban Wildlife Centre for a mix of practical tasks and survey work; there will be something to meet everybody’s needs. For details contact Andy Fale on 07970 552673 or the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the weather. Free of charge
SAT 08 WORLD OCEANS DAY AT CHESIL BEACH
11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755]. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust at the Chesil Beach Centre and help celebrate World’s Oceans with fishy face painting, mask making puppet making, marine mobiles & much more. 50p per item. No unaccompanied children please. Call on 01305 206191 for further information.
Find us halfway along the causeway fom Weymouth to Portland on the A 354.
SAT 08 KIMMERIDGE BIOBLITZ
7.30 am to until dark. The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay, nr Corfe Castle, BH20 5PF. [SY 909 787]. Join with Dorset Wildlife Trust for a free all day event at the Marine Centre, Kimmeridge and help with a wildlife census. Experts on hand to help with identification – including underwater, rockpools, beach plants, birds & seashore invertebrates. The more eyes looking, the more we’ll find.
No unaccompanied children please. Ring 01929 481044 for further information.
SAT 08 WORLD OCEANS DAY – WILDLIFE CRUISE
7.00 pm to 10.00 pm. Leaving from Poole. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust for a special boat trip through Poole Harbour to Swanage & beyond. Experts will point out wildlife & talk about Studland’s seahorses, Durlston’s dolphins, Brownsea’s seabirds & much more en-route. Boat departs from Poole quay. £15 per ticket. Booking essential – tel: 01305 264620 or via www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk.
SAT 08 REPTILES AT UPTON HEATH, POOLE
10.00 am to 4.30 pm. Upton Heath. Dorset is home to all 6 native reptiles, and a few exotic species; join tutor Steve Davis for a day course to explore the ecology, biology and identification of these wonder creatures through a mixture of workshops and site visits. Cost:£55.00 Booking essential. To book your place on the course either telephone the Kingcombe Centre on 01300 320684 or visit www.kingcombe.org.
SUN 09 SUNDAY STROLL – MARSH FRITILLARIES AT POWERSTOCK COMMON
10.00 am to 12 noon. A Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre Sunday Stroll with Maurits Fontein: marvel at one of Europe’s most endangered butterflies, the marsh fritillary. Discover the rigorous management plans that are behind the continuation of this success story, following DWT’s intervention and comprehensive restoration of Powerstock’s open grassland areas; a walk of 1 or 2 miles and includes tea and cake back at the centre! Cost: £6.00 adults, £3.00 children. Call on 01300 320684 for further information or visit www.kingcombe.org. Meet at Powerstock Common reserve, 3 miles W. of Maiden Newton; the entrance & parking area lies adjacent to a disused railway bridge on a minor road parallel to & about a mile W. of the A356.
SUN 09 TO SAT 15 BUTTERFLIES & MOTHS OF DORSET
4.00 pm Sunday 9th to 12 noon Saturday 15th June. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, nr Maiden Newton, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990]. Join tutor David Brown for this fascinating, popular course that covers identification, classification and the ecology of selected species as well as night and daytime study of a diverse range of moths & butterflies. Suitable for all levels. Course fee: £470.00 ( £376.00 non-residential ) Booking essential. To book a place, or to find out more about the course please call Anne Cotton on 01786 466 560.
TUES 11 KAYAK SAFARI
The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay, nr Corfe Castle, BH20 5PF. [SY 909 787]. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust to experience wildlife like never before on a 2-hour session with our clear bottomed kayaks & goggle viewers in Kimmeridge Bay. £25 per person per session. 12+ yr-olds only. Three 2hr sessions; max. 6 people per session. Booking essential. Ring 01929 481044 for further information.
TUES 11 A WALK ON MARTIN DOWN
10.00 am Martin Down National Nature Reserve, nr Salisbury. Join the Wimborne Group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust for a walk led by Val & Richard Duffield, looking at birds, flowers, butterflies, etc. Meet at 10am in the Martin Down National Nature Reserve car park off the southbound carriageway of the A354 Salisbury/Blandford road. Phone Richard (01202 692659) with any queries. Bring a picnic if you would like to explore further after the morning walk.
WED 12 SHIPWRECKS AND PIRATES WITH AUTHOR SELWYN WILLIAMS
7.30 pm Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755]. Come along to the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre and learn about shipwrecks & pirates around Weymouth & Portland with local author Selwyn Williams, who will be signing his new book ‘Treasure of the Golden Grape’. Cost:£2.00. No unaccompanied children please. Call on 01305 206191 for further information. Find us halfway along the causeway fom Weymouth to Portland on the A 354.
THURS 13 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK
10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Join the Dorset Wildlife Trust regular volunteering group in West Dorset to help with countryside managements tasks. Please contact Nick Gray on 07824 438974 for details. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the weather.
SAT 15 LORTON MEADOWS OPEN DAY
10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826]. Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Centre is open for visitors, come along for a walk around the reserve then drop in for a hot drink, and peruse our selection of gifts & wildlife books. Plus watch birds nesting around the reserve on screen, & purchase nest boxes. Free of charge. No unaccompanied children please. Ring 01305 816546 for further information.
SAT 15 WILDFLOWER WALK
2.00 pm to 4.00 pm. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826]. Join us for a guided walk through the meadows of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Lorton nature reserve to discover a variety of wildflowers that thrive on clay soils with limestone outcrops, with the Community Conservation Officer. Refreshments afterwards. Cost:£1 per person;family event; no unaccompanied children please. Call 01305 816546 for more information.
SAT 15 THE STORY OF THE PEBBLES
2.00 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755]. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust at the Chesil Beach Centre for a guided walk on Chesil Beach with Alan Holiday, local geology expert. Find out all about how Chesil Beach was formed, where the pebbles come from & the wonderful wildlife that makes Chesil its home. Cost: Adults £3.00, children£2.00 No unaccompanied children please . Call on 01305 206191 for further information. Find us halfway along the causeway fom Weymouth to Portland on the A 354.
SAT 15 AN EVENING WITH BEAVERS IN DEVON
Join with the West Dorset group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust for a visit to Upcott Grange Farm, Broadwoodwidger, Lifton, courtesy of Derek Gow. Booking essential – contact Margaret Dannatt: [email protected] or 01297 445659 for further details.
SAT 15 TO SUN 16 WILD ABOUT BROWNSEA!
10.00 am to 5.00 pm. Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour.
Join Dorset Wildlife Trust & the National Trust on Brownsea Island for a day of exciting wildlife adventure. Discover the bugs & beasts of Brownsea Island with the Wild Trek Hi-Tech Trailer, minibeast hunts & guided walks. Wildlife displays, crafts & activities about bees, butterflies, moths & dragonflies. There will also be face painting, story telling, sales stalls & much, much more. Call 01202 709445 or visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org, for further details.
SUN 16 FATHERS’ DAY WALK & LUNCH
12 noon to 2.00pm. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, nr Maiden Newton, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990]. Treat Dad this Father’s day to a scrumptious meal and local tipple at the Dorset Wildlife Trust KingcombeCentre. Then why not head out onto the reserve for a guided walk, taking in the sights and smells of summer at Kingcombe meadows nature reserve. Make this Father’s Day special and book a table on: 01300 321409.
SUN 16 THE FOLKLORE OF PLANTS
10.00 am to 12 noon. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, nr Maiden Newton, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990]. A Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre Sunday Stroll with Nick Gray: Discover the curious world of plant folklore at Kingcombe Meadows. From medicinial to the just plain bonkers, you’re sure to come away with a new found appreciation for natures flora and a few wierd and wonderful facts to share with your friends. A walk of 1 or 2 miles and includes tea and cake back at the centre! Cost: Adults £6.00, children £3.00.
Please call 01300 321409 for more info or visit www.kingcombe.org.
SUN 16 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY
10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust for a day investigating orchids on Fontmell Down nature reserve. Please contact DWT Warden, Steve Oliver: 07824 874273.
SUN 16 WALK BY THE FLEET LAGOON
2.30 pm Moonfleet Manor Hotel, Fleet Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4ED.
Join Don Moxom, Warden of the Chesil Bank & the Fleet Nature Reserve, for a guided walk along the Fleet Lagoon. Discover the wildlife of this internationally important site, & find out the fascinating stories of Chesil Beach. Cost: Adults£3, children£2. Meet at the Moonfleet Manor Hotel.
MON 17 TO FRI 21 THOMAS HARDY’S DORSET
4.00 pm Monday 17th to 2.00 pm Friday 21st June. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, nr Maiden Newton, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Hardy’s novels are rooted in his fictional yet realistically conceived ‘Wessex’; join tutors Dr Geoff Doel (PhD on Hardy) & Fran Doel, MA, at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre for an exploration, through outings to prime Hardy sites and talks on his novels & poems. Course fee:£415.00( £332.00non-residential ). Booking essential. To book ring 01300 320684 or visit www.kingcombe.org.
TUES 18 KAYAK SAFARI
The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay, nr Corfe Castle, BH20 5PF. [SY 909 787]. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust to experience wildlife like never before on a 2-hour session with our clear bottomed kayaks & goggle viewers in Kimmeridge Bay. £25 per person per session. 12+ yr-olds only. Three 2hr sessions; max. 6 people per session. Booking essential. Ring 01929 481044 for times & further information.
WED 19 WILDFLOWER WALK AT KING BARROW QUARRIES
11.00 am to 1.00 pm. King Barrow Quarries Nature Reserve, Yeates Road, Isle of Portland. [SY 689 728] Join with Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Community Conservation Officer for a guided walk around the nature reserve to discover how wildlife, particularly wildflowers, has recolonised this disused quarry. Cost:£1.00 per person. Booking essential, please contact the Community Conservation Officer 01305 816546. Please wear suitable footwear. Meet at the entrance to the reserve, by the name stone on Yeates Rd, just off the A354
THURS 20 A GUIDED WALK ALONG THE RIVER ALLEN
7.00 pm Honeybrook Farm, Clapgate, nr Wimborne. [SU 009 029].
A guided walk along the River Allen led by a Dorset Wildlife Trust warden, for the Bournemouth & Christchurch Group of DWT. Non-members welcome. Call Duncan Gee (Chairman) on 01202 520340 for further information.
SAT 22 BUTTERFLY AND DRAGONFLY ID WORKSHOP
10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NS. Come along to the Bournemouth Natural Science Society (BNSS), & learn about butterflies & dragonflies. The morning will be spent at BNSS with two talks by local experts Mark Spencer from BNSS & Andrew Brown from Dorset Dragonflies. Bring along a packed lunch as we will be heading off to one of Bournemouth’s green spaces for a walk in the afternoon in search of the insects themselves. Free event. Please see website for more details of activities: www.bnss.org.uk/bournemouth-naturally.html.
SUN 23 UPTON HEATH MOTH TRAP
9.00 am to 10.00 am. Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill Lane, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, BH21 3RX. [SY 978 951]. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust Wardens at the Urban Wildlife Centre for the opening of the moth trap from Upton Heath. Whether you are a beginner or expert come along to help us ID these beautiful night time creatures. Often followed by an optional seasonal conservation task. For more details call the wardens on 01202 692033.
SUN 23 SUNDAY STROLL – BRACKETT’S COPPICE RESERVE
10.00 am to 12 noon. Brackett’s Coppice Reserve. A Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre Sunday Stroll with Neil Gibson: Brackett’s Coppice packs a vast array of habitats and wildlife all in a mere 38 hectares. Expect to see silver-washed & marsh fritillaries fluttering around the beautiful haymeadows, and striking Kingfishers and Wagtails fishing along the small stream. A walk of 1 or 2 miles and includes tea and cake back at the centre! Cost: Adults £6.00, children £3.00. Please call 01300 321409 for more info or visit www.kingcombe.org. Meet at Brackett’s Coppice Reserve; the entrance & car park on S. side of minor road, 2 miles N. of Corscombe and 3 miles west of Halstock.
MON 24 WILDFLOWERS AT CHESIL BEACH
2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XE. [SY 668 755]. Come along to the Chesil Beach Centre for this free Dorset Wildlife Trust Welly Zone Event. Join plant expert Bryan Edwards on a guided walk to recognise wildflowers of the beach & learn how they survive the harsh maritime environment.– see our website, www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org, for further details. Call 01305 206191 for further information. Find us halfway along the causeway fom Weymouth to Portland on the A 354. Meet at Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road.
TUES 25 ISLE OF PURBECK MID-WEEK VOLUNTEERS
10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust for a work day of habitat management on a local nature reserve. Please contact DWT Warden, James Hitchin on 07436 157328 for details.
TUES 25 KAYAK SAFARI
The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay, nr Corfe Castle, BH20 5PF. [SY 909 787]. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust to experience wildlife like never before on a 2-hour session with our clear bottomed kayaks & goggle viewers in Kimmeridge Bay. £25 per person per session. 12+ yr-olds only. Three 2hr sessions; max. 6 people per session. Booking essential. Phone the People and Wildlife Officer on 01929 481044 for times & further information.
WED 26 LORTON MEADOWS VOLUNTEERS CONSERVATION TASK
10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. [SY 674 826]. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Community Conservation Officer at Lorton Meadows nature reserve for a day of practical work on site to restore the habitats important for local wildlife. Tools, gloves & drinks supplied. For further information contact the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 or [email protected]. Free of charge. No unaccompanied children. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the weather.
THURS 27 PASTURES NEW VOLUNTEER TASK
10.00 am to 3.00 pm.
Join with the Dorset Wildlife Trust regular volunteering group in West Dorset to help with countryside managements tasks. Please contact Nick Gray on 07824 438974 for details. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the weather.
THURS 27 AN AFTERNOON WALK FROM WORTH MATRAVERS TO WINSPIT AND BEYOND
2.30 pm Worth Matravers. A guided walk led by Colin Nunn (01929 439211) for the Isle of Purbeck Group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Meet at 2.30pm at Worth Matravers car park (map ref. SY 974776). Stout footwear recommended.
FRI 28 THE HEATH AT NIGHT
9.00 pm. Beacon Road, Corfe Mullen. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Poole Group to watch the sun go down over Upton Heath & experience the sights & sounds of nocturnal heathland wildlife. With luck nightjars & bats will be out & about. Meet at 9pm at the end of Beacon Road (BH17 7BQ) off Pinespring Drive / Roman Road, Corfe Mullen. Call Ken Yeates (Chairman), 07947 141539 for further information.
SAT 29 WILD ABOUT WAREHAM
10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Go Wild about Wareham with Dorset Wildlife Trust! The Corn Exchange, Wareham Town Hall. Stalls, games & refreshments while outside, near Wareham Quay, there will be walks & a wide range of activities for all ages weather permitting. For more details, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk or ring 01305 264620.
THURS 20 A GUIDED WALK THROUGH MUDEFORD WOOD
11.00 am to 1.00 pm. Mudeford Wood, Christchurch. A guided walk, led by Andrew Brown & Robin Harley, for the Bournemouth & Christchurch Group of Dorset Wildlife Trust. Meet at the Mudeford Wood gate opposite the Somerford Pub on Somerford Road (map ref. SZ 183936). Non-members welcome. Call Duncan Gee (Chairman) on 01202 520340 for further information.
SUN 30 SUNDAY STROLL – SUMMER BIRDS & WILDLIFE
10.00 am to 12 noon. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, nr Maiden Newton, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990]. A Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre Sunday Stroll with Nick Tomlinson; With the longest day already past, and summer barely started, join us as we explore the fields and hedgerows to see how many different bird species we can find, looking out for other signs of summer as we go. A walk of 1 or 2 miles and includes tea and cake back at the centre! Cost: Adults£6.00, children£3.00. Please call 01300 321409 for more information or visit www.kingcombe.org.
