THUR 1 SEASHORE SUPERHEROES, 11am – 12.30pm. Learn how to be a seashore superhero at Chesil Beach. Love the outdoors? Become a seashore superhero and learn how to protect our local wildlife by completing a series of challenges to become your own masked hero! Wellies advised. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT3 9XE. Pay and Display Car Park Children £2, must be accompanied. No Booking required. Contact us on 01305 206191, [email protected]. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
THUR 1 AN AFTERNOON WALK TO REDHORN BAY & QUAY, BRAND’S BAY LED BY TED PRATT, 2.30pm – 4.30pm. This walk is part of Dorset Flower Week. Spring Flowers! Parking by Ferry road (map ref SZ024850) Contact Harold Gillen 01929 550850.
FRI 2 BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES (CATERPILLAR KIDS), 10.30am – 12.30pm. Search for butterflies at Lorton Meadows, how many different ones will you see? Plus make a wildlife inspired piece of artwork, and play games, with the Community Conservation Officer. Meet at Lorton Meadows Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. BOOKING ESSENTIAL, Children £3, must be accompanied. Contact us on 01305 816546. 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, tea/coffee machine, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
SAT 3 BUGDEN’S COPSE & MEADOWS WILD FLOWER WEEK WALK, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Explore the flowers of ancient-woodland and rush-pasture. Naturalist Phil Budd will show you the wild flowers of this remnant of ancient semi-natural deciduous woodland, and the rush pasture meadow to the north. You should see a good mix of typical acid woodland plants including various species of sedge and fern. Some non-native species are also present. One of a number of Dorset Wild Flower Week Walks organised by the Dorset Flora Group. Meet on the edge of the woodland behind Swans pub on Pennine Way, map ref. S089085, having parked at Morrison’s nearby. Leader: Phil Budd. Booking email preferred: [email protected] or tel 01425 470721. Adults £3, Children £1.50.
SAT 3 WILDFLOWER WALK AT LORTON MEADOWS, 2pm – 4pm. To celebrate Wildflower Week, join us for a guided walk through our wonderful wildflower meadows. See pale flax, bird’s foot trefoil, grass vetchling and many more beautiful blooms. BOOKING ESSENTIAL, Contact us on 01305 816546. £3 adults, £2 Children, must be accompanied. Meet at Lorton Meadows 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, tea/coffee machine, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
SUN 4 POWERSTOCK COMMON – GRASSLAND, WOODLAND, WILDFLOWERS & RARE MARSH FRITILLARY, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Powerstock Common: walk led by Jim White in grass- & wood-land; wildflowers & rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly. Hidden away in the west Dorset countryside, this gem of a nature reserve supports an impressive list of rare and protected species amongst the intricate mosaic of unimproved wet and dry grassland, scrub, woodland and small copses. Situated about three miles west of Maiden Newton, the reserve entrance/parking area lies adjacent to a disused railway bridge on a minor road (Barrowland Lane) parallel to & about a mile west of the A356, connecting the B3163 with the A35. Map ref: SY 547 974 Field Trip – this may be subject to limited numbers and/or revised arrangements. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear – and bring your binoculars and cameras. Dogs are not usually recommended to be brought on reserve walks. This is a Kingcombe Centre event; call 01300 320 684 for more information and charges. Booking is essential and should be made with the coordinator (# phone no. listed below). Refreshments at nearby Kingcombe Centre. This event contact: Jim White, 01929 481 535
SUN 4 FONTMELL DOWN WILD FLOWER WEEK WALK, 2.30pm – 4.30pm. Explore the flower rich DWT reserve with local naturalist Jon Crewe. With superb views and a mix of downland, woodland and scrub there will be plenty to enjoy while exploring this site. One of a number of Dorset Wild Flower Week Walks organised by the Dorset Flora Group. The site is on steeply sloping ground and this walk is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties. Sturdy footwear essential. Due to the small number of parking spaces places must be booked. Car share if possible. Meet at the National Trust car park; map ref. ST88601861. If this is full there is space for a few cars at roadside on the turning to Compton Abbas airfield 100m to the south at ST88791849. Leader: Jon Crewe. Booking Tel. 01202 549377 / 07970 847344 Donation of £2 to Dorset Flora Group welcome.
WED 7 WALK AT MARTIN DOWN, 2pm – 4pm. A walk led by Bob and Barbara Steedman to view flora and fauna of the down. Martin Down is a national nature reserve usually with many interesting flora and fauna. Suggested donation £3 per head. Please book. Map ref SU037205 Car park off A354 Blandford to Salisbury road. Phone 01202 697325 to book.
FRI 9 MORNING WITH MOTHS, 9.30am – 12.30pm. Discover the diversity of species at Kingcombe during early summer, followed by a delicious brunch. For more information and to book go to www.kingcombe.org. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. Contact 01300 320684.
FRI 9 – SUN 11 BUTTERFLIES & MOTHS OF DORSET, Discover the butterflies and moths of early summer in Dorset’s ancient pastures and woodlands. For more information and to book go to www.kingcombe.org. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. Contact 01300 320684.
SAT 10 WORLD OCEANS DAY MARINE WILDLIFE (WILD START), 10am – 2.30pm. Are you 14 to 25? Do you enjoy wildlife and the outdoors? Do you want to help local wildlife conservation? Come along to our monthly events to find out about Dorset’s amazing wildlife and get hands on with a practical task or wildlife survey. The hours can go towards a DofE or John Muir Award or just come along for fun. In this session, to celebrate World Oceans Day learn about the fascinating lives of different marine creatures and then help our Chesil Officer with a low tide survey on the Fleet Lagoon. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. FREE Registration on the ‘Wild Futures Programme’ required. Contact us on 01305 206191 £5 per session. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT3 9XE. Pay and Display Car Park. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
SAT 10 ECO-CRABBING; HOW TO CATCH AND HANDLE SEASHORE CRABS WITHOUT HARMING THEM, 2.30pm – 4.00pm. Family event. All equipment provided. Join us for eco-crabbing on the seashore in Kimmeridge Bay. Find out how to catch seashore crabs without harming them or the other marine life that lives with them, and learn how to look after your catch. Discover the different types of crab to be found at Kimmeridge as well as lots of fun crabby facts. This is a guided event for families. Everything you need is provided and the crab line is yours to take home with you. The event is carried out at the waters’ edge and is not suitable for under 3 year olds.Meet at the Fine Foundation Marine Centre, by the slipway, Kimmeridge Bay, BH20 5PE. Beware 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 £4 per child (accompanying adults free) and include a crab line which is yours to keep. Not suitable for under 3s. 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 uneven and sometimes slippery rocks therefore sturdy shoes or wellingtons are essential. Everything you need for crabbing is provided.
SUN 11 FLEET EXPLORER ‘WORLD OCEANS DAY CRUISE’, 11.15am – 12.15am. To celebrate World Oceans Day, join us for a boat trip on the Fleet Explorer. Find out about Marine Protected Areas in Dorset, as we explore one of the UK’s finest. Find out about the incredible wildlife of the Fleet and how important it is to protect our seas. The boat leaves from the jetty down Ferrymans Way, Wyke Regis, Weymouth Dorset. DT4 9AE. Free Parking. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Limited places. Weather dependent. Adults £6.50, Children £4.50, must be accompanied. Contact us on 01305 206191. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort.
MON 12 HEALTH WALK AT LORTON MEADOWS, 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 £3, includes free tea/coffee afterwards. For more information, please phone 01305 816546. 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 see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
MON 12 WEST FLEET WALK WITH A WARDEN, 2pm – 3.30pm. Join the Warden for a guided walk along the Fleet Lagoon shore.Discover the wildlife and history of this internationally important site. Abbotsbury Swannery car park. No booking required. Adults £3, Children £2.
MON 12 – FRI 16 SUMMER PLANTS IN WATERCOLOUR, Learn how to paint the flowers and plants of Dorset’s summer meadows and hedgerows.For more information and to book go to www.kingcombe.org The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. Contact 01300 320684.
THUR 15 WILDFLOWER WALK – KING BARROW QUARRIES, PORTLAND, 10am – 12pm. Explore King Barrow Quarries Nature Reserve. Booking essential, £3/child, Children £2. Join the Portland Project Officer for a guided walk around the disused quarry to discover how wildlife, particularly wildflowers, have recolonised the site. 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 then onto New Ground Road. Grid reference SY 689 730. Please wear suitable footwear.
FRI 16 – SUN 18 ILLUSTRATED TRAVELLER’S SKETCHBOOK WEEKEND, Master the art of keeping a sketchbook when you are out and about, inspired by the landscape. For more information and to book go to www.kingcombe.orgThe Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. Contact 01300 320684.
SAT 17 DAZZLING DRAGONFLY TRAIL (45 MINS), 10.30am – 3.30pm. Pick up a trail guide from the Lorton Meadows Centre. Follow the trail and find the clues. Children £1, must be accompanied. Start at Lorton Meadows Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Trail approximately 30 – 45 minutes. No need to book, for more details phone 01305 816546. 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, tea/coffee machine, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
SUN 18 VISIT MICHAEL EVAN’S WILDLIFE GARDEN, 2pm – 5pm. A garden designed to support wildlife at Farrs Coach House. A real garden worth a visit. Also tea & cake available.Between Wimborne and Cowgrove. Turn at Wimborne hospital, approx 1/4 mile, park next door at Farrs House.Cost £3 donation to DWT.
MON 19 HEALTH WALK AT LORTON MEADOWS, 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 £3, includes free tea/coffee afterwards. For more information, please phone 01305 816546. 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 see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
WED 21 FLEET EXPLORER ‘SMUGGLERS OF THE LAGOON’, 11.15 – 12.15pm. Join us for a boat trip on the Fleet Explorer to find out about smuggling on Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon. For centuries smuggling was a way of life in Dorset and the Fleet was often at the centre of the lucrative trade. The boat leaves from the jetty down Ferrymans Way, Wyke Regis, Weymouth Dorset. DT4 9AE. Free Parking. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Limited places. Weather dependent. It is usually colder on the water than on land so wrap up warm. Adults £6.50, Children £4.50, must be accompanied. Contact us on 01305 206191. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
THUR 22 MORNING WALK ON FONTMELL DOWN WITH DWT WARDEN STEVE OLIVER, 10am – 12.30pm. An opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of Fontmell Down with DWT warden, Steve Oliver. DWT warden, Steve Oliver will lead this morning walk over Fontmell Down, pointing out the huge variety of flowers and wildlife that thrive there. Fontmell Down. Meet at National Trust car park at 10am. Numbers strictly limited. Booking essential on 07824874273. Voluntary contributions welcomed. Please wear suitable footwear/clothing. Steep/uneven ground in places.
SAT 24 – SUN 25 MIDSUMMER MEADOWS WEEKEND, 10am – 4pm. A weekend of family events and local produce, surrounded by the wildflower meadows. Check www.kingcombe.org for details. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. Contact 01300 320684.
SAT 24 BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY NATURE TRAIL (45 MINS), 10.30am – 3.30pm. Pick up a trail guide from the Lorton Meadows Centre. Follow the trail and find the clues. Children £1, must be accompanied. Start at Lorton Meadows Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Trail approximately 30 – 45 minutes. No need to book, for more details phone 01305 816546. 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, tea/coffee machine, wildlife gifts & guides available. For more information please see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
SUN 25 GREAT CHESIL BIOBLITZ, 10.30am – 4.00pm. Everyone is invited to take part in the year’s biggest wildlife survey of Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon. Do you love your local wildlife or are you a budding scientist? Come along to hunt for shark eggcases, marine animals on the seashore and different types of seaweed. Join in with a butterfly, pink sea fan or wildflower survey, or go bird watching. This is a great chance for families to help our wildlife experts and scientists find and record wildlife on this nationally important Nature Reserve. Learn from the experts on-hand who will help identify the species and tell you all about them. All discoveries on the day will be submitted to the local wildlife record centres to help understand wildlife in Dorset and on the reserve. Wellies advised for low tide walk. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT3 9XE. Pay and Display Car Park FREE EVENT (donations welcome) Children must be accompanied. No Booking required. Contact us on 01305 206191. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
MON 26 HEALTH WALK AT LORTON MEADOWS, 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 £3, includes free tea/coffee afterwards. For more information, please phone 01305 816546. 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 see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org/lorton. For more Weymouth and Portland events follow us on Twitter @DWTWeyPort
TUES 27 AN AFTERNOON WALK AT TADNOLL & WINFRITH HEATHS WITH HAROLD GILLE, 2.30pm – 4.30pm. Explore the riches of the reserve. This internationally important heathland and wetland is an iconic piece of Dorset landscape, divided by the Tadnoll Brook, a chalk stream tributary of the River Frome, and including part of Thomas Hardy’s Egdon Heath. Meet at the DWT Winfrith reserve entrance, map ref. SY 805863. Contact Harold Gillen (01929 550850)
WED 28 WILDFLOWERS, ORCHIDS AND GRASSES IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP, 1pm – 2pm. Improve your identification skills amongst our ancient pastures, meadows and woodlands. For more information and to book go to www.kingcombe.org. The Kingcombe Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. Contact 01300 320684.
FRI 30 THE HEATH AT DUSK, FOR NIGHTJARS, 9pm – 11pm. Walk Upton Heath as Dusk descends and Nightjars and Bats emerge. The Heath at Dusk Friday 30 June at 9pm to 11pm. As night descends on Upton Heath, experience the sights and sounds of the emerging nocturnal wildlife. With luck nightjars and bats will be out and about. Meet at the end of Beacon Road BH18 9JN off Pinespring Drive, Roman Road Corfe Mullen Meet at the end of Beacon Road Broadstone BH18 9JN off Pinespring Drive / Roman Road Corfe Mullen Please do not block residential entrances. Contact DWT Urban Wildlife Centre 01202 692033 or [email protected] Contact on the day Ken Yeates 07947 141539. See Great Heath Website click Upton Heath Nature Reserve for parking and public transport information (evening schedules ) Small donation at end of walk. Sorry four legged friends to stay at home. Suitable footwear and clothing for condition on chilly summer evening.
