FRI 1 THE GREAT CRANE PROJECT
7.30 pm. United Church Hall, East Street, Bridport, DT6 3LJ.
An illustrated talk by Damon Bridge, Project Manager, RSPB, for the West Dorset group of Dorset Wildlife Trust. All welcome.
Suggested donation: £2 (£3 for non-members) inc. refreshments. Contact Monty Crook: 01308 423442 for further details.
SAT 2 SPRING BIRDS OF THE FLEET – TALK & OPTICS DAY
12 noon to 3.00 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre. [SY 668 755].
Come along to the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the causeway from Weymouth to Portland on the A354 (Portland Road), to learn all about the birds that visit the Fleet during the spring. Have a play with our new range of binoculars while learning to identify different species found here. FREE event. For more information, ring 01305 206191.
SAT 2 TO SUN 3 CHESIL BEACH CENTRE MEGA BIRD-FOOD SALE
10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre. [SY 668 755].
Come along to the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the causeway from Weymouth to Portland on the A354 (Portland Road), for lots of great deals on our large range of garden bird food & feeding items. For more information, ring 01305 206191.
SAT 2 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 Conservation 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 the start of the nesting season on screen, & purchase nest boxes to provide a home for your garden birds. Call the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 for more information.
SAT 2 BOURNEMOUTH NATURALLY – AMPHIBIAN WORKSHOP
10.00 am to 12 noon. Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NS. A talk from Richard Sharp, of the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, all about the amphibian life that can be found in Bournemouth. This will be followed by a look in the BNSS garden pond to find out if it is home to any of the species we have learned about. Free event. For more information contact Heather Dixon on 07590 909933.
SUN 3 EAST DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY
10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Sopley Common Reserve.
Join with Dorset Wildlife Trust in East Dorset to lend a hand with practical conservation work at the Sopley Common Reserve. Tasks include scrub clearance, pine & sycamore control, path clearance etc. Please contact contact Jon Crewe on 07989 777757 or 01202 549377.
No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the weather.. Meet at Ramsdown car park.
MON 4 TO THU 7 WEST COUNTRY EMBROIDERERS
4.30 pm Monday 4th March to 4.00 pm Thursday 7th March. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, nr Maiden Newton, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Come to Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Kingcombe Centre to try your hand at creative embellishing (dry felting). A fun course suitable for all levels of ability. To book your place on the course either telephone the Centre on 01300 320684, or visit www.kingcombe.org.
WED 6 BOURNEMOUTH NATURALLY – LIVING RECORD WORKSHOP
7.00pm to 9.00 pm. Bournemouth Learning Centre, Ensbury Park, Bournemouth, BH10 4HG.
An opportunity to learn about and have a go at using online recording system Living Record with its creator Adrian Bicker on-hand to provide advice and information. This system had been adopted by several conservation organisations as a means of collecting vital information from wildlife recorders. Through the Bournemouth Naturally project we are hoping people will use Living Record to help us collect wildlife records around Bournemouth.
Booking essential (limited places). Contact Heather for further information, [email protected], 07590909933
THU 7 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 of each task 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.
SAT 9 SOLITARY BEES AND WASPS
10.00 am to 4.30 pm. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, nr Maiden Newton, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Join tutor Bryan Pinchen at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre to explore the world of solitary bees and wasps, exploring their life cycles, ecology and value as garden pollinators and predators. Course fee: £55. To book your place on the course either telephone the Centre on 01300 320684, or visit www.kingcombe.org.
MON 11 LIFE AS A FORESTRY COMMISSION RANGER
2.30 pm Langton Matravers Village Hall, Langton Matravers.
An illustrated talk by Mark Warn for the Isle of Purbeck Group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Visitors welcome. Call John Wright (Chairman) on 01929 556816 for further information.
MON 11 TO THU 14 WEST COUNTRY EMBROIDERERS
4.30 pm Monday 11th March to 4.00 pm Thursday 14th March. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, nr Maiden Newton, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Join tutor Sandra Coleridge at the Dorset Wildlidfe Trust Kingcombe Centre for creative embellishing (dry felting). A fun course suitable for all levels of ability. For more information contact Anne Simpson 01803 782576 or [email protected]. To book your place on the course either telephone the Centre on 01300 320684, or visit www.kingcombe.org.
WED 13 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 with 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]. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the weather.
THU 14 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 of each task 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.
FRI 15 GREAT DORSET SEAFOOD
7.30 pm St Catherine’s Church Hall , Rodway’s Corner, Wimborne.
Great Dorset Seafood for Wildlife, for Dorset, for You: a talk for the Wimborne Group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust by Emma Rance, Marine Conservation Officer, Dorset Wildlife Trust. Visitors welcome. Cost £2. Call Ken Wood (Chairman) on 01202 887322 for further information.
FRI 15 TO SUN 17 THE HISTORY AND ECOLOGY OF WOODLANDS
4.00 pm Friday 15th March to 4.00 pm Sunday 17th March. The Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, nr Maiden Newton, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ. [SY 553 990].
Join the UK’s leading expert on landscape history, Prof. Oliver Rackham, & Bryan Edwards at the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Centre, to uncover the hidden stories that the countryside can tell us. Find clues in local archaeology, ancient trees and the flora of the hedgerows & woodlands. Course fee: £ 240 (£ 192 non-residential). To book your place on the course either telephone the Centre on 01300 320684, or use the online booking facility on the website www.kingcombe.org.
SAT 16 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 Conservation 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 the start of the nesting season on screen, & purchase nest boxes to provide a home for your garden birds. Call the Community Conservation Officer on 01305 816546 for more information.
SUN 17 NORTH DORSET VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY
10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust for a work day of habitat management on a North Dorset nature reserve. Please contact DWT Warden, Steve Oliver: 07824 874273 for further details.
TUE 19 A KEEPER’S LIFE
7.00 pm Herrison Hall, Charlton Down, nr. Dorchester.
Join the Three Valleys Group of Dorset Wildlife Trust for an illustrated talk by Dawn Warr. (NB. earlier than usual start). Visitors welcome. Contact Allan Reese: 01305 269912 for further details .
WED 20 SAND LIZARDS AFTER THE FIRE
7.30 pm Fontmell Magna Village Hall, Fontmell Magna, SP7 0JU.
An illustrated talk & update on Upton Heath, for the North Dorset Group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust, by Nigel Brooks, DWT warden at Upton Heath. Cost £2 (children free) inc. tea/coffee & biscuits. Visitors welcome.
Call Tony Stables (Chairman) 01258 471478499 for further information
WED 20 BIRD-WATCHING IN NEW GUINEA
7.30 pm Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne,
An illustrated talk by Ian Lewis for the Sherborne Group of Dorset Wildlife Trust. Visitors welcome. Cost £2.50 Call John Gaye (Chairman) on 01258 821 499 for further information
THU 21 THE ECOLOGY & IDENTIFICATION OF DRAGONFLIES
7.30 pm Priory House, Christchurch. An illustrated talk by Andrew Brown for the Bournemouth & Christchurch Group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Visitors welcome. Cost £2.00 inc. coffee & biscuits. Call Duncan Gee (Chairman) on 01202 520340 for further information.
THU 21 GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE
7.30 pm Methodist Church, North Street, Wareham.
The AGM of the Isle of Purbeck Group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust followed by an illustrated talk by Joy Wallis about Wildlife Gardening. Visitors welcome. Call John Wright (Chairman) on 01929 556816 for further information.
THU 21 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 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 of each task 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.
WED 27 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]. No experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch. Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the weather.
THU 28 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 of each task 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.
FRI 29 GREAT KIMMERIDGE EGG CASE HUNT
1.30 pm to 3.00 pm. The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay, Kimmeridge Corfe Castle, BH20 5PF. [SY 909 787]. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust for a seashore search. What does a mermaid keep in her purse? Find out as we hunt for empty eggcases to win a chocolate egg reward! £2 per person. Ring 01929 481044 for further information.
FRI 29 GREAT CHESIL BEACH EGG CASE HUNT.
1.30 pm to 3.00 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre. [SY 668 755].
Come along to the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the causeway from Weymouth to Portland on the A354 (Portland Road), to find out what a mermaid keeps in her purse! Help search for shark & ray eggcases & maybe find some chocolate variety. Cost: £2 per person. Call the Centre on 01305 206191for further information
SAT 30 MARINE FLEET FORAGE
2.00 pm to 3.30 pm. Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre. [SY 668 755].
Come along to the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, halfway along the causeway from Weymouth to Portland on the A354 (Portland Road), to discover marine critters on our seashore. Cost: £3 adults £2 children. Call the Centre on 01305206191 for further information.
