MON 1st / 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Corfe Castle, Nr Wareham / Guided Walk - Rabbits and Railways
National Trust
A 2 - 3 mile walk to discover this once thriving rabbit warren roducing meat for the king in the medieval period. Meet 2 miles north or Corfe Castle, on Middlebere farm track, Grid Ref: SY964854 [MAP] nearest post code BH20 5JR. Please book on 01929 480609.

TUE 2nd / 9:30 AM
Spetisbury, Nr Blandford / Guided Walk
Moors Valley Country Park
A 4 mile ranger-led walk covering mostly flat terrain. Please book on 01425 470721. Meeting place given on booking.

TUE 2nd / 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Durlston Country Park, Swanage / Binocular Sale
Dorset County Council
Expert advice available to help you test and choose from a wide range of binoculars and telescopes. At the visitor Centre, Durlston Country Park, Lighthouse Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2JL Grid Ref: SZ031773 [MAP].  Contact Durlston Country Park on Tel: 01929 424443 e-mail: info@durlston.co.uk

WED 3rd / 1:15 - 4:00 PM
Kingcombe Meadows, West Dorset / Circular Guided Walk
Kingcombe Centre
Leaders: Paddy and Keith Sherlock. Circular walk from the Kingcombe Centre. Meet at the Kingcombe Centre, Grid Ref: SY555991 [MAP] post code DT2 0EQ. Wellington boots generally recommended. Cost: £5, Children £1 including tea and cake afterwards. No need to book in advance but a phone call on the day would help with catering. Tel: 01300 320684 or e-mail kingcombe@hotmail.co.uk.

WED 3rd / 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Affpuddle Forest, Nr Moreton / Fungus Foray
Forestry Commission
A beginners guide to a fascinating subject, covering ID, conservation and edibility. Meet at the Affpuddle Forest car park, near moreton, Grid Ref: SY804924 [MAP] nearest post code DT2 7HP. Please book on 02380 286840. Cost: Adults £5, children £3.

THU 4th / 9:30 AM
Studland, Purbeck / Guided Walk - Studland & Ulwell
RSPB
Meet at the National Trust car park at Shell Bay, Grid Ref: SZ035861 [MAP] nearest post code BH19 3BA. Contact Stan Cresswell, East Dorset Local Group, Tel: 01202 516154. Price: FREE.

FRI 5th / 12:00 - 3:00 PM
Bestwall, Wareham / Guided Walk - The Best of Bestwall
Project Fred
An afternoon walk to look for birds in these coastal marshes and lagoons just east of Wareham. Bestwall is a little known RSPB reserve just east of Wareham. It is not visited a lot, except by locals who know it is there. The track round it passes through scrub, past wet grassland, a lake and coastal marshes and mudflats. With this variety of habitats we ought to see a good number of birds. Osprey can sometimes be seen from here, as well as Spoonbills. Commoner migrants we ought to see include Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail and warblers. There are no toilets as we walk round. The walk is about 5kms. The paths here can be very muddy if there has been rain, so wellies would be essential. Car parking is free along East Street. Meet at the end of East Street, Wareham, SY930875 [MAP] nearest post code BH20 4JD. To find this drive to Wareham town centre and at the crossroads with traffic lights turn into East Street, this is the one between the Portman Building Society and the clocktower. Drive to the end, where there is a cul-de-sac sign and private road sign. We will meet here. Park sensibly, along the roadside close by. Please book in advance by contacting Project Fred on 01425 673321 or by emailing project.fred@virgin.net. Cost £6.

FRI 5th / 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Arne, Nr Wareham / Guided Walk - Seeking the Sika Deer
Project Fred
An early evening walk to look for birds at Arne and see and hear the Sika Deer. At this time of year the birds at Arne can be very good with the last of the summer migrants still passing through and the wintering wildfowl and waders starting to arrive. Osprey are frequent here in late autumn. We shall have a look for birds from the hides. As dusk begins to approach the Sika Deer begin to call as they are rutting now. The call is an eerie screaming and is amazing to hear - very atmospheric in the twilight! We ought to hear them and hope to see some rutting as well. There are toilets at the reserve. The walk is approximately 3 kms long. Bring your binoculars if you have any. Car parking is £2 per car. Meet at Arne RSPB reserve at SY972878 [MAP] nearest post code BH20 5BJ. To find Arne drive from Swanage towards Wareham. About 2 miles after Corfe Castle turn right opposite the Halfway Inn. Follow this road to the end and then turn left. Continue on this road, following signs for Arne. Or if driving from Wareham towards Swanage, at the roundabout for Stoborough, take the turning for Arne and the Toy Museum and continue following signs to Arne. Please book in advance by contacting Project Fred on 01425 673321 or by emailing project.fred@virgin.net. Cost £6.

FRI 5th / 6:30 PM -
Corfe Mullen Meadows, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne / Moth Trapping and Bat Detectives
Dorset Wildlife Trust
Come and join us at this free event to watch the moths on the wing and listen to the bats on the detectors. Learn about the relationship between moths and bats and see who can outwit who! Hot drinks and biscuits provided but please wear warm clothes. A torch might be handy. THis even is weather dependent. Meet at Corfe Mullen Meadows, opposite Little Manor Farm off Waterloo Road. Grid Ref: SY980967 [MAP] nearest post code BH21 3SN. Contact Amanda Cooke on 01202 642780.

FRI 5th / 7:30 PM -
Bridport / Illustrated Talk - Subject to be Advised
Dorset Wildlife Trust
An illustrated talk by Bryan Edwards. Meet at the Friends' Meeting House, South Street, Bridport. Cost: £1.50 (£3 for non-members).

SAT 6th / 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Corfe Mullen Meadows, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne / Moth Trapping and Bat Detectives
Dorset Wildlife Trust
A chance to look at the moths and small mammals which were trapped during the night. Get up close to the species so that you can learn to identify different species of moth, mice and vole. Please wear appropriate footwear and outdoor clothing. Meet at Corfe Mullen Meadows, opposite Little Manor Farm off Waterloo Road. Grid Ref: SY980967 [MAP] nearest post code BH21 3SN. Contact Amanda Cooke on 01202 642780.

SUN 7th / 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Lodmoor Nature Reserve, Weymouth / Guided Walk - Autumn Colours at Lodmoor
RSPB
The trees are changing colours, berries are in abundance and mushrooms are popping their heads out along the paths. Come out and enjoy this magical season. Meet at the main reserve entrance off the A353 Preston Beach Road, Weymouth, Dorset. Grid Ref: SY688809 [MAP] nearest post code DT4 7SX. Tel: 01305 778313. Parking is available at the pay & display beach car park. Cost: Adults £3, Children £1.50 (half price for members)

SUN 7th / 6:00 - 9:00 AM
Cold Harbour, Nr Wareham / Guided Walk - Sika Deer Safari and Breakfast
Forestry Commission
Join the ranger on this 1 - 2 mile walk as he tracks Sika deer. There's a cooked breakfast too. Meet at the Wareham Forestry Commission Office, Grid Ref: SY905895 [MAP] nearest post code BH20 7AA. Please book on 02380 286840.

SUN 7th / 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Durlston Country Park, Swanage / Guided Walk - Durlston Past and Future
Dorset County Council
Join a 2 mile guided walk to discover Durlston's fascinating history and exciting future. Meet at Durlston Country Park, Grid Ref: SZ031773 [MAP] nearest post code BH19 2JL. Contact 01929 424443.

MON 8th / 7:30 PM -
Brooklands Farm, Forston, Dorchester / Illustrated Talk - How to Identify Mushrooms and Toadstools
Dorset Wildlife Trust
An illustrated talk by John Wright. This talk links with the walk on 28th October. Meet at Brooklands Farm Forston, Dorchester Grid Ref: SY665951 [MAP] nearest post code DT2 7AA. Cost: £1.50 including coffee and biscuits.

WED 10th / 2:00 PM -
Lankham Bottom, Nr Cattistock / Fungus Foray
Butterfly Conservation - Dorset Branch
Fungus Foray at Lankham Bottom Reserve with local fungus expert John Wright. Tea and cakes will be provided afterwards and there should be an opportunity to cook and taste some of the fungi we find, so advance booking would help us with the planning. Meet at the reserve entrance off the minor road to Cattistock from the A37, Grid Ref: ST607004 [MAP] nearest post code DT2 9PH. Park inside the metal gate. For further information please contact Nigel Spring on 01963 23559 or 07981 776767, or email nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk.

FRI 12th / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hengistbury Head, Christchurch / Migrant Bird Watch
Project Fred
Hengistbury Head is a magnet for migrating birds. Because it sticks out the migrating birds tend to funnel along it, to avoid heading over the sea until the last possible moment. If we are lucky the place can be full of birds. October sees the last of the summer migrants leaving, the first of the wintering birds arriving and some interesting birds passing through. Swallows, Martins, Wagtails, Pipits and finches can be passing over in large numbers. Ring Ouzels are also sometimes seen passing over. We will also have a look at the sea as Skuas, Terns and Brent Geese may well be on the move. The walk is approximately 4 km on fairly level ground with one or two steep slopes. Meet at the Hengistbury Head car park, Grid Ref: SZ163911 [MAP] nearest post code BH6 4EN. There is a charge to use the car park near the café, which is £4.00 for up to 4 hours. However you can park for free on Rolls Drive. As you drive towards the head Rolls Road is the road on the left just before the golf course starts. There are toilets in the café. Please book in advance by contacting Project Fred on 01425 673321 or by emailing project.fred@virgin.net. Cost £6.

SAT 13th / 6.00 PM – 10.00PM
Chase Woods near Tollard Royal / Moth Evening
Butterfly Conservation and Dorset Moth Group
Meet 6.00 pm at the Deanend turning off B3081 east of Tollard Royal, Grid Ref: ST973172 [MAP] nearest post code SP5 5RN. Contact Peter Davey 01258 857053. NB Please check the arrangements for this event beforehand.

SAT 13th / 10:00 - 11:30
Kinson Common, Bournemouth / Guided Walk - Fungi
Friends of Kinson Common
Meet at the play area, Poole Lane Meadows, Poole Lane, Kinson, Grid Ref: SZ066962 [MAP] nearest post code BH11 9DY. Contact Geoff Budden on Tel: 01202 570581 or e-mail: friendsofkc@supanet.com.

SUN 14th / 10:30 AM -
Durlston Country Park, Swanage / October Birdwatch
Durlston Country Park
Join Dorset Countryside Head Ranger, Hamish Murray, to discover Durlston's autumn bird life. Meet at the visitor Centre, Durlston Country Park, Lighthouse Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2JL Grid Ref: SZ031773 [MAP].  Cost £3 Adult, £2 children/FOD members. Contact Durlston Country Park on Tel: 01929 424443 e-mail: info@durlston.co.uk

SUN 14th / 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Lorton Meadows, Weymouth / Seed Gathering Walk
Dorset Wildlife Trust
Celebrate this national event, find out about native trees and collect seeds to plant. Refreshments afterwards. Meet at Lorton Meadows Visitor Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth Grid Ref: SY674827 [MAP] nearest post code DT3 5QH. Please book on 01305 816546.

MON 15th / 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Corfe Castle, Nr Wareham / Guided Walk - Old Roads and Oak Trees
National Trust
Explore some of the footpaths and highways used by Royalty and smugglers on this 2 - 3 mile walk. Meet at Scotland Barn, Corfe Castle, Grid Ref: [MAP] nearest post code BH20 5DN. Please book on 01929 480609.

TUE 16th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Radipole Lake Nature Reserve / Guided Walk - Radipole Reedbed Ramble
RSPB
Reed cutting is in full flow, creating new opportunities to see the secretive inhabitants of Radipole Lake. Listen out for squealing water rails and the pinging call of bearded tits. Meet at the RSPB Radipole Lake visitor centre, Swannery car park, Weymouth DT4 7TZ. Grid Ref: SY671804 [MAP] Tel: 01305 778313. Cost: Adults £3, Children £1.50 (half price for members).

WED 17th / 1:30 - 4:00 PM
Kingcombe Meadows, West Dorset / Guided Walk - Fungi at Kingcombe
Kingcombe Centre
Leader: John Wright. An afternoon to investigate and identify some of the fungi on the reserve. Meet at the Kingcombe Centre, Grid Ref: SY555991 [MAP] post code DT2 0EQ. Wellington boots generally recommended. Cost: £5, Children £1 including tea and cake afterwards. No need to book in advance but a phone call on the day would help with catering. Tel: 01300 320684 or e-mail kingcombe@hotmail.co.uk. The Kingcombe centre have an electrically powered buggy which disabled users can use on this walk. This needs to be booked in advance.

FRI 19th / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch / Birdwatching
Project Fred
We will be taking a stroll around Stanpit Marsh to see migrant birds as they leave our shores for warmer climes. We ought to see Wheatears and Warblers and the Swallows and Martins can be heading over in their hundreds. Waders can be exciting at this time of year. Last year there were Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and Knot in the area. At this time of year almost anything can turn up!! Will we bump into something less common such as Whinchat, Ring Ouzel or even a Wryneck? There are no toilet facilities. The walk is approximately 2km along level ground. Meet at the car park by the recreation ground along a road called Stanpit, Grid Ref: SZ172925 [MAP] nearest post code BH23 3NG. Please book in advance by contacting Project Fred on 01425 673321 or by emailing project.fred@virgin.net. Cost £6.

FRI 19th / 7:30 PM
Gillingham / Talk - Reserved for Birds
RSPB
Speaker: Mike Read. Mike was the major photographer commissioned to visit twelve premier RSPB reserves to produce the centenary calendar. This presentation will illustrate not only the beauty of these reserves but their specific importance for birds. Meet Gillingham Primary School, School Road, Gillingham SP8 4QR, Grid Ref: ST811266 [MAP] Cost: £2.00 for members of local group or £2.50 for visitors who are most welcome. Telephone: Secretary Margaret Marris - tel 01258 820091 E-mail: alisonrymell@btinternet.com.

SAT 20th / Time TBC
Bracketts Coppice / Guided Walk - Fungi
Dorset Wildlife Trust
Contact Dr Margaret Dannatt for further details. Tel: 01297 445659 or e-mail: madannatt@btinternet.com

SAT 20th / 9:30 AM
Upton Country Park, Poole / Fungi Foray
Borough of Poole
Guided walk looking at the fungi of Upton Country Park in conjunction with the Dorset Fungus Group. Meet in the main car park at Grid Ref: SY991928 [MAP] nearest post code BH17 7BJ. Contact the Borough of Poole on Tel: 01202 265265 or e-mail: leisure@poole.gov.uk.

SUN 21st / 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Arne Nature Reserve, Wareham / Guided Walk - Fungi Foray
RSPB
Arne’s woodlands are lovely damp dark places just right for an abundance of fungi to thrive in. Come along and find out about these amazing plants and learn a few new names too! Meet at the RSPB Arne nature reserve car park, near Wareham, Dorset BH20 5BJ. Grid Ref: SY972878 [MAP] Booking essential on 01929 553360. Cost: Adults £2, Children free.

SUN 21st / 1:30 - 3:00 PM (approx)
Kingston Lacy House, Wimborne / Guided Walk - Fungi Foray
National Trust
The Countryside Wardens and The Dorset Fungi Group lead a walk through the Parkland and past the Veteran trees to discover the amazing mushrooms, toadstools and bracts of Autumn.Wear stout shoes. Cost: Adults £5 children £3. Meet at Kingston Lacy House, Grid Ref: ST975011 [MAP] nearest post code BH21 4EA. Booking essential on Tel: 01202 883402 or e-mail kingstonlacy@nationaltrust.org.uk

SUN 21st / 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Canford Heath, Poole / Guided Walk
Borough of Poole
Find out about this internationally important site, wildlife and history and what it takes to look after it. Meet at the Gravel Hill lay-by, south of Poole Crematorium. Grid Ref: SZ015956 [MAP] nearest post code BH17 9BQ. For more information contact the Borough of Poole on 01202 265265 or e-mail enquiries@poole.gov.uk.

WED 24th / 10:30 AM
Steamer Point NR, Christchurch / Guided Walk - Fungi to be With
Christchurch Borough Council
Dead wood and grassland fungi nature trail with Phil Budd and Peter Holloway. Meet at the Steamer Point Information Centre, end of Seaway Avenue, Friars Cliff. Grid Ref: SZ197929 [MAP] Nearest post code BH23 4JQ. Please book on Tel: 01425 272479 or e-mail countryside.service@christchurch.gov.uk

SUN 28th / 2:00 PM
Powerstock Common / Fungus Foray
Dorset Wildlife Trust
Lead by John Wright. Meet at Grid Ref: SY546973 [MAP] nearest post code DT2 0EJ.

SUN 28th / 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Poole Harbour, Poole / Guided Bird Boat Trip
RSPB & Brownsea Island Ferries
A partnership project between RSPB and Brownsea Island Ferries. We invite you to join an RSPB Poole Harbour Birdboat cruise and see the varied birdlife in the company of one of our guides. Cost: Adults £8, Children £4.75. For enquiries and bookings telephone Brownsea Island Ferries on Tel: 01929 462383.

SUN 28th / 2:00 PM
Chewton Common, Christchurch / Guided Walk - Fungus Foray
Christchurch Borough Council
Booking essential but no charge for volunteers. Contact Christchurch Countryside Service on 01425 272479 or e-mail countryside.service@christchurch.gov.uk