SUN 2nd / 2:00 - 4:30 PM
Stour Valley Nature Reserve, Bournemouth / Spider Workshop
Dorset Wildlife Trust
This free workshop is aimed at people who want to know more about spiders, understand their behaviour, indentify them and for those who are arachnophobic and wish to come to terms with them. This workshop will consist of a walk to collect specimens in the meadows, marsh and woodlands of Stour Valley Nature Reserve, and then look at them in more detail. Meet at the Barn, Stour Acres, off Granby Road, Muscliff. Grid Ref: SZ096958 [MAP] nearest post code BH9 3PP. Contact Amanda Cooke on Tel: 01202 642780.
FRI 7th / 8:00 - 9:00 AM
West Bexington / Moth Trapping - 5 of 6
Dorset Wildlife Trust
A natural history course led by County Ecologist Phil Sterling, held on the first Friday of the month from May until October. Learn to identify moths caught in the area and follow the seasonal changes.
Meet at home of Roy and Sue Eden, “Haliki”, Beach Road,
West Bexington Grid Ref: SY531865. Limited parking in drive so please park in
Pay & Display at bottom of Beach Rd. Booking essential - Tel: 01305 264620. Cost: £25 for all 6 sessions or £5 per session.
This Book is Good: Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland
by Paul Waring, Martin Townsend, Richard Lewington.
SAT 15th / 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
King Barrow Quarry, Portland / Spiders
Dorset Wildlife Trust
Learn more about the natural history of this fascinating
group of animals. Explore the quarry and find many rare
and scarce species under the expert tutorage of Rob Cumming.
Access on to the quarry is for able-bodied people only
and please wear sturdy walking boots and gardening gloves.
Bring a packed lunch. The day is likely to be cancelled if wet.Meet at the View Point Car Park behind Portland Heights Hotel. Grid Ref: SY732691. Booking essential - Tel: 01305 264620.
Cost £10.
This Book is Good: Spiders of Britain and Northern Europe (Collins Field Guide)
by Michael J. Roberts.
WED 19th / 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Brooklands Farm, Forston, Nr Dorchester / Small Mammal Workshop
Dorset Wildlife Trust
A presentation on how to trap & identify small mammals using longworth traps & set some traps in the local area. Meet at Brooklands Farm, Forston, Dorchester, Grid Ref: SY665951 [MAP] post code DT2 7AA. Contact Steve Davis: tel. 01305 264620.
THU 20th / 8:30 - 10:30 AM
Brooklands Farm, Forston, Nr Dorchester / Small Mammal Workshop
Dorset Wildlife Trust
Checking the traps set on the previous evening. Anyone welcome, you do not need to have attended the previous session. Meet at Brooklands Farm, Forston, Dorchester, Grid Ref: SY665951 [MAP] post code DT2 7AA. Contact Steve Davis: tel. 01305 264620
SAT 22nd & SUN 23rd
Spyway Barn, Worth Matravers / Dry Stone Walling
Dry Stone Walling Association - South-West England Branch
Beginners Course run by the Dry Stone Walling Association, South-WEst England Branch.
Cost: £50 for this two day course. Go to the Dry Stone Walling Association web site to download an application form.
Reccommended book: Dry Stone Walling: A Practical Handbook
SAT 22nd / 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Arne, Purbeck / Introduction to Bird Watching
RSPB - Arne
The day is designed for the beginner who would like to know more about bird watching. It will include help and advice on the best field guides and binoculars and how to use them, how to identify birds and where to go bird watching. A walk to look for some of Arne’s birds and to put theory into practice will follow the indoor sessions. Meet at the RSPB Arne nature reserve car park, near Wareham, Dorset. Grid Ref: SY972877 [MAP] Post code BH20 5BJ. Cost: £10 per person, drinks included. Booking essential on 01929 553360.
Recommended Book: Birdwatching (RSPB)
by Rob Hume.
SAT 29th / 10:00 AM -
Alners Gorse, Nr Sturminster Newton / Log Cabin Building Workshop
Butterfly Conservation - Dorset Branch
Alners Gorse has a plantation of pine and spruce which we would like to clear to improve the wildlife habitat, so we are going to use the timber to construct a field shelter for the grazing animals there. We are looking for people to join us and learn the basic principles of log cabin construction. Please book in advance. There will be soup, baked potatoes and hot drinks cooked on a bonfire. Park on the verge well to the west of the 30 mph and Hazelbury Bryan village signs and meet at the reserve entrance at Grid Ref ST736100 [MAP], nearest post code DT10 2AH. For further information please contact Nigel Spring on 01963 23559 or 07981 776767, or email nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk.
