Please book with the event leader in advance – anytime up to the afternoon before the event. Please include your mobile phone number and email address, as we may have to contact you if numbers on the walks are limited, or if we have to cancel the event due to the weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Please don’t forget to let us know if you wish to change your plans. We will only use your personal details to contact you about the events you have booked for.

If you enjoy the event, we would be very grateful if you would consider a donation to the Dorset Branch of Butterfly Conservation. You can donate online or if you would rather not use an online payment, please see our ways to donate page.

    Saturday 3 June

    The Natural History and Ecology of the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly  CANCELLED

    Alners Gorse Butterfly Reserve

    This event has been cancelled We have organised a season of monthly training days on our butterfly reserves and other Dorset wildlife sites during the coming year to teach id skills and ecology, to involve more people in our activities and incidentally to raise a small amount of money for the branch funds. Numbers for these days will be limited, so booking is essential. The cost will be £10 for each session to cover any expenses incurred and profits will all go to the Dorset branch of Butterfly Conservation. In case of bad weather, the alternative date for this event will be Sunday June 4th. Please email Nigel Spring to book your place.

    See event booking information
  • Contact:
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point:
    • #266

    Friday 9 June

    Conservation Action Day on Portland

    Portland Sites

    The Dorset branch of Butterfly Conservation and EuCAN will be carrying out tasks on a variety of sites on Portland throughout the summer. There will be butterflies around to add interest. For details of today's activity please contact Nigel Spring on 07981 776767 or email [email protected]

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Nigel Spring
  • Phone: 07981 776767
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point:
    • #270

    Friday 16 June - Saturday 17 June

    Moth Trapping and Guided Walk - Ryewater Nursery

    Ryewater Nursery, Folke, North Dorset

    The Dorset branch of BC has been invited back to Ryewater for a weekend of mothing and a butterfly walk on this fascinating and inspiring estate. We will be setting up moth traps in a number of different places on the Friday evening - meet at 7.00 pm and bring a tent if you would like to stay overnight. Map reference for parking and camping in the 'R' Field' is ST 663 108. On the Saturday morning we will be going through the moth traps from 8.00 am. The guided walk to look at the butterflies and other wildlife will start at 11.00 am. There will also be access to the greenhouses to see the tropical butterfly collection. Please bring your food if you intend to camp.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Wren Franklin
  • Phone: 07776 100613
  • Meeting point: Parking and camping in 'R' Field
  • Grid ref.: ST664108
    •       Map#260

    Saturday 24 June - Sunday 25 June

    Moth Trapping

    Wyke Farm, Chedington, West Dorset

    We will be setting up the moth traps on the Saturday evening and meeting behind the farm buildings to analyse the catch at 8.00 am on the Sunday morning. This 800+ acre estate has been undergoing considerable changes since 2000 and the biodiversity of the great range of habitats there has benefited hugely. The moth species list is well in excess of 600 now. We plan to repeat the exercise on the weekend of July 15/16. All welcome. Please text or email to book for this event so that we have your contact details in case arrangements change.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Nigel Spring
  • Phone: 07981 776767
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Behind the farm buildings at Wyke Farm
  • Grid ref.: ST500070
    •       Map#267

    Thursday 29 June

    Guided Walk (Easy Walking) - Stoborough Heath, South Dorset

    Ridge near Wareham

    Although predominantly heathland, this reserve, managed by Natural England has a mixed habitat and supports a variety of butterfly species including a strong colony of Silver-studded Blue which is our target. The walk will last about 2 hours and will be ideal for anyone that would appreciate flat and easy-walking terrain.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Harold Gillen
  • Phone: 01929 550850
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet at 1.30 pm at the Sunnyside Farm car park. From the B3075 Wareham to Swanage Road, take Nutcrack Lane towards Arne and the car park for the Sunnyside Reserve is on the right after about a mile.
  • Grid ref.: SY938863
    •       Map#280

    Saturday 1 July

    Guided Walk - Blandford Forest

    Near Okeford Fitzpaine

    This will be an exploration of field margins as well as mature and coppiced woodland. Silver-washed Fritillary will be among the regular summer species to be seen here and we will be trying to find White Admirals.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Richard Norman
  • Phone: 01258 472887
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet at 1.00 pm at the picnic area on Okeford Hill
  • Grid ref.: ST812094
    •       Map#275

    Sunday 2 July

    Open Day at the Quarr LNR and Terrace Meadows SNCI

    Sherborne

    The Quarr is Sherborne's local nature reserve, an area of young woodland, scrub and grassland off the Bristol Road. The Terrace Meadow is a fascinating patch of limestone grassland adjacent to Sherborne's Terrace Playing Fields sports facilities. It is of particular interest as the soil is unusual for the area and supports flowers (including orchids), butterflies and other species not generally seen in the locality. Join us for one or both guided walks, with flower and insect identification sessions. We will meet on the Quarr at 12.00 pm and at the Terrace Meadows SNCI at 2.00 pm.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Nigel Spring
  • Phone: 07981 776767
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: For the Quarr, meet at the entrance by the Mermaid pub off the Bristol Road at map ref ST637174. For the Terrace Meadows, park in the Terrace Playing Fields Car Park (map reference ST 641156), signposted off the A352 just south of Sherborne and follow the footpath back towards the town through the patch of newly planted trees and up a few steps (map reference ST 637156).
    • #95

    Thursday 6 July

    Guided Walk - Duncliffe Wood

    West of Shaftesbury

    Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral will be among the target species in this extensive wood owned by the Woodland Trust.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Robin George
  • Phone: 01747 824215
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet 1.00 pm in the car park (not on the roadside) by the track that leads up to the wood.
  • Grid ref.: ST817223
    •       Map#205

    Friday 14 July

    Conservation Action Day on Portland

    Portland Sites

    The Dorset branch of Butterfly Conservation and EuCAN will be carrying out tasks on a variety of sites on Portland throughout the summer. There will be butterflies around to add interest. For details of today's activity please contact Nigel Spring on 07981 776767 or email [email protected]

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Nigel Spring
  • Phone: 07981 776767
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point:
    • #251

    Saturday 15 July

    Wildflower Identification

    Wyke Farm, Chedington, West Dorset

    Leader: Dr Miles King We have organised a season of monthly training days on our butterfly reserves and other Dorset wildlife sites during the coming year to teach id skills and ecology, to involve more people in our activities and incidentally to raise a small amount of money for the branch funds. Numbers for these days will be limited, so booking is essential. The cost will be £10 for each session to cover any expenses incurred and profits will all go to the Dorset branch of Butterfly Conservation. Please email Nigel Spring to book your place.

    See event booking information
  • Contact:
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point:
    • #281

    Saturday 15 July - Sunday 16 July

    Moth Trapping

    Wyke Farm, Chedington, West Dorset

    We will be setting up the moth traps on the Saturday evening and meeting behind the farm buildings to analyse the catch at 8.00 am on the Sunday morning. This 800+ acre estate has been undergoing considerable changes since 2000 and the biodiversity of the great range of habitats there has benefited hugely. The moth species list is well in excess of 600 now. All welcome. Please text or email to book for this event so that we have your contact details in case arrangements change.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Nigel Spring
  • Phone: 07981 776767
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Behind the farm buildings at Wyke Farm
  • Grid ref.: ST500070
    •       Map#282

    Wednesday 19 July

    Butterflies and Wildflowers at Winfrith Heath

    Winfrith Heath

    This is a joint visit for the Dorset Branch of Butterfly Conservation and Dorset Flora Group and a chance to explore this Dorset Wildlife Trust heathland reserve for butterflies and plants of interest, such as Bog Asphodel, Marsh Cinquefoil and Great Burnet. We will also be looking for species used as food plants for butterfly caterpillars. We are timing this visit to hopefully coincide with both Silver-studded Blue and Grayling butterflies' flight periods as well as a good range of wild flowers. We will be looking at both dry and wet heath and some small areas of grassland and woodland edge. Please bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink as this will be an all-day event. Waterproof footwear is desirable for exploring boggy areas. We aim to finish at about 3.00 pm.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Tom and Jean Smith
  • Phone: 01305 567537 or 07717 437250 on the day
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet at 11.00 am at the entrance to Winfrith Heath SY 805862, parking considerately at the roadside and in the small lay-by near Blacknoll.
  • Grid ref.: SY805862
    •       Map#223

    Saturday 22 July

    Motcombe Meadows

    Motcombe, North Dorset

    This 25-acre site has been managed as an amenity for the village and a refuge for wildlife. Over and above a high density of many of the more common species, especial butterfly interest includes Purple Hairstreak, White-letter Hairstreak and Essex Skipper. The site may be wet underfoot if there has been a lot of rain.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Peter Cooper
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet 1.00 pm in car park at map reference ST 846 260, at the top of Prideaux Drive, Motcombe. If driving north, look for red front door of the first house.
  • Grid ref.: ST846260
    •   
  • Postcode: SP7 9NN
    • Map#125

    Sunday 23 July

    Guided Walk - East Weares, Portland

    Easton, Portland

    Target species on this 2 hour walk will include Lulworth Skipper, Chalkhill Blue and Wall. Stout footwear is recommended as the path is uneven in places.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Bernard Franklin
  • Phone: 07711 304412
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet 2.00 pm at Perryfields/museum car park in Easton. If parking is full, use nearby kerbsides.
  • Grid ref.: SY695712
    •       Map#263

    Saturday 29 July

    Moth Trapping

    Alners Gorse Butterfly Reserve, North Dorset

    We are setting up the moth traps on the Friday evening and will be meeting in the wood to analyse the catch at 8.00 am on the Saturday morning. All welcome. Please text or email to book for this event so that we have your contact details in case arrangements change.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Nigel Spring
  • Phone: 07981 776767
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Alners Gorse reserve entrance is on the road from Kings Stag to Hazelbury Bryan beside the Hazelbury Bryan village sign and 30 mph sign. Park on the wide straight road verge on the Kings Stag side of the village sign, well away from the dangerous bend. Map reference is ST 736 100. Please do not park in the reserve car park if the ground is wet.
  • Grid ref.: ST736100
    •       Map#226

    Saturday 29 July

    Guided Walk

    Alners Gorse Butterfly Reserve

    Martin Warren is our leader for this event where Brown and Purple Hairstreaks will be among the targets, along with other summer species like the Silver-washed Fritillary. There may still be White Admirals and White-letter Hairstreaks on the wing. Meet at the reserve entrance for a 10.30 am start. We plan to have a picnic lunch by the hut at around 1.00 pm.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Nigel Spring
  • Phone: 07981 776767
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet 10.30 am at the Alners Gorse reserve entrance which is on the road from Kings Stag to Hazelbury Bryan beside the Hazelbury Bryan village sign and 30 mph sign. Park on the wide straight road verge on the Kings Stag side of the village sign, well away from the dangerous bend.
  • Grid ref.: ST736100
    •       Map#284

    Sunday 30 July

    Rodwell Trail - Butterfly Identification Walk

    Weymouth

    A walk along the old railway line between Weymouth and Portland. This is an ideal opportunity for beginners to be inducted into butterfly identification and life cycles.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Bernard Franklin
  • Phone: 07711 304412
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet at 2.00 pm at the cafe in Sandsfoot Castle gardens, Old Castle Road, Weymouth.
  • Grid ref.: SY675775
    •   
  • Postcode: DT4 8QE
    • Map#63

    Thursday 3 August

    Guided Walk

    Eggardon Hill, West Dorset

    Joint with Devon Branch This is our first visit to this beautifully situated Iron Age hillfort with impressive views. The morning walk will be on the earthworks of the hillfort where downland species are to be found. Chalkhill Blue has not been recorded in recent years so will be a target to find. After lunch, there is an optional walk to look at another area of nearby downland.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Paul Butter
  • Phone: 07807 680455
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet 11.00 am. Park on the roadside at the crossroads south-east of the hillfort.
  • Grid ref.: SY547945
    •       Map#278

    Saturday 5 August

    Guided Walk

    Giant Hill, Cerne Abbas

    One of our target species on this walk will be Chalkhill Blue whose numbers have plummeted in recent years but which gave a slight indication of a recovery last season. As well as this, there should be plenty of other summer species to see and enjoy. We meet in the Village Hall car park for a 1.30 pm start; finishing at around 4.00 pm. Please wear tick proof clothing. N.B. The terrain is fairly challenging on this site so stout footwear is recommended. In case of unsuitable weather on the 5th, this event will take place on Sunday, August 6th instead. Please text or email to book so that we have your contact details in case arrangements change.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Nigel Spring
  • Phone: 07981 776767
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: 1.30 pm at the village hall in Kettle Bridge Lane.
  • Grid ref.: ST664015
    •   
  • Postcode: DT2 7GY
    • Map#279

    Friday 11 August

    Conservation Action Day on Portland

    Portland Sites

    The Dorset branch of Butterfly Conservation and EuCAN will be carrying out tasks on a variety of sites on Portland through the summer. There will be butterflies around to add interest. For details of today's activity please contact Nigel Spring on 07981 776767 or email [email protected]

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Nigel Spring
  • Phone: 07981 776767
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point:
    • #253

    Thursday 17 August

    Guided Walk - Fontmell Down

    Fontmell, near Shaftesbury

    Joint with Wiltshire Branch The last Dorset refuge for the Silver-spotted Skipper, Fontmell offers a great opportunity to study this and other downland specialities including the second brood of Adonis Blue.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Robin George
  • Phone: 01747 824215
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet 1.00 pm at the National Trust car park, map reference ST 886 187. There is alternative parking around the triangle at ST 888 185.
  • Grid ref.: ST886187
    •       Map#65

    Saturday 19 August

    Guided Walk - Weymouth Relief Road

    Weymouth

    During the construction of the road, an imaginative plan was devised to create new herb-rich downland on the slopes alongside it. Informal monitoring of butterflies started in 2012 and a formal transect was set up in 2018. Last year 27 species were recorded including Chalkhill Blue which first appeared in 2019 and there were good numbers of Small Blue, Adonis Blue and Small Tortoiseshell.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Adrian Neil
  • Phone: 01305 832937
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet at 2.00 pm at the truncated end of the Broadmayne road where it meets the relief road. N.B. Access is only possible from the eastern side of the relief road.
  • Grid ref.: SY674859
    •   
  • Postcode: DT3 5PR
    • Map#152

    Sunday 20 August

    Butterfly Walk

    Ballard Down, Swanage

    A return visit to the lower slopes of Ballard Down to enjoy this chalk downland site with its stunning views and butterflies. Target species will be the second brood of Adonis Blue, Wall and Brown Argus which will now be on the wing.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Lorraine Munns
  • Phone: 07973 853628
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: 11.00 am at Ulwell lay-by on the Swanage to Studland road.
  • Grid ref.: SZ022809
    •       Map#276

    Tuesday 22 August

    Butterflies By The Sea

    Southbourne Overcliff, Bournemouth

    Come along and enjoy a 2-hour walk along one of Dorset's newest butterfly monitoring transects. Southbourne Overcliff Nature Reserve is nationally recognised as one of the only places in the UK where the lovely Clouded Yellow overwinters. Not surprisingly this will be our target species with an opportunity to observe the beautiful white form of female known as helice which occurs in the area. Due to the walk taking in part of the often busy seafront promenade, numbers must be limited so registration is essential as the event may be re-scheduled for Thursday 24th if the weather is not suitable. For further details or to register please contact Andy Martin by email or text.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Andy Martin
  • Phone: 07552 779099
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: 11.00 am at Warren Edge BCP Pay & Display car park, Southbourne. There may be free parking available in the surrounding streets.
  • Grid ref.: SZ147911
    •   
  • Postcode: BH6 4BG.
    • Map#269

    Wednesday 23 August

    Guided Walk - Osmington

    Osmington, East of Weymouth

    A downland and country lane walk on which we should find at least 15 species of butterfly. The targets will include Adonis Blue and Wall. There is a choice to return to the start making a 2 hour walk or then have a picnic lunch if you wish to continue to make a total of 4 hours walking and watching. Children are very welcome.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Colin Burningham
  • Phone: 01935 873219 or 07849 921594
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: Meet at 11.00 am outside Osmington church.
  • Grid ref.: SY725830
    •   
  • Postcode: DT3 6EJ
    • Map#69

    Sunday 3 September

    Guided Walk - Winspit

    Worth Matravers, Purbeck

    Our traditional end of season coastal walk for late butterflies and migrating birds. Wear stout footwear and bring packed lunch. The walk will be steep in places.

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Bernard Franklin
  • Phone: 07711 304412
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point: 11.00 am in the public car park in Worth Matravers
  • Grid ref.: SY974776
    •       Map#110

    Friday 8 September

    Conservation Action Day on Portland

    Portland Sites

    The Dorset branch of Butterfly Conservation and EuCAN will be carrying out tasks on a variety of sites on Portland on the second Friday of each month throughout the summer. There will be butterflies around to add interest. For details of today's activity please contact Nigel Spring on 07981 776767 or email [email protected]

    See event booking information
  • Contact: Nigel Spring
  • Phone: 07981 776767
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Meeting point:
    • #252

    Saturday 16 September

    Leafmines at Alners Gorse

    Alners Gorse Butterfly Reserve

    Leader: Jack Oughton 10.00 - 1.30 pm. Learn about the creatures that create the striking patterns that we see on leaves in the countryside. We have organised a season of monthly training days on our butterfly reserves and other Dorset wildlife sites during the coming year to teach id skills and ecology, to involve more people in our activities and incidentally to raise a small amount of money for the branch funds. Numbers for these days will be limited, so booking is essential. The cost will be £10 for each session to cover any expenses incurred and profits will all go to the Dorset branch of Butterfly Conservation. In case of bad weather, the alternative date for this event will be Sunday September 17th. Please email Nigel Spring to book your place.

    See event booking information
  • Contact:
  • Email: [email protected] .co.uk
  • Meeting point:
    • #272