Walks, talks, work parties and other activities in the Dorset area
NOTE For all Conservation Work Days, if the prevailing weather is bad, please contact the event leader to check whether the work is going ahead.
We are spending 2 days continuing with the tasks of reducing the invading thorn scrub and cutting regrowth. We will be grateful for any help with the raking up and stacking or burning of the brash. We will provide the necessary tools for the work, but please bring your own mug for hot drinks, your packed lunch and working gloves with you. If you can offer a lift or need one, contact me in advance of the task (07981 776767 or email nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk). If you are a brushcutter user, please let me know you will be joining us - you will need your own PPE and you should have attended a refresher course in the last five years.
Continuing the task of gorse and thorn scrub clearance on this important downland reserve. Today we will be working from 9 am to 4pm with the Dorset Countryside Volunteers who are also on the reserve on Saturday 8th if you would like to join them. There will be hot drinks and cake for refreshments.
We will be continuing with the scrub clearing job on this wonderful reserve, starting at 8.30am (please walk down to find us if you arrive later). We will also aim to finish some fence repairs today. We will provide the tools for the work, but please bring your own mug for hot drinks, your packed lunch and working gloves with you. If you can offer a lift or need one, contact me in advance of the task (07981.776767 or email nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk). If you are a chainsaw or brushcutter user, you will need you own PPE and you should have attended a refresher course in the last five years.
We will be carrying out our regular grass and scrub work to maintain the habitat in good condition for the target butterfly and moth species and will need help with the cutting and raking up and burning. Clematis, buddleia and bramble are the main threats here. All welcome! Bring gloves, a mug for hot drinks and your packed lunch. We will be working from 9.00 am until around 4.00 pm but join us whenever you can. Today we will be working with the EuCAN Cerne Volunteers group to complete the habitat improvement work that we started in January. A small group will also be working at Perryfields Reserve to carry the routine regrowth cutting and litter picking there. We will all meet at Broadcroft Quarry at 9am and divide into groups at about 10am. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=1IJpFFPqZjFxQ1bWTDzdysQMcLM8&ll=50.54788499738605%2C-2.4319363943865255&z=16 If you are a trained brushcutter operator, please bring your PPE and let me know in advance that you will be joining us.
Conservation work for Duke Of Burgundy habitat. A second visit is planned for Friday, 21st February.
The programme will consist of: * AGM and Chairman’s summary of the year * 'Amazing Butterflies – New Discoveries That Will Astonish You’. A presentation by Dr Martin Warren on the less well-known features of butterflies’ life-cycles and ecology. A book containing his research is due to be published in 2020. * Tea and raffle draw. Donations of cakes and raffle prizes gratefully received. If you require any further details or can offer help on the day, please contact Adrian Neil on 01305 832937.
Conservation work day on habitat for the Duke Of Burgundy and Marsh Fritillary
All are welcome to attend this presentation of the results of the west Dorset Transect surveys, Wider Countryside project, casual, website and garden records in 2019 and the resulting trends in butterfly numbers. Please come along if you might also be interested in helping with any sort of butterfly recording in 2020 or joining in several of the butterfly counting walks. Walks covered are Brackett’s Coppice, Black Hill, Chard Junction, Cerne Giant, Southfield Hog Cliff, Kingcombe, Lankham, Lorton Meadows, Powerstock, Portland (Broadcroft, Perryfields and Tout), Radipole and Stonebarrow. After a presentation on the county and regional results for 2019, attendees are encouraged to contribute to the meeting by way of a short presentation on their experiences or with pictures. Please contact the organiser in advance if you wish to do so. The venue is Toller Porcorum Village Hall, start time 2.00 pm.
Lydlinch is part of an area crucial to the Marsh Fritillary, and conservation work is vital to ensure that the habitat is kept suitable for its survival at this site. 10.00 am to 3.30pm.
All are welcome to attend this presentation of the results of the south Dorset Transect surveys, Wider Countryside project, casual, website and garden records in 2019 and the resulting trends in butterfly numbers. Please come along if you might also be interested in helping with any sort of butterfly recording in 2020 or joining in several of the butterfly counting walks at Ballard Down, Bindon Hill, Corfe West Hill, Corfe Common, Durlstons, Hethfelton, Higher Hyde, Langton Westwood, Lulworth Estate, Studland & Ferry Road West, Tadnoll, Townsend, Wareham Walls, Winspit and the miniature walks along the Purbeck Chalk Ridge. After a presentation on the county and Purbeck results for 2019, attendees are encouraged to contribute to the meeting by way of a short presentation on their experiences or with pictures. Please contact the organiser in advance if you wish to do so.
All are welcome to this presentation on the trends in Dorset butterfly numbers revealed by the monitoring in and surveys in 2019 including casual, website and garden records. Please come along if you are interested in helping with any sort of butterfly recording in 2020. Walks covered are those at Avon Heath, Badbury Rings, Garston Wood, Hengistbury Head, Kinson Common, Moors Valley, Mude Valley, Pamphill Moor, Redhill, Sopley Common, Sovell Down, Stanpit, Stour Valley, Upton Heath, West Moors and Wimborne St. Giles. The second part of the evening is intended for contributions from members about their experiences or the transects that they do. These should last about 10 minutes. Please contact Stephen if you would like to contribute in this way.
A joint event with the Dorset Wildlife Trust Poole Group. An illustrated talk by Dr Phil Sterling, BC’s Programme Manager, Building Sites For Butterflies
All are welcome to attend this presentation of the results of the north Dorset Transect surveys, Wider Countryside project, casual, website and garden records in 2019 and the resulting trends in butterfly numbers. Please come along if you might also be interested in helping with butterfly recording in 2020 or signing up for any of the butterfly counting walks,which are Alners Gorse, Cashmoor Down, Clubmen's Down, Deadmoor Common, Duncliffe Wood, Fifehead Wood, Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Jerry's Hole, Lydlinch Common, Melbury Down, Milldown, Piddles Wood, Rooksmoor, Ryewater, Sovell Down and Stubhampton Bottom. After a presentation on the county and north Dorset results for 2019, attendees are encouraged to contribute to the meeting by way of a short presentation on their experiences or with pictures. Please contact the organiser in advance if you wish to do so.
Lydlinch is part of an area crucial to the Marsh Fritillary, and conservation work is vital to ensure that the habitat is kept suitable for its survival at this site. 10.00 am to 3.30pm.