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.
- Contact: Brian Arnold
- Phone: 07740 980056
- Email: brianarnold666@gmail.com Event booking information
- Meeting point: 11.00 am at Durlston Castle (not the educational centre). Follow the brown signs to the car park where charges apply.
- Grid ref.: SZ034772
- Postcode: BH19 2JL
- w3w: ///deposits.chew.cherished
Sunday 12 July
Guided Walk - Durlston National Nature Reserve
Durlston Country Park near Swanage
In 'Discover Butterflies in Britain', Newland puts Durlston as No. 4 in his top 10 sites to visit in Britain. There are 3 National Butterfly Transects based at Durlston and there should be up to 15 species on the wing, including Lulworth Skipper. This is a morning walk of approximately 2 miles including a couple of steepish descents, although an easier alternative is available. It will take approximately 2 and a half hours. The cafe at the Durlston Castle should be open for refreshments after the walk. Park and meet 11.00 am at the entrance to Durlston Castle (not the educational centre) map reference SZ 0342 7725. Contact is Brian Arnold on 07740 980056 on the day, but note that mobile reception is patchy at Durlston.
- Contact: Nigel Spring
- Phone: 07981 776767
- Email: nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk Event booking information
- Meeting point: For Moth trapping meet 8am in the reserve wooded area or 10am at the reserve entrance for the Butterfly walk
- Grid ref.: ST736100
- w3w: ///frozen.expansion.echo
Saturday 25 July
Moth Trapping and Butterfly walk
Alners Gorse Butterfly Nature Reserve
We are setting up the moth traps on the Friday evening and will be meeting in the wood to analyse the catch from 8.00 am on the Saturday morning. All are welcome. 10.00 am - 1.00 pm Butterflies and other wildlife - a guided walk with Dr Martin Warren, aimed particularly at the the Brown and Purple Hairstreaks, along with other summer species like the Silver-washed Fritillary. There may still be White Admirals and White-letter Hairstreaks on the wing too. We will aim to visit the neighbouring land at Rooksmoor if there is time after lunch. Bring lunch if you would like to picnic in the Alners wood. NB If the weather is unsuitable, we will move this event to Sunday 26th instead. The 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 at map reference ST 736 100. Please text or email to book for this event so that we have your contact details in case arrangements change.
- Contact: Martin Warren
- Phone: 07775 590750
- Email: martin.warren@bc-europe.eu Event booking information
- Meeting point: Sandyhill Arts 09.30 to 11.00 am
- Grid ref.: SY962821
- Postcode: BH20 7JF
- w3w: ///episodes.princely.saying
Sunday 26 July
Marvellous Moths
Sandyhill Arts, Corfe Castle
Come and discover the wonderful world of moths at Sandy Hill Arts with local expert Martin Warren! 09.30 to 11.00 am Sandy Hill Arts is next to Boilerhouse Gallery. Either go over the footbridge from Corfe Castle railway station; or under the railway arch on the underhill road and take an immediate right down a track. The moth trap will be opened next to the big marquee.
- Contact: Andy Martin
- Phone: 07552 779099
- Email: andrewmartin802@gmail.com Event booking information
- Meeting point: Meet 11.00 am at the top of Bloxworth Road, off Alder Road, Talbot Heath, map reference SZ 055939, postcode BH12 4BN.
- Grid ref.: SZ055939
- Postcode: BH12 4BN
- w3w: ///slice.update.drip
Sunday 9 August
Guided Walk - Bourne Valley Nature Reserve CANCELLED
Poole
** Sadly due to recent Heath Fire this event is no longer going ahead. On our last visit to this heath in 2023 16 species of butterfly were recorded. One of the species seen was the Grayling which once again is our main target species. There will be a lot of dragonfly interest as well. The Bourne Valley Nature Reserve consists of urban heath along the valley of the Bourne Stream. Walking is fairly easy with slight slopes and some uneven ground. Ample parking at meeting point. Please book via walk leader.
- Contact: Martin Warren
- Phone: 07775 590750
- Email: martin.warren@bc-europe.eu Event booking information
- Meeting point: Sandyhill Arts is next to Boilerhouse Gallery. Either go over the footbridge from Corfe Castle railway station; or under the railway arch on the underhill road and take an immediate right down a track.
- Grid ref.: SY962821
- Postcode: BH20 7JF
- w3w: //////episodes.princely.saying
Sunday 9 August
Marvellous Moths summer workshops
Sandyhill Arts, Corfe Castle
Throughout the summer Martin Warren will be offering people the chance to discover more about the wonderful world of moths. We will be opening a moth light-trap that has been run the night before to see what beautiful and spectacular moths have been caught. If you have never been to a moth trapping event before, it is a fun and leisurely event where we have a chance to see moths at close quarters. They sleep during the day so you can see them close up while they rest underneath the egg cartons placed in the trap. The workshops are free and are suitable for all ages, including families with young children. No need to book just turn up and look for us on the flat ground by the old black wooden chicken shed at the western end of the site or in Room 14. The workshops will run outdoors so dress for the weather we will move indoors if it rains. We have limited parking. If you are coming on foot you can avoid the busy main road by coming through the station and over the footbridge. Sessions : 9.30-11.00 am
- Contact: Andy Martin
- Phone: 07552 779099
- Email: andrewmartin802@gmail.com Event booking information
- Meeting point: Meet 11.00 am at the Stour Valley Meadows SANG car park, 24 Taylor Drive, Bournemouth
- Postcode: BH8 0PZ
- w3w: ///cards.pitch.stuck
Sunday 16 August
Guided Walk - Stour Valley Water Meadows
Throop, Bournemouth
Due to the good response at last years event we will re-visit the Stour Valley Water Meadows SANG. Prior to the walk there will be a brief update on progress at the SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace) by Frankie Gamble BCP Lead SANG ranger. Following this, you will be taken on a guided walk around the SANG to observe the wildlife on show including several Butterfly and Dragonfly species. Walking is easy with mostly level constructed pathways. Families welcome. Booking advised via walk leader
- Contact: Lorraine Munns
- Phone: 07973 853628
- Email: lhmunns@hotmail.com Event booking information
- Meeting point: 11.00 am at Ulwell lay-by on the Swanage to Studland road.
- Grid ref.: SZ022809
- w3w: ///anchorman.skies.aquatic
Sunday 23 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. The walk is steep in places.
- Contact: Martin Warren
- Phone: 07775 590750
- Email: martin.warren@bc-europe.eu Event booking information
- Meeting point: Sessions : 9.30-11.00 am at Sandyhill Arts
- Grid ref.: SY962821
- Postcode: BH20 7JF
- w3w: //////episodes.princely.saying
Sunday 30 August
Marvellous Moths summer workshops
Sandyhill Arts, Corfe Castle
We will be opening a moth light-trap that has been run the night before to see what beautiful and spectacular moths have been caught. If you have never been to a moth trapping event before, it is a fun and leisurely event where we have a chance to see moths at close quarters. They sleep during the day so you can see them close up while they rest underneath the egg cartons placed in the trap. The workshops are free and are suitable for all ages, including families with young children. No need to book just turn up and look for us on the flat ground by the old black wooden chicken shed at the western end of the site or in Room 14. The workshops will run outdoors so dress for the weather we will move indoors if it rains. We have limited parking. If you are coming on foot you can avoid the busy main road by coming through the station and over the footbridge.