Events diary

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.

Tuesday 4 February - Wednesday 5 February

Conservation Action Day  NEW

Lankham Bottom Butterfly Reserve

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.


Contact: Nigel Spring   Phone: 07981 776767
Email: nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk

Meeting point: The Reserve entrance is off the minor road from Cattistock to the A37, about half a mile from the A37. Meet at 9.00 am at the reserve entrance - or if you arrive later, drive through the main entrance and park at the bottom of the track (secure the inner gate behind you). Google map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=1-s2R9VHQDKgEjZLs9RgJEZy0cs0&ll=50.801452693213946%2C-2.5557159999999612&z=16
Grid reference: ST606004  
Map

Sunday 9 February

Conservation Action Day  

Lankham Bottom Butterfly Reserve

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.


Contact: Nigel Spring   Phone: 07981 776767
Email: nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk

Meeting point: The Reserve entrance is off the minor road from Cattistock to the A37, about half a mile from the A37. Meet at 9.00 am at the reserve entrance - or if you arrive later, drive through the main entrance and park at the bottom of the track (secure the inner gate behind you). Google map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=1-s2R9VHQDKgEjZLs9RgJEZy0cs0&ll=50.801452693213946%2C-2.5557159999999612&z=16
Grid reference: ST606004  
Map

Wednesday 12 February

Conservation Action Day  NEW

Alners Gorse Butterfly Reserve

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.


Contact: Nigel Spring   Phone: 07981 776767
Email: nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk

Meeting point: The reserve entrance is on the road from Kings Stag to Hazelbury Bryan beside the Hazelbury Bryan village sign and 30mph sign. Park on the wide straight road verge on the Kings Stag side of the village sign, well away from the dangerous bend.
Grid reference: ST736100  
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Thursday 13 February

Conservation Action Day  NEW

Broadcroft Quarry Reserve

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.


Contact: Nigel Spring   Phone: 07981 776767
Email: nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk

Meeting point: For Broadcroft Quarry Reserve, turn left off Easton Road onto Grove Road and about 100 yards on the right (Opposite Portland Football Club) is a track which leads to the car park.
Grid reference: SY695723   Postcode: DT5 1BZ
Map

Friday 14 February

Conservation Work Day  

Langford Valley

Conservation work for Duke Of Burgundy habitat. A second visit is planned for Friday, 21st February.


Contact: Rachel Jones   Phone: 01929 406018
Email: rjones@butterfly-conservation.org

Meeting point: 10.00 am at the field gate beyond Langford Farm Cottages, near Lower Magiston. Take the minor road northwards from Stratton to Sydling St. Nicholas along the Sydling Water. At the Bridleway sign turn right into the Langford valley and to the farm
Grid reference: SY639958   Postcode: DT2 9NP
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Saturday 15 February

Branch Members Day and AGM  

Puddletown

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.


Contact: Adrian Neil   Phone: 01305 832937
Email: secretary@dorsetbutterflies.com

Meeting point: 2.00pm - 5.30pm. Puddletown Village Hall. There is plenty of parking in the village.
Grid reference: SY757942   Postcode: DT2 8RX
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Friday 21 February

Conservation Work Day   

Langford Valley

Conservation work day on habitat for the Duke Of Burgundy and Marsh Fritillary


Contact: Rachel Jones   Phone: 01929 406018
Email: RJones@butterfly-conservation.org

Meeting point: 10.00 am at the field gate beyond Langford Farm Cottages, near Lower Magiston. Take the minor road northwards from Stratton to Sydling St. Nicholas along the Sydling Water. At the Bridleway sign turn right into the Langford valley and to the farm
Grid reference: SY639958   Postcode: DT2 9NP
Map

Saturday 22 February

Butterfly Trends in West Dorset and Portland  

Toller Porcorum

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.


Contact: Stephen Brown   Phone: 07748 730399

Meeting point: 2.00 pm at Toller Porcorum Village Hall. From the A356, drive down into Toller Porcorum, over a small bridge then second right(School Lane) then left into Church Mead to Village Hall. From Bridport follow sign to Toller Porcorum, then down into village, over old railway bridge, then first left (School Lane).
Grid reference: SY562980   Postcode: DT2 0DT
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Sunday 23 February

Conservation Work Day  

Lydlinch Common

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.


Contact: Colin Burningham   Phone: 01935 873219 or 07849 921594.

Meeting point: Meet 10.00 am and park in the lay-by outside the village on the north side of the A357 near the turning to Sherborne.
Grid reference: ST737137   Postcode: DT10 2JD
Map

Thursday 5 March

Butterfly Trends in South Dorset  

Corfe

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.


Contact: Jon Bellamy   Phone: 01929 450182

Meeting point: PLEASE NOTE: New Venue, 7.30 pm at Corfe Village Hall which is situated behind the library in East Street, Corfe.
Postcode: BH20 5EE
Map

Friday 6 March

Butterfly Trends in East Dorset  

Wimborne

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.


Contact: Stephen Brown   Phone: 07748 730399

Meeting point: 7.30pm. St. Catherine's Church Hall on the corner of Leigh Road and Lewens Lane, Wimborne.
Postcode: BH21 1LE
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Tuesday 10 March

How Do We Make Our Amenity Grasslands Buzz With Wildlife?  

Hamworthy, Poole

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


Contact: Ken Yeates (DWT)   Phone: 07947 141539
Email: dwtpoole2@hotmail.co.uk

Meeting point: 7.30 pm at Carter Community School, Blandford Close, Hamworthy, Poole.
Postcode: BH15 4BQ
Map

Friday 20 March

Butterfly Trends in North Dorset  

East Stour, near Gillingham

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.


Contact: Peter Cooper
Email: devco2011@btinternet.com

Meeting point: 7.30pm. East Stour Village Hall, next to the playing field on the left of the B3092 road from East Stour to Gillingham.
Postcode: SP8 5JY
Map

Sunday 22 March

Conservation Work Day  

Lydlinch Common

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.


Contact: Colin Burningham   Phone: 01935 873219 or 07849 921594

Meeting point: Meet 10.00 am and park in the lay-by outside the village on the north side of the A357 near the turning to Sherborne.
Grid reference: ST737137   Postcode: DT10 2JD
Map