The Dorset Birding and Wildlife Experience - Avocet/Black-tailed Godwit flock -  Autumn/winter high water roosts on Brownsea Island can hold up to 1500-2000 individuals of both Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit.  October is a good month to see these and other species of waders before the island close for the season.  Special trips are organised during the winter months. Photography by Neil Gartshore.

Our Events Programme

 

Our Themed Birding and Wildlife Walks. Walks based on these themes are also available to groups. 

Click here to download our flier: Themed Birding and Wildlife Walks 2010-2011  

 

Other Walks and Tours.  Bookings for these walks/tours should be made through the walk/tour organiser but contact us if you would like more information.

 

Illustrated Wildlife Talks. These are requested from a variety of groups, non-members are usually welcome.  Contact us for further details.

 

We will be exhibiting at these events with 'Calluna Books', our natural history book business.

Information about the DBWE will be available.

 
August 2010    

Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd

The British Birdwatching Fair,Rutland Water

We will be exhibiting at the Fair with Calluna Books where information about The DBWE will be available.    www.birdfair.org.uk

Saturday 28th

Oak Fair, Stock Gaylard Estate, Dorset

We will be exhibiting at the Fair with Calluna Books where information about The DBWE will be available.    www.stockgaylard.com

September 2010    

Wednesday 29th September

Autumn Birds on Ballard & Studland

Starting off from South Beach, we’ll take a circular walk out over the eastern end of Ballard Down where we’ll have a chance of something a little more unusual amongst the passing migrants. Worth the walk for the views alone!  For the remainder of the day we’ll make a number of stops along the Studland road to search for waders and wildfowl and hopefully some early divers and grebes.

Time:                 10am – 4pm [6hr]

Cost:                 £18.00

Meet:                Studland

Main Interest:   Birds

October 2010

Sunday 17th October

Winter birding in Purbeck: a race to see 100 species

Join up for a day’s bird racing with the aim of seeing/ hearing 100 species during the day. We will meet/end in Wareham and will stay within the Purbeck boundary. The day will be quite intensive as we aim for our target with new birds coming thick and fast to begin with before slowing down as we try to pick off those that have proven more elusive. Our route on the day will depend on a number of variables, such as weather, tides and what birds are about, but may take us Arne, Middlebere, Studland, Durlston and Swineham. We should comfortably pick up 80+ species but 100+ is not impossible.

Free transport (eight-seat vehicle) & drinks are provided.

Time:                 8am – 4.30pm  [8.5 hr]

Cost:                 £25.00

Meet:                Wareham

Main Interest:   Birds

November 2010

Wednesday 10th November

In Search of Waders: Poole Harbour’s north shore

We will make our way from Upton Country Park (Hole’s Bay) to Sandbanks stopping off at Baiter and Shore Road on the way. Amongst the expected waders (we could see up to 18 species) these sites will give us a good chance of finding Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Knot and Purple Sandpiper. A good selection of wildfowl and gulls will add to our days tally.

 

Time:                10am – 2pm [4hr]

Cost:                 £12.00

Meet:                Upton Country Park

Main Interest:   Birds

Wednesday 24th November 2010

Winter birding in Purbeck: a race to see 100 species

See October 17th.   

Free transport (eight-seat vehicle) & drinks are provided.  Max 6 places.

Time:                8am – 4.30pm [8.5 hr]

Cost:                 £25.00

Meet:                Wareham

December 2010

Saturday 11th December

Urban Birding in Weymouth

Despite its urban environment Weymouth provides some excellent birding. We’ll spend the day visiting a number of sites in/around the town taking in a variety of habitats including the sea, reed beds, grazing marsh and woodland. Sites will include Radipole for ducks, gulls and possibly Bittern, Lodmoor for waders, Weymouth Bay/Portland Harbour for grebes and divers and Lorton Meadow/Two-mile coppice for woodland/scrub birds.  

Time:                  10am – 4pm [6hr]

Cost:                   £18.00

Meet:                  Radipole Lake

Main Interest:     Birds

January 2011

Saturday 8th January

Swineham Walks: River, Pits & Harbour

We will take a circular walk around the Swineham area starting out by following the River Frome from Wareham to the gravel pits at Swineham. We’ll continue on around into the Piddle Valley before completing the circuit back to Wareham. This walk usually provides a good mixture of birds and there is a good chance of both Hen and Marsh Harriers.  The pits hold a selection of duck and can turn up something a little more unusual such Ruddy Duck or Scaup.

 

Time:                  10am – 2pm [4hrs]

Cost:                   £12.00

Meet:                  Wareham

Main Interest:     Birds

Saturday 29th January

Winter birding in Purbeck: a race to see 100 species

See October 17th.   

Free transport (eight-seat vehicle) & drinks are provided.  Max 6 places.

Time:                8am – 4.30pm [8.5 hr]

Cost:                 £25.00

Meet:                Wareham

February 2011

Wednesday 16th February

Maiden Castle & Thornecombe Wood: Farmland & Woodland Birds

In the dramatic landscape of one of the UK’s top hill-forts we will go in search of farmland birds. The surrounding area often holds large numbers of Golden Plover/Lapwing and is one of the best places to find Corn Bunting (and possibly Grey Partridge). We should also pick up a good mixture of thrushes and finches and Buzzards are always plentiful. We will leave time to visit the nearby Thornecombe Wood where we may be rewarded with a sighting of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker amongst the mixture of woodland birds.

 

Time:                  10am – 2pm [4hr]

Cost:                   £12.00

Meet:                  Maiden Castle

Main Interest:     Birds

March 2011

Wednesday 2nd March

Poole Harbour Circuit – the Birding Hotspots

Birding around Poole Harbour we are spoilt for choice of where to go with many hot-spots to choose from. We’ll keep on the move dropping in to places of interest to find the variety of species that winter here. Sites will include Upton Country Park, Shore Road, Studland, the Hartland Moor-Middlebere-Arne area and Swineham Point [Wareham].    

 

Time:                  10am – 4pm [6hr]

Cost:                   £18.00

Meet:                  Upton Country Park

Main Interest:     Birds

Saturday 19th March

Wareham Forest Early Birds

This is often the best month to look for the two heathland specialities. Both Woodlark and Dartford Warbler breed here and this is a good time of the year to catch them in full song. The forest provides some excellent walking and we should pick up a range of other birds that usually include Raven and Crossbill, and we may hear our first chiffchaff of the year. Occasionally, Great Grey Shrike over winter. 

Time:                   10am – 2pm [4hr]

Cost:                   £12.00

Meet:                  Sherford Bridge

Main Interest:     Birds

April 2011

Wednesday 6th April

Around Weymouth & Portland

From the middle of March, Dorset’s first migrants start to appear - early species include Sandwich Tern, Sand Martin, Swallow and Wheatear. Portland is often the first stopping off point on their journey north and we’ll spend time around the island looking for them. With increased seabird activity off The Bill there may be a chance of a Puffin or two amongst the auks. Moving off Portland we’ll check out the harbour for late ducks, divers and grebes before moving on to Radipole Lake and Lodmoor. This is also a good time to catch up with the elusive Cetti’s Warbler, usually heard but less often seen, and Bearded Tit.

 

Time:                  10am – 4pm [6hr]

Cost:                   £18.00

Meet:                  Portland Bill

Main Interest:     Birds

Thursday 28th April – Thursday 5th May 2011  

LESVOS, GREECE

 

Lesvos holds several south-eastern European specialities including Krüper's & Western Rock Nuthatches, Sombre Tit, Olive-tree Warbler, Masked Shrike, Cretzschmar's and Cinereous Buntings. Many other southern European species also occur including European Bee-eater, European Roller, Hoopoe and Eastern Olivaceous and Great Reed-warblers. Lesvos is also an excellent migration spot and many passing migrants move through the island including the occasional rarity or two. The tour is based at one of the best hotels on the island, which is conveniently situated in Skala Kallonis and has excellent birding sites nearby.

This trip is run by Birdfinders. 

Please contact us for further details or check out the Birdfinders website:  www.birdfinders.co.uk

May 2011

Monday 9th May - Monday 16th May 2011  

SPAIN: COTO DOÑANA & EXTREMADURA

 

 

This spring tour to Spain covers two of the finest birdwatching sites in mainland Europe. These hold several specialities that either can be found nowhere else in Europe or are difficult elsewhere including Crested Coot, White-headed Duck, Great and Little Bustards, Spanish Eagle and Red-necked Nightjar. This trip is suitable both for those on a first birdwatching holiday to continental Europe and for those wishing to catch up with the specialities of the region.

 

This trip is run by Birdfinders. 

Please contact us for further details or check out the Birdfinders website:  www.birdfinders.co.uk

Saturday 21st May

Puffins & Passage on the Purbeck Coast A few pairs of the colourful Puffin breed on the cliffs at Dancing Ledge. We’ll put in some time here to look for them (and for the other auks) coming in to the cliffs before we continue along the coastal path towards Seacombe and Winspit. As well as for local birds, these valleys are great areas to search for newly arrived migrants which are often tucked in amongst the sheltered scrub. Amongst others, Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Whinchat and a selection of warblers are possible.  

Time:                  10am – 2pm [4hr]

Cost:                   £12.00

Meet:                  Langton Matravers

Main Interest:     Birds

June 2011

Wednesday 8th June

Northern Chalk: Birds & Butterflies of Woods & Downs

We will visit a number of sites on the county boundary in the Sixpenny Handley area of north Dorset. In the woodlands the birds are more readily heard than seen so we will have a chance to get to grips with a variety of bird song. Although both Turtle Dove and Nightingale have declined in Dorset over years they are still found in this area along with a good mixture of warblers. As well as the birds we’ll concentrate on the butterflies of the chalk grassland and woodland rides where possibilities include a variety of blues, fritillaries and White Admiral.

 

Time:                  10am – 4pm [6hr]

Cost:                   £18.00

Meet:                  Martin Down

Main Interest:     Birds, Butterflies

Saturday 18th June

The Dragons & Damsels of Dorset’s heathland

Some of the UK’s best dragonfly watching is to be found on the Dorset heathlands. Old flooded clay workings and ponds on the heaths usually hold a good mixture of “Odos” from the large Emperor and hawkers to a variety of the diminutive damselflies. We will also look out for heathland birds and flora.

 

Time:                  10am – 12.30pm [2.5 hr]

Cost:                   £8.00

Meet:                  Stoborough/Creech

Main Interest:     Dragonflies

Tuesday 28th June

In Search of Nightjars

A Dorset experience not to miss is a dusk visit to one of the county’s heathlands to listen for (and hopefully see) the enigmatic ‘goatsucker’.  Our walk will start at 7.30pm to give us time to look for other birds, such as Dartford Warbler, Hobby and Stonechat on Morden Bog, before the Nightjars become active as dusk draws in. We should finish at around 10.15-10.30pm.

 

Time:                   evening 7.30pm – 10.15 pm [2.5+ hr]

Cost:                   £8.00

Meet:                  Sherford Bridge

Main Interest:     Birds

The Dorset Birding and Wildlife Experience - Arne from Rempstone.  Photography by Neil Gartshore
The Dorset Birding and Wildlife Experience - Marsh tit - Unlike the Willow Tit, the Marsh Tit is still fairly common in many parts of the county. Photography by Neil Gartshore.
The Dorset Birding and Wildlife Experience - Spoonbill - An unprecedented flock of 27 birds were around Poole harbour in late 2007.  Birds may be recorded throughout the year, but more regularly in the winter, usually in ones and twos. Photography by Neil Gartshore.
The Dorset Birding and Wildlife Experience - The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a common woodland species found throughout the county, its smaller relation, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is more localised, whilst the Green Woodpecker is more widespread.  Wryneck turns up regularly on passage, mainly in the autumn. Photography by Neil Gartshore.
Spotted Redshank - small numbers overwinter in Poole Harbour.  Photography by Neil gartshore

 

 

Arne from Rempstone/ Marsh Tit

Spoonbills / Great Spotted Woodpecker

Portland Bird Obs / Spotted Redshank

Mediterranean Gull /Little Owl

all photographs © N.Gartshore