Spring Bird Week 2012 organised by: Saturday 21 - Sunday 29 April

Discover one of the finest bird-watching counties in Britain with the help of local experts who really know their ‘patch’. With Tuesday 24 April, 2.00pm a wide-ranging programme of Birds of the West Fleet & events organised for each day, Swannery you can tailor the week to your A 1.5 mile walk to see breeding exact requirements. Terns, reedbed birds, migrants and swans. Led by Steve Groves of For further information: Abbotsbury Swannery. Not suitable 01929 424443 for wheelchairs / pushchairs. Sensible footwear is advised. No dogs. Call www.durlston.co.uk 01305 871684 for details. Prices: Monday 23 April, 10.00am Meet: outside the Swannery Shop, Heathland Birds Adult £3, Friends of Durlston £2, Abbotsbury (SY 576 847) A leisurely stroll round part of Children £1 £4.50 including a bargain discount Canford Heath, Poole’s largest (unless stated otherwise) into the Swannery Nature Reserve, where Dartford Warblers abound and Stonehchats can easily be seen as they sit boldly on the Gorse tops. Meet: end of Steeple Close by access gate, Poole (SZ 019 953) This is a residential area - please be considerate of properties when parking. Adults £3, children £1.50

Monday 23 April, 2.00pm Birds of Wareham Forest Join our birding expert, Hamish Murray, to look for birds including goodies like Hobby and Woodlark. Saturday 21 April, 9.30am Approx. 3 miles. Bird-watching for Beginners Meet: Sherford Bridge lay-by, on A walk with tips for beginners and a the Wareham road to Morden look for migrants across the reserve. Road (SY 919 927) Led by local birder Phyl England. Usual charges apply Suitable for children; no public transport; for limited wheelchair access call 01929 424443. Wednesday 25 April, 9.00am Meet: Durlston Castle, nr Spring Birdwatch (SZ 031 773) Usual charges apply Take a stroll across the heath and through the woods with expert, Ian Cross. If lucky, you may find Sunday 22 April, 10.00am Woodlark, Dartford Warbler and Improving Birdwatchers at Stonechat among others. Children Durlston must be 8+ years. Please bring Join Hamish Murray (DC’s Head your own binoculars. BOOKING Ranger) and Simon Breeze ESSENTIAL on 01425 478470. (Conservation Ranger) to discover Meet: Heathland Discovery the resident and newly arriving birds. Centre, Avon Heath Country Meet: Durlston Castle, nr Swanage Park, nr Ringwood (SU 122 029) (SZ 031 773) Usual charges apply Adults £2.50, children £1.50

Dorset County Council working in partnership for the conservation and enjoyment of our unique coast and countryside Spring Bird Week 2012 organised by: Saturday 21 - Sunday 29 April

Wednesday 25 April, 10am - 12noon Heathland Amble, RSPB Arne Come and join the warden for a Saturday 28 April, 9.00am guided walk on this magical reserve, Birds of Turners Puddle Heath and help track down some amazing A 2 mile bird-watching walk around creatures; from Dartford Warblers the heath. Led by Danny Alder, to Smooth Snakes, Sundews and County Council (07803 Dragonflies, you never know what 238447). Suitable for older children; you’re going to see. No booking no public transport; not suitable required. Call 01929 553360 for for wheelchairs. further details. Meet: lay-by on the Throop and Meet: Arne Nature Reserve car Briantspuddle turning, off the park (SY 972 877) FREE EVENT Wareham to Waddock Cross Road (SY 820 913) Usual charges apply Wednesday 25 April, 2.00pm Thursday 26 April, 9.00am Birds of Woodland, Heath & Marsh Spring Birds at Upton Country A 2–3 mile bird-watching walk led by Park/Holes Bay Conservation Ranger, Simon Breeze. Join Peter Moore, Environment Suitable for children; public transport Policy Group Manager for Dorset available; not suitable for wheelchairs. County Council, to observe a good Meet: Greenland Farm turning, selection of spring migrant and Ferry Road, Studland (SZ 025 843) resident birds. Usual charges apply Meet: Upton Country Park main car park (SY 998 928) Usual charges apply Sunday 29 April, 4.30am-7.00am Dawn Chorus Walk Come along to see Arne at the Friday 27 April, 10:00am best time of day. Join us for this Wildfowl, Waders and Warblers guided walk at dawn to listen to A 2-3 mile walk to explore a superb Arne’s cacophony of sound as the area for spring goodies. Led by reserve’s inhabitants wake up. Join Hamish Murray. Suitable for older us afterwards for breakfast and a children; no public transport; limited chance to chat about this early but wheelchair access. wonderful start to the day. Booking Meet: Hartland Moor lay-by, near essential on 01929 553360. Wareham (SY 963 857) Meet: RSPB Arne Nature Reserve Usual charges apply car park, nr Wareham (SY 972 877) RSPB members £3, non-members £6, children free. Saturday 28 April, 8.00 - 10.00am Bird Ringing Demonstration Sunday 29 April, 10.00am Join Stour Ringing Group to see The Birds of Holton Lee Thursday 26 April, 7.00am migrant birds up close and personal. A 2 mile bird-watching walk. Led Seabirds and Migrants A chance to see how bird ringing by Shaun Robson, former Dorset Join Hamish Murray to unearth newly contributes to the study of birds and County Bird Recorder. Suitable for arrived birds and those passing at sea. their migration. Suitable for children; children; no public transport; parts Meet: Durlston Castle, nr Swanage no public transport; for limited suitable for wheelchairs. (SZ 031 773) Usual charges apply wheelchair access call 01929 424443. Meet: Holton Lee car park, off the Meet: Durlston Castle, nr Swanage A351 just South of Bakers Arms (SZ 031 773) Usual charges apply Roundabout (SY 961 913) Usual charges apply

Dorset County Council working in partnership for the conservation and enjoyment of our unique coast and countryside