DORSET Bird Week

28 September – 6 October 2013 A week of expert-led walks highlighting the rich and diverse bird life of All walks £3 unless otherwise stated

Saturday 28 September Wildfowl, Waders and Whinchats, 10.30am A 3 mile walk to explore a superb area for autumn goodies. Led by Dick Burt. Suitable for older children; no public transport; limited wheelchair access. Cost £3 Meet: Hartland Moor lay-by, near Wareham Grid Ref: SY 963 857

Saturday 28th September – 4th October Bird Migration Exhibition Discover the miracle of migration with this free exhibition. Every day 10.00am – 5.00pm FREE Call 01929 424443 Meet: Castle and Visitor Centre, near , Grid Ref: SZ 031 773

Sunday 29 September Birds of Studland and , 8.30am Join Nick and Jackie Hull from Two Owls Birding and Dorset Bird Club for a walk around South Haven, Shell Bay, Bramble Bush and Knoll Beach searching for migrants, incoming water birds and resident species. Suitable for older children, not suitable for wheelchairs. Level walking, waterproof clothing/shoes may be required. Cost £3 Meet in the National Trust Shell Bay car park (parking charges apply for non National Trust members). Grid Ref: SZ 036 865

Migrants at Durlston, 10.00am A 2 mile walk around National Nature Reserved to look for migrants. Join Hamish Murray and search for the wonderful variety of migrating birds seen across the reserve. Suitable for children; no public transport, for limited wheelchair access call 01929 424443. Cost £3 Meet: Durlston Country Park Visitor Centre, near Swanage. Grid Ref: SZ 031 773

Urban Weekender, 10.00am Join Dorset Wildlife Trust and take a look at their moth trap and help count birds on Brownsea Island. Booking essential as places are limited on the free boat. Morning event – boat returns at 2.10pm. Full details including cost available on booking. Please phone 01202 692 033 to book a place or email [email protected] . Grid Ref: SZ 040 876

Birds of Stanpit Marsh, 12.00 noon Join Ornithological Group for a walk around Stanpit Marsh – see www.chog.org.uk or call 01929 424443 for further details. Booking essential . Meet at Stanpit Lane free car park. Grid Ref: SZ 172 925 Cost £3

Monday 30 September Portland Passage, 1.30pm Join Bob Ford from the Open University to look for migrant birds on passage through the super flyway that is Portland. Suitable for children, not suitable for wheelchairs. Cost £4.00 Meet at the Heights Hotel, Portland, DT5 2EN. Grid Ref: SY 688 729

Tuesday 1 October Waders and Wildfowl, 9.00am An introduction to wetland birds led by Phyl . Suitable for older children. No public transport, limited wheelchair access. Cost £3 Meet: Hartland Moor lay-by, near Wareham. Grid Ref: SY 963 857

Wednesday 2 October

Migrants in Purbeck, 8.00am Join Paul from The Sound Approach to look for some of the migrating birds that use Purbeck as a flyway. Sunnyside Farm at Ridge is an under-watched migrant stop-off with the chance of seeing a range of birds on passage. Cost £3 Booking essential. Please call Durlston on 01929 424443. Meet at the Sunnyside Farm Car Park Grid Ref: SY 937 862

Hengistbury Head and Beyond, 7.00am

Join Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group for a walk around Stanpit Marsh. See www.chog.org.uk or call 01929 424443 for details. Booking essential . Meet at Hengistbury Head pay and display car park. Grid Ref: SZ 162 911

Thursday 3 October

Langton Matravers to Seacombe Bottom For Late Migrants, 9.30am Led by Neil Gartshore, Chairman of the Dorset Bird Club and author of Best Birdwatching Sites in Dorset. Cost 3 Meet at Langton Matravers car park (end of Durnford Drove). Grid Reference: SY 997 782

Radipole Walk, 10.00am Join Luke Phillips to look for some of Dorset’s specialities at this very special wetland . Lake is home to birds such as Bearded Tit, Cetti’s Warbler and Bittern but also visited by thousands of migrant birds heading south for the winter. October is an ideal time to look for these visitors as well as the residents. Cost £3 Meet at the Wild Weymouth Discovery Centre in the Swannery Car Park, Weymouth, DT4 7TZ. Grid Ref: SY 676 795

Birds, Binoculars and Biscuits, 10.00am Join the RSPB for an exciting and sociable walk to explore the wildlife that can be found in and around Upton Country Park. Don't worry if you don't know the difference between a Robin or a Blackbird, you don’t even have to be a member to come along. Relax with a hot beverage and biscuit in the hide to round it off! Cost £2 Meet us at the Upton Country Park Education Centre, Poole BH17 7BJ, Grid Ref: SY993 929

Friday 4 October Autumn Birds of Wareham Forest, 10.30am A 3 mile walk to look for goodies like Hobby and Woodlark. Led by Hamish Murray, Dorset Countryside Head Ranger. Suitable for older children; no public transport; not suitable for wheelchairs. Cost £3 Meet at Sherford Bridge lay-by, on the Wareham to Morden Road. Grid Reference: SY 919 927

Portland Passage, 1.30pm Join Bob Ford from the Open University to look for migrant birds on passage through the super flyway that is Portland. Suitable for children, not suitable for wheelchairs. Cost £4.00 Meet at the Heights Hotel, Portland, DT5 2EN. Grid Ref: SY 688 729

Saturday 5 October Bird Ringing Demonstration, 8.00am-10.00am Join Stour Ringing Group for a chance to see migrant birds up close and personal and see how bird ringing contributes to the study of birds and their migration. Suitable for children; no public transport; for limited wheelchair access call 01929 424443 Cost £3 Meet at Durlston Country Park Visitor Centre, near Swanage. Grid Reference: SZ 031 773

Autumn Waders at Arne, 10.00am Come along to the RSPB Arne nature reserve to see the autumn return of thousands of water birds including Avocets, Brent Geese, Black Tailed Godwits and even the tropical looking Spoonbill! If we are lucky we might even see rare birds of prey such as March Harrier, Hen Harrier and Peregrine Falcons hunting on the salt marsh. Cost £3 A 2.5 mile walk. Not suitable for wheelchair users or dogs. Suitable for children. Meet in the RSPB Arne car park by the visitor centre. Grid Reference: SY 971 876

Sunday 6 October Christchurch Winter Bird Boats with the RSPB, 10.00am Join us for an exciting opportunity to see some of Dorset’s spectacular birds on our boat trip around Christchurch Harbour The boat has no refreshment facilities therefore you are very welcome to bring your own food and drink. Please bring warm clothing as the boat is open to the elements. Booking essential with Mudeford Ferries on 07968 334441. Price: Adults £13, children (under 13) £6, RSPB members £10. Meet at the ferry flag on Mudeford Quay. Grid Ref SZ 183 916

Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 October Dorset Bird Fair, 10.00am Set within the impressive backdrop of Durlston National Nature Reserve and the , the Bird Fair aims to inspire those interested in British birds, whether ornithologists, novice birders or nature enthusiasts. There will be plenty for everyone to do, from workshops, guided walks, talks, children’s activities, live wildlife art, bird ringing demonstrations, music and more…

Free Entry – tickets for selected events. See www.durlston.co.uk for more information. Meet , near Swanage, BH19 2JL Grid Ref: SZ 031 773