RSPB Events Dec & Jan

RSPB Dorset events Dec 2011 and Jan 2012

Sat 1 October - Sat 31 March
Picture Arne photo contest
Capture your favourite part of this stunning nature
reserve and enter our free photography competition.
This year there are 3 categories: Wildlife, People and
Landscape. Full information at www.rspb.org.uk/arne,
and our reception centre - or contact the reserve office,
01929 553360/arne@rspb.org.uk.

Wednesdays October – March incl. 10 am-12 noon
Wellies and waders at Arne walk
Just turn up for a chance of seeing the UK's largest winter
avocet flock just yards in front of you! Find out about the
masses of winter wildfowl, waders and other wildlife that
can be found in the harbour during the colder months.
Spoonbills to grebes - divers to winter ducks! Free
(donations welcome). Tel: 01929 553360.

Wed 5, 26 & Sun 16 October 9.30 am-4 pm
Sun 6, 27 & Wed 16 November
Wed 7 & Sun 18 December
Wed 11 & Sun 22 January
Wed 1, 22 & Sun 12 February
Sun 4, 25 & Wed 14 March
Hands on with hazel, Garston Wood work party
Therapeutic hazel coppicing! A chance to help staff and
members of our South Wiltshire Local Group with vital
woodland management. Training/tools provided. On Wed
14 March we finish with a barbecue as this is the last
work party for the season. Full details from our Arne
reserve office, 01929 553360.

Thurs 1 December 10 am-12.30 pm
Upton Wild walk- birds, binoculars and biscuits
Guided wildlife walk around the park ending with a hot beverage in the hide.
£1 per person. Meet at the Education centre, Upton Country Park, near Poole
Tel: 07703 607630.

Sat 3 December 10 am-4 pm
Pull a Pine for Christmas at Arne work party
A free Christmas tree is our 'thank you' for helping us pull
out small pines that threaten our heathland habitat. Hot
food/drink for sale plus Christmas goods from our RSPB
travelling shop. Make festive decorations from natural
materials. Tel: 01929 553360.

Sun 4 December 10.30 am-12 noon
Christmas robins – Winter wildlife walk
Join us on a warming winter walk looking for Christmas robins. £1 event charge.
Meet at Education centre at Upton Country Park near Poole. Tel: 07703 607630.

Sat 10 December 9.30 am meet for 10 am-12 noon
Christchurch Winter Wildlife Cruise
Wildlife cruise around Christchurch harbour. Meet at ferry flag on Mudeford Quay.
Wrap up warmly as open boat. Booking essential with Mudeford Ferries on 07968 334441.
Adults £12, Children (under 13) £6 and RSPB members £10.
orset: Things to do Dorset: Things to do14
Sat 10 and Sun 11 December
Up close! Come to Radipole optic demo
Want binoculars you feel comfortable with? A telescope
or digiscope that feels 'tailor made’? Whether beginner or
upgrading - our fully trained advisors are here to help.
Free event. Tel: 01305 778313.
" Expert advice and an excellent selection is available
every day but a wider range is available at these special
events." Michelle Williams, Retail Manager.

Thurs 15 December 10 am-12.30 pm
Upton Wild walk- birds, binoculars and biscuits
Guided wildlife walk around the park ending with a hot beverage in the hide.
£1 per person. Meet at the Education centre, Upton Country Park, near Poole
Tel: 07703 607630.

Sat 17 December 10 am-1 pm
Winter birds at Arne walk
From spoonbills to hen harriers, firecrests to the UK’s
largest wintering flock of avocets - Poole Harbour is the
winter magnet for birds. Complimentary soup/drinks to
help you warm up. Members £3, non-members £6,
children free. Booking essential, 01929 553360.

Sun 18 December 2 pm-4 pm
A wander in Radipole's winter wonderland
Wrap up and join us to see the best of Weymouth's winter
wildlife - this could be your last chance for some peace
and quiet before the frenzy of Christmas!
Members £2, non-members £5, children half price.
Booking essential, 01305 778313.

Thurs 5 January 10 am-12.30 pm
Upton Wild walk- birds, binoculars and biscuits
Guided wildlife walk around the park ending with a hot beverage in the hide.
£1 per person. Meet at the Education centre, Upton Country Park, near Poole
Tel: 07703 607630.

Sat 7 and Sun 8 January 10 am-4 pm
Raptor weekend at Arne
Just turn up! We’ll have guides in hides and at special
viewing stations looking out for all the birds of prey. But
the real focus will be the majestic marsh harriers and hen
harriers! Free event. Tel: 01929 553360.

Sat 14 January 9.30 am meet for 10 am-12 noon
Christchurch Winter Wildlife Cruise
Wildlife cruise around Christchurch harbour. Meet at ferry flag on Mudeford Quay.
Wrap up warmly as open boat. Booking essential with Mudeford Ferries on 07968 334441.
Adults £12, Children (under 13) £6 and RSPB members £10.

Thurs 19 January 10 am-12.30 pm
Upton Wild walk- birds, binoculars and biscuits
Guided wildlife walk around the park ending with a hot beverage in the hide.
£1 per person. Meet at the Education centre, Upton Country Park, near Poole
Tel: 07703 607630.

Sat 21 January 10 am-1 pm
Winter birds at Arne walk
From spoonbills to hen harriers, firecrests to the UK’s
largest wintering flock of avocets - Poole Harbour is the
winter magnet for birds. Complimentary soup/drinks to
help you warm up. Members £3, non-members £6,
children free. Booking essential, 01929 553360.

Sat 21 January 2.30 pm-4.30 pm
Radipole's bittern bonanza walk
Probably your best chance of seeing the elusive bittern
(seeing them is always a bit of a challenge). We'll also
look for their more common relatives - grey herons and
little egrets. Members £2, non-members £5, children half
price. Booking essential on 01305 778313.

Sat 28 January 10 am-12 noon
Big Garden Bird Watch at Radipole
Come along, brush up on your garden bird ID before
doing your 2012 Big Garden Bird Watch. Take home an ID
chart/survey form. Free event. Tel: 01305 778313.
Sat 28 January 10.30 am-12 noon
Big Garden Bird Watch at Upton Country Park
Join the RSPB and see how many birds we can spot around Upton Country Park.
£1 per person. Contact Upton Country Park on 01202 261306 or Sarah-Jane Buckle on 07703607630.

Sun 29 January 11 am-3 pm
Big Garden Bird Watch at Avon Heath
Be part of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and join in
this energetic workshop. Knock up a birdbox then why not
practise your bird watching skills by completing a bird scavenger
hunt ( can you beat the RSPB expert) Booking essential with Avon Heath
Country Park on (01425) 478791; £6 per bird box Contact Avon Heath Country Park
or Sarah-Jane Buckle for more info.