 With the news that Dorset has been named by the BBC as one of the most diverse counties in the UK, there is a chance to see for yourself, ahead of this year’s Springwatch filming in the county. The Kingcombe Valley in west Dorset has been chosen for The Buzz of Life Weekend of events and activities to celebrate International Biodiversity Day on 22nd May, with the backing of Springwatch presenter Chris Packham, environmentalist Dr Jane Goodall and many of Dorset’s top environmentalists.
Organised by Dorset Wildlife Trust, the Kingcombe Environmental Studies Centre, local farmers and residents, the full programme of events for the Buzz of Life weekend has now been released, with walks and talks with the experts, food tastings including local cider, honey and wild food, plus a barbecue with Kingcombe beef, reared on the wildflower meadows. There is a host of activities for children and, for the wildlife enthusiasts, everything from dormice to churchyard lichens.
The Buzz of Life weekend is on 22nd and 23rd May, with activities from 10 am to 5 pm daily at Lower Kingcombe, near Toller Porcorum. Follow signs for event parking. £5 per car; no charge for walkers and cyclists.
On top of the main programme, extra events can be booked, including, on Saturday 22nd, an evening bat walk with expert Steve Davis at 9.30 pm, a team wildlife quiz and supper at 6.30 pm and, on Sunday 23rd, an early morning bird walk and breakfast with Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Jeremy Powne, of BBC Radio 4’s Saving Species.
For more information or to book extra events, please contact Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620 or the Kingcombe Centre on 01300 320684.
Full programme
Saturday 22nd May
| 10.30 - 12:00 |
Kingcombe Meadows Guided walk with Ian Smart Meet at Pound Cottage |
| 10.30 - 12.30 |
Bumblebees Guided walk and activities including nest making with Bryan Pinchin Meet at Kingcombe Centre |
| 12.00 - 14.00 |
BBQ Using Reserve produced Kingcombe Beef Kingcombe Centre |
| 12.30 - 13.30 |
Botany Identification Session with Bryan Edwards Meet at Pound Cottage |
| 13.30 -15.00 |
Powerstock Common Dorset Wildlife Trust - West Dorset Group Guided walk with Jim White Meet at the Reserve entrance |
| 14.30 - 16.00 |
Kingcombe Meadows Guided walk with Tony Bates Meet at Pound Cottage |
| 14.30 - 16.30 |
Bumblebees Guided walk and activities including nest making with Bryan Pinchin Meet at Kingcombe Centre |
| 15.00 - 16.30 |
Fungi Talk with John Wright Meet at in Kingcombe Barn |
| 16.00 - 17.00 |
Botany Identification Session with Bryan Edwards Meet at Pound Cottage |
| 16.30 - 18.00 |
Small Mammals Talk with Pat Morris Meet in the Kingcombe Barn |
| 18.30 |
Quiz and supper Wildlife quiz and supper using local produce. Meet at the Kingcombe Centre. £10 per person (free parking). Must be pre-booked
|
| 21.30 |
Bats - Guided walk with Steve Davis. Must be pre-booked. Meet outside the Kingcombe Centre (free parking) |
Sunday 23rd May
| 07.00 - 09.00 |
Early Birds Early morning guided bird walk with Jeremy Powne Meet at the Kingcombe Centre. £10 per person including breakfast (free parking). Must be pre-booked |
| 10.30 - 12.00 |
Kingcombe Meadows Guided walk with Rob Brunt Meet at Pound Cottage |
| 11.00 - 12.30 |
Lichens in the Churchyard Identification session with Bryan Edwards Meet at Toller Porcorum Church |
| 12.00 - 14.00 |
BBQ Using Reserve produced Kingcombe Beef Kingcombe Centre |
| 12.30 - 14.30 |
Bird Box Building Family activity Meet at the Kingcombe Centre |
| 14.00 - 16.00 |
Bumblebee Nesting Tubes Family Activity Meet at the Kingcombe Centre |
| 14.30 - 16.00 |
Kingcombe Meadows Guided walk with Maurits Fontein |
| 16.00 - 17.00 |
Dormice Talk with Sue Eden Meet in the Kingcombe Barn |
| 16.00 - 17.30 |
Lichens in the Churchyard Guided identification session with Bryan Edwards Meet at Toller Porcorum Church |
Saturday & Sunday - All Day Actvities 10.00am - 5.00pm
| Self guided lichen hunt |
| Family quiz |
| Bird watching |
| Nettle facts and tasting |
| Pond dipping |
| Vegetable garden |
| Local producers including Kingcombe cider |
| Lots of wildlife makes and crafts for children |
|
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