BioBlitz returns for 50th celebrations

Dorset Wildlife Trust and Corfe Mullen Nature Watch are joining forces for the return of the Corfe Mullen BioBlitz to celebrate Dorset Wildlife Trust's 50th birthday. Just how much wildlife can you find in 12 hours? The BioBlitz takes place over 12 hours around Corfe Mullen, where experts will guide you across meadows, woods, streams and rivers in a search for local wildlife.

What is a BioBlitz?

The event was a big success last year, and with free wildlife walks, bat detecting workshops and moth traps, the organisations are looking forwards to even more people taking part. Nikkii Hesketh-Roberts, Conservation Assistant at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “This is a great event to get the whole family involved in; there is so much to discover, whether you are a wildlife expert, or have never done anything like this before. Last year we found over 500 individual wildlife species, and this year we would love to try and beat that tally.”

Jane Adams, Co-ordinator of Corfe Mullen Nature Watch, added: “We had some amazing wildlife spotted last year, including a hobby, nightjar, rare reptiles including smooth snake and sand lizard as well as the brown argus butterfly and the scarce marsh gentian flower. The Bioblitz covers areas that are very rarely surveyed, so we are all excited to see what we can find this year!”

What will be happening on the day?

There’s a varied schedule of free wildlife events around the village throughout the day, plus experts will be on hand to help with wildlife identifications. New for this year is pond dipping at the home of world-renowned film maker Hugh Miles, known for a host of award-winning TV films including Life in the Freezer, Tiger and Springwatch. All the sightings will be collated and a valuable snapshot produced of the biodiversity of Corfe Mullen. If you live in Corfe Mullen, you can even include your garden in the survey.
 

This event takes place on Saturday 28th May and everyone is welcome to join in whenever they like between 8.30am and 8.30pm. The official opening by TV’s Hugh Miles will take place at Corfe Mullen Village Hall, BioBlitz HQ for the day, at 10.15 am. The full schedule of free events can be viewed here. To find out more contact Nikkii Hesketh-Roberts on 01202 692033 or nheskethroberts@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk or Jane Adams on jane@naturewatched.org.
 

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Notes to Editor

For more information please contact Catherine Mason at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01300 321329. For our latest news subscribe to our RSS feed

About Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Working for a secure future for Dorset’s wildlife enriching the quality of life Dorset Wildlife Trust works to champion wildlife and natural places, to engage and inspire people and to promote sustainable living. Founded in 1961, DWT is now the largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, with over 25,000 members and over 40 nature reserves. Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve. DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues and leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.

Read our Blog "Wildlife Matters"

The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) www.wildlifetrusts.org

There are 47 individual Wildlife Trusts covering the whole of the UK and the Isle of Man and Alderney. All are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. We have more than 800,000 members including 150,000 members of our junior branch Wildlife Watch. Our vision is to create A Living Landscape and secure Living Seas. We manage around 2,300 nature reserves and every year we advise thousands of landowners and organisations on how to manage their land for wildlife. We also run marine conservation projects around the UK, collecting vital data on the state of our seas and celebrating our amazing marine wildlife. Every year we work with thousands of schools and our nature reserves and visitor centres receive millions of visitors. Each Wildlife Trust is working within its local communities to inspire people about the future of their area: their own Living Landscapes and Living Seas.

Film maker Hugh Miles and Jane Adams N HOAR DWT