Some of the places we like to visit include:

• Brownsea Island
• Durlston Country Park.
• Higher Hyde Heath
• Morden Bog
• Poole Harbour
• Hengistbury Head

Day 1: Welcome & Higher Hyde Heath

Check in to the accommodation by 1.00pm 

Introduction & refreshments in the bar area at 2.00pm 

Higher Hyde Heath walk 

Leisure time – three course evening meal at 7.00pm 

Mornings will start with a buffet style breakfast in the main restaurant area, packed lunches will be provided on days 2, 3 and 4 and on days 1, 2 and 3 a three-course evening meal will be provided. 

Day 2: Durlston Country Park

On our first morning we will travel to Durlston Country Park. 

Whilst there we will hopefully see large numbers of guillemots and razorbills.  We will also look out for fulmars, gannets, shags, ravens and there is a good chance of seeing peregrine falcon. 

Tours in late May and June could also see shearwaters, skua’s, petrels and terns. 

If the group is extremely lucky, dolphins might also be seen out to see from the cliff tops. 

In the surrounding woodlands, the songs of whitethroat and blackcap fill the air, along with willow warbler, wood warbler and the unmistakable song of the chiff chaff. 

There are also some beautiful wildflower meadows where early butterflies are on the wing, skylarks, meadow pipits, linnets and yellowhammers are joined by martins and swallows which might catch the attention of a passing hobby. 

Durlston is also a great place to see many different species of orchid, including early purple, green-winged and the stunning early spider orchid. 

Day 3: Poole Harbour, Morden Bog & Heath

Today we will head to Poole Quay where we will board the boat to take us over to Brownsea Island. 

On the journey over we will look out for many of the resident species in Poole Harbour along with visiting migrants like Osprey (which was also known as the mullet hawk). 

When we arrive on the island, we will take a short walk to the lagoon.  An amazing, perhaps vital habitat to overwintering birds and, in Spring and Summer a breeding ground for common and sandwich terns, with occasional rarities like the Forster’s tern that visited the harbour in 2024. 

With sightings of the harbour’s resident white-tailed eagles over Brownsea becoming more frequent, we will also be keeping a good eye out for these passing over the lagoon. 

As well as being a haven for bird life, the island is home to a population of the rare and elusive red squirrel.  And, although these are more easily observed in the Autumn and Winter, there is still the chance of seeing some of these enigmatic creatures in Spring and early Summer. 

After lunch it’s back onto the boat to the Quay, from where we will head to Morden Bog and Heath which can be a great place to see hobbies hawking over the ponds, ospreys perched in the dead trees, common crossbills, woodlark, common redstart and Dartford warbler. 

If the group is in agreement, this place is where we stand a good chance of hearing nightjars churring and maybe flying later on into the afternoon and evening. 

Day 4: Hengistbury Head

On our last morning we will visit Hengistbury Head.  This can be a brilliant place for seabird passage, with common, little, black and arctic tern often seen along with common, little, mediterranean gull and kittiwake. 

From the top of the cliffs it is possible to get really good views of sand martins as they return to their nesting sites. 

Elsewhere on the site, skylarks can be seen flying high and then dropping back down whilst singing their melodic songs.  Stonechats flitting from their perches to catch insets, wheatears looking for food along the edges of the adjacent golf course and kestrels hunting the grass fields. 

For our lunch we will visit the cafe on site, where we will more than likely get close to inquisitive starlings. 

Here we will have a chat about the week and maybe an icecream or cake. 

And then say our farewells before heading off on our respective homeward journeys. 

Some of the places we like to visit include:

• Higher Hyde Heath
• Martin Down National Nature Reserve
• Ham Wall
• Shapwick Heath
• Higher Hyde Heath
• Hodder’s Coombe
• Studland Godlingston Heath

Day 1: Welcome & Higher Hyde Heath

Check in to the accommodation by 1.00pm 

Introduction & refreshments in the bar area at 2.00pm 

Higher Hyde Heath walk 

Leisure time – three course evening meal at 7.00pm 

Mornings will start with a buffet style breakfast in the main restaurant area, packed lunches will be provided on days 2, 3 and 4 and on days 1, 2 and 3 a three-course evening meal will be provided. 

Day 2: Martin Down National Nature Reserve

On our first morning, after breakfast we will take a trip to Martin Down National Nature Reserve which is an area consisting of chalk downland, woodland and scrub with surrounding farmland. 

It is a really good site for butterflies which include Adonis Blue, Small Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper and Marsh Fritillary.  It is also probably one of the best sites in Dorset and Hampshire for Dark Green Fritillary. 

Martin Down is well known for orchids, with double-figures of species being recorded including frog orchid and the increasingly rare burnt-tip orchid in late May/early June. 

Being so close to farmland, we can expect to see yellowhammers, corn buntings, skylarks, whitethroat and in small numbers, maybe turtle dove. 

Also recorded on site are barn owl, brown hare, roe deer, stoat, adder, and slow-worm. 

After lunch we will visit a reserve only a short drive away called Garston Wood , this is an ancient woodland surrounded by farmland. 

In late April, May, and early June the woodland floor displays a colourful carpet of bluebells, interspersed with primrose and wood anemones. Orchids are also seen here with early purple and common twayblade being the first to appear , with common spotted showing a bit later in the season and in small numbers greater butterfly. 

Whilst here we will listen out for and hopefully see marsh tit, garden warbler, wood warbler, and if we are really fortunate nightingale, however these are normally more vocal early in the evening. 

This reserve is also managed with Dormice in mind, and although these animals are very rarely seen here, there are signs of their presence around the hazel coppices that are managed and maintained and thought to be some of the oldest trees within the woodland. It is not unusual to spot fallow deer, muntjac, badger, and fox on a visit here also. 

Day 3: Ham Wall, Shapwick Heath & the Quantock Hills

Today will be a reasonably long day, as we will be taking a journey to the somerset levels. 

Here we will visit Ham wall, and Shapwick Heath nature reserves, both run and managed by the R.s.p.b . 

During spring and summer both reserves come alive with the sounds of warblers such as reed, sedge, and garden, with occasional rareties such as grasshopper,  acuatic, and river warbler. 

Blackcaps, chiff-chaff, and whitethroats can be seen signing their hearts out from a favourite perch, while bitterns can be heard booming in the distance and are now becoming a regular sighting, along with other heron species, like great white egret, and purple heron occasionally showing aswell. 

Marsh harriers, fly low over the reedbeds looking for unsuspecting waders or waterfowl, while hobbies fly high hawking for dragonflies which there is no shortage of, as twenty species have been recorded here. 

Along its waterways and ponds, otters, water-voles and grass snakes are sometimes seen, and if we listen carefully at certain times the calls of the Iberian frog that have made this place their home can be heard. 

After lunch we will take a drive to Hodder’s Coombe in the Quantock hills, a place that is good for redstart, pied flycatcher, spotted flycatcher, wood warbler, and has been known for dipper on the stream that runs through the woods. 

Whilst here we also have an outside chance of seeing lesser-spotted woodpecker, as these have been seen here before in recent years. 

Day 4: Studland

On our last morning after breakfast, we will stay a bit more local and visit Studland. The first place to go here is Bramble bush bay, from here sandwich tern, common tern, house martin, sand martin, and swallow are regularly seen on the wing. 

In the same area amongst the scrub and heathland chiff-chaff, willow warbler, meadow pipit, and Dartford warbler can be found. 

A bit further along is Jerry’s Point which is a great vantage point to hopefully see ospreys, white-tailed eagles, grebes and shags. 

After spending some time at these locations , we shall head back up to Godlingston Heath lookout for lunch, as here in Stuart’s opinion has one of the best views of Poole harbour. Maybe you could discuss this over lunch, before saying your farewells to make your onward journeys. 

Some of the places we like to visit include:

• Higher Hyde Heath
• Alner’s Gorse
• Durlston Country Park
• Lulworth Cove
• New Forset: Acres Down, Crockford Stream & Matley Bog
• Portland

Day 1: Welcome & Higher Hyde Heath

Check in to the accommodation by 1.00pm 

Introduction & refreshments in the bar area at 2.00pm 

Higher Hyde Heath walk 

Leisure time – three course evening meal at 7.00pm 

Day 2: Alner’s Gorse & Durlston Country Park or Lulworth Cove

On our first full day, we will visit Alner’s Gorse an amazing reserve managed by Butterfly Conservation. 

 A visit here could result in seeing up to twenty different species of butterfly if conditions are favourable. These include the brown hairstreak, and due to careful habitat management numbers are on the increase. Other highlights of the reserve, include purple hairstreak, white letter hairstreak, white admiral, silver-washed fritillary and its variant, the Valezina. It is thought that between 5 and 15% of females in Dorset have this variation which gives them different colouration. 

After lunch we will visit either Durlston country park or Lulworth Cove, both sites are good places to look for the rare Lulworth skipper, which can be found in small numbers. Whilst at these sites we will also keep an eye out for adonis blue, common blue, brown argus, wall brown, with clouded yellow being a possible sighting also. 

Durlston is also a great place for migrant birds like whitethroat, blackcap, spotted flycatcher, and redstart. With large colonies of nesting guillemots and razorbills along the cliffs, more than likely being watched by a peregrine falcon or two. 

It is always worth a look out to sea here also, as bottlenose dolphins can be seen riding the waves and hunting for fish. 

Day 3: The New Forest

A busy day lies ahead today, as we will be visiting the New Forest.  

Our first stop will be Acres Down, probably one of the best places to go in the forest to get a chance of seeing honey buzzard although this would be considered very lucky indeed. Other raptors to keep an eye out for include goshawk, sparrowhawk and common buzzard. 

It is also good for common crossbill, goldcrest, fire-crest, siskin, marsh tit, green-woodpecker, great-spotted woodpecker, and sustains a small number of lesser-spotted woodpecker. 

Whilst here we will also look for dragonflies, such as Southern Hawker, golden-ringed, keeled skimmers and if not too late in the season large red damselfly. 

After lunch we will take a short drive to Crockford Stream, this is a beautiful spot in the forest and although there are many, this one is really special. 

Many dragonfly species can be found here along with some of the UK’s rarest damselfly, including small-red damselfly, emerald damselfly and southern damselfly. 

Our last place to visit in the forest is Matley Bog, a good place for common hawker, black darter, and emerald damselfly. In the surrounding area we will look for woodlark, redstart, spotted flycatcher, and dartford warbler. 

Day 4: Portland

On our last morning, we will travel to Portland to visit some of its quarries. These are a great habitat for butterflies such as chalk hill blues, common blues, marbled whites, and grayling. 

They are also good places to see kestrels, little owls, and rock pipit. With the cliffs being at the other side of one of the quarries, gannets, fulmars, and other seabird species can be seen, and often grey seals are seen close to the shoreline. 

From Tout Quarry there will be on a clear day, fantastic views of chesil beach and the fleet. 

This is where we will head down to next for lunch, here there is a visitor centre which looks out over Ferrybridge, this is a good place to relax, have a chat about the week and maybe even have an ice-cream before heading off on our onward journeys. 

Please note that itineraries may have to change due to inclement weather conditions, tide times, and site conditions. In these circumstances more suitable alternatives will be considered. 

Some of the places we like to visit include:

• Brownsea Island
• Frome Valley
• Higher Hyde Heath
• Lodmoor & Ferrybridge
• Poole Harbour
• Portland Bill
• RSPB Arne
• RSPB Radipole
• Studland
• Wareham Channel

Day 1: Welcome & Higher Hyde Heath

12:30 Arrival, check in and welcome

2:00 Meet at the bar for refreshments, meet Stuart your guide and talk through the next few days planned excursions.  Afterwards we will explore Higher Hyde Heath, where sand lizards, smooth snakes, warblers and woodlark, silver studded blue butterfly and amazing plants like the round leaved sun dew can be found.

Welcome dinner

Day 2: Weymouth & Portland

Breakfast in main restaurant (buffet style)

Today we will visit RSPB Radipole, Lodmoor, Ferrybridge and Portland Bill looking for reed bed and salt marsh species, waders, seabirds and seaducks, we may even see dolphins and seals. At this time of year Portland especially is fantastic for migrants so anything could turn up. A pack lunch is provided

3 course evening dinner

Day 3: Poole Harbour

AM Poole Harbour autumn safari cruise, taking in the Harbour, Wareham channel, Frome valley and past the sea wall at Brownsea Island. Focus will be on resident and migrant birds within the harbour, we often have views of osprey and white tailed sea eagles.

Packed lunch at Baiter Park

PM RSPB Arne as seen on BBC’s Springwatch

Evening dinner

Day 4: Studland

AM check out before heading to Studland to visit the sand dunes and bays

Lunch and farewell talk

Some of the places we like to visit include:

• Higher Hyde Heath
• Acres Down
• Keyhaven
• Pennington Marshes.
• Poole Harbour
• Wareham Chanel
• Thorncombe Woods

Day 1: Welcome & Higher Hyde Heath

Check in to the accommodation by 1.00pm 

Introduction & refreshments in the bar area at 2.00pm 

Higher Hyde Heath walk 

Leisure time – three course evening meal at 7.00pm 

Day 2: Acres Down, Keyhaven & Pennington Marshes

On our first full day, we will head to Acres Down. An amazing birding spot, in the heart of the New Forest. Whilst here we will hope to see crossbills, redpolls, brambling, marsh tit, hawfinch, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, and if we are lucky lesser spotted woodpecker. 

Birds of prey that we will try to connect with will include sparrowhawk, buzzard, and goshawk. 

After visiting Acres Down, we will travel to Keyhaven and Pennington Marshes.  

This is an absolute haven for resident and overwintering birds, wildfowl, and waders. This is because of its varied habitats which include, coastal marsh, brackish lagoons, mudflats, shoreline, woodland and scrub. 

It is well known for large flocks of Brent geese and Barnacle geese with occasional sightings of Red-Breasted goose. 

The shoreline and coastal marshes are fantastic for finding a wide range of waders, with rarities like red and grey phalarope often seen in the winter months.  

Other highlights that we will try to find here include, Eider, red necked grebe, black necked grebe, northern divers, black throated divers, red breasted mergansers, and kingfishers.  

Birds of prey that are seen hunting here regularly, are marsh harriers, peregrine falcon and kestrel. 

With occasional sightings of short eared owl, and maybe even a white-tailed eagle flying through. 

Day 3: Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island & RSPB Arne

This morning will be a slightly earlier start, as we will need to catch the BOPH Winter safari boat which leaves from Poole Harbour. 

A brilliant experience and opportunity to see the abundance of birdlife and wildlife that live or overwinter in and around the harbour. 

The safari will take us around the harbour whilst looking for the ( Big Five ) raptors.  

Marsh harrier, Hen Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Goshawk, and White-tailed eagle. 

Aswell as this, the trip will take us past Brownsea island lagoon. A place of international importance and an absolute haven for waders and wildfowl. Where numbers of spoonbills are good and are often seen here. The exact route of the morning will be determined on the day due to weather conditions and tide times. But will hopefully take in a visit up the Wareham Chanel where Bearded tits and reed bunting can be seen. 

After lunch its over to RSPB Arne, as seen on BBC Winterwatch and Springwatch. 

This reserve is an amazing place with so many different habitats, which support a wide variety of wildlife with winter being a great time to visit. 

It is probably one of the best places to see large numbers of avocets, black-tailed godwit, wigeon, teal, shelduck and pintail. Which in turn attract predators such as the uk’s smallest raptor the Merlin and the largest the White-tailed eagle.  

Up on the heath, Dartford warbler, stonechat, woodlark, and green woodpecker, whilst in the woodlands and hedgerows, fieldfare, redwing, and treecreepers are found. 

Day 4: Thorncombe

After breakfast, on are last morning we will visit Thorncombe woods, and Hardy’s Cottage. 

Here we will walk through ancient woodland, across heathland, and stop at Rushy pond as written about in Hardy’s work. Then walk onwards towards his cottage, on the way we will look for the Dartmoor ponies that roam freely on the heathland and linnets that sing out atop scrub and gorse. 

In the woods, marsh tit, redpoll, siskin, brambling, nuthatches, and treecreepers can be seen. 

At the end of the trail, the visitor centre is a welcome site, and this is where we will have some lunch have a chat about the week and maybe have some coffee and cake. Before saying our farewells before the group’s onward journeys