Dorset Walks

2016 Programme of wildlife walks with Bob Ford



Unless otherwise stated, all walks are for 90 minutes over a distance of 1 - 2 miles and cost £4.00 - no booking required.
Click on the map reference to see a map showing each starting point

Walks are never cancelled due to bad weather, but sometimes this list does have to be changed
- so please check the latest version of this web site before you leave!


this update December 30th 2016

For more information or telephone 01305 750118 or 07980 967473



walks archive ...
birdbreaks archive ...
last year's walks ...
rodwell trail ...
video blog ...

walks in 2016:

Friday December 30th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday December 23rd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday December 19th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Beachcombing walk on Weymouth Beach
  see trip report
Meet at the Pavilion car park,
map reference SY683788 (click to see map)

Friday December 16th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday December 12th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
East Fleet
  see trip report
Meet on Camp Road,
map reference SY653773 (see map)

Friday December 9th - Sunday December 11th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday December 9th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday December 5th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
West Bexington
  see trip report
Meet in the car park on the beach,
map reference SY531864 (see map)
Friday December 2nd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday November 28th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Moreton Gravel Pits
  see trip report
Meet at Redbridge,
map reference SY789884 (see map)

Friday November 25th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday November 21st 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Nunnery Mead
  see trip report
Meet at the bridge near Southover just south of Frampton,
map reference SY623949 (see map)

Friday November 18th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday November 14th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Abbotsbury
  see trip report
Meet at the Swannery car park,
map reference SY577846 (click to see map)

Friday November 11th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday November 7th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Hardy Monument
  see trip report
Meet at the layby 0.25 miles to the east of the Hardy Monument,
map reference SY616877 (click to see map)
Friday November 4th - Sunday November 6th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday November 4th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday October 31st 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Moreton
  see trip report
Meet in the village near the ford,
map reference SY805895 (click to see map)
Monday October 24th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Preston, Weymouth
  see trip report
Meet on Church Road near St Andrews Church,
map reference SY706830 (see map)

Monday October 17th - Thursday October 20th
Dorset - Coastal migrants and heathland specialities
  see trip report
A 3-day break based at The Heights Hotel, Portland, (click to see map)
Please book with The Travelling Naturalist, Dorchester.
Monday October 17th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Lodmoor RSPB Reserve
  see trip report
Meet at the car park before the Civic Amenity Site, Preston Beach Road,
map reference SY687809 (see map)

Monday October 10th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Dewlish
  see trip report
Meet at the layby near the bend at the top of Park Hill,
map reference SY779980 (see map)
.
Friday October 7th - Sunday October 9th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday October 7th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday October 3rd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Rodden Hive
  see trip report
Meet at the layby just west of Langton Herring on the Rodden road,
map reference SY610827 (click to see map)

Please note that if the layby is full you will need to park in the village and walk down.
Friday September 30th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday September 26th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Hartland Moor
  see trip report
Meet on the high section of the road between Norden and Middlebere,
map reference SY962847 (click to see map)

Friday September 23rd - Sunday September 25th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday September 19th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Moreton Plantation
  see trip report
Meet at the layby on the south side of the road between Waddock Cross and Bovington,
map reference SY819912 (click to see map)

Friday September 16th - Sunday September 18th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday September 16th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday September 12th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Holt Heath
  see trip report
Meet at White Sheet car park, about four miles north-east of Wimborne,
map reference SZ047036 (click to see map)
Monday September 5th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Fontmell Down
  see trip report
Park in the National Trust car park on Spread Eagle Hill, between Blandford and Shaftesbury,
map reference ST886187 (click to see map)
Friday September 2nd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday August 29th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Higher Hyde Heath, Bovington
  see trip report
Meet at reserve car park on the N.E. side of the Puddletown Road, between Bovington & Wareham,
map reference SY854899 (click to see map)
Friday August 26th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday August 22nd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Holton Lee
  see trip report
Meet in the pull-in a half-mile along the road to Holton Lee,
map reference SY956916 (click to see map)
Monday August 15th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Blacknoll Heath, Winfrith
  see trip report
Meet at the pull-in by the reserve entrance,
map reference SY805863 (click to see map)

Monday August 8th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Came Woods
  see trip report
Meet in the layby opposite the woods,
map reference SY697853 (click to see map)

Friday August 5th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday August 1st 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Bere Wood
  see trip report
Meet in Bloxworth near the church,
map reference SY881947 (click to see map)

Friday July 29th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday July 25th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Melbury Wood
  see trip report
Meet at the pull-in 2 miles east of Compton Abbas Airfield, just before the B3081,
map reference ST915197 (click to see map)

Friday July 22nd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday July 18th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Sares Wood
  see trip report
Meet in the car park just east of the crossroads,
map reference SY804924 (click to see map)
.
Friday July 15th - Sunday July 17th
Butterflies and Wild Flowers Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday July 15th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday July 11th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Alner's Gorse
  see trip report
Meet in the Butterfly Conservation car park on the north side of the Hazelbury Bryan road, a mile east of King's Stag,
map reference ST737100 (click to see map)
Friday July 8th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Tuesday July 5th 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Holton Lee
  see trip report
Please phone Holton Lee on 01202 625562 to book a place,
£5.00 per person including tea and biscuits. Meet in the main car park,
map reference SY961912 (click to see map)
Monday June 27th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
East Holme Meadows
  see trip report
Meet in the new car park at the eastern end of Holme Lane (Bindon Lane),
map reference SY918856 (click to see map)


Tuesday June 21st
Tadnoll Heath  see trip report
Monday June 20th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Godlingstone Heath, Studland
  see trip report
Meet on Wadmore Lane, off Ferry Road at the northern limit of Studland village,
map reference SZ828033 (click to see map)

Friday June 17th - Sunday June 19th
Butterflies and Wild Flowers Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Tuesday June 14th 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Holton Lee
  see trip report
Please phone Holton Lee on 01202 625562 to book a place,
£5.00 per person including tea and biscuits. Meet in the main car park,
map reference SY961912 (click to see map)
Monday June 13th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Shipton Hill
  see trip report
Please note that this walk includes includes a very steep climb!
Meet outside the village hall near the church at Shipton Gorge,
map reference SY497915 (click to see map)

Monday May 30th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Abbotsbury
  see trip report
Meet at the Swannery car park,
map reference SY577846 (click to see map)

Monday May 23rd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Bovington
  see trip report
Meet opposite the Tank Museum car park entrance,
map reference SY832882 (click to see map)

Monday May 16th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Mangerton Mill
  see trip report
Meet at the Mill car park,
map reference SY489957 (click to see map)

Friday May 13th - Sunday May 15th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday May 9th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Powerstock Common
  see trip report
Meet at the reserve car park,
map reference SY547974 (click to see map)

Tuesday May 3rd 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Holton Lee
  see trip report
Please phone Holton Lee on 01202 625562 to book a place,
£5.00 per person including tea and biscuits. Meet in the main car park,
map reference SY961912 (click to see map)
Monday May 2nd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Higher Hyde Heath, Bovington
  see trip report
Meet at reserve car park on the N.E. side of the Puddletown Road, between Bovington & Wareham,
map reference SY854899 (click to see map)
Friday April 22nd - Sunday April 24th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Tuesday April 19th 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Holton Lee
  see trip report
Please phone Holton Lee on 01202 625562 to book a place,
£5.00 per person including tea and biscuits. Meet in the main car park,
map reference SY961912 (click to see map)
Monday April 18th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
White Horse Hill
  see trip report
Meet at the start of the track over White Horse Hill,
map reference SY702852 (click to see map)

Monday April 11th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Moreton Forest
  see trip report
Meet at the Forestry Commission entrance a mile east of Waddock Cross,
map reference SY811912 (click to see map)

Friday April 8th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday April 4th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Bere Heath
  see trip report
Meet in the pull-in near the northern limit of the plantations on the Wareham - Bere Regis road,
map reference SY873933 (click to see map)

Friday April 1st 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday March 28th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Abbotsbury - Portesham Railway
  see trip report
Meet in the village car park at Abbotsbury,
map reference SY579853 (click to see map)
Friday March 25th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday March 21st 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Upton Country Park
  see trip report
Meet in the main car park near the toilets,
map reference SY992929 (click to see map)
Friday March 18th - Sunday March 20th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday March 14th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Swyre Head, Kingston
  see trip report
Meet at the car park approx 1 mile west of Kingston,
map reference SY943793 (click to see map)

Monday March 7th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Culpeppers Dish
  see trip report Meet at the picnic area,
map reference SY814924 (click to see map)
Monday February 29th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Burton Bradstock
  see trip report
Meet at the southern end of Cliff Road,
map reference SY487889 (click to see map)

Friday February 26th - Sunday February 28th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday February 22nd 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Holton Lee
  see trip report
Meet in the pull-in a half-mile along the road to Holton Lee,
map reference SY956916 (click to see map)
Friday February 19th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip report
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday February 15th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Yellowham Wood
  see trip report
Meet at the layby on Yellowham Hill, a minor road parallel with the A35 between Dorchester and Puddletown,
map reference SY730933 (click to see map)
.
Monday February 1st 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Puddletown Forest
  see trip report
Meet in the 2nd pull-in from the south on the road between Tincleton and Puddletown known as "Rhodedendron Mile",
map reference SY744921 (click to see map)

Monday January 25th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Lodmoor RSPB Reserve
  see trip report
Meet at the car park before the Civic Amenity Site, Preston Beach Road,
map reference SY687809 (click to see map)

Friday January 22nd - Sunday January 24th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday January 18th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Newton's Cove
  see trip report
Meet in the Barrack Road car park opposite the Nothe Tavern,
map reference SY683787 (click to see map)

Monday January 11th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Thorncombe Woods, Higher Bockhampton
  see trip report
Meet at the car park for Hardy's Cottage,
map reference SY726922 (click to see map)

Friday January 8th - Sunday January 10th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday January 4th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Ridgeway Hill
  see trip report
Meet at the far end of Dorchester Road, just past the railway bridge,
map reference SY673852 (click to see map)





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For more information or telephone 01305 750118 or 07980 967473.

Details on this site are subject to change - check the latest update before you leave!