Guided Walks and EventsMay - August 2016

Bournemouth Parks

Monday Morning MeandersWalks start at 10am and last up to 2 hours.

No need to book, and the walks are free.

2 May Strouden WoodsSide of Homebase, Castle Lane Retail Park (BH8 9PE)

9 May Hengistbury HeadSolent Meads golf course car park, Rolls Drive (BH6 4NA)

16 May Millhams MeadSt. Andrew’s Church car park, Millhams Road (BH10 7LN)

23 May The ChinesSouthern entrance to Alum Chine, Alumhurst Rd (BH4 8HS)

30 May Southbourne OvercliffFisherman’s Walk cliff lift (BH6 3TD)

6 June Stour Valley (Wilderness Way)Granby Road car park, off Muscliff Lane (BH9 3NZ)

13 June Redhill Park and CommonRedhill Park car park, off Redhill Drive (BH9 2SW)

20 June Longham LakesCar park off A348, just passed Kings Arms (BH22 9AA)

27 June Boscombe Chine GardensGravel car park off East Overcliff Drive (BH1 3HP)

4 July ThroopThroop Mill car park, Throop Road (BH8 0DH)

11 July Turbary CommonLayby opposite 120 Turbary Park Avenue (BH11 8HJ)

18 July Littledown and Kings ParkSteps in Littledown Centre car park (BH7 7DX)

25 July Iford MeadowsPlaying fields car park, off Iford Lane (BH6 5NF)

1 Aug Stanpit MarshIn car park in Stanpit (road) (BH23 3ND)

8 Aug SheepwashEntrance opposite Iford Bridge pub (BH6 5RG)

15 Aug Kinson CommonBy play area on Common, off Poole Lane (BH11 9DP)

22 Aug Riverlands and WickWick Lane car park (BH6 4LF)

29 Aug Bournemouth GardensCoy Pond, Coy Pond Road (BH12 1JU)

Contact us

S THengistbury Head Visitor Centre / Ranger Team Phone: 01202 451618 E-mail: hengistbury.head@bournemouth.gov.uk Address: Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre

Broadway, Bournemouth BH6 4EN

Kingfisher Barn/Stour Valley Ranger TeamPhone: 01202 451548E-mail: tom.bennett@bournemouth.gov.uk Address: Kingfisher Barn, Stour Acres, Granby Road,

Muscliff, Bournemouth BH9 3NZ

Working in partnership

© Bournemouth Borough Council 2016. All rights reserved. All information correct at time of going to print.

VolunteeringOur team of dedicated volunteers assists us with

events, activities and practical work across our parks and

gardens, as well as staffing the Hengistbury Head Visitor

Centre seven days a week. If you would like to join our

volunteers, please call 01202 451618, or e-mail us

at Richard.hesketh@bournemouth.gov.uk

Join us on social media for the latest news and events.

Christchurch Harbour BioBlitz, May 2016

The aim of a bioblitz is to record as many species of flora and fauna in a given area over 24 hours. The Christchurch Harbour BioBlitz will take place from 10am on the 21st May to 10am on the 22nd May. As part of the fun, it is being billed as Hengistbury vs Stanpit. People on both sides of the harbour will be ‘competing’ to record as many birds, flowers, insects, trees, pond creatures and more as possible during the 24 hours.

There are events for all the family to get involved with. Here is the Hengistbury Head programme;

Kingfisher Barn

As part of a programme of improvements, we have developed the Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre and Wildlife Garden at the gateway to the Stour Valley Local Nature Reserve in Muscliff, Bournemouth. The centre, which will be run in a partnership between Bournemouth Borough Council and the RSPB, will include educational facilities, and will host a wide range of exciting, creative and informative events to engage the community with nature.

The wildlife garden will have many features including a wildlife pond, bug hotels and willow sculpture. Also, keep an eye open for a new wildflower area being developed at the moment.

This beautiful three-mile stretch of river, with woodland and meadows, is the setting for nature walks, river and pond dipping, and a wild art club to name just a few of the events and activities. Check the listings in this leaflet for details of all the events taking place in May, June, July and August, or join them on Facebook.

Kingfisher Barn is ideally situated, just a minute’s walk from the River Stour with its kingfishers, herons, egrets, swans and other bird life. There is a small car park just off Granby Road, close to the barn.

We look forward very much to welcoming you! Find out more about the project at facebook.com/stourvalleynature or on Instagram: @stourvalleyrangers

Things to do in Bournemouth’s parks

Orienteering

Try this fun, exciting activity at one of the afternoon sessions organised by Wimborne Orienteers and Wessex Orienteering Club. All are from 1.30pm to 4pm:

Sat 28 May Littledown and Kings ParkSat 11 June Boscombe ChineSat 17 July Queens ParkSat 27 Aug Slades Farm

For more information, visit www.wimborne-orienteers.org.uk www.wessex-oc.org and find them on Facebook.

It’s a Ping Thing!

Bournemouth has been selected as this year’s venue for the national launch event on Friday 10th June to launch Ping! (www.pingengland.co.uk/press) After this date, watch out for ‘Random Acts of Ping Pong’ – table tennis tables will be popping up all over our parks and gardens

and there is no catch – grab bats and a ball and play away – for free! Ping! will run until the end of August.

Employers wanting to introduce table tennis at the workplace can visit www.keepintheloop.co.uk to find out more.

Cycling at Slades Farm

Bournemouth Cycling Centre is an Olympic-sized 250 metre banked tarmac track set in Slades Farm in Ensbury Park. The Centre comprises a tarmac-banked track, flat tarmac safety zone and assembly area with a grass infield, all dedicated to cycling-specific activities. Bournemouth Borough Council now manages the centre bookings in partnership with Active Dorset and there is access for all.

If you want to book please contact sports@bournemouth.gov.uk or call 01202 456874. Clubs, organisations and individuals can all use the facility but booking is essential. Visit www.bournemouth.cc for more information.

21st May10am Moth and mammal trap release*10.30am Pond dipping - book on 01202 45161811am Flowers and pollinators walk*11.15am Pond dipping - book on 01202 45161812.30pm Wildlife garden BioBlitz*12.30pm Dragonfly walk*1pm Pond dipping - book on 01202 4516181.45pm Creepy crawly safari*2.30pm Kayak river safari - cost £35 adults,

£20 children - book on 01202 425173 3pm Seaside safari*4.30pm Woodland safari*8.30pm Twilight safari: toads and bats*9.30pm Live moth trapping*

22nd May5.30am Dawn bird walk - £6 inc. breakfast - book on

01202 45161810am The results!

Visit the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre Facebook page for more details of the BioBlitz. No need to book unless specified. *Indicates free event.

Events Timetable: May to August 2016

Visit: www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk

S T Join us on social media for the latest news and events.

For Hengistbury Head events, please phone 01202 451618. These events all start at the Visitor Centre.

For Stour Valley events, please phone 01202 451548. These events all start at Kingfisher Barn.

To book a Hengistbury Head event: Tel: 01202 451618

To book a Stour Valley event: Tel: 01202 451548

Sun 1 May 5am - 3pm International Dawn Chorus Day We have a dawn walk, a campfire breakfast, and bird-themed family activities from 11am to 3pm. Booking essential for walk and breakfast - breakfast costs £4. RSPB event.

Sun 7 May 10am - 12pm Moth morning Join the Rangers to find out more about these colourful insects. Free - no need to book.

Sun 8 May 5.30am - 9am Bird songs and breakfast Starts our ‘Celebration of bird song’. Join us to hear bird songs. Followed by breakfast at Hiker Cafe. Booking essential. £11 per person.

Sun 8 May 10am - 4pm Sounds of Nature Produce a sound map and discover the sounds of the Stour. Test your memory to win a sticker. Free - no need to book. RSPB event.

Mon 9 May 12pm - 3pm Transit of Mercury View this quite rare astronomical event safely, as Mercury moves across the face of the Sun. Free event. No need to book.

Tue 10 May 10am - 12pm Explore the Stour Join Robert as he leads our monthly ‘Explore the Stour’ walk, looking for wildlife and explaining some of the history. Free - no need to book. RSPB event.

Thu 12 May 8am - 11am Bird song challenge A ‘Celebration of bird song’ event. Try and learn ten bird songs in three hours! Ideal for beginners. Booking essential. £4 per person, including refreshments.

Sun 15 May 11am - 3pm Jam jars and fishing nets Join us for some river dipping. Bring your own jam jar and fishing net....or upgrade by borrowing some of our equipment. Free – no need to book. RSPB event.

Tue 17 May 10am - 12pm Cuckoos and cupcakes A ‘Celebration of bird song’ event. Walk through Wick Fields listening for Cuckoos and other birds. Includes coffee and cake at Solent Meads Golf Centre Cafe. Booking essential. £6 per person.

21st May 10am to 22nd May 10am Bioblitz weekend 24 hours of wildlife recording at Hengistbury Head. Find out how you can get involved with activities for all ages. Check our Facebook page and separate panel in this leaflet for details.

Sun 22 May 5.30am - 9amEarly morning bird walk

Part of our ‘Celebration of bird song’ season, and our Bioblitz weekend - help us to hear and see as many species as possible. Followed by breakfast at Hiker Cafe. Booking essential. £6 per person.

Thu 26 May 10.30am - 12.30pmCareless rapture - the poetry of birds We finish our ‘Celebration of bird song’ season with a poetry walk, listening to bird song and hearing poetry that celebrates the songs of birds. Booking essential. £3 per person.

Sun 29 May 11am - 3pm Wildlife photography challenge Bring your smart phone or digital camera and get creative whilst hitting our brief. For all the family. Get top tips, and print your best shot of the day to add to our display. Free - no need to book. RSPB event.

Mon 30 May 1pm - 4pm Cave Art Experimental archaeology, wall and tile painting. Fun for all ages. £1 per tile. No need to book.

Tue 31 May 10am - 12pm Wildflowers and trees Join the rangers to discover some of the flowers and trees growing at the Stour Valley reserve. Free - no need to book.

Tue 31 May and Fri 3 June 2.30-4.30pm“Bird-wording” Enjoy writing in action. Develop your writing skills and enjoyment of writing with this fun activity for all ages. Be inspired by birds and their songs. Free - no need to book.

Tue 2, 9, 16 and 30 Aug 5pm onwards Big Wild Cook Out Learn to cook one pot dishes and master the use of a Dutch oven in the process. Booking essential. Suggested donation of £5. RSPB event.

Wed 3, 10, 17, 31 Aug 8pm-10pm Bats, otters and owls We’ll adventure along the river using our eyes, ears, wits and bat detectors to spot these amazing animals. Booking essential. Free - RSPB event.

Thu 4 Aug 10am - 4pm River explorers See 28 July

Sat 6 Aug 10am - 12pm Moth morning Join the rangers to find out which colourful moth species were caught in the live trap over night. Free – no need to book.

Sat 6 Aug 1pm - 4pm Cave Art Experimental archaeology, wall and tile painting. Fun for all ages. £1 per tile. No need to book

Mon 8 - Sun 21 Aug 10am - 4pm - Animalympics themed fortnight Come along any day to complete our self-guided animalympic activities, or check out our special events during the fortnight. Free - RSPB event.

Mon 8 Aug 3pm - 5pm Animalympics We will be going out to look for the animals at the Stour that put our Olympic achievements to shame. Booking essential. Free - RSPB event.

Tue 9 Aug 11am - 4pm Wildlife activity day A fun day for all the family. All activities are free. Check our Facebook page for details of activities, or phone the visitor centre on 01202 451618.

Tue 9 Aug 5pm onwards Big Wild Cook Out See 2 Aug

Wed 10 Aug 8pm-10pm Bats, otters and owls See 3 Aug

Thu 11 Aug 10am - 4pm River explorers - see 28 July

Thu 11 Aug 9.30pm - 11pm Perseid Meteor Shower Look for meteors (shooting stars) from the year’s best known shower. We can expect to see between 10 and 20 meteors. Booking essential. £3 per adult, £1 under-16s.

Fri 12 Aug 3pm - 5pm Big Wild Bake Off Get hints and tips about baking over a fire, then create your own showstopper! Booking essential. Suggested donation £5. RSPB event.

Sat 13 Aug 2pm - 4pm Beachcombing at Hengistbury Head Join our experts to look for things washed up on the beach. What will you find? Booking essential. £5 adults, £2 under-16s.

Sat 13 Aug 3pm - 5pm Animalympic Day Compare your abilities to those of your animal cousins. Fancy dress in animal or Olympic attire a must! No need to book. Free - donations welcome. RSPB event.

Mon 15 Aug 3pm - 5pm Animalympics See 8 Aug

Tue 16 Aug 10am - 12pm The Big Bug Hunt! Come along on a minibeast safari to look for butterflies, moths, dragonflies and all kinds of creepy crawlies! Booking essential. £1 per child - must be accompanied by an adult.

Tue 16 Aug 5pm onwards Big Wild Cook Out See 2 Aug

Wed 17 Aug 8pm-10pm Bats, otters and owls See 3 Aug

Thu 18 Aug 10am - 4pm River explorers See 28 July

Fri 19 Aug 3pm - 5pm Big Wild Bake Off See 12 Aug

Sat 20 Aug 11am - 2pm Big Wild Picnic by the River Stour Bring along a picnic blanket and hamper and we’ll keep you entertained with bug hunts, a wildlife show and trails. Animal-themed fancy dress a must! Free - no need to book. RSPB event.

Thu 25 Aug 10am - 4pm River explorers See 28 July

Sat 27 Aug 8.30-10.30pm Moth Night Come along and see which species are attracted to our moth light, and find out more about these beautiful insects. Booking essential. £3 adults, £1 under-16s.

Mon 29 Aug 10am - 8pm Stour Cream Tea Festival August Bank Holiday, 1914 - the Marshall’s Tea Rooms on the banks of the Stour in Muscliff served tea to over 300 people. Help us recapture the glory days and see if we can beat the record of 1914. We’ll have straight cream teas available, but also the option of baking your own scone over a fire and even foraging for your own wild Stour jam. No need to book. Donations welcome. RSPB event.

Tue 30 Aug 5pm onwards Big Wild Cook Out See 2 Aug

Tue 7 June 1.30pm - 4pm Flowers, folklore and flapjacks Look for wild flowers and find out about their fascinating folklore. Followed by tea and cake at Hiker Cafe. Booking essential. £7 per person.

Wed 8 June 10am - 12pm Dragonflies and damselflies The River Stour is a great location for these colourful insects. Learn how to tell them apart and see how many species you can find. Free - no need to book.

Sat 11 June 10am - 12pm Moths of the Stour Valley

See what was caught in the live trap over night, and then join the Rangers for a wildlife walk on the nature reserve. Free – no need to book.

Sat 11 June 11am - 1pmCumberland Clark’s Bournemouth Songbook Bournemouth Gardens Bournemouth’s ‘famously bad poet’, or was he? Find out on this fun-filled walk. Booking essential on 01202 451618. Cost £3. Meet at the Cenotaph. This walk is in memory of local historian John Walker.

Sun 12 June 11am - 3pm Messing about on the Stour We’ll be making “long boats and short boats and all kinds of craft. And cruisers and keel boats and some with no draught”. Free – no need to book. RSPB event.

Tue 14 June 10am - 12pm Explore the Stour Join Robert as he leads our monthly ‘Explore the Stour’ walk, looking for wildlife and explaining some of the interesting local history. Free - no need to book. RSPB event.

Wed 15 June 9.30pm - 11pmIn search of Nightjars An evening walk on the Head to listen and look for the mysterious Nightjar. Booking essential. £3 per person.

Sat 18 June 10am - 4pm Turbary Common and Fernheath Valley Nature Day Join the Rangers for various activities - moth trap, tree walk, wildlfowers, river dipping, mini beasts and more. Phone 01202 451548 for more details.

Sun 26 June 10am - 4pm Life by the River Stour – past and present Part of the Bournemouth University Festival of Learning. A fun, family event. Free - no need to book. RSPB event.

Sun 3 July 10am - 4pm Myths, legends and gruesome nature The bits you don’t usually hear about! Exposing the myths and revealing the mystery. Fun activities for children. Free - no need to book. RSPB event.

Thu 7 July 10am - 12.30pm The wildlife of Wick Fields

Explore the area for birds, butterflies, flowers and more. Tea and cake half way round at Solent Meads golf cafe. Booking essential. £6 per person.

Sat 9 July 10am - 12pm Moth morning Join the rangers to find out which colourful moth species were caught in the live trap over night. Free – no need to book.

Sun 10 July 10am - 4pm Wild Sunday at the Stour Come along to river dip, complete our ‘spot it’ challenge, and learn about the natural and cultural history of the area. Free - no need to book. RSPB event.

Tue 12 July 10am - 12pm Explore the Stour Join Robert as he leads our monthly ‘Explore the Stour’ walk, looking for wildlife and explaining some of the interesting local history. Free - no need to book. RSPB event.

Sun 17 July 11am - 3pm Nature’s masquerade Nature is full of surprises and mimicry. Test your skills on our nature trail, collect natural resources to make your own disguise, and enjoy a hot chocolate! Family event. Free - no need to book. RSPB event.

Tue 19 July 8pm - 10pm Moonrise and Sunset Watch the moon rise and sun set within 45 minutes of each other. Find out why this happens at full moon, and much more. Booking essential. £3 adults, £1 under-16s.

Tue 26 July 11am - 1pm Mini beasts of the Stour Valley Join the rangers for a walk and survey of the insects and other small creatures of the reserve. Free - no need to book.

Wed 27 July 1pm - 4pm Making and decorating pots Get inspiration from our collection and then have a go at making your own pots. No need to book. There will be a small fee to cover materials.

Wed 27 July 2pm - 4pm Flint-knapping workshop Learn to make hunting gear and behave like a Stone Age hunter. Free - no need to book.

Thu 28 July & 4, 11, 18, 25 Aug 10am - 4pm River explorers Discover what lives in and by the Stour. With river dipping, exploring wildlife and outdoor cooking. Free - no need to book. RSPB event.

Tue 2 Aug 11am - 1pm Butterfly transect Help the rangers to carry out a butterfly survey along the reserve. Free – no need to book.

Christchurch Harbour BioBlitz, May 2016

The aim of a bioblitz is to record as many species of flora and fauna in a given area over 24 hours. The Christchurch Harbour BioBlitz will take place from 10am on the 21st May to 10am on the 22nd May. As part of the fun, it is being billed as Hengistbury vs Stanpit. People on both sides of the harbour will be ‘competing’ to record as many birds, flowers, insects, trees, pond creatures and more as possible during the 24 hours.

There are events for all the family to get involved with. Here is the Hengistbury Head programme;

Kingfisher Barn

As part of a programme of improvements, we have developed the Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre and Wildlife Garden at the gateway to the Stour Valley Local Nature Reserve in Muscliff, Bournemouth. The centre, which will be run in a partnership between Bournemouth Borough Council and the RSPB, will include educational facilities, and will host a wide range of exciting, creative and informative events to engage the community with nature.

The wildlife garden will have many features including a wildlife pond, bug hotels and willow sculpture. Also, keep an eye open for a new wildflower area being developed at the moment.

This beautiful three-mile stretch of river, with woodland and meadows, is the setting for nature walks, river and pond dipping, and a wild art club to name just a few of the events and activities. Check the listings in this leaflet for details of all the events taking place in May, June, July and August, or join them on Facebook.

Kingfisher Barn is ideally situated, just a minute’s walk from the River Stour with its kingfishers, herons, egrets, swans and other bird life. There is a small car park just off Granby Road, close to the barn.

We look forward very much to welcoming you! Find out more about the project at facebook.com/stourvalleynature or on Instagram: @stourvalleyrangers

Things to do in Bournemouth’s parks

Orienteering

Try this fun, exciting activity at one of the afternoon sessions organised by Wimborne Orienteers and Wessex Orienteering Club. All are from 1.30pm to 4pm:

Sat 28 May Littledown and Kings ParkSat 11 June Boscombe ChineSat 17 July Queens ParkSat 27 Aug Slades Farm

For more information, visit www.wimborne-orienteers.org.uk www.wessex-oc.org and find them on Facebook.

It’s a Ping Thing!

Bournemouth has been selected as this year’s venue for the national launch event on Friday 10th June to launch Ping! (www.pingengland.co.uk/press) After this date, watch out for ‘Random Acts of Ping Pong’ – table tennis tables will be popping up all over our parks and gardens

and there is no catch – grab bats and a ball and play away – for free! Ping! will run until the end of August.

Employers wanting to introduce table tennis at the workplace can visit www.keepintheloop.co.uk to find out more.

Cycling at Slades Farm

Bournemouth Cycling Centre is an Olympic-sized 250 metre banked tarmac track set in Slades Farm in Ensbury Park. The Centre comprises a tarmac-banked track, flat tarmac safety zone and assembly area with a grass infield, all dedicated to cycling-specific activities. Bournemouth Borough Council now manages the centre bookings in partnership with Active Dorset and there is access for all.

If you want to book please contact sports@bournemouth.gov.uk or call 01202 456874. Clubs, organisations and individuals can all use the facility but booking is essential. Visit www.bournemouth.cc for more information.

21st May10am Moth and mammal trap release*10.30am Pond dipping - book on 01202 45161811am Flowers and pollinators walk*11.15am Pond dipping - book on 01202 45161812.30pm Wildlife garden BioBlitz*12.30pm Dragonfly walk*1pm Pond dipping - book on 01202 4516181.45pm Creepy crawly safari*2.30pm Kayak river safari - cost £35 adults,

£20 children - book on 01202 425173 3pm Seaside safari*4.30pm Woodland safari*8.30pm Twilight safari: toads and bats*9.30pm Live moth trapping*

22nd May5.30am Dawn bird walk - £6 inc. breakfast - book on

01202 45161810am The results!

Visit the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre Facebook page for more details of the BioBlitz. No need to book unless specified. *Indicates free event.