Don’t forget the next course will be run on Wednesday 8th February at Talbot Heath. This is a great chance to learn not just about different birds but also about lowland heath.

In the early 1800s, most of south-east Dorset was covered by heathland and it was maintained by people using the gorse for firewood, the heather turfs for fuel and as grazing for their livestock.

It is now under constant threat of invasion by scrub and has to be carefully managed. Please meet by Coy Pond in Bournemouth. The course runs from 10am – 12pm.

A different type of habitat, Stanpit Marsh Nature Reserve, will be the site for the next course to be held on Wednesday 22nd February between 10am-12pm.

Situated on the north side of Christchurch Harbour, this is an amazing site for waders and wildfowl and a nice easy site to practice your growing skills.

It was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1986 and the habitats include salt marsh, reed beds, freshwater marsh, gravel estuarine banks and sandy scrub. Please meet by Scout car park, off Stanpit Broadway.

The final course in this series will be at Hengistbury Head on Wednesday 29th February between 10am-12pm. Hengistbury Head has been designated a SSSI due to its significant archaeological importance and natural habitat that supports a wide variety of wildlife and rare plant species.

Situated between Bournemouth and Christchurch the headland enables you to enjoy spectacular views of Christchurch Harbour, Mudeford, the Isle of Wight, Poole Bay and Bournemouth. Please meet by the barn.

For more details please contact Sarah-Jane Buckle on 07703607630 or visit the Events page for Dorset on the RSPB’s website (www.rspb.org.uk).

Based on information supplied by .