Local Events

Click on the list to see what your local Wildlife Watch group is doing and who to contact.

Basingstoke
Blashford Lakes on fallen tree
Havant and Portsmouth
Isle of Wight
Southampton
Swanwick Lakes
Test Valley
Wildgrounds, Gosport
Wickham
Winchester

There are more family events in the Trust diary

You don't have to be a member to attend the events
Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Parents are welcome to join in most events
Some events are indoors but most are outdoors.
Most activities last 1½ -2 hours
Wildlife Watch groups are run by registered volunteers.
You can expect to pay 50p -£1 per child to cover materials / squash

NEW: Wildlife Tots in Winchester

Meeting on a Thursday each month, 10 -11.30, usually at Winnall Nature Reserve (Durngate entrance). Please call Sparklers Children’s Centre on 01962 861403 for further information. Wildlife Tots is for pre-school children. The emphasis is on family learning and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The activities are based mostly outdoors, in natural surroundings. Please make sure you come prepared with a waterproof coat and some wellies.

Thursday May 17th. St Giles Hill: Scavenger hunt and kites. Walking from Sparklers at 10am.
Thursday 7 June (Half term) – Caterpillars and butterflies at Winnall Moors. Extra activities for children over 5 yrs too.
Thurs 26 July. Possible visit to the seaside! Details to be confirmed

NEW : Wildlife Tots in Wickham

Wildlife Tots is for children aged between 0 and 5 years. The emphasis is on family learning and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The activities are based mostly outdoors, in the natural surroundings of the Children’s Centre and Wickham Primary School. Please make sure you come prepared with a waterproof coat and some wellies.
Meeting 3^rd Tuesday each month, 10.30-12 at Merry-Go-Round Children’s Centre, Buddens Road, Wickham 01329 834874 www.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/merry-go-round-cc

Tuesday 15th May - very hungry caterpillar
Tuesday 19th June - 100 things to do outdoors (ideas for the summer)
No sessions in July and August

Basingstoke

Peter and Alison Hutchins 01256 770831
Clare Lloyd Williams 01256 782665
Lynette East 01256 389371

Last Saturday of each month 2-4pm at places in and around Basingstoke

Sat 26 May. Wildlife in the Churchyard . St Andrew's Church, Tichborne , Nr Alresford
Friday 29 June. 6pm. Come and find out about life down on the Farm. Laverstoke Park Farm Education Centre , Overton

Blashford Lakes

Carol Waterman 01425 483018
Imogen Fidler 01425 672837

Usually 2nd Saturday each month, 10.30-12.30 at Blashford Lakes Centre, near Ringwood
Sun 20th May Bolderwood Birdtrail. Contact Imogen to book your place on this annual all-day team event. Suitable for ages 8+ unaccompanied.
Fri 8th- Sat 9th June Family overnight camp. Campfire cooking, night walk and lots of other exciting activities. Booking essential.

Gosport, Wildgrounds

Hilary Percival 02392 527391hrp7@hotmail.co.uk
Kevin Fletcher 02392 789420

3^rd Saturday each month, 10-12noon at Grange Farm, Little Woodham Lane, off Howe Rd.

Sat 19 May. Pond and river dipping.
Sat 16 June. Beach scramble. Time to be confirmed, subject to tide.

Havant and Portsmouth

Sally Rumfitt 02392 698649

Gemma Summerfield 023 9245 3405

Sat 16 June. Brook Meadow, Emsworth - real conservation work

Isle of Wight

Kathy Grogan 01983 760018

A Saturday each month at a variety of places on the Island. Times vary: please phone to book.

Sat 19 May. Nightwalk at Ningwood Common Nature Reserve
Meet at the Recycling Centre next to the Horse and Groom pub on the Yarmouth Road at Ningwood. GR: SZ 401 892. We will be walking across the fields and over stiles to reach the reserve, where we hope to encounter some nocturnal wildlife. Wear wellies or walking boots and bring a coat and a torch if you have one. (Please phone for alternative meeting points for those needing easy access).

Sat 30 June. Butterfly Watch on Arreton Down
Meet at the car park of the Wight Lion pub for a walk through farmland to the Arreton Down Nature Reserve. GR: SZ 533 867. Find out all about the fascinating butterflies that live on this important habitat, with games and activities on the downs. Hopefully we will be needing suncream, drinking water and a sun hat! (Please phone for alternative meeting points for those needing easy access).

Southampton

Dawn Morgan southamptonwatch@hotmail.co.uk

2nd Saturday each month 11-1 at the Hawthorns, Southampton Common

Sat 9 June. Mini beasting: make your own pooter!
Sat 14 – Sun 15 July. Batcamp at Woodmill- contact southamptonwatch@hotmail.co.uk for more details and to book a place.

Swanwick Lakes

Carly Fretwell 07733 980980
Michelle Crooks 07784 391604

1^st Saturday 10.30-12 and 3^rd Thursday 6.30-8pm each month at Swanwick Lakes Centre, near Fareham
Thursday 17 May: Worm charming
Saturday 2 June: Bushcraft day 10.30-3pm
Thursday 21 June: Natural dyes