Stephanie Roberts Memorial Lecture,
Speaker: Miles Russell,
New archaeological discoveries in Dorset have completely changed our understanding of Iron Age Durotriges tribe and of prehistoric life before the arrival of the Roman army in the 1st century AD. Key to this has been Bournemouth University’s excavations at Winterborne Kingston where a large, pre-Roman settlement, dubbed ‘Duropolis’, has been uncovered. In this talk, Dr Miles Russell, co-director of the Durotriges Big Dig will outline the major finds and explain what it all means for southern Britain.
Martin Down Nature Reserve,
Leader: Mark Spencer,
SU 037201,
To observe any interesting early summer butterflies or day flying moths, target species Grizzled / Dingy Skippers, Adonis/Small Blues, Marsh Fritillary.
We will meet in the car park off the A354 Salisbury to Blandford road. Our walk over the site will be fairly flat, though be aware of loose stones on paths. We will walk the Chalk Downland side of the site first, returning to the cars for lunch ( at about 13.00hrs.) then those that wish to continue, will cross the road to the Vernditch side, where the site is mostly a Woodland habitat for the afternoon session, which should end back at the vehicles by about 15.30 to 16.00 Hrs.
Stout Walking Boots (not wellingtons !) a walking stick if required, food and drink if staying for lunch ( water definitely). Camera, binoculars and a good pocket lens if you have one.
N.B. – NO BUTTERFLY NETS ARE ALLOWED ON THIS SITE WITHOUT PERMITS !!
Zoology Lecture,
Speaker: Jonathan MacGowan,
Exploring anatomy of Birds
Leader: Mike Downing,
Durlston Country Park, Map Ref: OL15 SZ 032 773,
Meet in Car Park (by meter),
Looking for early Orchids, Sea Mayweed, Tufted & Lesser Centaury, Corky-fruited Dropwort and Wild Clary (distance: c3.4km, height change 66m).
Entomology Lecture, Speaker: Mark Spencer,
Mark is Chair of Entomology and has been rearing insects for many years. A Study of the Lifecycles and Survival Methods of some of the Worlds Amazing Butterflies and Moths.
Leader: Ray Chapman,
Burton Bradstock DT6 4RF, SY490 890,
Meet in Hive Beach NT car-park
Astronomy Lecture, Speaker: Mark Gibbons.
Since the LIGO observatory detected gravitational waves a few months ago, we have had several requests to include this subject
Joint Lecture with Historical Association (change to original lecture)
Speaker: Dr Jonathan Woolfson Deputy Director, Sotheby’s Institute of Art London
Science Lecture, Speaker: Fiona Bowles
Fiona is an Independent Water and Catchment Scientist who has previously worked at Wessex water and the Freshwater Biological Association. Fiona will discuss some of the many local initiatives she has been involved in to monitor and improve our river environments.
Speaker: Mark Spencer
Just how smart are we? A look at the Evolution of our Species, comparing the good and the bad developments we have made and are still making!?!
