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Charlie was an absolute star, his knowledge of flowers, butterflies and his driving were all second to none. The Glow Worms were amazing!
C.S. Surrey
The Best of Dorset's Wildlife
Tour Code: GBR45A 4-day appreciation of one of Britain's most scenic and interesting widlife counties.
4 days
from
£850 (land only)
£850 (land only)
Highlights
Summary
On this short break we will explore some of Dorset’s best nature reserves from a delightful, country inn in the heart of the county. Early summer is an ideal time to enjoy the wildlife of the ‘Jurassic Coast’ and its hinterland and on our first afternoon we will look for breeding seabirds, raptors and Ravens before heading to a purpose-built hide for some Badger-watching. We will visit heathland to look for Sand Lizard and the very rare Smooth Snake, as well as birds such as Dartford Warbler and Hobby. At Radipole Lake Marsh Harriers, and numerous breeding warblers including Cetti’s Warbler, will be among the species we will hope to find before heading to Lodmoor and Portland Bill. Finally, we will visit selected beaches along the Jurassic Coast which bear witness to the area’s special 185 million-year-old natural history.
- View nesting seabird colonies at Durlston Cliffs
- Badger-watching
- Look for all 6 of Britain’s reptile species
- Listen for Nightjars & Noctule Bats at dusk
- See the south-west’s largest breeding colony of Common Terns at Lodmoor
- Look for Manx & Balearic Shearwaters at Portland Bill, plus skuas & auks
- Visit the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site
- Led by an expert naturalist
Grading
There will be no serious walking involved, although some days we could cover several miles. It is mostly easy walks on gentle terrain, although on the beaches we may be walking on wet sand and pebbles. Some of the coastal paths along the Jurassic Coast can be steeper and involve some steps, however these will be taken at a relaxed pace.
On this short wildlife break we will explore some of Dorset’s best nature reserves and enjoy its beautiful rolling countryside from the perfect, centrally positioned base, near Dorchester. Dorset's enviable variety of special habitats offers a wealth of natural history, and there's no better time to enjoy this than in the early summer.
On our first afternoon we will visit Radipole Lake and look for the Marsh Harriers and numerous warblers that breed in its reedbeds, including the Cetti’s Warbler with its loud, explosive song. Around the corner at Lodmoor we'll find the south-west’s largest breeding colony of Common Terns.
On our second day we will visit Durlston Cliffs to view one of England's most southerly seabird colonies, and look for breeding Peregrines and Ravens. We will then move on to the Purbeck heaths, which is home to all six of Britain's reptile species, including the stunning, jewel-green Sand Lizard and the very rare Smooth Snake. We'll also look for Dartford Warblers amongst the gorse and Hobbies as they hawk for dragonflies overhead; then, as dusk approaches, the sound of ‘churring’ Nightjars will permeate the evening air as Noctule Bats take to the wing.
The next day we will head for the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site that stretches from Orcombe Point in Devon to Old Harry Rocks in Dorset and tells the story of the region's past 185 million years. Here, beneath our feet, lie the clues to a natural history of a past world, from ammonites to belemnites, sea dragons to dinosaurs, and we will take great delight in exploring a coast line that offers a window into the wonders of the past.
One evening we will go in search of badgers, perhaps utilising one of the nearby, purpose built hides.
Finally, we will visit Portland Bill where we will scan for such seabirds as Manx and Balearic Shearwater, skuas and auks, and look for late spring migrants on the headland.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
RSPB Radipole Lake and RSPB Lodmoor Reserve
Day 2
Durlston and heaths
Day 3
Jurassic Coast
Day 4
Portland and Chesil Beach
What's Included?
- Accommodation:
We will be staying in a lovely, local hotel near Dorchester.
- Food:
All meals are included in the price except lunches.
Reviews
-
-
The opportunity to observe British reptiles in the wild was an important reason to take the tour.
J.N. Kent -
Ed and Charlie were brilliant, we couldn't have had better leaders. I learnt a lot and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
R.P. Hampshire -
Ed recommended this holiday to me and I wasn't disappointed. Wonderful!
G.M. Kent -
An excellent mix of plants, birds and butterflies. There was an interesting range of habitats that we visited.
C.B. Devon -
It was in a beautiful part of Dorset with wonderful plants and birds. Going out to listen to the Nightjars at Arne one evening was particularly good.
H.P. Hampshire -
Nice variety - flowers, birds and badgers. Charlie was very nice and very knowledgeable.
J.B. Suffolk -
Leader very good, also rangers who took us out (Al at Durlston and Luke at Arne). Good variety. Most enjoyable few days break.
E.S. Edinburgh -
The leaders were excellent and complemented each other well with expert knowledge. The itinerary had an excellent mix of venues to see range of what Dorset offers. Lovely holiday and fab weather!
A.P. Somerset
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Tue 20th May – Fri 23rd May
2
£850
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£850
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
Female sharing available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£95
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Byron Palacios
Tour Leader: Byron Palacios
Byron is an Ecuadorian Ecologist and Field Ornithologist who has been working as a researcher and bird watching tour leader since 2000. A keen birder and nature lover by 'nature', Byron has a vast knowledge of the neotropical and Western Palearctic avifauna, particularly in his native Ecuador and other neotropical countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Colombia and the Caribbean region, including southern USA. His sharp ears and eyes permit him to locate the most elusive forest-dwelling birds in the field, successfully leading more than two-hundred trips so far! As a Field Ornithologist, Byron has contributed with many important discoveries for the Ecuadorian Ornithology, all published in scientific magazines and bulletins, such as the first record for Ecuador of the Thicket Antpitta (Hylopezus dives), Feb. 2007; the rediscovery of the Yellow-eared Toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis), Aug. 2006; and the discovery of the Choco Vireo (Vireo masteri), Sep 2004, A New Bird Species for Ecuador. Byron currently works as an independant Wildlife Consultant for leading wildlife companies and conservation organisations, having also become actively involved in many birding and conservation programmes in Spain, where his birding field skills have rapidly made him one of the authorities amongst the Iberian wildlife world. He endorses Leica Optics and Gitzo tripods, and currently lives in west Dorset, England, with his daughter Isabel and fiancé Gail.
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Tue 26th May – Fri 29th May
SPACES
£895
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£110
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Among our programme is a significant range of short breaks, designed specially for those wishing to enjoy some of Europe’s top natural history highlights at the best time of year. All of these holidays have the bonus of being short-haul and supported by like-minded wildlife enthusiasts.
Naturetrek Short Break Wildlife Tours
Short breaks are becoming increasingly popular and in response to the high demand for this type of holiday we are continuing to increase our programme both within the UK and abroad. Most of our short breaks are within Europe, for convenience of travel.
For some of our mini-breaks there is an option to travel by plane or train, and we offer a choice of duration and type of break, from a weekend’s birdwatching in the Somerset Levels to a 6-day whale watching tour in the Azores.
A selection of our UK short breaks:
- A winter bird watching break in Norfolk
- An autumn holiday to enjoy the Red Deer rut in Ardnamurchan, Scotland
- A wildlife weekend in the New Forest
A selection of our overseas short breaks:
- In Spain we look for the world’s rarest cat, the Iberian Lynx
- Wolves on the plains in rural northern Spain
- An exploration of La Brenne’s exceptionally rich butterfly-life in northern France
Our specialist recommends...
"We offer two superb short breaks to the lovely island of Madeira in search of whales, dolphins and seabirds. It’s hard to beat our Just Brown Bears trip for families, while if you fancy something off the beaten track, try Estonia in Early Spring for some excellent spring birdwatching."
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Flight-free Wildlife Holidays
At Naturetrek we make full use of the Eurostar rail service through the channel tunnel, and of the ferry routes between England’s south coast and France and Spain, to offer a range of ‘flightless’ wildlife holidays in Belgium, Holland, France and Spain. In addition, we also offer the widest selection of wildlife holidays within the UK, none of which require a flight to participate in. Therefore, if you prefer not to fly, for whatever reason, we have a range of varied and exciting wildlife holidays for you to choose from, and we are committed to regularly adding more.
It is also the case that many of our other holidays within Europe are also accessible by rail. Generally, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and we’d be pleased to offer advice to anybody who wishes to join any of our tours within Europe by a means other than flying!
Our specialist recommends...
"Our Picos & Plains tour offers an environmentally-friendly route down to Spain for some excellent birding and cetacean-watching. More broadly, we’re very keen for Naturetrek to offer the most dynamic, market-leading carbon-reduced holidays available, and we hope you enjoy browsing our list of no-flight wildlife holidays!”
Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager
Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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