Dorset Field Trip

This field trip is a repeat of the one we did in 2022.  We are fortunate in that the trip will be guided by Tim Bailey (a past chair of the CPS and author of “Carnivorous Plants of Britain and Ireland”). Email Dennis Balsdon (details below) if you would like to attend.

Walking:

Easy to moderate, mainly along rough, dry tracks. In some places areas of low gorse and other scrub may be encountered. Some moderate inclines (e.g. Agglestone Rock, Godlinston Heath). Can be tiring in places if hot and sunny.

Equipment:

The weather can be temperamental, so please ensure you bring rainwear and clothes/sun-cream for warm-hot conditions.

Trekking boots are okay for the majority of sites to see the carnivorous plants, though wellington boots would be needed to fully explore the Wareham Bog Sarracenia, and in all cases if you want to avoid getting wet feet. The alternative is to accept you will get wet/muddy and to wear trainers.  A stick of some sort is helpful in preventing an impromptu back flip.

Food and drink:

Please ensure you have enough to meet your needs – particularly water. We will be stopping at a pub for lunch.

Conditions:

All sites to be visited are Sites of Special Scientific (SSSI’s) and great care must be exercised at all times to limit any impact on the bogs and their flora and fauna. No wild seed or other plant material may be collected.

Health & Safety:

Participants take part in this field trip at their own risk and are responsible for ensuring that they are medically and physically fit before taking part.  The boggy conditions make the trip unsuitable for young children.

Ticks and Lyme Disease. Whilst most ticks are not carriers, in some of the environments you’ll be trekking, the risk can’t be ruled out. It is standard advice not to wear shorts, to ensure you use an insect repellent and to perform regular tick checks. Do a google search to get information on the horrors of untreated Lyme Disease.

Itinerary

 Site 1 – Wareham Bog

We meet at Wareham Bog at 10am.  The bog is on Sugar Hill – a B road which runs between Bere Regis and Wareham.  Towards the northern end of the road a line of large electricity pylons crosses the road and there is a parking area.  The nearest post code is BH20 7NZ (Wareham Forest Tourist Park) which is about a mile south of the pylons

Plants: U. minor, D. rotundifolia, D. intermedia, S. purpurea ssp. purpurea, S. purpurea ssp. purpurea f. heterophylla and a few other Sarracenia species and hybrids.

Site 2 – Hartland Moor Bog.

Plants: U. stygia (expected to be in flower), U. minor, D. rotundifolia, D. intermedia. Also D. anglica for those who fancy a walk.

Site 3 – Godlington Heath

Visit Agglestone Bog and Rock and Brand’s Bog Extension.

Plants: U. minor, D. rotundifolia, D. intermedia, D. x eloisiana; and D. anglica and D. x obovata at Brands Bog Extension.

 Site 4 (Time permitting) Spur Bog, Studland Bay.

Plants.  U. australis (may be in flower), U. minor, D. rotundifolia, D. x obovata and P. lusitanica.