Hardy Monument, high on the south Dorset Ridgeway is a well-known landmark, yet the surrounding heaths and woodland of Black Down are home to some of our more secretive wildlife. In particular this landscape is home to the iconic Nightjar whose ‘churring’ at dusk is a sound many of us have never heard.

Join experts Danny Alder and Brian Cresswell on this very special guided walk as we head out around dusk listening for not only nightjars but we will also have our bat detectors to listen and hopefully see as they come out to feed.

At the end of the walk, there will be an opportunity to see birds up close as part of Brian’s on-going bird ringing research.

Suitable for All (14+)

NB: Route will follow gravel paths, unmade paths, some steeper sections and in places is uneven. The route will be circular up around Hardy Monument and woodlands of Black Down.

Distance approx. 2miles.

This event is part of our Dawn to Dusk Festival 2022

We invite you to see Dorset in a new light as we head out to enjoy our outstanding landscapes from early morning through to the ‘golden hours’ of summer evenings.

Join artists, story-tellers, wildlife experts, archaeologists and more on our summer programme of FREE events across the county.

See the full programme of events HERE.

This event is FREE but booking is essential. Please book your place on our Eventbrite page where you will also find further information on location, times and access arrangements.

If you have further queries, please do contact Kate Townsend, Dorset AONB Project Support Officer