Bioblitz timetable at Westonbirt Arboretum

Step into nature and take part in our spring Bioblitz event, 2 days packed with guided walks, expert talks, and hands-on wildlife surveys!

Most activities, including botany walks, badger sett surveys, and invertebrate hunts, are first come, first served, so be sure to arrive early at the Great Oak Hall to sign up. However, for early morning and evening sessions pre-booking is essential to secure your spot.

Come along, get involved, and help us uncover the hidden wonders of Westonbirt this spring!

Saturday 26 April

Small mammal trapping survey

Sat 26 Apr

7:30am - 8:30am

Pre-booking essential

Help check live traps and discover the tiny mammals that call Westonbirt home.

Pre-book place

Great crested newt - orange and black patterned newt

Newt survey

Sat 26 Apr

8:30am - 9:30am

Pre-booking essential

Explore the Dew pond and waterways to search for elusive newts and learn about their habitats.

Pre-book place

Botany walk

Sat 26 Apr

10:00am - 11:00am

First come, first served

Join experts to identify and appreciate the diverse plant life of the arboretum.

Child looking through magnifying glass at the grass in the forest

Learning activities

Sat 26 Apr

10:30am - 15:30pm

Drop in at Great Oak Hall

Hands-on nature-themed activities for all ages to explore and enjoy.

General inverts walk

Sat 26 Apr

10:30am - 11:30pm

First come, first served

Get up close with insects and other invertebrates on this fascinating guided walk.

a badger in the grass looking at the camera

Badger sett survey

Sat 26 Apr

11:00am - 12:00pm

First come, first served

Learn how to identify and monitor badger setts while uncovering their secretive lives.

Bird walk

Sat 26 Apr

11:30am - 12:30pm

First come, first served

Stroll through the arboretum, spotting and identifying resident and migrating birds.

Lichen walk

Sat 26 Arp

12:00pm - 12:30pm

First come, first served

Discover the colorful and intricate world of lichen and what they tell us about air quality.

A roe deer stands in a grassy ride looking towards the camera.

Mammal tracking walk

Sat 26 Apr

1:00pm - 2:00pm

First come, first served

Learn to spot tracks, trails, and other signs of mammals in the wild.

Pest and diseases & beetle ID walk

Sat 26 Apr

1:00pm - 2:00pm

First come, first served

Investigate tree health, pests, and the role of beetles in the ecosystem.

Image from Dalby Forest for Residuum Exhibition

Bryophytes walk

Sat 26 Apr

1:30pm - 2:00pm

First come, first served

Take a closer look at mosses, liverworts, and the fascinating world of bryophytes.

A bumblebee holds onto some flowers with it's head in the flower head.

Bumblebees walk

Sat 26 Apr

1:30pm - 2:30pm

First come, first served

Learn to identify different bumblebee species and understand their vital role in pollination.

Wildflower walk

Sat 26 Apr

2:00pm - 3:00pm

First come, first served

Celebrate spring’s colorful bloom while identifying wildflowers across the arboretum.

Bat survey

Sat 26 Apr

8:00pm - 9:30pm

Pre-booking essential

Head out at dusk with detectors to find and learn about the bats of Westonbirt.

Pre-book place

Sunday 27 April

Early bird song walk

Sun 27 Apr

6:00am - 7:00am

Pre-booking essential

Experience the magic of the dawn chorus and sharpen your bird call ID skills.

Pre-book place

A grey and brown patterned moth perched on a barberry bush with yellow flowers

Moth trapping survey

Sun 27 Apr

8:00am - 9:00am

Pre-booking essential

Discover the stunning variety of moths that emerge after dark.

Pre-book place

Child looking at bug through magnifying glass, near pink flowers

Learning activities

Sun 27 Apr

10:30am - 3:30pm

Drop in at Great Oak Hall

Hands-on nature-themed activities for all ages to explore and enjoy.

Talk of the day - Bats

Sun 27 Apr

11:00am - 11:30am

First come, first served

Join a bat expert for an engaging talk about these fascinating nocturnal creatures.

Bird walk

Sun 27 Apr

11:30am - 12:30pm

First come, first served

Stroll through the arboretum, spotting and identifying resident and migrating birds.

Bryophytes walk

Sun 27 Apr

1:00pm - 2:00pm

First come, first served

Take a closer look at mosses, liverworts, and the fascinating world of bryophytes.

A volunteer in green holds a wildflower for a visitor to admire

Wildflower walk

Sun 27 Apr

2:00pm - 3:00pm

First come, first served

Celebrate spring’s colorful bloom while identifying wildflowers across the arboretum.

A group of volunteers are stood amoung tall wildflowers with pieces of paper in hand to survey what flora and fauna there is

Flora surveys

Sun 27 Apr

10:30 - 3:30pm

Drop in sessions

Come and have a go at some hands-on practical activities, to find out what flora you might find at the Silk Wood Community Planting Project site.