Up with the Lark Cruise

May welcomes the return of our bird sound special cruise as we team up with the The Sound Approach who aim to popularise birdsong and raise standards in the use of sounds in bird identification. A group whose subjects of particular interest include ageing and sexing birds by their sounds, and recognising hidden biodiversity, ‘new species’, through bird sounds.

We'll set off into the harbour early to bathe in the harbour's birdsong, exploring the Wareham Channel as it lights up at dawn and kick-starts into life with the rich and varied voices filling the Frome Valley. May enjoys the peak passage of many of our summer migrants which will be streaming through the harbour along invisible corridors and flyways. We'll work through this wall of bird sound, teaching you how to identify our spring songsters and unpack those tricky confusion species, such as separating Reed and Sedge Warblers, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, a whole range of passerines like Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Reed Bunting and Blackcap as well as the harbour's breeding waders. We'll also go in search of iconic species like Cuckoo, Osprey, Hobby, Swifts and Swallows as they refuel after their mammoth migrations.

At Birds of Poole Harbour we pride ourselves on delivering a wide range of educational events, giving our guests different opportunities to learn about our work and our amazing landscape. With insights into bird populations and identification, as well as local species recovery and partnership projects, we hope to share our understanding of how Poole Harbour functions and supports its incredible birdlife.

Additional Information

• Boat trips depart from and return to Poole Quay boarding with Greenslade Pleasure Boats (orange-and-white kiosk) opposite the Lord Nelson pub
• Nearest public car park is Quay Visitors multi-storey car park, Old Orchard, BH15 1SB (please note there is a height limit)
• Toilet facilities, undercover seating and light refreshments are available onboard
• Tickets do no need to be printed as we will use a digital guest-list when boarding
• Dogs are not permitted, with the exception of assistance and guide dogs.
• Important information about accessibility: Please note that, due to the size of the boarding ramp and steps to access the lower deck of the boat, there are unfortunately some limitations for wheelchair users on our boat trips. Please read Greenslade Pleasure Boats full access statement before booking if you, or one of your party, are a wheelchair user. Information about carer's tickets can be found in our FAQs section.

• We will attempt with every effort to arrive back on time, but please note that due the state of the tides, weather or sightings we may arrive back up to half an hour later than originally stated.