Events & Entertainment, Nature & Wildlife | Posted on October 9th, 2025 | return to news

Birds of Poole Harbour offers free events for 13-18-year-olds

Dorset-based conservation charity Birds of Poole Harbour and the Cameron Bespolka Trust are set to continue their free education work.

Free birdwatching trips around Poole Harbour over the next 12 months for 13-18s will include birdwatching boat cruises, bird ringing demonstrations, conservation talks in schools and lots more.

These events for 13-18-year-olds will be available through the Poole Harbour Young Birders Club and there will be new conservation careers talks in schools. The aim is to provide free and accessible bird and career events to teenagers, so that they can learn about birds and conservation in an inclusive community of young birders.

Conservation careers talks will offer in-person visits to schools to discuss career opportunities, volunteering offers and skill developments for young people interested in these fields.

The Young Birders Club will highlight the exciting nature recovery work taking place in Poole Harbour with the opportunity to see and learn about charismatic species like Ospreys, White-tailed Eagles, Spoonbills and more.

Projects have been fully funded by the Cameron Bespolka Trust, making the events and resources freely available, as well as the opportunity to assist with transportation for young people. Over the last 12 months 145 young people have joined the club for free to go on exciting monthly bird trips. Another 12 in-field events are now planned along with 10 careers talks for local schools.

Engagement officer Sam Ryde at BoPH said: “It’s fantastic to be able to offer these free and engaging events to an age range that is often forgotten for nature-based opportunities. These birding and nature recovery events will hopefully go on to inspire the next generation of young conservationists.”

Some of the free events coming up:

Winter Birds and Conservation Cruise in January 2026
Intro to Winter Birds Walk in October Half Term
Bird Ringing Demonstrations

Anyone between the ages of 13-18 can sign up for the Young Birders Club and BoPH are keen to spread the word to as many young people as possible. To find out more and sign up, head to the Birds of Poole Harbour Website. For conservation careers talks in schools, places are limited, so secondary schools should contact BoPH by email: schools@birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk.