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Dovedale: February Dovedale Big Bird Count

Fly down to National Nature Reserve and see how many birds you can discover this February half term.

  • Booking not needed

Explore Dovedale National Nature Reserve this half term with our Big Bird Count self led trail for £3. Climb Thorpe Cloud to search the skies or follow the river Dove to spot what our feathered friends along the valley are doing this time of year. With every trail sheet you'll get your own DIY binoculars, decorate them before you set off or when you get home to keep bird spotting!

Help us count up all the many different kinds of birds that live in Dovedale and add them to our Big Dovedale Bird Count Board. There is no entry fee for Dovedale, only a charge for car parking for non members. This event, like all our events is open to members of the National Trust and non-members. Money raised from our trails go back into looking after the White Peak.

PLEASE NOTE: As of the 9th Jan the Stepping Stones are temporarily closed and awaiting repairs from Derbyshire County Council. Please do not attempt to cross whilst this closure is in place.

Times

Prices

Event prices

Ticket typeTicket category
Per trail£3.00

The basics

Suitability

All ages welcome.

Meeting point

Pick up a £3 trail sheet at the welcome van between 10:30 and 14:30

What to bring and wear

Dress for the weather, this might mean bobble hats or raincoats or both!

Accessibility

The trail is self led letting your explore at your pace.

Other

PLEASE NOTE: As of the 9th Jan the Stepping Stones are temporarily closed and awaiting repairs from Derbyshire County Council. Please do not attempt to cross whilst this closure is in place.

Contact info

White Peak Estate Office

Upcoming events

Ilam Park: Bird Ringing Demonstration 

Get up early and get up close with some of our feathered friends. Learn about bird ringing and the native birds of Ilam Park.

Event summary

on
14 Feb 2026
at 07:00 to 10:30

Ilam Park: February Bird Box Detectives trail 

Grab you detective hat and your binoculars! It's time to explore Ilam Park and solve the puzzles to discover the beautiful birds that live here.

Event summary

on
14 Feb to 22 Feb 2026
at 10:30 to 15:00+ 8 other dates or times

Dovedale Big Litter Pick 

Join us for a few hours at Dovedale and get your steps in, picking litter along the valley so the National Nature Reserve remains a great place for nature and people alike.

Event summary

on
18 Feb to 5 May 2026
at 09:00 to 11:00+ 2 other dates or times

Dovedale,Milldale: February Learn About the Birds Pop Up 

Meet us in Milldale this February half term, to see what birds we can spot along the river, in the trees and soaring in the sky.

Event summary

on
21 Feb 2026
at 10:30 to 14:30