Events

FOR COACH TRIPS

Outings now depart at 8.15 am from Colchester North Station Forecourt, then at 8.30 am as normal from Colchester War Memorial outside the Castle Park (except for our Fungi Foray on 19th October which departs 7.45 am and 8.00 am respectively). This is due to the increased parking costs at Priory Street Car Park. The Colchester North Station Car Park cost at the time of going to print is £1.00. We hope that this will give our members a choice of where to park for our coach outings.

Please inform Carole Rogers if you intend to alight at Colchester North Station Forecourt or Colchester War Memorial when booking, especially for North Station as we don’t want to leave anyone behind! We return to Colchester North Station Forecourt and the Colchester War Memorial from all our outings between 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm unless bad weather dictates otherwise.

Come along and join us for an enjoyable day out, you do not have to be an expert. We are a friendly group with varying knowledge and interests. Everyone is welcome including non-members too. Please bring along a packed lunch, a drink, suitable clothing and footwear. Payment for the trip will be taken on the coach, £10.00/£12.00 for adults & £5.00/£6.00 for school children. (Cheques will be accepted).

Please note that for coach trips CNHS does not have ‘public liability’ insurance, so everyone who comes is responsible for their own safety when they are not in the coach. However, our leaders give guidance on the best routes for walks and point out any hazards likely to be encountered. In any case we normally keep together as a party.

FOR CAR TRIPS

We try to car-share in order to save costs and to help those who may not otherwise be able to go. Please let Dave Barnard (01206 825645) or Joe Firmin (01206 241389) know if you require a lift or would be willing to give a lift. We meet at the site at the time given, usually 10.00 a.m. Most people bring a packed lunch and stay till mid afternoon.

Tuesday Evening Schedule

Tuesday evening visits this year focus on some of the more important wildlife sites in and around Colchester. Several of these sites have been suggested by Colchester Borough Council, who appreciates our help with recording and monitoring target species. Others are sites we know will soon be developed for new housing, where we may be able to influence which parts are left as open space. Many sites are experiencing increasing numbers of visitors. The management plans for several of the sites have been made available to us for reference.

Indoor Meetings

Our talks are free to members but donations accepted for refreshments. Unless otherwise stated all indoor meetings are held at the Cardinal Bourne Hall in Priory Street, Colchester and usually start at 8.00 pm. The Hall is situated at the East Hill end of Priory Street with car parking almost opposite by the Roman Wall. Remember there are special events such as the AGM which start early. Don’t get caught out!

CLICK HERE for an online map

Photo © Peter Douch:

Pont duGard during one of CNHS's European excursions

August2008

Tuesday 19th August - 7.00 pm - Ferry Marsh, Wivenhoe and Wood

Park at the official car park off the High Street going down to the Quay, or on the roads around if it is full. Darren Tansley will lead and tell us about the water vole and other mammal habitats. Get up close to saltmarsh habitat whilst it is still there!

Wednesday 20th August – 10.00 am - Hockley Wood, near Thorrington

Meet at Hockley Wood, near Thorrington (TM 090219) at 10.00am. Return to Hockley Wood, near Thorrington (see 28th May) for later season recording, all orders. Leader: Russell Leavett.

September2008

Sunday 7th September – Coach trip to Fishers Green, Lee Valley Park, Nr Waltham Abbey, Essex

8.15 am North Station Forecourt / 8.30 am War Memorial
Fishers Green is an area of the Lee Valley Country Park consisting of a large lake, marsh, woodland, hedgerows and meadows.

Tuesday 23rd September - 8.00 pm, Cardinal Bourne Hall – Dr. Simon Cox – Argentina, the Falklands and Antarctica

An illustrated talk on the wildlife of Argentina, the Falklands & Antarctica by Dr. Simon Cox President of the Essex Bird Watching Society.

October2008

Sunday 19th October – Coach Trip to Holkham Pines and Wells-next-to-the-Sea, Norfolk for the annual fungus foray

7.45 am North Station Forecourt / 8.00 am War Memorial
This is one of our favourite sites for the Society’s annual fungus foray with Ian Rose as our leader. It is not only good for fungi but for birds too. We generally walk through Holkham Pines to Wells-next-to-the-Sea through the different habitats which include woodland and sand dunes

Tuesday 21st October – 8.00 pm, Cardinal Bourne Hall – Dr. John Sparks – The Equator and Galapagos

John, who lives in Bristol, is a life vice-president and one of the founder members of the CNHS and is the former head of the BBC’s prestigious Natural History Unit. During his long career with the BBC he produced many of the famous block-buster TV film series presented by Sir David Attenborough.

November2008

Saturday 8th November - 10.00 am - Fungus Foray at Highwoods Country Park

Fungus Foray at Highwoods Country Park in collaboration with Highwoods Country Park, leader Ian Rose. Meet at Centre 10.00 am.

Sunday 9th November – 10.00 am – Car trip to Lower Holbrook

Meet in car park at 10.00 am – to get there turn off the B1080 after passing the Royal Hospital School and the mill. (TM177349) This is a popular venue for waders, marshland and hedgerow birds and owls with excellent views across the Stour estuary.

Tuesday 25th November – 8.00 pm, Cardinal Bourne Hall – Maria Fremlin – Minotaur Beetles

Maria is a CNHS member as well as a beetle researcher and conservationist. Her talks are very interesting and informative with an added touch of humour as well.

December2008

Friday 12th December - 7.30 pm – CHNS Christmas Social – Admission £3.00

This is our annual get together where members can catch up with old friends, and make new ones, have something to eat and drink and spend plenty of money (if you wish) to help towards Society funds!

The evening starts at 7.30pm finishing around 10.00pm. We hold a table ‘Dutch’ auction where members can bring along new or good second-hand donated items such as books, puzzles, gifts, paintings, mistletoe, fresh vegetables, etc. A raffle is also held and donated items for prizes would be very much appreciated. There is one free glass of wine or soft drink included in the £3.00 admission fee. Anyone wishing to donate food for the table, please contact Pam Wilson on 01206 766217.

January 2009

Sunday 18th January – 10.00 am – Car trip to Tollesbury Wick EWT Reserve

Meet in car park near Marina at 10.00 am. Previous January trips have been rewarded with great views of waders and ducks in the channels and fleets, plus short-eared owls over the fields.

Tuesday 20th January – 7.30 pm - AGM - Cardinal Bourne Hall

This is your chance to hear what the Society has been up to during the course of the year including annual reports on birds, plants, mammals and insects, along with the presentation of the CNHS ‘Rose Bowl’ and ‘Bree Trophy’ Awards.

February 2009

Sunday 8th February – 10.00 am – Car trip to Old Hall Marshes RSPB Reserve

Meet in car park 10.00 am (TL959122) to seek out winter visitors amongst the extensive grazing marsh, reed beds, freshwater and salt marsh habitats.

Tuesday 17th – 8.00 pm, Cardinal Bourne Hall – Darren Tansley – Otters in Essex

Mammal expert Darren Tansley will give a talk about the life of otters and the latest information about their amazing recovery in Essex over the past two decades. This talk will herald the launch of the 2008 Essex Otter Survey Report.

March2009

Sunday 1st March – Lynford Arboretum / Brandon Country Park

8.15 am North Station Forecourt / 8.30 am War Memorial - Lynford Arboretum is formerly part of Lynford Hall Estate and still retains features which reflect its ‘parkland’ origins. There are over 200 tree species on site as well as river and streamside walks and there maybe a chance to see hawfinch and crossbills. On our way home we will call at Brandon Country Park to finish off the day.

Tuesday 24th March – 8.00 pm, Cardinal Bourne Hall – Reports from our Surveys

As our Society has been involved in survey work with the Colchester Borough Council this year, it has been decided to have an evening of the members involved, talking about their findings along with slides or photo discs of their work.

April 2009

Tuesday 21st April – 8.00 pm, Cardinal Bourne Hall - Ted Benton / Ian Rose - Life in the undergrowth

We can look forward to an interesting evening of entertaining stories of ‘Life in the undergrowth’ with Ted Benton and Ian Rose, based on their many years of experience exploring our natural history.

[About us] [News] [Watching Wildlife] [Events] [Membership] [Publications] [Recording] [Recorders List] [Contact] [Hillhouse Wood]

© 2005-2008 Colchester Natural History Society ¦ Website design by Ecotrack