© 2005-2012 Colchester Natural History Society ¦ Website design by Ecotrack

CNHS Events 2012

For full details please visit our EVENTS page.

May 2012

Saturday 12th May - Cockaynes Wood Open Day with guided walks - 11am-4pm

Sunday 13th May - Car Field Trip to Bradwell Brook (Curry Farm) Nature Reserve, Bradwell-on-Sea
CANCELLED DUE TO FLOODING

Tuesday 15th May - 7.00pm - Gravelpit Wood, Copford.   

Friday 18th May - 8.30pm - Lexden Park Local Nature Reserve - Bat Evening (Ranger)

Tuesday 29th May - 7.00pm - Greenstead Slopes, Harwich Road, Colchester

Wednesday 30th May - 10.00a.m - Colchester Hythe Lagoons, Colne Estuary and Marshes.

June 2012

Sunday 10th June - Coach Field Trip to Chafford Gorges EWT Reserve
8.15am North Station Forecourt / 8.30am War Memorial

Tuesday 12th June - 7.00pm - Wormingford Churchyard and arable field edges.

Wednesday 13th June – Moth lamp session - Spring Lane Nursery Meadow, Spring Lane entrance at 9.00pm

Sunday 24th June - 10.15am - CNHS Colchester Annual ‘Wild Walk’ Day


Tuesday 26th June - 7.00pm - High Woods Country Park  

July 2012

Sunday 8th July - Car Field Trip to Bradwell Brook (Curry Farm) Nature Reserve, Bradwell-on-Sea

Tuesday 10th July - 7.00pm - Friday Wood - Moth Lamp Session.

Wednesday 18th July – Lexden Park LNR, Church Lane entrance at 9.00pm

Sunday 22nd July – 10.00am – Marks Hall butterflies, dragonflies & summer insects walk

Tuesday 24th July - 7.00pm - Salary Brook, Greenstead.

Wednesday 25th July – 10.00am - Colchester Hythe Lagoons, Colne Estuary and Marshes.

Saturday 28th July - 10.00am - Butterflies and Summer Insects Walk

August 2012

Sunday 5th August – Coach Field Trip – Devil’s Dyke Reserve, Newmarket, Cambs

Tuesday 7th August - 7.00pm - Tiptree Heath

Wednesday 8th August – Hilly Fields LNR, Hubert Road entrance.

Friday 17th August - 8.00pm - High Woods Country Park - Bat Evening (Ranger) 8.00pm until 10.00pm    


September 2012

Sunday 2nd September - Coach Field Trip to Dunwich Heath, Suffolk   
8.15am North Station Forecourt / 8.30am War Memorial


Saturday 15th September - 7.00pm - Hilly Fields Local Nature Reserve - Bat Evening (Ranger)




October 2012


Sunday 14th October - Coach Field Trip to Rendlesham Forest - the Annual Fungus Foray - 8.15am North Station Forecourt / 8.30am War Memorial

This is another one of our favourite sites for the Society’s annual fungus foray with our fungi expert Ian Rose as our leader. There were numerous species found on our last trip here in 2010 so here’s hoping for early autumn rain and then warmth for a bumper crop of fungi. To see Ian’s report on our last visit here please see Cervus no 73 Winter / Spring 2011.


Sunday 28th October - 10.00am - Welsh Wood Local Nature Reserve - Fungi Forage (Ranger)

Join fungi expert Ian Rose on this forage around Welsh Wood Local Nature Reserve and discover the fascinating mushrooms and toadstools that grow there.

Booking: Essential. Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied.  

Cost: £3 donation per adult.  Children FREE   Event Time: 10:00am – 12:00 midday

Meet: Woodlands Road   


November 2012


Sunday 4th November - 10.00am - High Woods Country Park - Fungi Forage (Ranger)

Join fungi expert Ian Rose on this forage around the Park and discover the fascinating mushrooms and toadstools that grow there.

Booking: Essential. Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied.  

Cost: £3 donation per adult.  Children FREE   Event Time: 10:00am – 12:00 midday

Meet: Visitor Centre

Links
These are some of the other websites that members have found of interest. If you would like to suggest a link please email by CLICKING HERE or check out our CONTACTS page. CNHS does not accept any responsibility for the content of external websites.


News - May 2012

Cockaynes Wood Open Day
The Cockaynes Wood Trust is holding an Open Day at the wood on Saturday 12th May 2012 and members of CNHS have been invited to attend. Guided walks start at approx. 11.30, 12.30, 1.30 2.30

Those of you who are familiar with the site will know that the wood is classified as ‘ancient’ with records going back to the Domesday Book. Over recent years it has been subject to extensive gravel extraction which reduced the extent of established woodland considerably. Extraction work has now ceased and CWT has taken on a lease for the area from the aggregates company following extensive re-alignment. The site extends to approx. 50 acres and includes Villa Wood and the land between. Access – the only access for cars is along the Wivenhoe to Alresford road at OS grid ref.  TM 052216.  Please note that there is no vehicle access or parking along  Cockaynes Lane in Alresford. An hourly bus service (No. 78X and 74) runs past the entrance with a stop close  by, but please ask them to stop.

Directions - From Wivenhoe, proceed on the back road towards Alresford and after  leaving Wivenhoe via Rectory Hill, follow the road round to the right and past a row  of largish detached properties (on your left) that overlook the River Colne.  Immediately after the last house and before crossing the railway bridge there is  an unmarked roadway on the left which is the entrance to the site. If you cross the  railway bridge you have gone too far. Refreshments and toilet facilities will be available.

Category 1: Essex

Winner Peter Douch, Horsefly (and overall winner)
Second: Pam Wilson, Sawfly Larvae
Third: Darren Tansley, Cocksfoot


Category 2: World

Winner Pete Hewitt, Chalkhill Blues
Second: Ted Benton, Purple shot Copper
Third: Maria Fremlin, Red Breasted Sunbird

Ring Ousels at Wrabness
At least two ring ousels were seen at Wrabness Nature Reserve on April 11 and 13. The ring ousels were on passage heading towards nesting areas on northern moors and heaths.
CNHS AGM Awards
At the 2012 Colchester Natural History Society AGM the Bree Trophy was awarded to Dougal Urquhart for his overall contribution to Natural History in North Essex. Dougal is known to most people for his work at Cudmore Grove Country Park on East Mersea but he is also warden of Chalkney Wood Reserve near Earls Colne and has a wide-ranging knowledge of many species and groups. Dougal took over from John Thorogood as CNHS bird recorder last year.
The Rose Bowl photographic award was split into two categories this year with the Essex (local) winner being Peter Douch for his photo of a horsefly and the World award going to Pete Hewitt with his shot of Chalkhill blue butterflies. Both received presentation certificates from last year’s winner, Jonathan Greenwood who then presented the Rose Bowl to the overall winner - Peter Douch.