Colchester Natural History Society
EVENTS
Field Trips
Come along and join us for an enjoyable trip. You do not have to be an expert as everyone has varying degrees of knowledge and interests. Bring along a packed lunch if you plan to stay for the day, a drink, suitable clothing and footwear (check with the leader to find out if wellies will be needed).
Coach Trips
Unless stated otherwise you do not need to book for most field trips and there is no charge. One exception is the coach trip. For coach trips please email Pascale Genevois to book a seat.
Indoor Meetings (Sep-April)
Our talks are free to members and non members alike, but donations are accepted for refreshments. Unless otherwise stated all indoor meetings are held at the Cardinal Bourne Hall in Priory Street, Colchester [see map] and usually start at 8.00pm. The Hall is situated at the East Hill end of Priory Street with car parking almost opposite by the Roman Wall at the cost of £2.
Please remember there are special events such as the Christmas Social in December & AGM in January each year which start earlier. Don’t get caught out!
Mon 13 AprColchesterYou are invited to present a short illustrated presentation on any wildlife subject of your choice - this could be showing a selection of photographs on a particular subject, taken at home or abroad.
Sat 25 AprLand LaneJoin us for a walk around the city centre to discover wildlife in unexpected places.
Sat 02 MayHazeleigh Hall LaneWe should find Nightingales in full song plus many other woodland species. We’ll also be looking at the spring flora and any other wildlife to be found.
Sat 16 MayRosabelle AvenueMichael and Alf will guide us through these excellent range of habitats in Wivenhoe.
Sat 30 MayTESCOA walk around a new community-managed nature reserve, saved from industrial development by local volunteers (Chelmer Blackwater Reserve CIC).
Sun 31 MayMoverons LaneJoin Dougal Urquhart and landowners Lesley and Payne Gunfield for a farm walk to look at the various habitat enhancement works that have taken place in recent years.
Sun 14 Jun54 South StMeet at 9.30am in the garden of 54 South Street or at 23 Colchester Road, where we will open the moth traps whose lamps have been on overnight.
Sun 28 JunLexden Springs Nature ReserveWalk with Colchester City Council Ranger Carla Davis. This site is a hidden gem for wildlife.
Thu 02 JulTiptree Heath Car ParkWe are hoping to see Heath Bumblebee and other specialist insects of the heath.
Wed 08 JulTiptree Heath Car ParkA summer insects walk lead by Carla Davis and Ted Benton to discover what can be found across the the site including grassland, hedges and scrub.
Sat 11 JulSussex RoadJoin Nick and Ted for this annual CNHS visit to this important area of acid grassland, broom scrub and oak woodland.
Wed 15 JulTiptree Heath Car ParkA joint CNHS / Essex Moth Group mothing session led by Dougal Urquhart.
Sat 18 JulHarwich Rd, Lawford, UKArranged by kind invitation of CNHS members Tim & Jenny Francis.
Sat 18 JulHarwich RoadThis will be a general stroll around this lovely site with its mixed habitats, to see what we can find by way of plants, birds, insects or indeed anything in the natural history line.
Sun 09 AugQueen Elizabeth WayGrassland and scrubland wildlife walk led by Dougal Urquhart.
Mon 09 MarColchesterAuthor Chris Stone will be presenting a talk based around his upcoming book, 'European Deserts: Sandy Wilderness on a Green Continent'.- Sun 15 FebColchesterJoin Dougal on this exploration of this rich grassland site on the south side of Colchester, still owned by the MOD but threatened with development.
Mon 09 FebColchesterA look at the environmental work carried out over the last twenty-five years to improve the Gunfield’s farm for wildlife.
Your health and safety
As part of our insurance requirements we do occasionally have to review our procedures at events to ensure that we not only look after our members, but ensure that the committee and walk leaders are not left open to malicious prosecution for accidents that can occasionally occur. The committee is now required to provide Risk Assessments as part of that insurance. This should not affect anyone coming out with us or attending an event, but you may be asked to listen to a short safety talk before setting off. A common sense approach to safety is encouraged to avoid the need for more prescriptive health and safety regulations that could affect our ability to do the activities we have enjoyed since the Society was formed in 1953.
First aiders
Some of us are already trained as first aiders by the organisations for which we work, however it is not a requirement for CNHS to provide a qualified first aider for walks. Despite this, the committee feels it would be sensible to provide a portable first aid kit so all walk leaders will carry one with them. Members are still advised to take sensible precautions to ensure their own safety when attending organised events.