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!
Tue, 28 MarOld Heath Community CentreLearn more about the 'other' bees - the solitary bees. These include leafcutters, wool-carders, miners, masons and plasterers – the crafts people of the insect world!
Tue, 25 AprOld Heath Community CentreYou 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. Or you might wish to update members on a project that you are working on.
Wed, 26 AprWivenhoe Train StationJoin Michael Padmore on a 2 hour walk along the Colne through some of the scrubby copses favoured by Nightingales. Other migrant passerines and waders are also likely to be seen.
Sun, 21 MayHazeleigh WoodCarla Davis will be joined by wood owner Maureen for a spring walk and a chance to hear Nightingales. Tea and Coffee provided in the donation price.
Tue, 28 FebOld Heath Community CentreMark Nowers RSPB’s Turtle Dove Conservation Adviser in Essex, explains why Turtle Doves have declined and what action is being taken to redress this, both here and abroad. (Photo: Jonny Rankin)
Tue, 31 JanOld Heath Community CentreYour chance to hear what members of the Society been been getting up to during the past year, including reports on plants, birds, mammals and a range of insects.
Sun, 22 JanEssex Wildlfie Trust, Abberton ReservoirJoin Dougal for a mid-winter visit to Abberton reservoir in search of winter wildfowl such as Smew and Goosander, hopefully some Bewick’s Swans too.
Sun, 08 JanDaisy Meadow Car ParkThe pit is directly adjacent to the RAMSAR Blackwater estuary with saline, brackish and freshwater all next to each other. Around 220 bird species have been recorded.
Sat, 03 DecHythe Community CentreBeing held at a new venue for CNHS - Hythe Community Centre. A chance to meet fellow CNHS members and the committee for an evening of food, drink, talk and of course - the raffle!
Tue, 29 NovOld Heath Community CentreDarren Tansley, CNHS Mammal Recorder and Wilder Rivers and Protected Species Manager at the Essex Wildlife Trust, provides a different perspective on rivers, from Brook Lamprey to Beavers and source to sea.
Sun, 20 NovCockaynes WoodJoin fungi expert Sarah Manning on a stroll around this wood between Wivenhoe and Alresford. A walk of approximately one mile over uneven terrain.
Sat, 19 NovChanterelle Car Park, Highwoods CPJoin fungi expert Sarah Manning on this stroll around the woods in the vicinity of the Chanterelle car park area of High Woods Country Park discovering the fascinating mushrooms and toadstools that grow here.- Sat, 19 NovChanterelle Car Park, Highwoods CPJoin fungi expert Sarah Manning on this stroll around the woods in the vicinity of the Chanterelle car park area of High Woods Country Park discovering the fascinating mushrooms and toadstools that grow here.
Sat, 05 NovStour Estuary, MistleyA chance to see goldeneye, red-breasted mergansers, through to pintail and brent geese. The mudflats should hold flocks of waders including black-tailed godwits, knot, grey plovers and dunlin amongst others.- Sat, 29 OctHighwoods CP Chanterelle Car ParkJoin fungi expert Sarah Manning on this stroll around the woods in the vicinity of the Chanterelle car park area of High Woods Country Park discovering the fascinating mushrooms and toadstools that grow here.
- Sat, 29 OctHighwoods CP Chanterelle Car ParkJoin fungi expert Sarah Manning on this stroll around the woods in the vicinity of the Chanterelle car park area of High Woods Country Park discovering the fascinating mushrooms and toadstools that grow here.
Tue, 25 OctOld Heath Community CentreAuthor, academic, and outstanding wildlife photographer Sean Nixon provides an insight into how human’s feelings for birds were transformed over the course of the twentieth century.- Sun, 23 OctHockley Wood ThorringtonTake a walk with our fungi expert, Sarah Manning around this predominately Sweet Chestnut coppice with a wide range of other tree and shrub species.
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.