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, 01 OctColchester01 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 14:00Colchester, South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Colchester CO5 7DN, UKJoin Russell Leavett at Fingringhoe Nature Reserve to observe and learn about local waterfowl in their natural environment.
Sat, 05 OctAlresford05 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 12:00Alresford, Cockaynes Wood, Alresford, Colchester CO7, UKJoin fungi expert Sarah Manning on a stroll through this fantastic wood between Wivenhoe and Alresford.
Sat, 12 OctColchester12 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 12:00Colchester, Shrub End Rd, Colchester CO3 4RN, UKJoin the wonderfully knowledgeable Sarah Manning around the grasslands and woods of Gosbecks as we look for a variety of fungi.
Mon, 14 OctColchesterPlant ID the WildGuides Way: Your Springboard to Better Botany - Indoor Meeting with Dr Chris Gibson14 Oct 2024, 19:30 – 21:30Colchester, 51 Priory St, Colchester CO1 2QB, UKJoin Dr Chris Gibson as he presents the highs and lows of creating a new botany field guide.
Sat, 19 OctColchester19 Oct 2024, 13:30 – 15:30Colchester, High Woods Country Park Visitor Centre, Turner Rd, Colchester CO4 5JR, UKJoin Sarah once again for an amazing look into the world of fungi as we explore the various species that call Highwoods their home.
Sat, 26 OctHumberlands26 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 13:00Humberlands , Harwich Rd, Lawford, Manningtree CO11 2LP, UKJoin CNHS fungi expert Sarah Manning for a walk around this most interesting site, which offers a rare opportunity to visit a private nature reserve.- Sat, 02 NovMaldon02 Nov 2024, 10:00 – 15:00Maldon, Hazeleigh Hall Ln, Maldon CM9, UKJoin fungi expert Sarah Manning on a walk around this very productive wood for fungi.
Mon, 11 NovColchester11 Nov 2024, 19:30 – 21:30Colchester, 51 Priory St, Colchester CO1 2QB, UKThis promises to be a fascinating talk covering a range of aspects of the study of oysters within the Colne system.- Sat, 16 NovHighwoods16 Nov 2024, 13:30 – 15:30Highwoods, Eastwood Dr, Highwoods, Colchester CO4, UKJoin the wonderful Sarah Manning for the last Fungi Foray of the season.
Mon, 09 DecColchester09 Dec 2024, 19:30 – 21:30Colchester, 51 Priory St, Colchester CO1 2QB, UKJo will introduce us to the Canvey Wick Site of Scientific Interest that went from proposed oil refinery to an invertebrate haven.
Sun, 12 JanHeybridge Basin12 Jan 2025, 10:00 – 13:00Heybridge Basin, Basin Rd, Heybridge Basin, Maldon CM9 4RW, UKDug in the 1960s the site was developed, in the intervening decades, into an incredibly diverse wildlife haven.
Mon, 13 JanColchester13 Jan 2025, 19:30 – 21:30Colchester, 51 Priory St, Colchester CO1 2QB, UKYour chance to hear what members of the society have been getting up to in the past year, including reports on plants, birds, mammals, and a range of insects.
Thu, 16 JanColchester16 Jan 2025, 19:30 – 21:30Colchester, 51 Priory St, Colchester CO1 2QB, UKSimon is the Society's recorder for Mollusca and will present news on recent developments in the local fauna.
Sun, 19 JanColchester19 Jan 2025, 10:00 – 13:00Colchester, Abberton Reservoir, Colchester, UKJoin Dougal Urquhart for a mid-winter visit to Abberton reservoir in search of winter wildfowl.
Sun, 16 FebColchester16 Feb 2025, 14:00 – 16:00Colchester, Middlewick Ranges, Colchester CO2 8QG, UKJoin Dougal on this exploration of this rich grassland site on the south side of Colchester, will owned by the MOD but threatened with development.
Mon, 10 MarColchester10 Mar 2025, 19:30 – 21:30Colchester, 51 Priory St, Colchester CO1 2QB, UKThe love of nature, from an artists perspective.
Mon, 14 AprColchester14 Apr 2025, 19:30 – 21:30Colchester, 51 Priory St, Colchester CO1 2QB, UKYou 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 home or abroad, or you may wish to update members on a project you are working on.
Sun, 27 AprMaldon27 Apr 2025, 09:00 – 13:00Maldon, Hazeleigh Hall Ln, Maldon CM9, UKCome with us to hear the nightingale in full song, plus many other woodland 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.