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 08 DecColchesterLiz will be taking us on a journey, by means of her wildlife photos, along the Stour from Harwich (including the Shotley peninsula) upstream to Stratford St Mary.
Mon 12 JanColchesterYour 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 18 JanColchesterJoin Dougal Urquhart for a mid-winter visit to Abberton reservoir in search of winter wildfowl such as Smew and Goosander, hopefully some Bewick’s Swans too.
Mon 09 FebColchesterA look at the environmental work carried out over the last twenty-five years to improve the Gunfield’s farm for wildlife.
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 MarColchesterAuthor Chris Stone will be presenting a talk based around his upcoming book, 'European Deserts: Sandy Wilderness on a Green Continent'.
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.
Sun 16 NovWivenhoeJoin Michael Padmore for a walk along the River Colne, from Wivenhoe to Alresford Creek and back. We will be looking for waterfowl and waders along Colne Estuary.
Mon 10 NovColchesterJoin Glyn Evans as he presents stunning photography of his travels across the west coast of Scotland.
Sat 01 NovColchesterJoin Society Fungi Recorder, Sarah Manning, on this stroll around the wood in the vicinity of Chanterelle car park in High Woods.
Sun 26 OctMaldonSarah Manning will once again lead a walk around this very productive wood for fungi.
Sat 25 OctLawfordJoin CNHS fungi expert Sarah Manning for a walk around this most interesting site, which offers a wide variety of habitats.
Mon 13 OctColchesterJoin us for a presentation led by coastal ranger Lea Merclova detailing the amazing work done by Bird Aware Essex Coast.
Sun 12 OctWivenhoeJoin fungi expert Sarah Manning on a stroll around this wood which is part of the Colne Local nature Reserve.
Sat 11 OctColchesterJoin the Society Fungi Recorder, Sarah Manning, for a stroll around the Country Park close to the Visitor Centre.
Mon 08 SeptColchesterDr Simon Lyster, Chair of the Essex Local Nature Partnership, will be discussing the Greater Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Sun 17 AugColchesterThis site is a hidden gem for wildlife. Join us to look at the summer plants and wildflowers.
Sun 10 AugColchesterMiddlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site. Grassland and scrubland wildlife walk, led by Dougal Urquhart.
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.