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!
Sat 24 OctHarwich RoadJoin the Society's Fungi Recorder, Sarah Manning, on a walk around this most interesting site, which offers a wide variety of habitats.
Sun 25 OctCockaynes WoodJoin us on a walk around this wonderfully rich and biodiverse site, where ancient woodland meets sandy heath.
Sat 31 OctHazeleighSarah Manning will once again lead a walk around this very productive wood for fungi.
Sat 07 NovAbbotts Hall FarmExperience the transformation of Abbots' hall as it returns to a more natural landscape, where nature leads and wildlife thrives.
Mon 09 NovThe Cardinal Bourne InstituteThis promises to be a fascinating look back at the activities, meetings and many characters that have shaped the Society through the years.
Wed 18 NovSeveralls Business ParkJoin Sophie Stevens, Natural Sciences Collections and Learning Curator, as she shows us the impressive collection of wildlife specimens and artefacts kept in the purpose-built storage facility.
Sat 28 NovChanterelle Car ParkJoin the Society's Fungi Recorder, Sarah Manning, on this stroll around the wood in the vicinity of the car park.
Sat 12 DecWivenhoe Sailing ClubJoin Michael Padmore for a mid-winter walk along the River Colne, from Wivenhoe to Alresford Creek. An opportunity to see some of the waders and wildfowl that spend the winter on the estuary.
Mon 14 DecThe Cardinal Bourne InstituteA talk about Broadland Country Park by Mark Collins, Chair of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalist Society’s research committee and Broadland Country Park project leader.
Mon 11 JanCardinal Bourne hallYour chance to hear what members of the society have been getting up to during the past year.
Sun 17 JanEssex Wildlife Trust Abberton ReservoirJoin 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.
Sat 30 JanGravel PitSince being dug in the 1960s this site has developed, in the intervening decades, into an incredibly diverse location.
Mon 08 FebThe Cardinal Bourne InstituteJoin Dr Maridel Fredericksen on what is to be a fascinating exploration of plant galls and the insects that call them home.
Sun 21 FebCymbeline MeadowsJoin Dougal Urquhart on this walk through Cymbeline Meadows. This 74ha working farm owned by Colchester City Council is a Local Wildlife Site and consists of a variety of wildlife habitats including grazing meadows, arable fields, hedgerows, woodland and the river Colne.
Thu 04 MarRSPB Stour EstuaryThe walk will follow part of the route described by Russell Leavett in 'Self-guided Walks' in the Members Only section of our Website - choose Winter Birding on the Stour.
Mon 08 MarCardinal Bourne hallThis ancient site has extensive acid grassland habitat, as well as unique historical and archaeological importance.
Mon 12 AprThe Cardinal Bourne InstituteYou 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 17 OctHigh Woods Country ParkJoin the Society Fungi Recorder, Sarah Manning, for a stroll around the Country Park close to the Visitor Centre.
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.