Field Meetings - Salisbury & District Natural History Society
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Field Meetings
Field Meetings
We welcome visitors to join us at nearly all field meetings.
In some instances the number that can be catered for is limited and it is
therefore essential to book ahead.
There will be a charge to cover costs in respect of coach and minibus meetings.
If you wish to learn more about a particular meeting and/or book a place
please contact our Field Meetings Co-ordinator on 01980 611242.
Please also note that meetings may be deleted or changed, or further outings arranged. See the Bulletin for any late information.
For all day trips please bring lunch, binoculars and suitable clothing and footwear. For minibus trips, the minibus will leave from Salisbury Coach Station, Millstream Approach (off Castle Street). For own transport trips, please meet on site at the times stated below. There are occasionally last minute places on the mini bus trips so if you wish to go please check with the organiser. These trips usually include other aspects of natural history and are not ‘experts only’, all are welcome. No dogs please. The Society takes no responsibility for losses or injuries sustained on any outdoor meeting that it organises. Please check the monthly bulletin for any additional field trips taking place this year.
Visitors are welcome at all meetings but must contact the Field Meetings Secretary beforehand for details of meeting places and timings etc. Visitors should introduce themselves to the meeting leader on arrival.
Field Meetings for 2018
FEBRUARY
Sunday 11th
DAMERHAM St Georges Church Snowdrop Day
Another chance to see the wonderful display of snowdrops in the churchyard with an optional circular walk of about a mile around part of the village. Tea & cakes on sale at the church usually 12-4pm. Damerham is approximately 13 miles from Salisbury. Directions: Take the A338 south for 10 miles and turn right into Fordingbridge. Continue along this street until the 3-way mini-roundabout junction: go right signed Alderholt & Sandleheath, and after about 100yds take the right fork to Sandleheath (not Alderholt ). Continue for about 3 miles driving straight on through Sandleheath and before you enter Damerham turn left at the blue sign "Weak bridge 300 yds" into Church Lane & St George's Church (unsighted from the road is only 60yds further on). We may be instructed where to park in the lane. Note: if you pass the Compasses Pub you must turn around; go back again and take the first Right turn into Church Lane. Leader: Ailsa McKee (Note: there are other churches in the area!)
MARCH
Monday 5th
BLASHFORD LAKES. All day ornithological trip to this popular reserve. Please see separate sheet for further details of meeting times etc. Leader: Granville Pictor
APRIL
Thursday 12th
LAVERSTOCK. River Bourne Community Farm for a visit to the new farm cafe, farm tour and general interest walk. If coming by car there should be enough parking at the farm. Cow Lane is left after the railway arch opposite Manor Farm Road. You can make the walk as long or short as you wish. Leader Penny Theobald
13th-20th
SOCIETY GROUP HOLIDAY. Menorca. Pease enquire with Rosemary Nicholls for details.
Sunday 29th
COOMBE BISSETT DOWN. From Salisbury take the A354 to Blandford, at Coombe Bissett take first turn left after Fox and Goose pub signposted Homington. After about 0.5 miles turn right into Pennings Drove which is on the junction with the Coombe Fellowship Building. Follow road uphill for 0.25 mile. Reserve entrance (metal gate) and car park on the right. This site features steep slopes. Please do not leave anything valuable in your vehicle. Leader: Sue Griffin
MAY
Sunday 6th
BENTLEY WOOD. For Spring flowers. Members of the Friends of Bentley Wood have been invited to join us on this walk, which is over paths and tracks. There will be some muddy patches if there has been recent rain. No facilities. Leaders: John & Pauline Notman
Monday 14th
NEW FOREST SHATTERFORD. All day ornithological mini bus trip. Please see separate sheet for further details and booking form. Leader: Granville Pictor
JUNE
Saturday 16th
MOTHING MORNING. Alderbury 1000-1200 John Muggleton will be identifying the moths that have been caught overnight in the traps.
Sunday 24th
SALISBURY PLAIN WALK. For an all day walk around SPTA West. Please bring a packed lunch and all weather clothing. No facilities. Leader: Andrew Bray
JULY
Sunday 1st
FIGSBURY RING. For flowers and butterflies. No facilities. Leader. David Lawman
Saturday 14th
MOTHING MORNING. Porton 1000-1200 Another chance to see what the moth traps have caught overnight. John Muggleton will be identifying the moths.
Sunday 15th
NEW FOREST. Crockford Bridge. A short ramble around this streamside area, which has a good population of damselflies and dragonflies. Other insects and flora will also be looked at and there may well be some early fungi on show. Toilet facilities, drinks and ices are available in the main Hatchett Pond car park, in the apex of the fork between the Lymington and Brockenhurst roads, just about a mile before our meeting place. Boots would be useful if the weather is wet, or for crossing the stream. Leaders: John & Pauline Notman
Sunday 29th
MARTIN DOWN. Afternoon walk around Vernditch for butterflies and flowers. Leader: Gerald Nicholls
AUGUST
Sunday 5th
BENTLEY WOOD Insects Mainly entomological ramble around the Oil Drill Clearing to Bomb Crater Pond area. The small car park is on the right about 20 yards into the wood from the entrance opposite Ben Lane. To reach this entrance for Salisbury follow the instructions for the 6th May meeting and continue past the Livery gate to the next entrance on the left which is opposite the right turn to Farley. The distance will be about a mile over hard and grass tracks where there will also be some botanical interest. This is a joint meeting with the Friends of Bentley Wood. It would be helpful to bring specimen tubes or jars to collect insects for identification and release. No facilities. Leaders: John & Pauline Notman
Wednesday 8th
OLD SARUM. Visit to the new Country Park near Old Sarum to record what we can find – hopefully several butterflies and bees. There are frequent buses – park & ride 11, X4, X5 and Activ 8 all go past Old Sarum. Leader: Penny Theobald
SEPTEMBER
Sunday 9th
CANADA COMMON & DEAZLE WOOD. This is a Joint meeting with the Southampton Natural History Society. We will walk across the Common to Deazle Wood and come back via another route. No facilities. Leader: Phil Budd
Monday 24th
UPTON COUNTRY PARK. All day ornithological minibus trip. Please see separate sheet for further details and booking form. Leader: Granville Pictor
PLEASE CHECK MONTHLY BULLETIN FOR ADDITIONAL FUNGUS FORAYS
OCTOBER
Sunday 21st
FUNGUS FORAY. This is the joint meeting with the Friends of Bentley Wood and the Wiltshire Botanical Society. From Salisbury take the A30 North East and turn right at the Firsdown and West Winterslow turning and continue on this road through West Winterslow towards East Grimstead for about 1.5 miles and the Livery gate entrance is on the left hand side. Co-ordinator: Ailsa McKee.
NOVEMBER
Monday 26th
CHEW VALLEY. All day ornithological mini bus trip. Please see separate sheet for further details and booking form. Leader: Granville Pictor
DECEMBER
Sunday 2nd
AVON VALLEY RESERVE. General interest walk of approximately 2 miles. By car take Butts Road (west) off Castle Road to park at Leisure Centre. Bring binoculars. Leader: James MacPherson
