Field Meetings - Salisbury & District Natural History Society
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Field Meetings
Field Meetings 2023
Work is still in progress but the following have been
confirmed so far.
Please check your monthly bulletin for any further
information.
SALISBURY & DISTRICT NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
FIELD MEETINGS FOR 2023
For all day trips please bring lunch, binoculars and suitable clothing and footwear. For minibus trips, the minibus will leave from London Road Park & Ride or 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. The Society takes no responsibility for losses or injuries sustained on any outdoor meeting that it organises. No dogs please. Please check the monthly bulletin for any additional field trips taking place this year and to get the latest meeting point information.
MARCH
Saturday 4th
LAMBING MORNING 11am – 1pm.
Come and see the lambing sheds in full swing. A great chance for all the family to observe a sheep farm in spring. See lots of new-born lambs and maybe even one being born! Wear sensible cloths for visiting a farm and wellies as it will be muddy! All attendees will be asked to sign a “at your own risk” form. Contact: Pete Thompson.
Sunday 26th
RIVERBOURNE COMMUNITY FARM.
Meet at 1430 outside the cafe. This is a social meeting as well as for recording wildlife. It is suitable for the less mobile, and participants can go as far as they wish, including exploring the water meadows, or just sit and enjoy the scene from the cafe area. The farmyard and cafe will be closed, so suggest you bring your own refreshments. For further details nearer the time contact Penny Theobald rwhmtheo@talktalk.net 07555945560 or 01722 341680
APRIL
Saturday 22nd
HARE WARREN NR SALISBURY RACECOURSE. Morning walk. Meet 9-30am Finish 11.30-45. Early spring woodland flowers / Birds & bird song / Trees & Shrubs. Leader: Keith Lea.
MAY
Wednesday 3rd
FRANCHISES LODGE. RSPB Reserve A morning meeting only to this recently acquired RSPB reserve near Downton. Species we hope to see or hear will be a wide range of woodland species including hopefully Firecrest, Redstart, Siskin and maybe Crossbill. Level walking on mostly hard tracks, no w.c facilities. Leader: Granville Pictor
Sunday 7th
DAWN CHORUS MORNING 7am-9am. Keith Lea & Pete Thompson will jointly lead a walk to identify which bird sings which song! Bring sensible footwear and warm clothing – it can be cold at this time of the day and binoculars if you have them (Try and borrow a pair if not!) Contact either Keith or Pete.
Saturday 20th
HARNHAM WATER MEADOWS 10am start. Website at https://oldmillsalisbury.co.uk/ The meeting will start off with a short video in Rose cottage, showing the way the meadows are purposely flooded in winter and then we will walk out onto the meadows to see the ancient bed works and Victorian aqua duct. While looking at the wildlife on the water meadows, we will also have a fantastic view of Salisbury Cathedral, from where Constable created his famous paintings. This is a wonderful opportunity to walk these private meadows and be told about their history, by experts from the Harnham Water Meadows Trust.
JUNE
Sunday 11th
CLEARBURY DOWN. General interest walk to Clearbury Down SSSI nature reserve. 1000-1300 This walk has some uneven ground. We hope to see Wiltshire’s county flower – the Burnt-tip orchid, along with a range of other chalk downland plants. The Down is also a very good place for butterflies. We should also see Corn bunting and may hear Quail too, as they breed on the surrounding farmland. Leader: Peter Thompson.
Tuesday 13th
HAM WALL RSPB Reserve Somerset Levels. An all day mini bus trip to this wetland reserve. We will visit the Shapwick Heath in the afternoon which is directly adjacent to the RSPB reserve. At this time of the year we should see a wide range of wetland species which should include Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret and possibly, if we are lucky, Bittern. Walking is all on level hard tracks and there are w.c facilities and a place to buy a coffee on site. Please complete the separate booking form if you wish to go. Cost £10.00 Leader: Granville Pictor.
Thursday 22nd
NEW FOREST Evening Walk – Meet 1830 finish 2100 Meeting at Abbots well car park, Frogham. Heathland flora / fauna / bog plants / Birds / butterflies. Leader: Keith Lea
Saturday 24th
MOTHING MORNING. Alderbury 1000-1200 John Muggleton has kindly agreed to identify the moths caught overnight. Please bring a chair.
Sunday 25th
FLINT FARM GOODWORTH CLATFORD A FARM WALK 10am – 1pm.
Simon & Sophie Turner, who are SDNHS members, invite you to a general interest look around
their farm. We will be joined by well-known local botanist John Moon, who amongst other things
will be able to point out some of the rarer “arable plants” which grow on specially prepared
cultivated margins. Add to this a wide range of other farm habitats and I can tell you – you will
not want to miss out on a visit to this fascinating farm. Contact Pete Thompson.
JULY
Wednesday 12th
SAVERNAKE FOREST - Morning Walk Meet 1000 Finish 1330
Woodland butterflies/ birds / veteran trees. Leader: Keith Lea
Saturday 15th
MOTHING MORNING. Porton 1000-1200 Another chance to view and identify the moths caught in the overnight traps that have been placed in Porton. John Muggleton will be identifying.
Tuesday 18th
TURF HILL. New Forest. Evening visit to see Nightjars. This will be a great experience for those members who have not seen these strange birds that are summer visitors to heathlands and conifer plantations. They spend their days sitting on the ground, where they also nest. They are well camouflaged in greys and browns, and look just like a fallen log. They are almost impossible to spot during the day but at dusk, a strange sound starts up and just as the darkness arrives, the nightjar will hopefully appear. Please bring a torch as it will be dark on the return. Leader: Sue Griffin. Tel 07776 301430 if it looks like rain.
SEPTEMBER
Friday 8th
KEYHAVEN MARSHES Nr. Lymington. An all day mini bus trip to these coastal marshes. We will be visiting at peak autumn migration time so should see many species of wader which should include Greenshank, Ruff and possibly Spotted Redshank and Little Stint. Non waders should include Marsh Harrier and Stonechat. Level walking on the sea wall, WC facilities at the car park for the start and end of the visit. Please complete the separate booking form if you wish to go. Cost £9.00. Leader: Granville Pictor.
PLEASE CHECK MONTHLY BULLETIN FOR FUNGUS FORAYS
NOVEMBER
Monday 27th
BLASHFORD LAKES. Nr. Ringwood. An all day trip to this excellent reserve. We should see a wide variety of waterfowl, some waders and winter finches. We had excellent views of an Otter on a previous trip. Mostly level walking with w.c facilities on site. Own transport The meeting will last until the early afternoon so please bring some lunch. Leader: Granville Pictor.
DECEMBER
Sunday 3rd
AVON VALLEY RESERVE. General interest walk of approximately 2 miles. Meet at the bridge by the Leisure Centre (between the Fire Station Green and Leisure Centre) By car take Butts Road (west) off Castle Road to park at Leisure Centre. Bring binoculars. Leader: James MacPherson.
