Field Meetings - Salisbury & District Natural History Society

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Field Meetings

Field Meetings for 2020

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 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. These trips usually include other aspects of natural history and are not ‘experts only’, all are welcome. 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.

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 have been cancelled in line with Government regulations.

FEBRUARY Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th	Snowdrops at St George's Church, Damerham. GR SU 107158. 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. Meet at 2pm on Saturday at the parking area adjacent to the church. On both days tea & cakes etc are on sale at the church (12 - 4pm). Directions: Own Transport. Damerham is approximately 13 miles from Salisbury. Take the A338 south from Salisbury 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 towards Sandleheath (not Alderholt ). Continue for about 3 miles driving straight on through Sandleheath and before you enter Damerham village turn left at the blue sign "Weak bridge 300 yds" into Church Lane and St George's Church (unsighted from the road is only 60yds further on). We may be instructed where to park in the lane. Leader: A. McKee (Note: there are other churches in the area!)
MARCH Wednesday 4th	NEEDS ORE Ornithological Mini Bus Trip. This is an interesting reserve with year round appeal, so this late winter/early spring visit should produce a good variety of species. Please see separate sheet for booking slip & further details of meeting times etc.
APRIL Sunday 26th	“Which song belongs to which bird?” An early morning stroll to match the song with the bird! a walk in the Avon Valley Nature Reserve. Bring binoculars, sensible footwear, warm clothes (it can be surprisingly cold first thing!) and your ears!
MAY Wednesday 27th	BEAULIEU ROAD STATION, NEW FOREST. All day ornithological minibus trip. It is always a delight to visit the New Forest in May and this is one of the best sites for bird watching. Please see separate sheet for booking slip & further details of meeting times etc.
JUNE Sunday 7th	Martin Down National Nature Reserve. A general interest walk at this special site, looking for late spring flora and fauna. Up to two miles of easy going tracks and paths. No facilities.
Tuesday 9th	NEW FOREST WILDLIFE PARK. All day minibus trip to this Wildlife Park that was originally a Butterfly Farm and now has many new species including wolves, otters and the endangered Scottish Wildcat. You can also enjoy the tropical butterfly house. There are facilities including snacks, light lunches and mouth watering cream teas Please see separate sheet for booking details and meeting times.
Sunday 14th	CLEARBURY DOWN. General interest walk to Clearbury Down SSSI nature reserve and the surrounding farmland, which is specifically managed for wildlife. This walk is just over 3 miles and there is some uneven ground. The Down is good for butterflies/plants and the farmland is a hotspot for Corn Bunting, Grey partridge and hopefully Lapwing. We may well hear Quail too as they breed here. Brown Hare are numerous.
Saturday 20th	MOTHING MORNING. Alderbury 1000-1200 John Muggleton has kindly agreed to identify the moths caught overnight.
Sunday 28th	FIGSBURY RING An afternoon walk for flowers and butterflies. No facilities.
JULY Saturday 18th	MOTHING MORNING. Porton 1000-1200 Another chance to view and identify the moths caught in the overnight traps that have been placed in Porton.
Sunday 19th	MARTIN DOWN. Afternoon ramble for butterflies and flowers.
AUGUST Sunday 2nd	New Forest. A general interest walk around the Hatchett Pond area, where several of the New Forest's special flowers can be found. About 1.5 miles of easy going. Ice cream and drinks van plus toilets at car park.
Tuesday 11th	Castle Hill Country Park- An Update. We will visit some of the artworks inspired by wildlife and the mediaeval tiles from Clarendon Palace and see the new developments. It will be an uphill walk, but we will go slowly to enjoy wildlife along the way and there are extensive views from the top. There are frequent buses red 7 from Blue Boar Row stop L. to Greentrees School.
SEPTEMBER Wednesday 2nd	PIG BUSH & SHATTERFORD. All day general interest mini bus trip to this area of the New Forest. Bring a picnic lunch. No Facilities. See separate sheet for booking details and meeting times.
Tuesday 8th	HAM WALL RSPB. All day minibus trip to this compact reserve although we are visiting later in the year than we usually do, we should still see a lot of birds. Please see separate sheet for booking slip & further details of meeting times etc.
OCTOBER Sunday 25th	FUNGUS FORAY. Bentley Wood Fungus Recording Day. This is a joint meeting with the Friends of Bentley Wood, The Salisbury & District Natural History Society and the Wiltshire Botanical Society. Wear suitable clothing and footwear for rough muddy conditions in the wood. Bring a snack & drink. No facilities in the wood.
NOVEMBER Tuesday 24th	LANGFORD LAKES. We shall spend time at this flagship Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve. Wildfowl should be present in good numbers, especially if the weather has been cold and Great Crested and Little Grebes should also be seen. Waders may also be present on the scrape and could include Green Sandpiper, Snipe and Lapwing. See separate sheet for further details.
DECEMBER Sunday 6th	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.