Because not everyone has access to a computer with an internet connection, places on popular meetings will not be allocated until after the Spring issue of the Wild Flower Society magazine has been published. If more applications than places are received for a meeting, a ballot will be held after the closing date (15th March) for applications in Spring.
To book for a main field meeting send a stamped, addressed envelope to Steve Parker 26 Laburnum Road, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8EL or email Stephen Parker. All bookings to be received by Sunday 15th March 2009
Saturday 4th April and Sunday 5th April New Forest Leader Gill Read. A two day meeting to see the early spring flowers of the New Forest. Plants will include Pulmonaria longifolia (narrow-leaved lungwort) and Myrica pensylvanica (bayberry). Limited to 15 people.
Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th May North Wales Leaders Chris Metherell and Hazel Hall. A field course designed for those who find sedges and ferns challenging. We shall visit an upland site (Cwm Idwal) and a wetland area (Cors Erddreiniog, Anglesey) to introduce those attending to the delights of sedge and fern identification, with possibly the odd rush or hybrid horsetail thrown in for good measure. Everything from Hymenophyllum wilsonii (Wilson's filmy fern) to Carex limosa (bog sedge). There may be just a chance that we will have time for one or two soft centered chocolates such as Lloydia serotina (Snowdon lily) in between the serious stuff. Scared of sedges or ferns - this is for you - you'll never get to Valhalla without them! Chris Metherell lectures with the FSC and is the VCR for North Northumberland. Hazel Hall is a professional biologist. Limited to 15 participants.
Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June The Brecks Leader Stephen Clarkson. We will be based in the market town of Brandon, Suffolk. We will travel to many and sundry sites in The Brecks looking at the species renowned in the area such as Petrorhagia prolifera (proliferous pink), Herniaria glabra (smooth rupturewort), Amaranthus blitoides (prostrate pigweed), Scleranthus perennis (perennial knawel) etc etc. Limited to 20 participants.
Saturday 11th July and Sunday 12th July South Devon Coast Leader Simon Leach. The beautiful South Devon coast in high summer, many colourful plants as well as national rarities. Sites will include Bolt Head, Venerick’s Cove and Slapton Ley. We should see Corrigiola litoralis (strapwort) Rumex rupestris (shore dock), Lotus subbiflorus (hairy bird's-foot-trefoil) and Geranium purpureum (little-robin) and many many more. Limited to 20 participants.
Friday 28th August to Sunday 30th August Shropshire Wild Flower Society Members Weekend and AGM. There will be field meetings, workshops and other events all welcome. Full details in the Summer Magazine.
Saturday 5th September and Sunday 6th September East London Canals Leader: John Swindells. This meeting will be similar to that in early September 2003 Species list and Report (reported in Wild Flower Magazine No 459 (Spring 2004). Day One will be a six-mile canal side walk and Day Two will include visits to sites in Docklands. Many of the plants we may expect to see are aliens including Berteroa incana (hoary alison), Chenopodium ambrosioides (Mexican-tea), Egeria densa (large-flowered waterweed), Hydocotyle ranunculoides (floating pennywort), Lapsana communis ssp. intermedia (perennial nipplewort), Senecio inaequidens (narrow-leaved ragwort), Solanum chenopodioides (tall nightshade) and Vallisneria spiralis (tapegrass). Limited to 20 participants.
Friday 18th to Sunday 20th September Blackdown Hills Somerset Beginners meeting. Leaders from local botany groups. A wide range of habitats will be visited, these will include heathlands and mires of the Blackdown Hills. Other habitats will include arable fields and the urban flora of Wellington. Limited to 20 participants.
Bookings are not required unless specifically asked for by the leader. Leaders of one day meetings which start from April onwards may not finalise lists of participants until the 15th March deadline has passed to enable those without internet connections to have an equal chance of a place on a meeting.
To make contact with a leader by email click on the name in green.
Saturday 7th February Trees in Winter Norfolk Leader: Stephen Clarkson. Meet at 10.30 am at the car park at TL 818 935 (near Lynford Arboretum)- in Norfolk . From the Mundford roundabout take the A134 towards Thetford. After only a few yards take the immediate left and follow for about 1km. There is a wide track off to the left ; follow down to the bottom and park. Aim: how to identify trees in Winter (sometimes easier than having the leaves in place !) and extend it to some coniferous species that are there as well. The Arboretum is close by and we should be able to pay a visit (free). This is also the best place to see Hawfinch (I only saw one there last year, but 7 the year before) and maybe Crossbill and Firecrest too. Please contact Stephen Clarkson on 01473 823220 (new telephone number) or email Stephen Clarkson.
Sunday 1st March First Day Hunt Diss, Norfolk Leader: Stephen Clarkson. Meet at 10.30 am at Park Road car park, near The Mere, between Denmark Street and Skelton Road. TM 115 796. To come and find the first flowering plants of the year. Branch Y and visitors to contact Stephen Clarkson on 01473 823220 (new telephone number) or email Stephen Clarkson.
Saturday 7th March Taunton Castle First Week Hunt: This is a joint meeting with Somerset Archaeology & Natural History Society. Leaders Stephen Parker and Simon Leach. Meet Taunton Castle @ ST226245 (by the sword in the stone). Meet at 10.30. Contact Stephen Parker on 01823 666006 or email Stephen Parker
Saturday 7th March First Hunt Anglesey Leader: Peter Llewellyn. As well as the usual early flowering plants, interesting ones we expect to find in flower include the tiny rare Mibora minima (early sand-grass) on Abberfraw Dunes, Trachystemon orientalis (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) growing near Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllanttsiliogogogoch and Teesdalia nudicaulis (shepherd’s-cress) at Newborough Forest entrance. There will need to be some car sharing because of car parking restrictions. Bring a warm coat, umbrella, gloves, boots as well as a flask and food as a certain amount of shivering in inclement weather is certain to be involved. Meet at the car park in Anglesey at Abberfraw on the A 4080 (SH 357 690) at 11.00 am. This meeting is suitable for those suffering chronic botanical deprivation syndrome who can’t stand yet another day of hoping for the sun to shine. Contact by email: Peter Llewellyn or telephone 01928 722058. If there are no contacts by phone or email this meeting will be cancelled.
Saturday 7th March National Trust Ightham Mote Kent Leaders: Lorna & Derek Holland. A Come and Find meeting. Meet at 10 am at car park TQ 584535 Spend approx. 2 hrs to record First Hunt species. The Green Hellebores should be in flower. Optional pub lunch (soup, sandwiches etc) Afternoon Kemsing TQ556587 to record Snowdrop species, etc. Please contact Tel. 01622 812583 or Lorna and Derek Holland
Thursday 23rd April Warley Place, Great Warley, Essex Leader: Stephen Clarkson Meet at 10.30 am in the reserve car park (please close the gate behind you). Well known for its naturalised plants. A return visit at the request of the archivist to especially look for Hyacinthoides italica (Italian bluebell) and admire the wealth of other spring flowering plants. Limited to a maximum of 25 people. Branch Y and visitors to contact Stephen Clarkson on 01473 823220 (new telephone number) or email Stephen Clarkson.
Saturday 25th April Wheatfen, Norfolk. Meeting 1 Leaders: Bill & Carol Hawkins. Continuing the Branch Y theme of visiting one site over the season, this year we are visiting the remarkable Ted Ellis Reserve to study the development of the fen through the seasons. The theme today is Spring. Branch Y and visitors meet 10.30 a.m. at the car park TG325 047. From Surlingham, drive down The Green and turn right into The Covey. This road peters out into an unmade road at the end of which is the car park. Bring wellies every time!
Saturday 25th April Reigate Heath Surrey Leader: Gareth Bursnall A meeting to search for Spring ephemerals on this sandy area of heathland. We hope to see Trifolium ornithopodioides (fenugreek), Trifolium micranthum (slender trefoil), Ornithopus perpusillus (bird’s-foot) and Moenchia erecta (upright chickweed). Time permitting we may move on to another area in the afternoon. Meet at 10.00 am in the car park on the left side of Flanchford Road (if coming from the A25) (TQ 239 503). Bring packed lunch and waterproofs. All welcome. Leader Gareth Bursnall email: Gareth Bursnall
Saturday 2nd May Dunster Beach and Minehead Warren Somerset Leader: Stephen Parker. Coastal habitats along the Bristol Channel. Plants expected include Crassula tillaea (mossy stonecrop) and Trifolium suffocatum (suffocated clover)and Hypochaeris glabra (smooth cat's-ear). Meet at 10.30 am at Dunster Beach car park at ST004445. Telephone 01823 666006 or email Stephen Parker
Saturday 9th May Mayfield East Sussex Leader: Janice Reynolds. A mainly wooded area to see Amelanchier lamarckii (juneberry), Cardamine bulbifera (coralroot), Polygonatum multiflorum x P. odoratum (garden solomon's-seal) and possibly Aristolochia clematitis (Birthwort) but this will not be in flower. If you wish to attend contact Janice Reynolds on 01323 894933. Meet in village hall car park at TQ58802715 at 10.30 am.
Saturday 16th May Derbyshire White Peak Leader: Peter Llewellyn We will walk along beautiful Chee dale admiring the Spring flowers and searching for Cardamine impatiens (narrow-leaved bittercress) which doesn’t always appear but can be abundant, Arabis caucasica (garden arabis), the last of the Ribes alpinum (mountain currant) flowers. We will also find sites for Polemonium caeruleum (Jacob’s ladder) which will probably only be in bud and possibly the last few flowers on Draba muralis (wall whitlowgrass). Later we will visit Cressbrookdale (if there is time) to look for the rare Carex ornithopoda (bird’s-foot sedge) and other plants in this botanically rich area. This is limestone area so if the rain is forecast or it has been wet bring a walking stick of some kind - limestone is like soap when wet. Lists of all plants in both English and Latin known to be in flower will be produced for this meeting which will be suitable for beginners. If the river is not in spate we may use the stepping stones to continue the walk in Chee dale so a walking stick is essential. Meet at 10.30 am the free public car park on the A6 at Topley Pike SK 109 724. The car park is on the right as you go down the A6 towards Buxton. Please make contact by email: Peter Llewellyn or telephone 01928 722058 if you wish to attend.
Probably Thursday May 28th Meeting in Snowdonia Leader: Peter Llewellyn. We're searching for Lloydia serotina (Snowdon Lily) having failed utterly last year. I'm going up the mountain by train (the only mountain where you can do this) and walking back downhill. The snag is that it costs £8 (Early bird 9.00 am train) or £12 later in the day. The train only goes to Clogwyn at the moment as the summit station isn't finished yet. Please contact the Peter Llewellyn by email: Peter Llewellyn or telephone 01928 722058 if you are also interested in joining me on the reconnaissance trip on 28th May 2009. This trip is weather dependent because botanising at the foot of Snowdon and climbing over boulder fields in poor mountain weather is both dangerous and a waste of time. The forecast is encouraging for Wednesday and Thursday next week but the trip will have to be abandoned for the year if the weather is bad.
Saturday 30th May North Wales Leader: Peter Llewellyn. In the morning we will explore Pensarn Beach where Crambe maritima (sea kale) , Glaucium flavum (yellow-horned poppy) and Trifolium striatum (knotted clover) are known to flower. We will investigate sites for other plants which flower in late summer such as Allium ampeloprasum var babbingtonii (wild leek) and look to see if the late summer flowering Eryngium giganteum (tall eryngium) has spread or disappeared. In the afternoon we will visit a local quarry near Abergele and The Great Orme for a feast of flowers with quite a few rarities too. Lists of all plants in both English and Latin known to be in flower will be produced for this meeting which will be suitable for beginners. Meet at the Pensarn beach car park at 10.30 am (Down A547, down Sea road, over bridge into car park turn left) SH 941 786 at the end nearest to Llandulas. Please contact the Peter Llewellyn by email: Peter Llewellyn or telephone 01928 722058
Wednesday 10th June Foxley Wood, Foxley, Norfolk Leaders Bill and Carol Hawkins. Foxley Wood is a prime ancient woodland site containing a wonderful ground flora. An informal Carex workshop will form part of the proceedings. Branch Y and visitors meet 10.30 a.m. at the northernmost bay of the NWT car park TG048 228.
Saturday 13th June Hadleigh Country Park, Hadleigh, Essex Meet at 10.30 am in pay and display car park (£2) at TR 799 869. Just off A13 in Hadleigh (Southend) at junction of Chapel Lane and New Road, near Waggon and Horses pub, and follow the brown signs. Expect to find Dianthus armeria (Deptford pink), Vicia bithynica (Bithynian vetch), Lathyrus hirsutus (hairy vetchling) and Tordylium maximum (hartwort) at one of its two sites. Branch Y and visitors to contact Stephen Clarkson on 01473 823220 (new telephone number) or email Stephen Clarkson
Wednesday 17th June Wheatfen, Norfolk Meeting 2 Leaders Bill & Carol Hawkins. Early summer for our second fen study and as a bonus it’s swallowtail time. Branch Y and visitors meet 10.30 a.m. at the car park TG325 047. From Surlingham, drive down The Green and turn right into The Covey. This road peters out into an unmade road at the end of which is the car park. Bring wellies every time!
Sunday 21st June Midhurst Common Leader Peter Jones: Come and Find meeting. Meet at 10.30 am at National Trust car park in Severals Lane, Midhurst SU 870 207. Bring Lunch. The area is one of the botanical 'hot spots' in West Sussex and last year the Sussex Botanical Recording Society recorded over 400 plants in a single day! Leader Peter Jones email Peter Jones
Saturday 25th July Swanbourne Lake, Arundel, West Sussex Come & Find Meeting. Leader: Gareth Bursnall. A meeting to explore the woodland and downland around this lake. We hope to see Dipsacus pilosus (small teasel) and who knows what else! Meet at 10-30 am at Swanbourne Lake. Park on the left side of the road (TQ 018 078). (Follow signs for the Wildfowl Reserve) .car park. Bring waterproofs and a packed lunch. All welcome. Leader Gareth Bursnall E-mail – Gareth Bursnall
Saturday 1st August Wheatfen, Norfolk Meeting 3 Leaders: Bill & Carol Hawkins. All the fen flowers should be at their best for this third visit in high summer. Branch Y and visitors meet 10.30 a.m. at the car park TM325 047. From Surlingham, drive down The Green and turn right into The Covey. This road peters out into an unmade road at the end of which is the car park. Bring wellies every time!
Saturday 8th August Trossley Country Park Kent Leaders: Lorna & Derek Holland. A Come and Find meeting. Meet at TQ 634611 Toilets and cafe in car park. Should see Epipactis purpurata (violet helleborine), Dipsacus pilosus (small teasel) and Ajuga chamaepitys (ground-pine) etc. Please contact Tel. 01622 812583 or email Lorna and Derek Holland
Saturday 19th September Wheatfen, Norfolk Meeting 4 Leaders: Bill & Carol Hawkins As we slip into autumn it is time for the ferns to take centre stage for our fourth and final visit. Branch Y and visitors meet 10.30 a.m. at the car park TG325 047. From Surlingham, drive down The Green and turn right into The Covey. This road peters out into an unmade road at the end of which is the car park. Bring wellies every time!
Saturday 31st October Place to be determined. Last Day Hunt Meeting Leader: Stephen Clarkson. Branch Y and visitors to contact. Stephen Clarkson on 01473 823220 (new telephone number) or email Stephen Clarkson
Saturday 31st October Avon Gorge Bristol: Last Day Hunt Leader: Stephen Parker. Meet in the Leigh Woods parking area North Road Bristol ST555730. Contact either by phone on 01823 666006 or or email Stephen Parker
Four meetings during 2009 for Branch N3 Clitheroe Leader: Julie Clarke. All invited. After some discussion with members they liked the idea of visiting one area through the year. We have decided upon Clitheroe, this is a rich area with limestone, woodland and riverside. Two plants come to mind are Cirsium oleraceum (cabbage thistle) and Rumex scutatus (French sorrel). The beautiful Trough of Bowland, Yorkshire Dales and of course Silverdale and Arnside are close so if anyone wishes to extend their break, plenty of places to go. Should members like to combine a Clitheroe meet with Silverdale and Arnside I will only be too pleased to show them around.
1. First Hunt during first week March
2. Meeting round about mid-May.
3. Meeting around July
4 Last Hunt during last week October.
Please ring me on 01539 563504 or e-mail Julie Clarke if you wish to come to any of the meetings. This way I know exactly who will be attending.
The Wild Flower Society is very grateful to all those who give their time and expertise when leading meetings. Offers to lead meetings will be gratefully received at any time. We particularly need leaders for one-day ones. In this case there is no need to be an expert or to show rarities. A variety of species in pleasant surroundings is all that is necessary.
Early Stagers meetings are specially suited to those wishing more detailed explanations of the plants shown. Beginners are especially welcome at all meetings. Leaders and others in the group will be pleased to help them if they make themselves known.
Members who do not drive and who have difficulty reaching the starting point of either Main or One-day events should contact the leader.
Packed lunches are required unless otherwise stated and will often need to be carried.
Please DO NOT bring dogs to any meeting as some landowners do not like them on their property.
All those attending WFS Field Meetings do so at their own risk.