Events

Come along and join us for an enjoyable day out, you do not have to be an expert. We are a friendly group with varying knowledge and interests. Everyone is welcome including non-members too. All Outings depart at 8.30 am from Colchester War Memorial outside the Castle Park and return to the Colchester War Memorial between 5.00pm and 6.00pm. Cars can be parked in Priory Street, on East Hill or in the High Street.

Please book your places in writing and send to; Mrs Carole Rogers, 121, Mile End Road, Colchester CO4 5DA or telephone your booking on 01206 853942, preferably two weeks before the Outing (although your booking may still be accepted up to the day before). You will need a packed lunch, a drink, suitable clothing and footwear and payment for the trip which will be taken on the coach, £10.00/£12.00 for adults & £5.00/£6.00 for school children (Cheques will be accepted).

Please note that for coach trips CNHS does not have ‘public liability’ insurance, so everyone who comes is responsible for their own safety when they are not in the coach. However, our leaders give guidance on the best routes for walks and point out any hazards likely to be encountered. In any case we normally keep together as a party.

On car trips we try to car-share in order to save costs and to help those who may not otherwise be able to go. Please let Dave Barnard (01206 825645) or Joe Firmin (01206 241389) know if you require a lift or would be willing to give a lift. We meet at the site at the time given, usually 10.00 a.m. Most people bring a packed lunch and stay till mid afternoon.

Unless otherwise stated all indoor meetings are held at the Cardinal Bourne Hall in Priory Street, Colchester and start at 8.00 pm. The Hall is situated at the East Hill end of Priory Street with car parking almost opposite by the Roman Wall. Remember there are special Events such as the AGM which start early. Don't get caught out!

CLICK HERE for an online map

Photo © Peter Douch:

Pont duGard during one of CNHS's European excursions

Tuesday 26th September. 8.00 p.m. Talk at Cardinal Bourne Hall by John Dobson on bats.

John Dobson, leader of the Essex Field Club mammals group, will tell us about the different species of bats in Essex and how they are faring in our increasingly crowded county.

Sunday 15th October. 8.30 a.m. Coach trip to Santon Downham and Brandon Country Park in Breckland, Suffolk.

Ian Rose’s popular autumn fungus foray at two or three sites which have turned up exceptional species in the past. Brandon has a visitor centre and an interesting heath recreation project.

Tuesday 31st October. 8.00 p.m. Talk at Cardinal Bourne Hall by Peter Brown from Monks Wood Centre for Ecology

Peter will explain the threat to Britain’s ladybirds from their hostile cousin from abroad, the voracious Harlequin.

Sunday 5th November. Cars trip to Lower Holbrook

Meet at car park at 10.30 a.m. This very popular venue has rewarded us for several years with spectacular flocks of waders, such as knot, marshland birds including little egret, hedgerow birds and roosting owls. Good views across the Stour estuary. Car park at Lower Holbrook is at TM177349. Turn off the B1080 after passing the Royal Hospital School and the mill.

Tuesday 28th November. 8.00 p.m. Talk on Stag Beetles at Cardinal Bourne Hall by Maria Fremlin

CNHS member Maria has played a leading role in coordinating information about Colchester’s stag beetle population. She is researching the ecology of stag and other beetles and corresponds regularly with beetle experts in Europe and North America.

Check out the following website link: http://maria.fremlin.de/stagbeetles

Saturday 9th December. 7.30 p.m. CNHS Christmas Social at Cardinal Bourne Hall

Friday was not available so it will be Saturday Night Out for this year’s traditional get together, featuring good food, good company, an auction and raffles. Entry donation of £3.

Sunday 10th December. Cars trip to Cudmore Grove Country Park, East Mersea

Meet at car park 10.30 a.m. to ‘recover’ from the Xmas social the night before. In spite of the crowds this site always rewards with good views of wildlife. Waders, grazing brent geese, finches and other hedgerow birds. Possible marsh or hen harriers. Car park fee of £2 per car. High tide due mid-afternoon.

2007

Tuesday 16th January. 7.30 p.m. Annual General Meeting at Cardinal Bourne Hall

including reports on local wildlife during 2005 and presentation of conservation and photographic awards. After the meeting members are invited to show a short selection of their pictures from last year

Sunday 21st January. Cars trip to Tollesbury Wick EWT Reserve

Meet at car park near Marina at 10.30 a.m. Previous January visits have rewarded with great views of waders and ducks in the channels and fleets, plus short-eared owls over the fields

Sunday 18th February. Cars trip to Hanningfield Reservoir EWT Reserve, West Hanningfield

Meet at car park at 10.30 a.m. An excellent alternative to our more familiar Abberton Reservoir, which has a visitor centre overlooking the Lake, helpful if the weather is inclement! There have been good views of interesting ducks and grebes on previous trips. Woodland walk can be muddy underfoot.

Tuesday 20th February, 8.00 p.m. Talk on ‘A Life in Conservation’ by Russell Leavett at Cardinal Bourne Hall

Russell, once one of CNHS’s talented junior members, who went on to become a much-respected RSPB senior warden, describes his adventurous and rewarding career taking in the wildlife of the Calf of Man, La Camargue in France, Scotland and finally East Anglia.

Sunday 11th March, 8.30 a.m. Coach trip to Walberswick and Dunwich. Meet at war memorial outside Castle

Catch the last of the winter migrant birds and welcome the first signs of spring on the Suffolk coast. Beaches, shingle, good sea views, plus salt and freshwater marsh, heath and woodland. Many birding possibilities plus some spring flowers and butterflies if the weather is on our side.

Tuesday 20th March, 8.00 p.m. Members’ photos and talks at Cardinal Bourne Hall

Our traditional opportunity for any members to share their interest (or passion) for wildlife with interested colleagues. Please don’t hesitate if you would like to take part – non-experts are also welcome. We can deal with film slides and digital images, including Powerpoint. Please liaise with Peter Douch on 01206 574960 to confirm your slot.

Sunday 25th March, Cars trip to Trimley Marsh and then on to Landguard Point, Felixstowe

Meet at Trimley car park at 10.30 a.m. and bring packed lunch if coming on to Landguard. Greet British summer time with a walk of more than a mile from car park to bird hides overlooking lagoons and marsh. Other habitats include woodland copse and fields (with hares). Car park is down the road past Trimley St. Mary station. Landguard Point offers spectacular views over the estuary opening into the North Sea plus extensive shingle beach habitat for birds, including many migrants.

Tuesday 24th April, 8.00 p.m. Wildlife Identification Skills and Digital Photography Techniques at Cardinal Bourne Hall

We have added digital photography to the usual identification skills evening, so that those who are new to it, or would just like to share information about how best to do it can take an active part. Some of our experts in identification and/or digital photography will lead the way.

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