Each year the Society aims to provide a
series of field meetings for all members.
The purpose of the field meetings is to
encourage the further study of the natural history
of the county and to record the flora,
fauna and geology of some of its many special
places. We also hope that the meetings
provide a sociable day out with fellow
naturalists in an enjoyable natural environment.
As ever, we try to organise a selection of events spread
across the county, so that wherever you live, you will
not have too far to travel to an event. However, gaps
do exist so let me know where you'd like to visit and
I'll see what we can do! If you'd like to lead or
organise a walk or event yourself, please get in contact.
There are a number of other special interest
groups with connections to the Suffolk Naturalists'
Society. Whilst the SNS accepts no responsiblilty for arrangements at events led by other groups they do organise field meetings within their
area of interest which may be of interest to SNS members. Therefore we do show them here if asked, the contacts for these groups are
as follows:
Geology Group - Bob Markham (01394) 384525
Suffolk Moth Group - Tony Prichard (01473) 270047
Suffolk Ornithology Group (SOG) - Andrew Gregory (01473) 253816
Butterfly Conservation – Rob Parker ( 01284) 705476
Attendance at Field Meetings
All members are welcome to attend the field
meetings and to bring along guests to those meetings. Please bear in mind these
few simple rules to help us to keep you safe and to make sure you have an enjoyable day.
If
you are attending, please telephone the leader beforehand to let them know
you are coming. They will tell you where and when to meet and please give
the leader a call if you subsequently cannot come on the trip – this
is important.
You should inform the leader of any
health problems that may affect you during the day (e.g. asthma, diabetes,
heart conditions). The leader will advise you beforehand of how strenuous the
day's activities will be.
For all day trips you should provide
your own picnic lunch. Toilet facilities may not always be readily to hand during the
day but will be identified wherever possible.
Most
events take place over uneven terrain but if you wish to discuss wheelchair
accessibility of any event, contact the leader. Dogs are not normally permitted,
other than guide dogs.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by
an adult who takes full responsibility for them.
Please contact the event leader a few
days in advance in order to confirm numbers
attending and to receive details of where to
meet on the day. Please also try and give the
leader a call if you subsequently cannot come
on the trip – this is most important. Further
guidance notes for those intending to participate
in the field meetings are provided at the top
of the page. Any changes to the program will
also be posted immediately on our websites
at www.white-admiral.co.uk or www.sns.org.uk
Don't forget also to use the calendar at the top of the page to quickly remind yourself of meetings coming up. Click on the meeting date to read the details and check for updated information.
7 Any Other Business
Any members wishing to raise an item under AOB should have notifed the Hon. Secretary, in writing, not later than 7 days before the AGM. Matters raised during the meeting will be discussed at the chairman's discretion. The details of the AGM were published as usual on the Suffolk Nature Blog, the quickest way to get updates and news to our members, on February 19th 2008.
8 Members Presentations
Contact Adrian Knowles if you wish to make a 5-10minute presentation – tel 01206
271139 or adrian.knowles AT tesco.net
SATURDAY MAY
10th~ 10.30 am
BUTTERFLY SURVEY at ‘SALSABIL STUD ’,
Kettlebaston,
nr Lavenham Meet: park cars on concrete pad at side of minor road out of Kettlebaston
Map ref: TL965505 (Landranger 155). Bring packed lunch.
Book with leader Rob Parker 01284 705476 or E-mail:
SUNDAY MAY
18th~ 10.00 am
DINGY SKIPPER SURVEYS in KINGS FOREST
A joint SNS / Butterfly Conservation Meeting
No previous experience necessary and an opportunity to participate in surveys at
other sites on subsequent days. Appropriate training given for those not already
familiar with Erynnis tages.
Meet at the FC Kings Forest North Stow picnic site on the B1106 at TL825750.
Bring packed lunch. Further surveys will be conducted at RAF Barnham and Center
Parcs, Elveden, probably on Wednesday 21st May & Saturday 24th May If you are
able to assist, please contact leader Rob Parker 01284 705476 or E-mail:, before 16th May for further details.
SUNDAY MAY 18th~ 11.30 am OBSERVATIONS & RECORDS for the NATURAL HISTORY of a SUFFOLK FARM
Milden Hall, Milden, nr Lavenham
with a FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATE WORKSHOP
Calling all wildlife enthusiasts, naturalists and recorders for a series of dates!
Possibly over-ambitiously, Juliet Hawkins is hoping to pull together several years of
observations and sporadic wildlife records into a bound ‘natural history of Milden
Hall’ with commentary. Whilst typical of many Suffolk clayland farms, the various
habitats (including ancient meadow CWS, hedges and ponds, field margins, recently
planted woodland, neighbours’ ancient woodland SSSI) have all been
sympathetically managed for wildlife for 20+ years. The more observations and the
more different groups of wildlife covered, the more interesting, thorough and wideranging,
the end snapshot of natural history can be. For more details see article in White Admiral 69.
The format of all these days will be to wander where you will, for as long as you
wish, armed with hand-annotated farm map, to enjoy the farm wildlife, make
observations and records that could be used in such a natural history. Each day a
specialist will run an informal workshop on an issue to help naturalists develop their
skills – this time it’s a freshwater invertebrate workshop, led by county recorder,
Adrian Chalkley. Adrian will have a selection of live invertebrates caught from the
ponds to look at, discuss, answer questions about; he will help identify insects
brought in jam jars from your own ponds; and have some preserved, easily
identified, invertebrates on display for which we need more county records and that
people may well see in countryside ponds/streams.
SATURDAY JUNE 7 th
~ 21:30
NATIONAL MOTH NIGHT
West Stow Country Park
Joint SNS/Butterfly Conservation/Suffolk Moth Group meeting
Meet at Visitor Centre car park (minor road off A1101 between Lackford and
Icklingham at TL801714). Map Ref: TL801704 (Landranger 155)
Bring torch, refreshments and warm clothing
Booking not necessary but enquiries to leader Tony Prichard 01473 270047
or E-mail: or tony AT suffolkmothgroup.org.uk.
Children under 12 are not allowed due to health and safety restrictions.
SUNDAY JUNE 22 nd~ 11.30am OBSERVATIONS & RECORDS for the NATURAL HISTORY of a SUFFOLK FARM
Milden Hall, Milden, nr Lavenham
Calling all wildlife enthusiasts, naturalists and recorders for a series of dates!
Possibly over-ambitiously, Juliet Hawkins is hoping to pull together several years of
observations and sporadic wildlife records into a bound ‘natural history of Milden
Hall’ with commentary. Whilst typical of many Suffolk clayland farms, the various
habitats (including ancient meadow CWS, hedges and ponds, field margins, recently
planted woodland, neighbours’ ancient woodland SSSI) have all been
sympathetically managed for wildlife for 20+ years. The more observations and the
more different groups of wildlife covered, the more interesting, thorough and wideranging,
the end snapshot of natural history can be. For more details see article in White Admiral 69.
The format of all these days will be to wander where you will, for as long as you
wish, armed with hand-annotated farm map, to enjoy the farm wildlife, make
observations and records that could be used in such a natural history. Each day a
specialist will run an informal workshop on an issue to help naturalists develop their
skills.
SUNDAY JULY 20th
~ 11.30 am
OBSERVATIONS & RECORDS for the
NATURAL HISTORY of a SUFFOLK FARM
Milden Hall, Milden, nr Lavenham
Calling all wildlife enthusiasts, naturalists and recorders for a series of dates!
Possibly over-ambitiously, Juliet Hawkins is hoping to pull together several years of
observations and sporadic wildlife records into a bound ‘natural history of Milden
Hall’ with commentary. Whilst typical of many Suffolk clayland farms, the various
habitats (including ancient meadow CWS, hedges and ponds, field margins, recently
planted woodland, neighbours’ ancient woodland SSSI) have all been
sympathetically managed for wildlife for 20+ years. The more observations and the
more different groups of wildlife covered, the more interesting, thorough and wideranging,
the end snapshot of natural history can be. For more details see article in White Admiral 69.
The format of all these days will be to wander where you will, for as long as you
wish, armed with hand-annotated farm map, to enjoy the farm wildlife, make
observations and records that could be used in such a natural history. Each day a
specialist will run an informal workshop on an issue to help naturalists develop their
skills.
SUNDAY 27 th JULY ~ 11:30 am to 4:30 pm
INVERTEBRATE STUDY DAY
for FAMILIES & INDIVIDUALS
At Alder Carr Farm, Needham Market
This event is part of the SNS’s biennial 2008 invertebrate drawing and
photography competition is open to children and adult members of the general
public, schools, SWT WATCH groups, other children’s’ groups and natural history
societies, not just SNS members.
There will be a study session catching, identifying and drawing or
photographing invertebrates on this mixed farm, in fields, woodland, ponds, ditches
and pasture. Experts and enthusiasts will be on hand to help catch and identify the
creatures on the farm – a sure way of getting into the winners category!
Equipment and identification books will be available – but if you have any
please bring them.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult to this event.
The accompanying adult will be entirely responsible for supervising youngsters
activities while on the farm.
Alder Carr is a working farm with ditches, ponds, river,
trees, and wild areas. There are poultry, Highland cattle and fruit and vegetable
crops. Suitable areas will be indicated and are accessible with care and adult
supervision. Please wear suitable tough outdoor clothing and footwear.
Meet at Alder Carr Farm, Needham Market TM091554. Easy parking available by the Farm Shop.
Booking with leader essential by Friday 25th July: Joan Hardingham 01449 721751 or Email: jfh AT hardingham.net
SUNDAY AUGUST 17th
~ 11.30am
OBSERVATIONS & RECORDS for the NATURAL HISTORY of a SUFFOLK FARM
Milden Hall, Milden, nr Lavenham
with a FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATE WORKSHOP
(workshop brought forward from Sept 21st)
Calling all wildlife enthusiasts, naturalists and recorders for a series of dates!
Possibly over-ambitiously, Juliet Hawkins is hoping to pull together several years of
observations and sporadic wildlife records into a bound ‘natural history of Milden
Hall’ with commentary. Whilst typical of many Suffolk clayland farms, the various
habitats (including ancient meadow CWS, hedges and ponds, field margins, recently
planted woodland, neighbours’ ancient woodland SSSI) have all been
sympathetically managed for wildlife for 20+ years. The more observations and the
more different groups of wildlife covered, the more interesting, thorough and wideranging,
the end snapshot of natural history can be. For more details see article in White Admiral 69.
The format of all these days will be to wander where you will, for as long as you
wish, armed with hand-annotated farm map, to enjoy the farm wildlife, make
observations and records that could be used in such a natural history. Each day a
specialist will run an informal workshop on an issue to help naturalists develop their
skills – this time it’s a freshwater invertebrate workshop, led by county recorder,
Adrian Chalkley. Adrian will have a selection of live invertebrates caught from the
ponds to look at, discuss, answer questions about; he will help identify insects
brought in jam jars from your own ponds; and have some preserved, easily
identified, invertebrates on display for which we need more county records and that
people may well see in countryside ponds/streams.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21st
~ 11.30am
OBSERVATIONS & RECORDS for the NATURAL HISTORY of a SUFFOLK FARM
Milden Hall, Milden, nr Lavenham
Freshwater Invertebrate Workshop will now take place on August 17th
Calling all wildlife enthusiasts, naturalists and recorders for a series of dates!
Possibly over-ambitiously, Juliet Hawkins is hoping to pull together several years of
observations and sporadic wildlife records into a bound ‘natural history of Milden
Hall’ with commentary. Whilst typical of many Suffolk clayland farms, the various
habitats (including ancient meadow CWS, hedges and ponds, field margins, recently
planted woodland, neighbours’ ancient woodland SSSI) have all been
sympathetically managed for wildlife for 20+ years. The more observations and the
more different groups of wildlife covered, the more interesting, thorough and wideranging,
the end snapshot of natural history can be. For more details see article in White Admiral 69.
The format of all these days will be to wander where you will, for as long as you
wish, armed with hand-annotated farm map, to enjoy the farm wildlife, make
observations and records that could be used in such a natural history. Each day a
specialist will run an informal workshop on an issue to help naturalists develop their
skills.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 20 th ~ 7 pm for 7:30 pm start
AUTUMN MEMBERS EVENING
with NORFOLK & NORWICH NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
at REDGRAVE & LOPHAM FEN NATURE RESERVE VISITOR CENTRE
Come along and meet naturalists from your neighbouring county – and
exchange short presentations on what naturalists each side of the border is up to!
Light refreshments only.
Contact Adrian Knowles if you wish to make a 5-10minute
presentation – tel 01206 271139 or email Adrian.knowles AT tesco.net
For further information on Suffolk Naturalists’ Geological Group field meetings and on GeoSuffolk (Suffolk RIGS) contact:
Bob Markham, telephone 01394 384525
or visit www.geosuffolk.co.uk
Saturday April 26th ~ 10.30 am
Waveney Valley led by Tim Holt-Wilson
To see terrace remnants and other Pleistocene sites.
Meet at the lay-by on the A143 by Billingford ‘Horseshoes’, TM 165786.
Bringpacked lunch and stout footwear.
Monday July 28th ~ 2 pm
Bawdsey peninsula churches
To see local building stones.
For further information see leaflet GeoSuffolk goes to Church in Suffolk Coastal by
Dr Roger Dixon (downloadable from www.geosuffolk.co.uk).
To see Red Crag and London Clay; evidence of processes (sea defences and
erosion).
Meet at the car park at the end of East Lane, TM 357401.
Wear stout footwear.
For further information on Suffolk Naturalists’ Geological Group field meetings and on GeoSuffolk (Suffolk RIGS) contact:
Bob Markham, telephone 01394 384525
or visit www.geosuffolk.co.uk
NEXT EVENTS 
or tony AT suffolkmothgroup.org.uk. 
