Meetings ahead
| Date | Route Finder | Venue | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| dates to be confirmed | Find route | General Meeting. Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site. Meetings are planned for May/June, July/August and October. We will only be able to confirm the field trip dates about a month in advance, due to the late advertising of firing times. The meeting place is at the footpath entrance opposite Wick Road at TM01602264. There is unrestricted parking available on Wick Road and Speedwell Road. The site is diverse, with large areas of acidic grassland, gorse and broom scrub, and a patch of relict heath. The site is most noted for its Hymenoptera, but the invertebrate and other interest is expected to be very high generally. | Contact Peter Harvey, grayspeterharvey@gmail.com |
| Sat Feb 22nd 2020 10:30-16:00 | Find route | Essex Moth Group annual meeting. At the Green Centre, Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex SS16 4UH. Lunch and refreshments on the day, £10 charge on the day. Essential to book in good time. Guest speakers, slide shows, specimen displays. | Essential to let Peter Harvey (grayspeterharvey@gmail.com) or Dougal Urquhart (dougalurquhart57@gmail.com) know in good time beforehand if you intend coming. |
| Sat Feb 29th 2020 11:00 | Find route | EFC Members only visit to Natural History Museum. Directions to the Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity: come into the Museum through the main doors on Cromwell Road & walk into Central Hall. Underneath the whale, facing the main stairs, head left down the corridor towards the dinosaur gallery. Walk to the far end of the corridor, into the Darwin Centre & down the stairs into the Darwin Centre atrium.
Turn left at the bottom of the stairs, the glass door to the AMC will be on your left.
11am start in the AMC to give people time to get into London & into the Museum. 11:15-12:30 Introduction to the Museum and AMC & a look at some of the handling collections. 12:30 break for lunch & an opportunity for a bit of a Museum gallery explore 1:15 tour of the collections 2:00 demonstration of the photostacking equipment 2:45 discussion & questions 3:15 optional guided look at the historical cabinets on the mezzanine in central hall | Fiona Hutchins phone: 07581 178 707 email: efcmedia2019@gmail.com You must book with Fiona so that she can provide numbers to the Museum beforehand |
| Sat Mar 7th 2020 10.00 - 12.00 a.m. | Find route | The Chalk Walk (Field Course). Meet at car park, Chafford Gorges Essex Wildlife Centre, Drake Road, Grays RM16 6RW. The Centre is served by Ensign bus 33. Cost: free to Essex Field Club members (booking essential). The walk will look at the Chalk but also what happened after it was deposited, uplifted by continental drift, followed by extreme conditions of desert and of glacial permafrost; when the Thames flowed westwards along Warren Lane; when it flowed eastwards across Mill Lane and its banks were occupied by Neanderthal humans. This will be a look-see visit with no realistic chance of collecting fossil material. Unfortunately there is rough ground in places and the Walk will not be suitable for people with walking difficulties. | Contact Peter Allen, peter.allen6@virgin.net |
| Sun Mar 8th 2020 10:00 | Find route | Sping Plants and Molluscs. Hadleigh Great Wood Meet at the Warren Road entrance TQ814874; postcode SS9 3TT | Simon Taylor 07947 388180 or marine@conchsoc.org |
| Sat Mar 14th 2020 14:00-17:00 | Find route | Essex Field Club Spring Meeting and AGM. At the Green Centre, Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex SS16 4UH. | |
| Sat Mar 28th 2020 10am start, all day | Find route | Terrestrial Molluscs: Snails and Slugs (Field Course). Chalkney Woods near Earls Colne. Park at the lay-by at the wood entrance from Tey Road just south of Ivy Cottage TL874274 postcode CO6 2LD. Cost: free to Essex Field Club members (booking essential) A day with County recorder and current Club President Simon Taylor, during which you will learn how to differentiate and recognise the major groups of terrestrial Mollusca and identify a range of species. Laminated fold-out identification guides will be available (cost £2); it is advisable to bring a hand lens. Please also bring a packed lunch. | Contact: Simon Taylor, abmanuk@hotmail.com |
| Sun Mar 29th 2020 10:00 | Find route | Eeesx Rock and Mineral Society . Maylandsea, Meet at end of North Lane CN3 6AG, To collect fossils from the Londin Clay | Jeff Saward via ERMS www.erms.org |
| Sat Apr 4th 2020 11:00 | Find route | General meeting. Wilderness Foundation at Chatham Green. Meet in car park at CM3 3FE TL7172 1576. | Fiona Hutchings Please book: fiona.77h@hotmail.com |
| Sun Apr 19th 2020 11:00 | Find route | Essex Rock and Mineral Society. Walton on the Naze, park at the EWT visitor centre, packed lunch optional. Note change of date for this weeting | Ian and Ros Mercer via ERMS www.erms.org |
| Sun Apr 19th 2020 9:30 | Find route | Spring Plants and Molluscs with the Wickford Wildlife Society. Hanningfield Reservoir. Meet at Wickford Central Council Car Park (next to the Co-op) SS12 9AJ TQ747934 from where we will travel on | Simon Taylor 07947 388180 or marine@conchsoc.org |
| Sun May 3rd 2020 10:30 | Find route | General Meeting. Little Belhus Country Park, Arisdale Road, South Ockendon, RM15 5SJ (opposite 'Next' distribution centre, close to South Ockendon rail station). Former landfill being turned into a Country Park with older areas; woodland, meadows and ponds; part is a Local Wildlife Site for invertebrates. Meet in car park just off main road (TQ587826; 6ft height barrier); some parking on road. | Contact: Yvonne Couch, email j_couch@sky.com |
| Sat May 9th 2020 10:30 | Find route | EFC General Meeting. Hyde Hall RHS Gardens, car park at TQ778997. We can explore the areas outside the gardens as well as inside, with permission to visit the lake area accompanied. Optional packed lunch, or cafe. | John Cooke email: jhc@johocooke.plus.com phone: 01708 223477 |
| Thu May 14th 2020 10.30 | Find route | General meeting. Phyllis Currie Reserve, Great Leighs. This EWT reserve has diverse habitats, with grassland, a lake, woodland and ditches, sloping down to a tributary of the River Ter. Meet at reserve car park TL 723 182. | Contact Peter Harvey: grayspeterharvey@gmail.com |
| Sun May 17th 2020 11-2pm | Find route | Ladybirds and Shieldbugs (Field Course). RSPB Rainham Marshes, New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, Essex RM19 1SZ TQ547787 Cost: free to Essex Field Club members (booking essential) Rainham Marshes has a good variety of invertebrates, and we hope to see about 8 species of shieldbug and 8 of ladybirds (weather permitting), including some (Rambur's pied and mottled shieldbugs, bryony and water ladybirds) which are less common elsewhere. All collecting equipment will be provided. Paths are good and suitable for less able people, including wheelchair and mobility scooter users (bring your own). There is ample parking, and a good cafe; the reserve is 15 min walk from Purfleet railway station. | Contact: Yvonne Couch, j_couch@sky.com |
| Thu May 28th 2020 10:30am | Find route | General Meeting. An organic farm with a wide variety of wildlife. Parking for 10 cars in the farm yard at TQ607973, Heards Farm, Heards Lane, Shenfield, Brentwood, CM15 0SF. | Contact Peter Harvey, email grayspeterharvey@gmail.com |
| Sat May 30th 2020 10:30 | Find route | Joint meeting with LNHS. Mayesbrook Park, plant gall survey with Tommy Root and general meeting. Meet at Lodge Avenue car park (not sports centre car park) TQ465845. Nearest station Becontree, District Line (approx 1km walk). Bring lunch. No toilets. | EFC members contact Peter Harvey: grayspeterharvey@gmail.com |
| Sat Jun 20th 2020 10:30 | Find route | Joint meeting with LNHS. Mayesbrook Park, general meeting. Meet at Lodge Avenue car park (not sports centre car park) TQ465845. Nearest station Becontree, District Line (approx 1km walk). Bring lunch. No toilets. | EFC members contact Peter Harvey: grayspeterharvey@gmail.com |
| Wed Jul 1st 2020 10:30 | Find route | EFC General meeting. Hyde Hall RHS Gardens, meet in car park at TQ778997. We can explore the areas outside the gardens as well as inside, with permission to visit the lake area accompanied. Optional packed lunch, or cafe. | John Cooke email: jhc@johocooke.plus.com phone: 01708 223477 |
| Sat Jul 4th 2020 10.30 | Find route | General meeting. Phyllis Currie Reserve, Great Leighs. This EWT reserve has diverse habitats, with grassland, a lake, woodland and ditches, sloping down to a tributary of the River Ter. Meet at reserve car park TL 723 182. | Contact Peter Harvey: grayspeterharvey@gmail.com |
| Sat Jul 11th 2020 10:30am | Find route | General Meeting. An organic farm with a wide variety of wildlife. Parking for 10 cars in the farm yard at TQ607973, Heards Farm, Heards Lane, Shenfield, Brentwood, CM15 0SF. | Contact Peter Harvey, email grayspeterharvey@gmail.com |
| Sat Jul 18th 2020 9:30 | Find route | Essex Rock and Mineral Society. Bulls Lodge Quarry. We are uncertain of access or parking at the time of going to print so check back nearer the meeting date, also check the ERMS web site. packed lunch optional | Peter Allen via ERMS www.erms.org |
| Sun Aug 9th 2020 11am - 5pm | Find route | The Essex Natural History Show. The Essex Natural History Show. Activities taking place at: the Green Centre, Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex SS16 4UH. | Contact Peter Harvey: grayspeterharvey@gmail.com |
| Sat Aug 15th 2020 11:00 | Find route | Joint General Meeting with the CNHS. Daws Hall Nature Reserve. In Essex on the Essex Suffolk border. Meet at Centre near parking, entrance TL 8871 3673. | Neil Philips neil_fal@yahoo.com |
| Sun Sep 6th 2020 10:30 | Find route | General Meeting. Little Belhus Country Park, Arisdale Road, South Ockendon, RM15 5SJ (opposite 'Next' distribution centre, close to South Ockendon rail station). Former landfill being turned into a Country Park with older areas; woodland, meadows and ponds; part is a Local Wildlife Site for invertebrates. Meet in car park just off main road (TQ587826; 6ft height barrier); some parking on road. | Contact: Yvonne Couch, email j_couch@sky.com |
| Sun Sep 13th 2020 10:30 | Find route | Essex Rock and Mineral Society. Wrabness walk lead by Bill George, Meet and Park at Wrabness Church TM174318. Packed Lunch Optional | Bill George via ERMS www.erms.org |
| Tue Sep 29th 2020 10:30 | Find route | EFC Fungus group. Swan and Cygnet woods, and Hankin's wood, Stock. Optional Packed Lunch. Parking in small layby or on road at TQ688992. | John Cooke email: jhc@johocooke.plus.com phone: 01708 223477 |
| Fri Oct 2nd 2020 10:30 | Find route | EFC Fungus Group. Hylands Park. Park in new car park off A414, TL682042, optional packed lunch | Tony Boniface Please book 01245 266316 Mobile on the day 07939 489729 |
| Sun Oct 4th 2020 11:00 | Find route | EFC Fungus Group. Phyllis Currie Reserve, Great Leighs. EWT reserve. Meet in EWT Car park TL722181, Optional Packed Lunch. | Tony Boniface Please book 01245 266316 Mobile on the day 07939 489729 |
| Wed Oct 7th 2020 10:30 | Find route | EFC Fungus Group. Mill Green Common. Parking off Mill Gree Road at TL638012. Packed lunch | Graham Smith Please book 01277 354034. |
| Sat Oct 10th 2020 10:30 | Find route | EFC General meeting. Hyde Hall RHS Gardens, meet in car park at TQ778997. We can explore the areas outside the gardens as well as inside, with permission to visit the lake area accompanied. Optional packed lunch, or cafe. | John Cooke email: jhc@johocooke.plus.com phone: 01708 223477 |
| Thu Oct 15th 2020 10:30am | Find route | General Meeting. An organic farm with a wide variety of wildlife. Meet and Park for 10 cars in the farm yard at TQ607973, Heards Farm, Heards Lane, Shenfield, Brentwood, CM15 0SF. | Contact Peter Harvey, email grayspeterharvey@gmail.com |
| Sat Oct 17th 2020 10.30 | Find route | General meeting. Phyllis Currie Reserve, Great Leighs. This EWT reserve has diverse habitats, with grassland, a lake, woodland and ditches, sloping down to a tributary of the River Ter. Meet at reserve car park TL 723 182. | Contact Peter Harvey: grayspeterharvey@gmail.com |
| Wed Oct 21st 2020 10:30 | Find route | EFC Fungus Group. Warley Place, Brentwood, Old garden of "Miss Wilmot" much neglected now. meet at Entrance next to pub TQ583907, small car park, optional packed lunch. | Tony Boniface. Please book 01245 266316 Mobile on the day 07939 489729 |
| Sat Oct 24th 2020 10:45 | Find route | Joint meeting with Wickford Wildlife Soc. and Basildon Natural History Soc. Fungal Foray a Hall & Coombe Wood, Langdon Hills Country Park. Park and meet at Gravel Hill Wood Car Park, Gravel Hill, Basildon. SS16 6JA,TQ677863. | Leaders: Barbara and Richard Chapman. Please book 01268 765597. Mobile on the day 07742 291986. |
| Sat Nov 7th 2020 10:30 | Find route | EFC Fungus Group. lWaxcap special. Starting from Fryerning Churchyard. TL 638 001. Packed lunch. | Tony Boniface Please book 01245 266316 Mobile on the day 07939 489729 |
| Sat Dec 5th 2020 11:00-16:00 | Find route | Annual Exhibition & Social. At the Green Centre, Wat Tyler Country Park SS16 4UH, TQ738, 865 |