Greater London natural history societies etc

[AshLee]

Hi,

Which societies (or other groups) are for the London area, and/or have "wild" events that take place in London and the surrounding area.

When I'm thinking about events/walks/talks that might be of interest to the social group on WAB (Wild About Britain - Wild About London) (but also for me personally) I'm always aware that I'm missing events of interest because of a lack of knowledge of what might be going on.

Geographically speaking I'm only really interested in places well within the LNHS recording area (http://www.lnhs.org.uk/Images/towns_insert0001.gif). Events further afield are dealt with elsewhere I think.

I'm looking for events that have a broad interest appeal and that are easy to join in with. No membership or open to non-members etc.

At the moment I try and look at the LWT, LNHS and RSPB sites. I know of one or two other smaller groups. Which others should I take a look at?

Thanks,

Ash

[Paul mabbott]

I would have thought that the LNHS calender of events was a good start! There are smaller-scale Natural History Societies (I know of ones in Harrow and Croydon, for instance).

One thing that you might keep in mind is that the London Area covers part of Essex so you might find activities organised by the Essex Field Club: Our meetings - it's sometimes worth going a little out of London for variety of habitats: coast, cliff and marsh, for instance! [The same may apply in Kent but .... http://www.kentfieldclub.org.uk/ ]

Various organisations arange walks through interesting places although I've found these of minimal interest: they tend to walk too fast for anyone wanting to examine the flora and fauna!

Otherwise there are "friends of ..... " - most areas of natural interest have groups that do conservation work, surveys and the like - some organise walks around/within their site - should appear on a web search?

[AshLee]

Thanks Paul!

The Harrow one would be of particular interest (personally).

I know what you mean about going out of London - absolutely. But this is trying to find out what is going on in Greater London. My eyes were opened when I discovered Wildweb (London Wildweb) and then found the LNHS. And it seems I'm spoilt for choice with different groups and societies. I just hope I'm not missing something major

Thanks

Ash

[aeshna5]

To the west of London there are the Hillingdon NHS, the Ruislip NHS + Selborne Society which has Perivale Wood.

The LNHS is an excellent society with which I've been involved for more years than I care to remember.

[pressld2]

Sevenoaks just scrapes in to the area covered and one of Kent Wildlife Trust's flagship reserves is at Sevenoaks. See Sevenoaks Wildlife Reservexe-xeKent Wildlife Trust and also http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/...ing%202010.pdf for a list of events up to the end of May.

The Bough Beech reserve might just about be inside the circle too.

Dave P.

[Paul mabbott]

Dave reminds me that the Wildlife Trusts also organise meets ..... The Herts & Middlesex WLT, Essex WLT and, of course, London WLT all have websites .... BBONT also just edges into 'London' with

Originally Posted by pressld2

Sevenoaks just scrapes in to the area covered and one of Kent Wildlife Trust's flagship reserves is at Sevenoaks. See Sevenoaks Wildlife Reservexe-xeKent Wildlife Trust and also http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/...ing%202010.pdf for a list of events up to the end of May.

The Bough Beech reserve might just about be inside the circle too.

Dave P.

[earthdragon64]

Don't forget local branches of national societies such as Butterfly Conservation, (BC). I'm quite active within BC Highland, and even though the emphasis on field trips is on Butterflies and Moths, there is usually quite a wide knowledge of other insects, as well as plants, birds etc. I'm sure other local branches will be similar.

Other national societies may have meetings in or around London, such as the British Dragonfly Society or the Wildflower Society.

I know that my local BC branch doesn't require membership to attend meetings, but I'm sure you could check this out on the various websites, which should have contact email addresses or telephone numbers.

[AshLee]

Thanks for all your input, guys, gratefully received!

[Susie]

Lots of parks and woods in the area will hold their own events too.

Just a couple I googled are Minet Country Park London Borough of Hillingdon - Minet Country Park

and Ruislip Woods

London Borough of Hillingdon - Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve

[RoyW]

Searching the websites of your local borough will often produce details of some local wildlife walks and events as well - it's often not too easy to find them on the council websites though.