BNA in The British Naturalists’ Association & North Middlesex BRITISH

™ founded over sixty years ago, we The British Naturalists’ Association NATURALISTS’ are a small but thriving group with (BNA) is one of the country’s oldest about 55 members. natural history organisations and was ASSOCIATION founded in 1905. ™ we arrange a fortnightly programme throughout the year exploring Herts It is the only national body promoting the HERTFORDSHIRE and surrounding areas on foot, study of all branches of natural history, including badger watching, moth encouraging beginners and newcomers BRANCH nights, botanical surveys, fungus of all ages to discover fascinating wildlife forays and insect days. ‘in the field’ rather than on television programmes! ™ we enjoy occasional wildlife weekends and branch holidays. An Annual Meeting and Study Week is held for members at venues throughout ™ we examine and learn about all the country. sorts of wildlife and how to record them. BNA’s journal ‘Country-Side’ is sent to members twice a year and covers all ™ we produce a twice-yearly ‘Bulletin’ aspects of natural history and caters for for members, reporting on field adults and youngsters. meetings and recording wildlife sightings. Many of BNA’s records Each year, BNA runs the very successful have helped to protect wildlife Blake Shield Award for school children. habitats in Hertfordshire from Prizes include a study week at a field development, so we have an centre for the Award winners. important role to play locally. Knowledge of natural history is not a Contact our Branch Secretary for further requirement for membership! If you are information: interested, come and try some of our WINTER Mrs Chris James meetings before making a commitment PROGRAMME 56 Back Street, Ashwell, Baldock, SG7 5PE to join us. Tel: 01462 742684 [email protected] www.bna-naturalists.org 2014/2015 2014 2015

Saturday 8th November Saturday 10th January Saturday 21st March for signs of mammals HILLFIELD PARK RESERVOIR for Birds PIRTON - a walk along the Icknield Way Leader: Mike Demidecki (Mob: 078879 80004) Leader: Trevor James (Tel: 01462 742684 for early Spring wildlife Meet in new car park off Hastoe Lane north of the Mob: 07834 392017) Leaders: Ruth Graham (Tel: 01462 712682 A41 bridge (SP 923109) at 10.15 a.m. Meet in car park at reserve entrance Mob: 075511 24715) and Jean Williamson Bring lunch & field guides. NB: car park opens at (TQ 153959) at 10 am. (Tel: 01707 654131 Mob 07951 990908) 10.00 a.m., hence changed meeting time. Bring lunch, binoculars & a field guide. Meet at Great Green, Pirton, (TL145315) at 10 am. Bring lunch, binoculars & field guides. Saturday 22nd November Saturday 24th January WHEATHAMPSTEAD for lichens HERTS BRANCH AGM Leader: Andrew Harris (Tel: 01582 840598 Meet at Digswell Village Church Hall, Warren Saturday 4th April - EASTER Mob: 079713 15341). Meet in car park off Ferrers Way, near Welwyn (TL243152) at 2 pm. for early Spring wildlife Lane at Nomansland Common (TL 170123) at 10 Bring digital images/prints to show and other Leader: Peter Alton (Tel: 0208 368 7504 am. Bring lunch, hand lens & a field guide. items of interest as well as tea-time food to Mob: 07812 390892) share. Annual subscriptions (£6) will be Meet in car park off Heath Road (TL 248183) collected. at 10 am. Saturday 6th December Bring lunch, binoculars and field guides. WILDLIFE OF EQUADOR - a presentation by Friday 6th - Sunday 8th February Trevor & Chris James WINTER WEEKEND on the ESSEX COAST Meet at Digswell Village Church Hall, Warren Way, Leaders: Trevor and Chris James Saturday 18th April near Welwyn (TL 243152) at 7 pm. Information to be circulated. LONG DEANS NATURE RESERVE near Bring drinks and nibbles HEMEL HEMPSTEAD for Spring wildlife Leader: Paula Shipway: (Tel: 01296 668639 Saturday 21st February Mob: 07791 986951) Sunday 7th December HEATH NATURE RESERVE for Meet in car park off Bedmond Road STOCKERS LAKE NATURE RESERVE for birds birds, hopefully raptors, and other winter (TL086059) at 10 am. and other winter wildlife wildlife Bring lunch, hand lens, binoculars & field Leaders: Paula Shipway (01296 668639 Mob: Leader: William Bishop (Mob: 07935 287231) guides. 07791 986951) and William Bishop (Mob: 07935 Meet at Therfield Road car park (TL 336401) at 287231). Meet in Stockers Farm Rd beyond the 10 am. Bring lunch, binoculars, hand lens & field school (TQ 055934) at 10am. guides. With thanks to all those who lead our meetings. Bring lunch, binoculars, hand lens and field guides. Map references are taken from the OS Explorer Saturday 7th March maps. Ring the leader for help with map GREAT HORMEAD – FURNEAUX PELHAM references. The Hertfordshire Street Atlas is also Friday 26th December BOXING DAY useful in locating meeting places and uses the OS WILDHILL, NEAR ESSENDON for early Spring wildlife grid. Leaders: Trevor & Chris James (Tel: 0462 742684 Leaders: Chris & Trevor James (01462 742684 Mob: 07834 392017). Meet at Wildhill Village Hall Mob: 07834 392017 / 07771 902976) Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy (TL 267068) at 10.30am for a half-day walk Park & meet on High Street Great Hormead, nr footwear. followed by lunch at the Woodman PH. Please Three Tuns PH (TL 402300) at 10am. advise leader that you are joining the meeting. Bring lunch, binoculars & field guides.