Events

All are welcome to our field meetings and lectures, which are free to members, and are open to visitors on payment of a fee of £3 per person.

Lectures take place at fortnightly meetings held between October and March (inclusive) on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm in the Friends Meeting House, 12A Queen Parade, Harrogate HG1 5PP.

Field meetings are held throughout the year and give opportunities to pursue specific interests and learn about biodiversity in different habitats.

Reports of past excursions can be found on this website (under Trip Reports).

Please note the following precautions for field meetings: stout footwear and suitable outdoor clothing should always be worn. Bring plenty of food and drink, with sun blocker and insect repellent when relevant. Participants take part entirely at their own risk and are responsible for their personal safety and the security of their personal belongings.

Of course the weather can never be guaranteed, so some events may have to be altered slightly to work around any inclement precipitations! Also note that return times are approximate only.

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Notes for botanical field trips

Please email or ‘phone the organiser to say you are coming, this will make it possible to car share – many of the venues have little parking; also changes to the printed programme may have occurred. Please bring next-of-kin name and phone number.

Contact Details:

Contact: Kerry Morrison or Muff Upsall (see membership card or Members' Area for contact details)

Notes for ornithological meetings led by Mike Smithson

All meetings are self drive / car share but the resumption of the coach trips is being kept under review. Please contact Mike Smithson beforehand if you intend to come (contact details in the Members' Area).

Please also supply Mike with an emergency name and phone number either prior to coming or when you arrive. As with most field meetings a packed lunch and suitable clothing is recommended.

Trees and Fungi – part 2

January 8, 2025 at 7:30 pm

Location: Friends Meeting House, Harrogate

Price - £3, free to members

A further look at the relationships between the two using examples from Yorkshire woodlands.

Event Organiser: Kerry Morrison

Presenter: Andy Woodall

Butterfly Conservation, 30 years and still counting

January 22, 2025 at 7:30 pm

Location: Friends Meeting House, Harrogate

Price - £3, free to members

Trends in Yorkshire’s butterfly abundance and distribution’ with an emphasis on new Nidderdale species like the Silver-washed fritillary and what happened in 2023, the effects of climate change and other drivers.

Event Organiser: Kerry Morrison

Presenter: Nick Hall

Winter Twig workshop

January 28, 2025 at 10:30 am - 1:00 pm

Location: The Paddocks, Staveley

Price - £tba

A workshop on the identification of twigs in winter, led by John Killingbeck of the Woodland Trust. This is an indoor meeting from 10:30am to 1pm, held at The Paddocks, Staveley. There will be a small charge. More details to follow, but numbers will be limited, please book with Muff to reserve a place. mjupsall@btinternet.com

Event Organiser: Muff Upsall

Event Leader: John Killingbeck

The World of the Honey Bee

February 5, 2025 at 7:30 pm

Location: Friends Meeting house, Harrogate

Price - £3, free to members

A brief insight into the wonders of the world of Apis mellifera and other bee species, including evolution, anatomy and environment, plus sections on how to help and what to plant. There may even be one or two rather bad bee jokes! 

Event Organiser: Kerry Morrison

Presenter: Sarah Haynes

Birds in Music

February 19, 2025 at 7:30 pm

Location: Friends Meeting House, Harrogate

Price - £3, free to members

In this varied talk with audio illustrations, Kevin will outline some of the many ways our feathered friends have been depicted in music over the centuries. Many familiar species will be featured although there could well be a few musical birds that can’t decide what species they are! All the musical extracts will be fairly short and there will definitely be something for all tastes!

Event Organiser: Kerry Morrison

Presenter: Kevin Paynes

Spiders in the Garden

March 5, 2025 at 7:30 pm

Location: Friends Meeting House, Harrogate

Price - £3, free to members

Gardening for wildlife has become a major topic in recent years but there is still an emphasis on attracting bees and butterflies. Spiders are equally important. Geoff will explain some of the biology, and often bizarre lifestyles, of a selection of the common spiders to be found in Yorkshire gardens, and how to encourage them to take up residence.

Event Organiser: Kerry Morrison

Presenter: Geoff Oxford

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