Haslemere Natural History Society

Providing a focus for enthusiastic naturalists of all ages

Events

Introduced Invasive Species – Increased Biodiversity or Conservation Nightmare?

Date: 9 January 2021
Dr Colin Ryall, retired Principal Lecturer in Environmental Management - Kingston University, LondonThis was held on Zoom with 42 people logging on.An alien species is one that has been introduced by man to a new location for form a self-sustaining population. In UK there are more than 3000 non-native plants and animals, with about 40% being […]

Repercussions of COVID-19 and Our Relationship with Nature

Date: 13 February 2021
Directions: Haslemere Museum
Dr. Tony Whitbread, President Sussex Wildlife TrustThe talk was held on Zoom with 32 people logging on. Tony (formerly CEO of Sussex Wildlife Trust, now President) accompanied his talk with beautiful wildlife photographs from the Trust.During the three national lock-downs nature seemed to be recovering and people noticed more wildlife. All around the word skies […]

Metamorphosis

Date: 13 March 2021
Rupert Soskin, Professional Photographer and AuthorRupert, nature photographer, presenter and naturalist, gave a virtual Zoom presentation from his home in southern France to 30 participants. His book entitled “Metamorphosis” took three years to write.In his study he has photographed sequences of instars of various insects by providing controlled, precise environmental conditions (light, heat, humidity). His […]

AGM and Talk: Trials and Tribulations of Dormouse Conservation

Date: 24 April 2021
Ian White, Dormouse and Training Officer, People's Trust for Endangered Species23 members logged on to Ian’s presentation on Zoom.Ian manages the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme and has developed training courses for volunteers as a licence is needed to check this protected species (they are on the Biodiversity Action Plan list). Dormice are a key indicator […]

Plant Adaptions: Flowers and Pollination

Date: 13 November 2021
Professor Mark W. Chase FRS, retired Senior Researcher, The Royal Botanic Gardens, KewThis was held as a Zoom presentation with 26 members logging on.Cone-bearing plants first appeared 350 million years ago, whereas flower-bearing plants evolved later at 150 million years ago. There are no intermediates, so it is not known how flowers came to be.Wind-pollinated […]

Spring Plants on Ebernoe Common (Sussex Wildlife Trust)

Date: 22 May 2021
Leader: Frances Abraham (Sussex Botanical Recording Society member)After 15 months with no Field Meeting due to Covid-19 restrictions, it was a great pleasure for 16 members to meet up again. Visitors are not permitted yet.Ebernoe Common is a National Nature Reserve, owned and managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust,   It is a Low Weald woodland and […]

Insects and Plants on Bramshott Common

Date: 19 June 2021
Leader: Andy Swan (HNHS Member)Andy gave a brief history of the Common, particularly the impact of Canadian Army Camps in WW1 and WW11, whereby mortar from buildings and materials for roads have altered the pH allowing calcareous-loving plants to survive and plants brought in to maintained gardens have spread. Examples of these are Carline Thistle, […]

Entomology at Myrtle Farm, Rake

Date: 3 July 2021
eader: Scotty Dodd (Entomologist)Myrtle Farm was a new venue for the Society.  The farm owners had requested that numbers be limited but were kind enough to allow an afternoon visit too.With 16 acres of pasture and 10 acres of woodland the aim is to promote a more natural landscape and increase biodiversity, habitats and carbon […]

Butterflies at Oaken Wood near Plaistow (Butterfly Conservation)

Date: 17 July 2021
Leader: Phil Darley (HNHS Member)The rare butterfly in the south of England, the Wood White, made its first emergence of the summer brood on the very day of this field meeting.During the hot, sunny morning many species of butterfly were in high numbers and very active:  Small Heath, Marbled White, Purple Hairstreak, Gatekeeper and Large […]

Midhurst Common

Date: 31 July 2021
Leader: Murray Marr accompanied by Friends of Midhurst Common.Murray has studied the history of the Common in detail, has made maps going back to 1550 and kindly produced a leaflet for our 12 members.200 years ago Scots Pine was introduced on the bare heath as ornamental planting and with little grazing and being self-seeded has […]
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