Calendar of botanical events in Hampshire
Please note that many organisations (including the Hampshire Flora Group and the Wildlife Trust) now require prior booking for all events, and you should check that the meeting accepts guests if you are not a member of the hosting organisation (if they do, they may expect a donation).
BSBI Recording sessions: Both Tony and Martin welcome a few people to assist on any session in the field.
December 2024
Sat 7 December 2024 10:30am- 4:00pm
Hampshire Flora Group Hampshire Flora Group/BSBI Exhibition meeting and AGM
We look forward to holding our traditional winter get-together/social event at Testwood Lakes Education Centre. Please bring along cakes or savouries for us to share, plus your specimens, photos, materials for display. Details in Autumn 2024 Flora News
Sun 8 December 2024 10:00am- 1:00pm
Alton Natural History Society Field trip: Ferns of Alton
Leader: Dr June Chatfield. Details in ANHS Winter programme
Mon 30 December 2024 10:00am- 1:00pm
BSBI recorders BSBI New Year Plant Hunt
Leader: Martin Rand. This meeting will be a walk around the suburban streets of Chandler’s Ford, centred on Fryern Hill, recording all plants outside gardens in flower (see the article on page 17 about the BSBI New Year Plant Hunt tradition). Members are invited to join Martin for a walk of 2–3 hours depending on weather. Details in Autumn 2024 Flora News
January 2025
Wed 1 January 2025 9:30am- 1:00pm
Alton Natural History Society Field trip: New Year Plant Hunt
Blow away Christmas cobwebs with a light-hearted morning of serious intent. Records of all wild or naturalised plants we find flowering will go to the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland for inclusion in their national New Year citizen science project. Details in ANHS Winter programme
Sun 19 January 2025 2:00pm- 4:00pm
Southampton Natural History Society Field trip: Southampton Old Cemetery - lichens on stones
Leader: Phil Budd. A walk looking at the fascinating world of lichens, their biology, reproduction and physical forms. Details in SNHS Winter programme
February 2025
Sat 1 February 2025 2:00pm- 3:30pm
Alton Natural History Society Talk: Swampin' - Carnivorous plants and pine prairies of the south-east USA
Speaker: Dr Max Blake. Join him on a tour of the ecology of bogs and wetlands in the southeastern USA, focusing on fascinating carnivorous trumpet pitcher plants and the majestic longleaf pine. Details in ANHS Winter programme
Sat 15 February 2025 2:00pm- 4:00pm
Southampton Natural History Society Field trip: Southampton Old Cemetery - ID of evergreen trees and conifers
Leader: Phil Budd. A continuation of last years walk in which we looked at many varieties, especially the Cypress family. Details in SNHS Winter programme
March 2025
Thu 13 March 2025 7:30pm- 9:30pm
Ringwood Natural History Society Talk: Winners and losers in the changing Hampshire flora
Speaker: Martin Rand. Details in RNHS Winter programme
Sat 15 March 2025 2:00pm- 4:00pm
Southampton Natural History Society Field trip: Peartree Green - Early flora and insects
Leader: Phil Budd. A walk looking at early emerging wildflowers and insects. Details in SNHS Winter programme
Sun 16 March 2025 10:00am-12:30pm
Hampshire Flora Group Field trip: Tregould's Copse and Sky's Wood, Ampfield
Leader: Martin Rand. This trip will take in the best Wild Daffodil population in the area, and we shall also aim to record anything else
seen flowering at this time. Details in Autumn 2024 Flora News
Sat 22 March 2025 2:00pm- 4:00pm
Southampton Natural History Society Field trip: Southampton Old Cemetery - early spring flowers
Leader: Phil Budd. Looking at naturalised spring bulbs and early native spring flora. Details in SNHS Winter programme
June 2025
Sat 7 June 2025 10:00am- 4:00pm
Hampshire Flora Group Workshop: Getting started with a field guide, Shawford, Winchester
Leader: Martin Rand. This is an outdoor workshop (weather permitting) particularly aimed at beginners and near-beginners wanting
to develop their skills in using a handbook to identify plants rigorously. We shall be using the recently published WILDGuide British and Irish Wild Flowers and Plants: a Pocket Guide as our ‘textbook’ and the emphasis will be on the processes (observation and careful following of a procedure) involved in getting a good determination. Details in Autumn 2024 Flora News
Sat 14 June 2025 10:00am- 4:00pm
Hampshire Flora Group Field trip: Shortheath Pond and Common
Leader: Tony Mundell. Details in Autumn 2024 Flora News
July 2025
Sat 5 July 2025 - Sun 6 July 2025 10:00am- 4:00pm
Hampshire Flora Group Workshop: Grass idenitification
Leaders: Martin Rand and Andy Cross. This full weekend workshop will include bench workshops at The Wildlife Trust's Study Centre at Testwood Lakes and fieldwork sessions. Details in Autumn 2024 Flora News
August 2025
Sun 17 August 2025 10:00am- 3:30pm
Hampshire Flora Group Field trip: Berry Wood, New Forest
Leader: Martin Rand. This is a trip to record a recently under-recorded monad (1km square) in a rather remote part of the Forest. There is ancient wood-pasture, forestry plantation, heathland, some small mires and woodland streams. Details in Autumn 2024 Flora News