A meeting to record in a few under-recorded monads looking at spring woodland plants, ephemerals and those of calcareous grasslands. We will aim to see a long-established patch of Green Hellebore (Helleborus viridis subsp. occidentalis) and Large Thyme (Thymus pulegioides).
Meet: car park S side of road on Hambdon Hill (ST47851648)
What3Words: ///comfort.language.available. Google Map
Leader: Fred Rumsey rumsey2021@outlook.com
A meeting to record in the Local Nature Reserve, hopefully updating records for early Spring plants eg Heath Dog-violet (Viola canina subsp. canina), Sea Mouse-ear (Cerastium diffusum) and Lesser Chickweed (Stellaria pallida), as well as many coastal species.
Meet: car park of LNR (ST29405358), on W side of Coast Road, 1km N of Berrow church. Parking is limited so please lift-share if possible
What3Words: ///enthused.vowel.scripted. Google Map
Leaders: Helena Crouch helenacrouch@sky.com or 07773 037001 & Barbra Lakin
A visit to this AWT reserve to see White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum) and perhaps the hybrid with Common Rockrose, Honewort (Trinia glauca) and Somerset Hair-grass (Koeleria vallesiana) and other species of limestone grassland.
Meet: park locally and meet on the verge (by the bin) at the N end of the path leading from Purn Lane to Purn Hill (ST33085772) to walk to the site
What3Words: ///sizes.forks.venue. Google Map
Leaders: Helena Crouch helenacrouch@sky.com or 07773 037001 & Fred Rumsey
A day working on grass ID with both sit-down facilities and in the field at a lovely and accessible location. Thirty-two grasses have been recorded at A Patch Wilder including all the usual meadow species and specialists of calcareous and open habitats.
Meet: Site entrance from the Lilypool Café car park (ST44585650), look out for parking directions.
What3Words: ///outright.candidate.logs. Google Map.
Leaders: Ellen McDouall mcdouallem@gmail.com & Liz Biron
An exploration of local fields and lanes including Tadhill Fields LWS, a small field with a stream, wet seepage areas and copse. There is a fairly steep lane (Blackers Lane) and the field sites are sloping.
Meet: at the junction of Pitten Street / Stock’s Lane. Parking in field (ST68414748)
Please lift-share where possible
What3Words: ///targeted.value.consults Google Map
Leader: Barbra Lakin barbrawharton@hotmail.com or 07956 151588
Coastal plants including Slender Hare’s-ear (Bupleurum tenuissimum) and Sea Barley (Hordeum marinum) and uncommon arable plants. For a report of a previous meeting here, see the 2014 Newsletter
Meet: at Lilstock Beach car park (ST17154521)
What3Words: ///remission.allowable.times Google Map
Leader: Steve Parker stephenjparker1710@gmail.com or 07450 691712
This meeting was originally planned to take place on 5th June.
A evening walk in the company of the Course Manager of Burnham and Berrow Golf Club to explore more of this large coastal SSSI. We should see many sand dune species, but will also explore areas of damp grassland, ditches and dune slacks. The Lizard Orchids (Himantoglossum hircinum) may be flowering!
Meet at 6.30pm in the small car park at the junction of Brent Road and Berrow Road (ST30005151). If the car park is full, it is possible to park on-street along Brent Road.
What3Words: ///lecturing.firmly.rare Google Map
Leaders: Helena Crouch helenacrouch@sky.com or 07773 037001 & Richard Whyman
A hunt for Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) which has been regularly recorded from this location and Moonwort (Botrychium lunaria) which was last recorded in 2007.
Meet: at Whitstone Post car park (SS85584627)
What3Words: ///lighters.farm.surprised Google Map
Leader: Steve Parker stephenjparker1710@gmail.com or 07450 691712
[NB if you would be interested in a meeting on Saturday 5th July on Exmoor too, please contact Fred Rumsey rumsey2021@outlook.com]
An evening walk to explore the species-rich grassland and woodland of the estate.
Meet at 6.30 pm: Mansion House car park (£3 for up to 5 hrs) car park closes at 9.15pm (ST55827194)
What3Words: ///horns.extend.during Google Map
Leaders: Helena Crouch helenacrouch@sky.com or 07773 037001 & Aisa Irvine
A meeting to monitor some of the rare plants of this National Nature Reserve. We hope to visit the Peatland Restoration area of Canada Farm to monitor White Beak-sedge (Rhynchospora alba) and Oblong-leaved Sundew (Drosera intermedia).
Meet: Avalon Marshes Centre, Shapwick Road, Westhay (ST42624150)
What3Words: ///hopping.hence.gobbles Google Map
Leaders: Helena Crouch helenacrouch@sky.com or 07773 037001 & Val Graham
A visit to monitor Greater Water-parsnip (Sium latifolium) and record other aquatic plants of West Moor SSSI. Bring a grapnel if you have one.
Meet: Park locally (Church Road) and meet at Kingsbury Episcopi church (ST43592105)
What3Words: ///soap.wasps.risk Google Map
Leader: Steve Parker stephenjparker1710@gmail.com or 07450 691712
A general recording meeting suitable for beginners.
Meet: Wellow car park (ST73805803)
As you drive through Wellow, the car park is on S side of road, signposted but easy to miss!
What3Words: ///porch.reserving.tweezers Google Map
Leaders: Ellen McDouall mcdouallem@gmail.com & Karen Andrews
A visit to an under-recorded monad on Exmoor. To search for Ivy-leaved Bellflower (Wahlenbergia hederacea) and Eyebright (Euphrasia) species.
Meet: at Comer’s Gate cattle grid (SS86043536)
What3Words: ///smaller.starch.flush Google Map
Leader: Steve Parker stephenjparker1710@gmail.com or 07450 691712
A rare opportunity to visit the Somerset Heritage Centre for a guided tour of the Somerset County Herbarium and some of the other natural history collections held in The Museum of Somerset's 'reserve collections'. You will meet the senior curator, Amal Khreishehi, and the little team of SRPG herbarium volunteers. There will be an informal introductory talk, and then a chance to see a wide selection of plant specimens - old and new – from this rather wonderful collection. If there is anything you would particularly like to see, please let us know ahead of time and we can ensure that it is readily accessible on the day.
Meet: at the Somerset Heritage Centre (ST20302581). We should be finished by 15:00. Refreshments will be provided but bring a packed lunch.
What3Words: ///gives.leads.stand Google Map
Leader: Simon Leach simonleach@phonecoop.coop Numbers strictly limited to 8. Booking is essential. If over-subscribed, we will keep a 'reserve' list as we hope to hold a similar meeting on a Saturday in January 2026 (date yet to be confirmed).
An urban general recording meeting.
Meet: Park locally and meet at St Mary’s Church, Silver Street (ST36011455)
What3Words: ///daytime.butchers.snores Google Map
Leaders: Steve Parker stephenjparker1710@gmail.com or 07450 691712 and Fred Rumsey
An annual event to see how many species we can find still flowering in the last week of October. Timed to coincide with the Wild Flower Society’s ‘Autumn Hunt’. Quite a long walk, but we will aim to include a café en route.
Meet: Silk Mills Park & Ride car park (ST20862554)
What3Words: ///packet.pines.melon Google Map
Leader: Simon Leach simonleach@phonecoop.coop