S: Mountain ferns in Glen Lyon
Meeting time/place to be arranged, depending on attendees. At our indoor meeting last year, Steve Munyard told us about easily accessible sites in Glen Lyon where we can expect to see a range of interesting mountain ferns, including Cystopteris montana, Woodsia alpina, and Polystichum lonchitis, as well as Asplenium viride and Dryopteris expansa. The first … Continue reading S: Mountain ferns in Glen Lyon
NW: Ennerdale
Ennerdale Water CumbriaMeeting place: Car park at NY110 153, on the north-east side of Ennerdale Water. OS map Explorer OL4 Footwear: stout shoes or boots Food: packed lunch We will begin by walking eastwards on the lakeside track to see Dryopteris affinis subsp. kerryensis, found by Roger Golding last year, the first record for this sub-species in … Continue reading NW: Ennerdale
Y: Hack Falls Wood, Grewelthorpe
This is a change from the advertised meeting at Lumley reservoir. David Tennant has found conditions there unsuitable and the water levels are being maintained too high over the area where it should be. This visit to Hack Falls will be a recce for the September visit that David can't attend, but he will share … Continue reading Y: Hack Falls Wood, Grewelthorpe
WS: Ogmore Forest
Daren y DimbathField Meeting in and around Daren y Dimbath, in the Ogmore Forest, Mid-Glamorgan. Leaders: Brian and Sue Dockerill Daren y Dimbath is an SSSI of especial note for both Hymenophyllum wilsonii and H. tunbrigense. A survey in 2016 recorded 22 colonies of H. wilsonii and 29 of H. tunbrigense, some very sizable. It also has … Continue reading WS: Ogmore Forest
S: Thelypteris palustris in Dumfriesshire
Meeting time/place to be arranged, depending on attendees. The marsh fern, Thelypteris palustris, is recorded at only two sites in Scotland, both in Dumfriesshire. One is Southerness. In the same area are also a few common fern species, and a number of horsetails (Equisetum arvense, E. palustre, E. sylvaticum, E. fluviatile and E. x litorale.) … Continue reading S: Thelypteris palustris in Dumfriesshire
N: Wensleydale and Swaledale
Two contrasting days are planned: an exploration of Gunnerside Gill in Swaledale with its old lead mining connections and typical Dales limestone scenery; and on Day 2 a visit to Hackfall Wood near Masham, an ancient woodland site with tufa springs and a good location for Polystichum x bicknellii along with its parents and many … Continue reading N: Wensleydale and Swaledale
CD: East Dartmoor
Halsanger CrossA joint meeting with Botanical Cornwall and the British Pteridological Society. A whistle-stop tour of east Dartmoor looking for Lanceolate Spleenwort (Asplenium obovatum), Narrow Buckler Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana) and its hybrid D. x deweveri, Fir Clubmoss (Huperzia selago), Stag's-horn Clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum) and Beech Fern (Phegopteris connectilis), as well as other commoner ferns. A trip … Continue reading CD: East Dartmoor
Y: Pillwort Survey and Translocation – Skipwith Common
Skipwith Common YorkshirePLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE Meeting Place – The King Rudding Lane car park off the A19 at Riccall SE 64274 37398 (53.82858 x -1.02252). Going – Easy, but wet and tussocky in places (KT1-3) Food – Packed lunch Footwear – Boots or wellies if you want to get up close with Pillwort Notes – … Continue reading Y: Pillwort Survey and Translocation – Skipwith Common
WS: Mary Knoll Valley
Mary Knoll Car ParkFern sites in and around the Mary Knoll Valley near Ludlow, Shropshire. Leader: Martin Rickard Last year we had hoped to have time to visit the Mary Knoll Valley after our meeting at Downton Gorge. Unfortunately, sufficient time was not available on that occasion and we have decided on a meeting there this year. We’re … Continue reading WS: Mary Knoll Valley
Y: Pillwort Survey and Translocation – Strensall Training Area (STA)
Strensall York, YorkshirePlease note the change of date: Friday 21st September Meeting Place – Meet in the large car park just as you leave Strensall heading north. If you don't have a copy of the Yorkshire programme, please contact Barry Wright to ask for a map. Turn right down a lane near the 19 on the map … Continue reading Y: Pillwort Survey and Translocation – Strensall Training Area (STA)
SE: 2018 Autumn Meeting
Scadbury Park St Paul’s Wood HillThe autumn meeting this year will comprise a morning walk in a local wood where we will see a range of ferns including one alien. Lunch will be at 12:30 depending on the weather. At 13 Star Lane St Mary Cray Kent BR5 3LJ This will be followed by slide shows of this year’s trips … Continue reading SE: 2018 Autumn Meeting
SE: Warnham Nature Reserve
Warnham Local Nature Reserve Warnham Road, HorshamWarnham Local Nature Reserve, Warnham road ( B2237 ) Horsham, West Sussex, RH 12 2RA OS Map TQ 167 323 Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods, Harwood road ( B2195 ) Horsham , (opposite Manor Fields RH13 6SG,) OS map TQ 194 314 All weather footwear recommended. Packed lunch recommended; there is a coffee bar but it … Continue reading SE: Warnham Nature Reserve
N: Isle of Wight
Channel View Hotel Hope Road, ShanklinDraft programme (venues and times may change) Meeting Centre and general information We will use, as an informal base, the Channel View Hotel (email: enquiries@channelviewhotel.co.uk). Nowhere on the island is a long drive one of the ferry ports from the mainland; Portsmouth – Ryde is the shortest link, and closest to Shanklin. Shanklin is also … Continue reading N: Isle of Wight
Y: Moonwort monitoring – Grinton to Redmire road
Redmire to Grinton roadMeeting Place - Bridge Inn Car Park, Grinton, Near Reeth SE 04750 98423 (54.38157 x -1.92910) (toilets – paying now - next to car park, or in pub). Going - Easy (KT1) on roadsides but a bit hilly in places and exposed (warm clothes and waterproofs) Footwear - Anything comfy Food - Pub grub (Bridge … Continue reading Y: Moonwort monitoring – Grinton to Redmire road
NW: North Lakes
Barf and Bassenthwaite woodlands Thornthwaite villageNorth Lakes - Barf and Bassenthwaite woodlands. Meet at the car park NY220265 to the north of Thornthwaite village. Map Explorer OL4 Lakes NW In the morning we'll ascend the Bishop of Barf to see the Forked Spleenwort etc on the serpentine rocks there. It's a bit of a steep climb up, but everyone managed … Continue reading NW: North Lakes
WS: Taff Fechan and Morlais Castle
ABERGLIAS Vaynor, Merthyr TydfilLast June, on behalf of the BPS, we led a “ferny walk” for a journalist and photographer from Country Walking Magazine and we expect the resultant article to be published in 2019. To show them plenty of woodland ferns we started along the Taff Fechan (little Taff) a tributary to the main river which we … Continue reading WS: Taff Fechan and Morlais Castle
Y: Woodsia monitoring – Teesdale
Langdon Beck HotelMeeting Places – Meet at 11.15 on day 1, Wednesday 26th, at the gate of the road down to Widdybank, NY84700 30953 where we will car share to first visit the Natural England base at Widdybank Farm. Bring a packed lunch. We will then drive to the Tinkler site for an afternoon of monitoring. Some … Continue reading Y: Woodsia monitoring – Teesdale
Y: Skipwith Common – pillwort survey and translocation
Skipwith Common YorkshireMeeting Place – The King Rudding Lane car park off the A19 at Riccall SE 64274 37398 (53.82858 x -1.02252). Going – Easy, but wet and tussocky in places (KT1-2) Food – Packed lunch Footwear – Boots or wellies if you want to get up close with Pillwort Notes – This is a National Nature … Continue reading Y: Skipwith Common – pillwort survey and translocation
N: Scotland, Rarities and Specialities
PLEASE NOTE change to published schedule. This is now the first of two meetings focusing on rare and special ferns in Scotland. The second meeting will be in Summer 2020. In this meeting we will be visiting sites in the east and eastern-central areas of Scotland. Some of the sites will involve significant hill walking … Continue reading N: Scotland, Rarities and Specialities
NW: Serpentine Woods
Serpentine Woods Queen's Road, KendalSerpentine Woods, Queen's Road, Kendal, LA9 4PH This is a visit to the garden recently rescued from ivy and oblivion by Kendal Conservation Volunteers. George Whitwell, a founding member of the British Pteridological Society lived in the nearby cottage, and clearly used this to display his remarkable collection of varieties. Other delights under consideration. Packed … Continue reading NW: Serpentine Woods
WS: The garden of Tim Brock and Cors Caron National Nature Reserve
Tim Brock Delfryn, Pentre Rhew, CeredigionWe last visited Tim and his garden in 2014 when, despite him having not lived there very long, his collection of Asplenium scolopendrium cultivars was already well established. Since then the collection has expanded, not least as a result of his extensive hybridisations, and he has now added a 30` by 10` shade tunnel. Beyond … Continue reading WS: The garden of Tim Brock and Cors Caron National Nature Reserve
SE&A: Orlestone Forest
Orlestone Forest Malthouse Lane, WarehorneJoint meeting with the Kent Botanical Recording Group Leader: Alfie Gay A meeting to add to our fern records and also give members a chance to see Osmunda regalis (Royal fern) at a site which probably has the best claim out of all the sites in Kent of being a native one. Alfie’s discovery of … Continue reading SE&A: Orlestone Forest
Y: Castlebeck Wood, NYMNP
Meeting Place – On the roadside verge on a slight bend at SE 95083 97980 (SatNav 54.36876 -0.53825) Going – Moderate (KT3) Food – Packed lunch Footwear – Boots Notes – This is a re-visit of a site we went with Jack Bouckley and Richard Unett in 1988 (see Bulletin Vol3 No6 p187) and 2001 … Continue reading Y: Castlebeck Wood, NYMNP
S: Creag nan Eun, Glen Shee
Creag nan Eun Loch nan Eun, BlairgowrieBPS Scottish group meeting Saturday 17th August 2019 ‘Creag nan Eun’ (OS map 43: NO 134 754) Meet at 11am at the car park on the A93 at the southern end of the ‘Old Military Road’ (approximately 3 km south of the Glenshee ski centre). Leader: Clive Dixon: (clive_dixon@hotmail.com) This site does not look like … Continue reading S: Creag nan Eun, Glen Shee
WS: The Troserch woods and the garden of Susan Lewis
Troserch WoodsAlso in 2014 we hosted a BPS National Meeting. One of the days was particularly successful but unfortunately few local members were able to attend and so we have arranged to repeat the event. For the Troserch Woods we will meet at 10.30am. in the village of Allt where a footpath to the woods starts … Continue reading WS: The Troserch woods and the garden of Susan Lewis
NW: Glencoyne, Ullswater
Glencoyne UllswaterGlencoyne, Ullswater NY3871 1790 Dryopteris affinis complex , plenty of examples of these with some challenging individuals! and including borreri, cambrensis , affinis, paleaceolobata, D. filix mas a very foliose form, Polypodium vulgare, Polystichum setiferum, Athyrium filix-femina, Pteridium aquilinum, Blechnum spicant, Cryptogramma crispa, Oreopteris limbosperma, Dryopteris dilatata, Asplenium trichomanes. We do not think Glencoyne Woods … Continue reading NW: Glencoyne, Ullswater
N: Llangollen, Wales
This meeting will be based in Llangollen, North Wales. Although in North Wales, it’s near the border, and has easy access from Chester, and Manchester and the West Midlands. It is a small town, with fantastically beautiful scenery, and the centre for the Llangollen canal and Froncsyllte aqueduct World Heritage Site. As it is justifiably … Continue reading N: Llangollen, Wales
Y: Castle Eden Dene, Peterlee
Castle Eden DeneMeeting Place – NNR car park as shown on the Reserve leaflet attached to the meetings programme, and on the website below. NZ 42798 39363 (SatNav 54.74836 -1.33836). Going – Moderate Food – Packed lunch Footwear – Boots Notes – New site so who knows what we might find. It will be recce'd so might … Continue reading Y: Castle Eden Dene, Peterlee
SE: Netherfield and Winchelsea East Sussex
netherfield NetherfieldMeet at 10 for 10.30 Leader Steve Munyard This looks like a fascinating day a visit to a re-wilding project near Netherfield and a visit to some great gardens in Winchelsea More details closer to the event but bring a packed lunch. As always all members (and their friends) are invited, and we particularly welcome … Continue reading SE: Netherfield and Winchelsea East Sussex
S: Lycophytes on Shotts Bing
Shotts Bing shottsMeet at 11am. We should find Diphasiastrum alpinum and Lycopodium clavatum, as well as Botrychium (lunaria or nordicum?) and horsetails. There are other larger ferns in the area. The site is at about 236 m, and quite exposed. If it is at all windy it will be cold, so we'll need to have plenty of … Continue reading S: Lycophytes on Shotts Bing
NW: North Cumbria
Orton Moss CarlisleRoger Golding will lead a meeting in north Cumbria - including Orton Moss to see the royal fern, and Roger's garden in Bowness. More information will be posted later.
S: Inland Asplenium marinum and a walk along the Tweed – Cancelled
Ladykirk HouseBy the River Tweed near Ladykirk House (NT885 456) there is a colony of sea spleenwort, more than 10km from the sea. After a walk along the Tweed, we will go on to Paxton House near Berwick, to explore the grounds which are very ferny, and then have tea! More information will be available nearer … Continue reading S: Inland Asplenium marinum and a walk along the Tweed – Cancelled
WS: May Hill, Gloucestershire – Cancelled
May HillLeaders: Clare and Mark Kitchen May Hill lies on the Gloucestershire/Herefordshire border and is the highest point in Gloucestershire. We hope to see amongst others Equisetum sylvaticum, Wood Horsetail and a substantial population of Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Oak Fern. Meet at 11.00am at the National Trust Car Park. SO69062216. Bring lunch to carry and have suitable … Continue reading WS: May Hill, Gloucestershire – Cancelled
NW: National meeting in Eskdale – Cancelled
More information at a later date.
EA: Cornel Howells’ ferns and Antingham Ponds – Cancelled
Farmside Lyngate Road,, North WalshamCornel Howells’ ferns in medieval double-ditches and Antingham Ponds. Further details of all these events will be made available nearer the time. Please let Peter Blake know if you wish to attend any of the events on: peterblake1952@gmail.com
S: Kirkton Glen, Balquhidder
Kirkton Glen BalquhidderNow that government guidelines are allowing a bit more venturing out, Andy and Natalie are keen to go ahead with this meeting on Saturday July 25. This type of outing should comfortably lend itself to social distancing. We will just have to avoid any hugging! If you are interested in participating or for more information, … Continue reading S: Kirkton Glen, Balquhidder
N: Seattle, USA – Cancelled
Hosted by Sue Olsen from Seattle. A chance to spend a week visiting botanical gardens, private gardens and native fern sites in the north-west of the USA. Early booking through Julian Reed is strongly advisable
S: Lochan na h-Achlaise on Rannock Moor
Lochan na h-Achlaise Rannock Moor, Bridge of OrchyMeet at the Lochan na h-Achlaise view point car park (NN316 485). There is another site at Loch Ba on the other side of the road. If that is busy, there is another car park a mile or two further south on the A82. We will look for Lycopodiella inundata, as well as many ferns … Continue reading S: Lochan na h-Achlaise on Rannock Moor
N: Scotland, Rarities and Specialities – POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
This will be the second part to last-year’s trip. Exact details will be available next year.
WS: Dare Valley Country Park – Cancelled
Leaders: Brian & Sue Dockerill The Dare Valley Park was opened in 1973 as the result of the restoration of former colliery sites. Covering over 450 acres it ranges from woodland and scrub through grassland to cliffs and scree’s, the home of the less usual ferns. Altogether the botany is of such interest that Tim … Continue reading WS: Dare Valley Country Park – Cancelled
MM&Y: Smithills Country Park, Bolton – Postponed until 2021
This is a joint meeting with the Yorkshire Fern Group led by Michael Wilcox and Bruce Brown. On a recce 18 fern taxa were recorded including self-sown Polystichum polyblepharum for example. The site is listed on several web sites for example see:- https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/smithills-estate/ Meet at the free car park off Smithills Dean Road at SD698119. … Continue reading MM&Y: Smithills Country Park, Bolton – Postponed until 2021
NW: Brantwood, and the east side of Coniston
Brantwood, Coniston Lake Road, ConistonThe aim is to identify existing ferns in the garden, to help with planned revamp of the garden fern areas. In the afternoon we will explore some of the woodlands on the east side of Coniston Water, led by Bruce Brown. Meet 10.30 at the car park at Brantwood. More information to follow. Contact: Roger … Continue reading NW: Brantwood, and the east side of Coniston
S: Lycophytes on Shotts Bing
Schotts bing NS 8756 6180Bings in central Scotland are of course the spoil heaps from shale mining. Some have been maintained because botanists discovered that they have been colonized by interesting plants. At Shotts Bing, about halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh, we should find Diphasiastrum alpinum and Lycopodium clavatum, as well as Botrychium (lunaria or nordicum?) and horsetails. There … Continue reading S: Lycophytes on Shotts Bing
NW: Wasdale: Lycopodiella monitoring + Irton Woods
Wasdale CumbriaIn the morning we will be carrying out a monitoring survey of the Lycopdiella inundata (Marsh Clubmoss) population in Wasdale. Meet at 10.30am at the road junction overlooking Wastwater, NY15110540. There is parking for several cars but this spot is popular and likely to be quite crowded, so some people may need to park a … Continue reading NW: Wasdale: Lycopodiella monitoring + Irton Woods
WS: May Hill, Gloucestershire
May HillLeaders: Clare and Mark Kitchen May Hill lies on the Gloucestershire/Herefordshire border and is the highest point in Gloucestershire. We hope to see amongst others Equisetum sylvaticum, Wood Horsetail and a substantial population of Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Oak Fern. Meet at 11.00am at the National Trust Car Park. SO69062216. Bring lunch to carry and have suitable … Continue reading WS: May Hill, Gloucestershire
S: Mountain ferns near Tyndrum
Coire Ghamhnain, below Beinn Udlaidh, near Tyndrum, has lime-rich crags with interesting flora, including records of Woodsia, but also Cryptogramma, Asplenium viride, Dryopteris oreades, clubmosses, etc. (More details to follow.) Leader: Andy MacGregor
NW: Great Asby Scar
Great Asby Scar CumbriaLeader: Trevor Lowis This meeting has been rescheduled to 21 August. Meet at 10am - park at NY 6318 1071. This is the junction of a small quarry/track on the B6260 one mile north of Orton village. Our walk will take us along a track through some areas of damaged pavement to gain access to … Continue reading NW: Great Asby Scar
WS: Dare Valley Country Park.
Leaders: Brian & Sue Dockerill The Dare Valley Park was opened in 1973 as the result of the restoration of former colliery sites. Covering over 450 acres it ranges from woodland and scrub through grassland to cliffs and scree’s, the home of the less usual ferns. Altogether the botany is of such interest that Tim … Continue reading WS: Dare Valley Country Park.
MM&Y: Smithills Country Park, Bolton
Smithill Country Park Smithills Dean Road, BoltonThis is a joint meeting with the Yorkshire Fern Group led by Michael Wilcox and Bruce Brown. On a recce 18 fern taxa were recorded including self-sown Polystichum polyblepharum for example. The site is listed on several web sites for example see:- https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/smithills-estate/ Meet at the free car park off Smithills Dean Road at SD698119. … Continue reading MM&Y: Smithills Country Park, Bolton
SE: Netherfield and Winchelsea, East Sussex
netherfield NetherfieldThis looks like a fascinating day a visit to a re-wilding project near Netherfield and a visit to some great gardens in Winchelsea. Leader Steve Munyard. Bring a packed lunch please. We need to know numbers so please Contact Julian Reed to pre-book if you would like to come julianreed@waitrose.com. More details will be available … Continue reading SE: Netherfield and Winchelsea, East Sussex