Sunday 17 October: GREAT GROVES WOOD, HERTS
A private woodland near Bayford, which recently won an award for excellence in forestry management : www.rfs.org.uk/awards/excellence-in-forestry-winners/2019-winners/2019-small- and-farm-woodland-award/. Meet in the car park up the lane running north from Brickendon Lane, east of Bayford railway station (signposted “Institute of Motoring”), Grid ref: TL317083.
Leader: Kerry Robinson
Sunday 24 October: SWISS GARDENS SHUTTLEWORTH, OLD WARDEN, BEDS
Joint meeting with Beds Natural History Society and a limited number of members of the public. This has proved an interesting and productive site in past years. A particularly exciting find a few years ago was the very rare Sandy Stiltball (Battarrea phalloides). The site is a charming early 19th century landscape garden, with plants from all over the world, ponds, bridges, rose arbors, miniature buildings, a grotto and fernery, and a tiny, thatched Swiss Cottage. The adjoining woodland and lakeside picnic area are also accessible to us.
Meet in the Shuttleworth Collection main car park (SG18 9EP, Grid ref: TL150448). The normal entrance charge is being waived for those attending this meeting; pre-booking with Alan is required by 18 October (alanouten@virginmedia.com). Also you need to be punctual in order to enter the site from the car park as a member of the group. There is a restaurant, bar, tea-room and toilet facilities are available and as there is plenty here to occupy people for the day, you may wish to bring lunch or purchase refreshments there.
Leader: Alan Outen
Thursday 28 October: WHIPSNADE ZOO, BEDS
Joint meeting with the Bucks Fungi Group.
Those who intend coming need to pre-book with the leader by 18 October (alanouten@virginmedia.com). Please note that it will NOT be possible to just turn up on the day. Parking will be in the zoo car park, after which we will assemble outside the main pedestrian entrance in order to get free admission to the zoo. Dependent on numbers we may use a zoo vehicle and possibly some cars to transport us to likely areas around the park, some of which may well be not normally open to the public. We will finish in the Butterfly House where hopefully some synanthropic species will be in evidence. Clearly no dogs can be permitted.
Leader: Alan Outen
Sunday 7 November: THE LODGE, SANDY RSPB RESERVE BEDS, 10am or 13.30 – FULL DAY FOR THOSE WHO WISH
The morning session is an annual joint field meeting with RSPB and the Beds Natural History Society. The afternoon session is for our members only.
This site which has been well studied for its fungi over many years has a range of habitats including grassland and heathland as well as woodland with a large diversity of tree species. There are many interesting fungi and the most successful visits are late season. For the last few years this site has consistently produced long lists of species including several rarities. Meet in the Lodge car park (TL191486); there is normally a parking charge for non-RSPB members but look for signs directing you to parking for our meeting, which will be free for BNHS and HBFG members.
Leaders: Alan Outen & hopefully others
Sunday 14 November : WATERFORD HEATH, HERTS
A site with a wide range of trees and habitats, which has produced a number of new British (and European) records. Park in the car park on your left as you leave Waterford Heath along Vicarage Lane, shortly after you cross the railway, Grid ref: TL 317150.
Leader: Kerry Robinson
Sunday 21 November. ASHRIDGE followed by barbecue & AGM
A classic SSSI site managed by the National Trust, and well studied over many years, comprising ancient semi-natural woodland with areas dominated by oak, beech and birch, ponds and areas of grassland. Parking on hard standing area known as Barracks Square, about half way along Monument ride, which is off B4506 between Dunstable and Berkhamsted, Grid ref: SP 975128. After the field meeting, once again Sue has kindly offered to host our winter get-together. Please let the leader know in advance if you will be staying for the BBQ and if possible bring a dish of your choice. This will enable us to know how many to cater for.
Leader: Sandra Hayter
Sunday 28 November: STOCKGROVE PARK, BEDS
A late autumn visit to this Greensand Ridge site, which can usually be relied upon to offer us the Herald of Winter (Hygrophorus hypothejus). Meet in the car park at Stockgrove Country Park off to the southwest of Brickhill Road which runs between Heath & Reach and Great Brickhill. Grid ref: SP920293. In normal times there is a visitors’ centre, café (great bacon rolls!) and toilets; so here’s hoping covid-19 rules allow this by then. Please note there is a charge for parking ( £3, payable by coin-in-slot machine at exit).
Leaders: Pat & Keith Cavanagh
Sunday 5 December: MARDLEY HEATH, HERTS
Mixed semi-natural woodland with a range of habitats. It can be a very good site for large toadstools species, and a colourful relative of the common Stinkhorn, Clathrus archeri, a native of Australia and New Zealand, was found there in 2016.
Meet in the car park on the north side of Heath Road, Grid ref: TL 248184.
Leader: Kerry Robinson