Conchological Society field meetings take place between late March and early November. They usually support the Society's Marine and Non-Marine recording schemes, local recording schemes, or conservation minded landowners, but may also include activities such as visits to fossil mollusc locations. It is advisable before turning up for these meeting to check you are suitably dressed and equipped; and please check that you are familiar with the Society's general code of conduct and health and safety policy. A comprehensive list of the location of past meetings is available here.
Please contact the leader in advance if you plan to attend a field meeting; and, if you are held up while traveling to a meeting, please contact the leader if possible so that you don't make people wait for you.
CONCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY FIELD MEETINGS 2023
Members are advised to keep a regular watch on this website for updates. The Co-19 uncertainties that impacted the field programme have declined and so it is anticipated that problems and restrictions will be minimal. We will, however, be keeping a close watch on any developments; specific meeting arrangements and other changes will appear on the Society website which Society Members are advised to visit regularly. It is essential for those wishing to attend ANY of the meetings, to contact the leader in advance (ideally at least a few days before) to book a place and obtain further details. Thank you for your patience in this regard.
Last checked 6th July 2023
(Please watch this space for information updates on the 2023 programme. If you would like to offer a field meeting for this year then please do contact Martin Willing (contact details below).
Saturday 22nd July 2023. FIELD MEETING (non-marine): Whiteknights, University of Reading, Berkshire
Leader: Tom Walker (tom@tmwalker.co.uk; 07488-231574)
Molluscs are under-documented on the University grounds (only eight species on CS/NBN databases), which consists of woodland, grassland and a lake. We will explore all areas, including dipping in the lake. The findings will be presented at the regional meeting due to be held at the University on 11th November.
Meet at 10.30am in Car Park 4 on the University campus (by the Students’ Union: RG6 6EH; grid ref SU735719; contact the organiser for details of how to find this car park). Bus 21/21a runs from Reading railway station every half-hour directly to the University Campus (15-minute journey time).
Sunday 6th August 2023. FIELD MEETING (non-marine): Hook-a-Gate woods, near Shrewsbury
Leader: Mags Cousins (shropshiremolluscs@gmail.com; 07873 532681).
A small woodland with tufa-depositing streams, grid ref. SJ462093. There is no parking at the wood itself, so we'll park in the village of Hook-a-Gate and walk a short distance across fields. Meet at 10.30 am.
Saturday 9th September 2023. FIELD MEETING (non-marine): Bookham Common, north Surrey. Joint with the London Natural History Society.
Leader: June Chatfield (drjunechatfield@gmail.com; 01420 82214). The London Natural History Society (LNHS) has been surveying this (National Trust owned) site since 1941 when Conch. Soc. past Presidents C. P. Castell and A. E. Ellis were involved as well as member Col. Bensley, but the molluscs have not been looked at for many years and the common has changed. There is about 400 acres of ancient woodland, glades, semi-acid to acid grassland, ponds and wetland on London clay. The main trees are oaks and hazels; many are veteran trees and the site is an SSSI. We will have lunch at the LNHS hut by Merritt's Cottage in the centre of the common which is managed by the National Trust with input from the London Natural History Society.
The initial meeting place at 10:30am is the car park of the Bookham Common railway station where Steve Mellar the leader of the LNHS survey group, will meet us and direct us to a parking place. If he chooses one of the official car parks it is pay and display and pay by phone but free for National Trust members (bring membership card). Bookham is reached by trains from Waterloo and Guildford (Southwestern Railway) and also by bus 479 from Epsom and Guildford (hourly service) which stops at the station.
Saturday 21st October 2023. FIELD MEETING (non-marine): Wyre Forest, Worcestershire.
Leaders: Rosemary Hill* & Rosemary Winnall (*rosemaryhi@lineone.net; 0121 4431459).
This will be a joint meeting with the Wyre Forest Study Group (WFSG). We will be examining wet flushes in the Wyre Forest. Parking will be on private land and it is essential to contact the organiser(s) if attending. Further details will be posted here as soon as they are available.
Further field meetings planned opportunistically, often at short notice, may be posted onto the Conchological Society website. Society members are encouraged to check this regularly for notification of such meetings as well for updates on the other fixed dates.
OTHER
Meeting Programme compiled by Martin Willing. For meetings related matters please contact either Martin Willing (martinjwilling@gmail.com) OR Rosemary Hill, General Secretary (secretary@conchsoc.org).
The Programme Secretary will be very happy to receive any offers to lead field meetings.