Our indoor programme of lectures starts in the Autumn. The venue for these is the Evergreen Hall, Cornhill, Allestree, Derby. For details on how to find this -
During the spring and summer we have a varied programme of outdoor meetings, taking place in Derbyshire and neighbouring counties, to explore a wide range of wildlife. All non-
Our Programme 2025
Remaining Talks for Spring 2025
Friday 14th March 2025 at 7.15 p.m.
'My Garden in Close-
by Bill Grange
An illustrated talk, focussing on the plants and often overlooked small creatures inhabiting an Allestree, Derby, garden, revealing some intricate details which may be surprising to many people.
Follows a brief Annual General Meeting
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Friday 11th April 2025 at 7.15 p.m.
Bees as Pollinators by Karen Burrows
Considered by many to be the star pollinators, this talk will discuss what makes the honeybee a good pollinator, how the honeybee achieves large scale pollination, their limitations and the threats of the modern environment. We will conclude with a look at some of the other pollinators who lack the PR of the honey bee and how the average person can help this diverse group.
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For both talks, entry fee for nen members is £2 (cash only)
0ur programme of outings in Spring and Summer
All are welcome on our walks
(E) easy walk less than 2 miles
(M) moderate walk maybe with stiles and inclines but less than 3 miles
(D) difficult terrain some rough ground more than 3 miles
(W3W) What3words location
Thursday 27th March (M) 10:30am
Day walk with Brian Hobby to see Florence Nightingale’s daffodils at Lea Wood NR meet at the High Peak Carpark DE7 8BJ (SK314561) Lunch at the reserve bring your own. (W3W)///necklaces.printout.invest
DCC car park £3.50 for 3 hours, £7 for all day.
Wednesday 23rd April (outdoor meeting) (E) 10:30am
David Gibbons Memorial Pond Dip with John Bland at Sinfin Moor Park starting at Big Pond and moving on to some of thirteen other ponds in the park. It's St George's Day so come and look for dragons or at least dragon fly larvae. Meet at the car park on Sinfin Lane (SK347314). (W3W) ///space.thick.looks
Wednesday 7th May (E) 8:00pm
Bev Rhodes will lead us on a bat walk at Mapperley Reservoir, Shipley Park, this is a late evening walk so please bring a torch. There will be a short walk, then we will look for bats flying over the dam wall. A bat detector would be helpful if you have one, but Bev does have some spares. Meet at the Mapperley Reservoir car park, it is free after 8:00pm (SK434436) (W3W)///kilt.target.dusters
Wednesday 14th May (M) 10:30am
Brian Hobby will be searching for butterflies and Dragonflies at Pleasley Pits Country Park and LNR this is a good site for Dingy Skippers and the Small Blue. Meet at the carpark (SK499643) bring lunch or purchase from the onsite café. (W3W)///fund.evolves.stability
Thursday 22nd May (E) 8:30pm
A late evening walk with Brian Hobby to look for Nightjars at Flash Lane (SK292654). Please note this visit is subject to weather conditions please check your emails/Whatsapp for updates. If it is wet, we will try to arrange for an alternative evening. The midges at this site can be very annoying please bring insect repellents etc. and a torch (W3W)///dame.power.extensive
Thursday 29th May (outdoor meeting) (M) 7:00pm
DWT Hilton Gravel Pits NR evening walk with Alan Willmot meet at the Willowpit Lane entrance DE65 5FN (SK253313). (W3W)///mooring.same.suave
Wednesday 11th June (outdoor meeting) (M) 10:30am
A walk over the fields with Bill Grange between Allestree and Quarndon and then to the wildest part of Allestree Park, where there should be plenty of butterflies and other insects. There will certainly be impressive views, weather permitting. Meet at the car park at Woodlands Road, (SK340403). Bring Lunch. (W3W)///voting.quiet.powder
Wednesday 25th June (outdoor meeting) (E) 7:00pm
Explore the waterways of Swarkestone with John Bland. Meet in the car park of the Crewe and Harpur, Swarkestone (SK368287). (W3W) ///shelf.invisible.upset
Wednesday July 9th (outdoor meeting) (E) 7:00pm
Join Alan Willmot at for an evening walk at the Millenium Meadows, Duffield meet in the car park by Duffield Church at (SK348428) (W3W)///speech.pilots.scope
Saturday 19th July (outdoor meeting) (M) 10:30am
Join Alison Thornhill for a morning walk at Foremark Reservoir for a walk through to Carvers Rocks NR. (SK335241) W3W///humid.froth.dares National Trust car park charges apply if not a member.
Saturday 26th July (outdoor meeting) (E) 10:30am
Meet Brian Gough at the ‘Catch a Bite Café’ DE5 3QZ (SK402519), park next to the Midland Railway car park (free). For a walk around Butterley Reservoir and surrounds. (WWW)///argued.severe.turns
Saturday 2nd August (outdoor meeting) (M) 10:30am
A day walk with Alan Willmot meet at Hartington Station Car Park SK17 0AZ (SK149610) for DWT Hartington Meadows NR (Pay and Display £4.00 for 4 hours). Bring lunch. (W3W)///rephrase.turned.dunes
Wednesday 13 August (outdoor meeting) (E) 10.30am
A morning meander around Melbourne, including woodland and copious waterfowl on the Pool.
Meet Sue and Steve Ford in the High Street / Derby Road car park -
(W3W) ///solder.flop.push
Wednesday 3rd September (outdoor meeting) (E) 7:00pm
An evening moth trapping with Steve Plant and Bill Grange at Allestree Park
Meet at the main car park, off A6, Allestree Park at 7pm. Bring a torch.
(SK348407) W3W///gone.debate.bank
Saturday 13th September (outdoor meeting) (E) 10:30am
Brian Gough will lead a half-