EVENTS

The Society runs different types of events covering many aspects of wildlife and natural history but note that the Covid-19 virus has caused most events to be cancelled.
          Speaker Meetings
         Field Outings
          Medmerry Surveys
          Moth Trapping
          Pub Meetings

Field Outings

Pre booking is essential by emailing Outdoor-events@chichesternaturalhistorysociety.org.uk

Wednesday 20 ^th October 10:00 start. A morning walk at Burton Mill Pond. Leader Diana Zeuner

Meet at Grid Reference SU 979 181, Post Code GU28 0JR

Take A27 east from Chichester and then turn left onto A285 to Petworth. A mile past Duncton, turn right sign posted Burton Mill. Park, as 'tidily' as you can, in the car park nearest the mill.

This area offers a range of different habitats - water bodies, marshy areas, veteran sweet chestnut trees, conifers, farmland and heathland. Members might expect to see - birds on Autumn migration, water birds on the lakes and early autumn colour. If we’ve had rain it could be a bit muddy underfoot. On the other hand, if there’s good weather bring a picnic lunch to enjoy by the lake!

Pre-book by midday Sunday 17 ^th October by emailing Outdoor-events@chichesternaturalhistorysociety.org.uk

Tuesday 23 ^rd November 10:00 – 12:30 A morning walk at Farlington Marshes. Leader Tony Wootton

Meet at Grid Reference SU 679 044

Take the A27 west, from Chichester, for approx. 12 miles, then exit for A2030. At the end of the slip road, at the roundabout, turn very sharp left into the unclassified road, going back alongside the slip road. Park at the far end of lane.

Partly maintained by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight WildlifeTrust, there are a variety of habitats here including marsh, shoreline, ponds and harbour, offering great sightings of a variety of birds and other wildlife.

Pre-book by midday Saturday 20 ^th November by sending email to Outdoor-events@chichesternaturalhistorysociety.org.uk

Current procedure for Field Outings

· Pre-booking is essential, with confirmation of members’ up to date contact details.

· Participants must not have tested positive for Covid 19 in the last 14 days, be exhibiting any symptoms nor awaiting test results.

· Social distancing is recommended.

· Members attend at their own risk

2021 - 8th Year of Surveys at Medmerry

We have arranged the survey dates as below, but any surveys will be subject to the COVID restrictions prevailing at the time. We have added a number of extra dates to cater for poor weather or repeat surveys if only small groups are allowed.

See Field Reports for results of 2021 surveys.
ALL surveys (approx. 2 hours in length) will start at 13:00 PROMPT, meeting at the RSPB Earnley Car Park at Grid Ref SZ 816 968, post code PO20 7JL, and then car sharing to appropriate Survey Site. (Little walking required on any date.) See Main Events List for more information. Sessions are open to all, no matter what your level of expertise, as guidance will be provided. We shall use the Society’s equipment but hand magnifiers, binoculars and reference books will always be useful. Any questions or if help required with transport then please contact Philippa Arnott on philippa.arnott@uwclub.net or phone 01243 575345

Friday July 2 Early dragonflies - COMPLETED

Friday August 6 Grasshoppers and bush crickets BLOWN OFF

Friday August 13 2nd Grasshoppers and bush crickets COMPLETED

Friday September 3 Late dragonflies COMPLETED

New Event(s) - Moth Trapping - all completed for this year (2021). See the report on the Legacy Projects/Moth Trapping
We are delighted to announce that Chi Nats is able to start a new initiative this year, enhancing still further our study of local wildlife.
We have used some of the money, kindly left to us in legacies, to purchase a moth trap. This year we intend to run a series of events through the summer to catch moths, record them and to help members learn how to identify them. These sessions will run alongside our regular field outings, Medmerry surveys and new bat walks
Several of our members have kindly volunteered to host the trap and Tony Burnand will help on the identification.
Each “trapping” will be conducted as follows : -
Tony & Christian Hance will set up the trap in the evening. The following morning, members can attend at 10:00 to see the trap emptied and assist in identification of the moths. As this will be in members' gardens, numbers will be limited, pre-booking is essential and the prevailing Covid restrictions (if any) will be adhered to.

Chichester, West Sussex