Meetings are from 11.00 a.m. to approximately 4.00 p.m., unless otherwise stated. NON MEMBERS WELCOME. Bring packed lunch and appropriate footwear. Please contact the leader if you wish to attend – meeting details can sometimes change at short notice and if the weather forecast looks poor the meeting may have to be cancelled. You should also check with the leader if you wish to bring your dog.
Saturday 11 April: Dunsdon Devon Wildlife Trust reserve. Joint meeting with the Devon Bryophyte Group. Dunsdon, west of Holsworthy, consists of a mixture of Culm grassland, mature woodland (some of it wet), scrub and improved grassland. Meet in the reserve car park; the entrance is at SS 30221 08023, with the car park itself at SS 30078 08024. The car park should take around fifteen cars if they are carefully parked, but car sharing is recommended if possible as there is little, if any, alternative parking nearby. Leader: Mark Pool (01803 316154, mark.pool@care4free.net).
Saturday 16 May: Plymbridge and Cann Woods. Ancient woodland, old ruins and a fine display of Aquilegia. Meet at Plymbridge SX525586. There is parking on each side of the bridge. Leader: Bob Hodgson (01822 852826, rhodgson@tinyworld.co.uk).
Saturday 6 June: Volehouse Moor. A Devon Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. Species rich Culm grassland, with marsh fritillaries. Rough and wet underfoot. Meet at Volehouse South entrance (SS34491646), parking at the gate for two or three cars and space in the reserve’s access lane for ten or more cars. A joint meeting with Devon Wildlife Trust’s Barnstaple & District Local Group. Leader: John Bradbeer (01237 422358, johnbradbeer@btinternet.com - on the day you may be able to contact John on 07718 376148, reception permitting)
Saturday 20 June: Duckaller Farm. An opportunity to see a wide range of arable weeds on a farm signed up to a Higher Level Stewardship scheme administered by Natural England. Park in farmyard at SX955799. Leader: Roger Smith (01626 368577, r.smith192@btinternet.com).
Wednesday 24th June at 2:00 pm: Mountbatten. A joint meeting with the Devonshire Association Plymouth Branch. Meet on Shaw Way at SX489530. On road parking, or use car parks further along Lawrence Road. Note later starting time. Leader: Bob Hodgson (01822 852826, rhodgson@tinyworld.co.uk)
Saturday 27 June, 2:00pm: Braunton Burrows. An internationally important botanical site. Meet at 2pm at Sandy Lane Car Park (SS463350) for an afternoon & early evening field meeting in midsummer, exploring the dune flora. Bring a picnic tea. Note later starting time. Meet Leader: Mary Breeds (01271 817349, mary_breeds@hotmail.com).
Sunday 28 June: Widecombe. The Dartmoor Preservation Association are visiting organically managed meadows on a farm outside Widecombe and have extended an invitation to Botany Section members. Space is limited – please contact Tim Purches (01752 795256, tim.purches@gmail.com) by the end of March if you would like further details of how to book a place, when they are available.
Saturday 4 July: Bearscombe Farm. Bearscombe is a mixed Devon farm a mile and a half north-east of Kingsbridge, with rough grazing, pasture, woodland, stream and a farmhouse with lichen-rich old barns and walls. After lunch there will be a diversion to Bowcombe saltmarsh. Parking at the farmhouse (SX753447). Leader: Gordon Waterhouse (01548 852570, g.waterhouse41@btinternet.com)
Saturday 18 July: Kerswell Down and Whilborough Common. A
joint visit to these unimproved limestone grassland sites with the Entomology
Section. Meet at the old quarry entrance
to Kerswell Down in Maddacombe Road which is now a public car park (SX 873 677).
Travel to the Community & Leisure Centre, Kingskerswell, then take the
turning for Dobbin Arch and past the Community Centre then the first left at
the junction past the Parish Church. Take the first turning right, right again
then left which brings you onto Maddacombe Road. The quarry entrance car park
is then about 100 metres on the left. There is about a mile walk from one site
to the other through woodland. Leader (for the Botany Section): Bob Hodgson
(01822 852826, rhodgson@tinyworld.co.uk)
Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 August: Bridgerule. Joint meeting with Botanical Cornwall Group to update records in the VC2 part of Devon. Leader: Ian Bennallick (01726 890384 or 07714 738189, ianbennallick@btinternet.com).
Saturday 5 September: Axmouth-Lyme Regis Undercliffs. A fungal foray in this NNR and a joint meeting with the Devon Fungus Group. Meet at Whitlands (SY306912). Leader: David Allen (01404 861394)
Wednesday 9 September: Lydford High Down. An intensive search for Vigurs’ Eyebright, a Devon and Cornwall endemic. In the afternoon there will be a visit to the bog by the R Lyd. Meet at High Down car park behind the Dartmoor Inn (SX525853). Leaders: Bob Hodgson (01822 852826, rhodgson@tinyworld.co.uk) and Norman Baldock (Dartmoor National Park Authority).
Wednesday 16 September: Shipley Bridge. Moorland plants in autumn, with particular emphasis on those that probably shouldn’t be there, including Pennyroyal and Balm-leaved Figwort. Meet at Shipley car park (SX681629). Leader: Peter Reay (01364 73293, peter.p.j.reay@btinternet.com)
Tuesday 10 November, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm: Fungi Foray at Steps Bridge. (Note earlier start time). Meet at Steps Bridge car park (SX802883). Leader: Nigel Pinhorn (01392 211247, devonnaturewalks@btinternet.com) Numbers limited to 20, bookings made in advance only
Saturday 6 February 2016: Botany Section AGM - Fulda Room, St.Boniface Centre, Church Lane, Crediton (SS837001). Ample parking. Hall open from 10.30 a.m. The AGM will be followed by an informal walk to look at lichens and bryophytes in the vicinity, then a short slide-show. (Contact Secretary Tim Purches - 01752 795256, tim.purches@gmail.com - for further information).
