Events
All are welcome to our field meetings and lectures, which are free to members, and are open to visitors on payment of a fee of £3 per person.
Lectures take place at fortnightly meetings held between October and March (inclusive) on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm in the Friends Meeting House, 12A Queen Parade, Harrogate HG1 5PP.
Field meetings are held throughout the year and give opportunities to pursue specific interests and learn about biodiversity in different habitats.
Reports of past excursions can be found on this website (under Trip Reports).
Please note the following precautions for field meetings: stout footwear and suitable outdoor clothing should always be worn. Bring plenty of food and drink, with sun blocker and insect repellent when relevant. Participants take part entirely at their own risk and are responsible for their personal safety and the security of their personal belongings.
Of course the weather can never be guaranteed, so some events may have to be altered slightly to work around any inclement precipitations! Also note that return times are approximate only.
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Notes for botanical field trips
Please email or ‘phone the organiser to say you are coming, this will make it possible to car share – many of the venues have little parking; also changes to the printed programme may have occurred. Please bring next-of-kin name and phone number.
Contact Details:
Contact: Kerry Morrison or Muff Upsall (see membership card or Members' Area for contact details)
Notes for ornithological meetings led by Mike Smithson
All meetings are self drive / car share but the resumption of the coach trips is being kept under review. Please contact Mike Smithson beforehand if you intend to come (contact details in the Members' Area).
Please also supply Mike with an emergency name and phone number either prior to coming or when you arrive. As with most field meetings a packed lunch and suitable clothing is recommended.
Annual General Meeting
April 15, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Location: Friends Meeting House, Harrogate
Price - £3, free to members
AGM business to be followed by a talk (to be arranged).
Ilkley Tree Trail
April 17, 2026
Price - £3, free to members
For trees. Details to follow.
Event Organiser: Kerry Morrison
Gouthwaite and Scar House reservoirs
April 21, 2026 at 10:00 am
Location: Meet at Gouthwaite viewing area car park
Price - £3, free to members
Looking for wildfowl and waders at Gouthwaite reservoir. Then on the drive up to Scar House stopping to look for Pied Flycatchers.
Lunch will be at Scar House car park while checking the hillside for Ring Ousels and Wheatears followed by a walk across the dam.
Finishing at 4.00.
Event Organiser: Mike Smithson
Event Leader: Mike Smithson
Fairburn Ings and Lin Dyke
May 12, 2026 at 10:00 am
Location: RSPB Fairburn Ings car park. Car parking fee payable by non-members.
Price - £3, free to members
Looking for Spring migrants, wildfowl, Spoonbills and egrets. Finishing at 4.00.
Event Organiser: Mike Smithson
Event Leader: Mike Smithson
Flora around Linton Falls
May 27, 2026 at 10:30 am
Location: Meet at 10.30 at the car park by the Falls on the road to Linton Church SE001632.
Price - ££3, free to members
Bruce Brown will introduce us to the fascinating limestone flora surrounding Linton Falls.
Please book with the organiser.
Event Organiser: Kerry Morrison
Event Leader: Bruce Brown
Linton Falls
May 27, 2026 at 10:30 am
Price - £3, free to members
Limestone flora around the falls. Details to follow.
Event Organiser: Kerry Morrison
Event Leader: Bruce Brown
Thornborough Henge and LUCT
June 13, 2026
Location: tba
Price - £3, free to members
Botany of the area. Details to follow.
Event Organiser: Muff Upsall
Event Leader: Kevin Walker
Ripon Canal
July 17, 2026 at 10:00 am
Location: tba
Price - ££3, free to members
Botany of the area. Details to follow.
Event Organiser: Kerry Morrison
Event Leader: Robin Blades
Great Ouseburn LNR
August 3, 2026
Price - £3, free to members
Tour of the tree plantation and the reserve. Details to follow.
Event Organiser: Muff Upsall
Event Leader: Graeme Jackson
Fungus foray
October 8, 2026
Location: tba
Price - £3, free to members
Hold the date for our annual fungus foray to be led by Andy Woodall. Details to follow.
Event Organiser: Muff Upsall
Event Leader: Andy Woodall
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