Full Programme 2012

Date	Indoor or Outdoor	Event
JANUARY 11th 2012	Indoor	Green Roofs - The Technology and the Wildlife Dusty Gedge is a national and international expert on this innovative way of saving energy and resources, while at the same time helping to provide much needed habitats for threatened urban wildlife.
FEBRUARY 8th 2012	Indoor	Members Evening While it is still very much winter, we can start to thing of spring and remind ourselves of the brighter times of last year and perhaps even years past. Bring along your pictures and stories you would like to share - your garden in bloom, a special walk in the countryside (UK or Overseas) or some interesting images of wildlife. We will have a laptop and projector so bring a disc of your favourite photos and share them with us - all images are welcome - slides, digital or traditional photographs.
FEBRUARY 19th 2012	Outdoor	Winter Birdwatch - Blue House Farm It might be cold on the day but the farmland and coastal birds at this Essex Wildlife Trust reserve are spectacular. In recent weeks our members have seen Spoonbills and Great White Egret (see photos link above) here plus Harriers, Buzzard, and Avocets! Meet at 9.30am - returning at 1.00pm.
MARCH 7th 2012	Indoor	Inter-Society Quiz South East Essex Wildlife Society are the hosts this year in this exciting test of natural history brain-power! Please keep up the tradition of support for the Wickford Wildlife team by joining them on the night. Full details of venue and times TBA.
MARCH 14th 2012	Indoor	Wallasea Island RSPB Reserve Chris Tyas, the RSPB's Project Manager, will be telling us the exciting story of this landscape-scale habitat creation project on the River Crouch.
APRIL 11th 2012	Indoor	The Thames Estuary Shoreline Roger Paine from Southend Museum, will be revealing the diverse and often obscure wildlife to be found in this muddy habitat.
MAY 13th 2012	Outdoor	Bluebells and Birds at Hanningfield Reservoir With its mixture of fresh water habitats, ancient woodland and grazing meadows Hanningfield will be spectacular at this time of year. Meet at 9.00am - returning at 1.00pm.
JUNE 21st 2012	Outdoor	Longest Day Midsummer Evening Walk - Canvey Island We are joining Basildon Natural History Society to celebrate the summer solstice with a walk along the sea wall from the Lobster Smack pub to Canvey Wick Reserve and back - and we can then and enjoy a pint in the pub afterwards. Meet at 7.00 pm in Wickford - returning at pub closing time!
JULY 8th 2012	Outdoor	Wallasea Island RSPB Reserve Chris Tyas follows up his earlier indoor talk with a guided tour of this spectacular RSPB project. Meet at 9.30am - returning at 1.00pm
AUGUST 12th 2012	Outdoor	St Peter on the wall - Bradwell This lovely Saxon church on the Dengie Peninsula was also the location of a Roman Fort. History, marine wildlife and nearby bird observatory will provide plenty of interest. Meet at 9.00am - returning at 1.00pm.
SEPTEMBER 23rd 2012	Outdoor	Fungal Foray - Mill Meadows, Billericay This ancient meadow system is renowned for its regionally important assemblage of wax cap fungi. Joint meeting with the Basildon Natural History Society and Essex Field Club. Parking is extremely limited in the Scout Hut car parkoff Greens Farm Lane, so car sharing is a must. Meet at 10.00am - returning at 1.00pm
OCTOBER 10th 2012	Indoor	The Wildlife of Landfill Dr Phil Shaw has been studying the diverse wildlife of Pitsea Landfill site for decades and has seen it in all stages of its tipping and restoration. His work has been featured on TV programs and his photography is stunning.
OCTOBER 20th 2012 (Saturday)	Outdoor	Fungal Foray - Marks Hill Wood This reserve is part of the Langdon Hills complex of sites, so expect an impressive range of fungi species. A joint meeting with the Basildon Natural History Society. Meet at 09.30am - returning at 1.00pm
NOVEMBER 14th 2012	Indoor	The Ethiopian Rift Valley Dougal Urquhart will share his experiences and images of this inspiring region of a spectacular country
DECEMBER 12th 2012	Indoor	AGM and Christmas Social Evening Bring your own bottle! Society business first, then buffet and time to socialise, remember the events of this year and look forward to 2013. Tea and coffee served as usual.

All indoor meetings will be held in the Wickford Roman Catholic Church Hall, 61 London Road, Wickford. There is adequate parking.

Occasionally, some Indoor meetings have been held at the Wickford Community Centre, Market Road, Wickford, and this website will be amended if this is the case during 2012.

Unless otherwise specified, outings will depart from the Wickford Central Council Car Park (next to Somerfields) at the times shown above. Please note that times may vary according to the location of the meeting. There are always spare places in cars travelling to the different locations, so anyone needing transport is normally guaranteed a lift.

In case of a change of venue or timings, it is advisable to contact us by email for confirmation of all outdoor meetings.

The return times indicated are the times when arriving back in Wickford, they are of course, approximate and very much dependant on the wildlife we are seeing on the day.

If you wish to travel direct to any location, map references and directions can be provided.