Events - Wessex Bryology Group

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Wessex Bryology Group information

Contact details

We cover Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset and Hampshire and always try to arrange our program to to include a good range of habitats and sites.

A key aim of the group is to encourage those who are new to the subject to become more experienced and confident at identifying bryophytes. Beginners are most welcome at all our meetings. There is no formal membership or constitution and each person goes out at his/her own risk.

The only equipment needed is a hand lens (x10 or x20) and some paper packets for collecting specimens. Many of the sites we visit include wet and muddy areas so boots are advisable. We will usually eat a packed lunch on site.

All meetings start at 10.30am and finish between 3pm and 4pm.

Since 2020 we have asked all participants in our field meetings to book a place. This allows us to let everyone know if a meeting has to be postponed, cancelled or changed at short notice and also enables us to implement any restrictions and guidance to safeguard the health of leaders and attendees.

If you would like to come to one of our field meetings you must book a place in advance with the respective group leader. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis and can only be booked one meeting ahead at a time.

Download a Wessex-specific recording card v3.1.

24 March 2024 (10:30 - 16:30)

Wessex Group: Beacon Hill and Bulford

An interesting corner of Salisbury Plain military training area with some strong populations of chalk downland bryophytes.

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25 February 2024 (10:30 - 16:00)

Wessex Group: Lydeard Hill and Aisholt Common, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Our February meeting is in the lovely and bryologically interesting Quantock Hills, not far from Taunton.

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14 January 2024

Wessex Group: Piggledene, Marlborough

Piggledene is one of a cluster of sarsen stone sites near Marlborough and Swindon that are in the careful custodianship of the National Trust. The Wessex group has previously visited the largest of these, Fyfield Down, where we found many interesting bryophytes.

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10 December 2023 (10:30 - 16:00)

Wessex Bryology Group: Oakers Bog, Briantspuddle, Dorset

If you like Sphagnum, this meeting at Oakers Bog won’t fail to impress. This SSSI is a magnificent and relatively intact L-shaped valley mire on deep wet peat in an extensive complex of heathland, valley mire and woodland in the Poole Basin.

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19 November 2023

Wessex Bryology Group: Chancellor’s Farm, North Somerset

Chancellor’s Farm is a Somerset Wildlife Trust reserve held on a lease from the Ministry of Defence. Access is by permit only, but the Trust has kindly allowed us to visit and record the bryophytes of this unspoilt, historic landscape in the Mendip Hills.

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21 October 2023

Wessex Group/Southern Group: Janesmoor Plain, New Forest, South Hampshire

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12 March 2023

Wessex Group: Pamphill Green and Badbury Rings

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19 February 2023

Wessex Group: Walker’s Hill, Alton Barnes, Wiltshire

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15 January 2023

Wessex Group: Black Down, Mendip Hills

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11 December 2022 (10:30 - 15:30)

Wessex Group: Turnworth Common and Ringmoor, Dorset

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