Doncaster Naturalists' Society

Next Meeting – Sunday May 10th 2026 at Thorpe Marsh NNR for Spring Walk

Les Coe — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:43:43 +0000

This meeting is an additional meeting to the published programme.

Mick Townsend (Leader) has invited members to a spring walk at Thorpe Marsh NNR on May 10th.

Meet at 1.30 at the railway crossing through Nicholson’s farm down Applehurst Lane, Thorpe-in-Balne, DN6 0DZ.

Regards

Margaret Prior

Next Meeting – Thursday 7th May 2026 to Kings Wood & Gally Hills

Les Coe — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:32:30 +0000

The next meeting is Thursday 7th May to Kings Wood for the bluebells and Gally Hills grassland for spring flowers.

Meet at 10.30 am in Kingswood car park, Bawtry SK651944

The leader is Jim Burnett.

Regards

Margaret Prior

Next Meeting – Sunday May 3rd 2026 Dawn Chorus 4.30 am

Les Coe — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:57:34 +0000

The next meeting is the dawn chorus meeting which will take place this Sunday May 3rd.
Meet at 4.30am at the end of the Straight Mile at Sandall Beat Wood Car Park entrance.
Leader: Louise Hill who has sent the following details:

We follow the Woodman’s Trail and usually finish at about 6.30am – 7am.
Bring a flask of hot drink and a snack for a refreshments pause by ‘Pooh Sticks Bridge’ at the Woodman’s house.

Highlights of our visits often include the Tawny Owl Overture as we set off on the walk, bats feeding along the Middle Ride, scratchy calls of the Whitethroats in The Fen with Jays squawking from the nearby woodland, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers near the Woodman’s House and ending with the traditional Nuthatch finale as we return to the car park.

Louise

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Trv8XYkRU5AecQbz9

Next Meeting – Sunday 26th April 2026 to Rossington Colliery Tip

Les Coe — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:33:44 +0000

The next meeting is on Sunday 26th April to Rossington Colliery Tip

Leader is Jim Burnett.

Meet at 10.30am by the cemetery at the far end of Grange Lane Rossington.

Jim will be leading a short walk involving a small climb to the top of the tip, involving some rough ground which can be muddy. You will also inspect various ponds (one quite large) at the foot of the tip and a section of Holmes Carr Great Wood.

Regards

Margaret Prior

Next Meeting – Monday 20th April 2026 to Broomhill Flash 10:30am

Les Coe — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:12:52 +0000

The next meeting is Monday 20th April to Broomhill Flash for a days bird watching.

Broomhill Flash, Wombwell near Barnsley, is in the Dearne Valley, just down the road from RSPB Old Moor.

Meet in the car park (S75 0YJ) at 10.30 am where Jeff Lunn of the Garganey Trust will guide the party around the site.

Send all your records to the leader or Les for the web site.

Regards,

Margaret Prior

Next Meeting – Thursday 8 April 2026 to Owston at 1.30 pm

Les Coe — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:53:15 +0000

The next meeting is this Thursday to Owston to see the fritillaries in Owston Meadows and to take a look at Owston church yard with a view to encouraging the diocese/council to manage it in a more nature friendly way. With this in mind I have attached a species list for the church yard (to members) from 1998 when it was considered the most diverse church yard in the Doncaster area.

However, the fritillaries haven’t had a good year with only a handful in flower. There were more but they have been nibbled already.

Meet in the church car park at the bottom of Stockbridge Lane, DN6 9JF at 1.30pm. We will look at the church yard first then move on to meadows. Please also park in the church car park.

The area around the gate into the meadows is very muddy so please wear suitable footwear, the meadow itself is firm.

Regards

Margaret Prior

Next Meeting – Friday 3rd April 2026 at 6.30pm Thorpe Marsh nature reserve.

Les Coe — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:30:12 +0000

The next meeting is this coming Friday 3rd April, an evening of newt surveying at Thorpe Marsh nature reserve.

Meet at the level crossing at 6.30pm on Applehurst Lane SK539912.

The level crossing is through Nicholson’s Farm just outside the village of Thorpe-in-Balne DN6 0DZ. Go straight through the farm yard and Mick and Louise will be waiting at the level crossing.

Please be on time as we have to go through the crossing together.

Wrap up well and wear suitable footwear like wellies.

Regards

Margaret Prior

Next Meeting – Thursday 26th March at Parklands Club 7-9.30pm.

Les Coe — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:01:24 +0000

The next meeting is Thursday 26th March at Parklands Club 7-9.30pm.
The subject is ‘The White Willow Project’ delivered by Julian Small.

Regards
Margaret Prior

Next Meeting – Tuesday 17th March 2026 – joint meeting with the moviemakers

Les Coe — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:34:45 +0000

A quick reminder about the joint meeting with the moviemakers tomorrow evening.

Set up time is 7-7.30 pm and the introductions and presentations start at 7.30.

Please bring your films/presentations on a memory stick. Come along even if you haven’t got a film or slideshow to share.

Don’t forget to bring something for the refreshments table.

The venue is Flintwood Methodist Church, Lansdowne Rd, Intake, DN2 6QN.

The venue has to be vacated by 10pm.

Regards

Margaret Prior

Forthcoming Event – Woodfield Park Bioblitz 19 & 20 June 2026

Les Coe — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 07:33:49 +0000

Woodfield Wildlife Weekend Bioblitz
Friday 19th & Saturday 20th June 2026, 10am t0 3pm
Flourish, Woodfield Park, Balby, Doncaster, DN4 8QP

“Join us for a really wild weekend and discover the many species of birds,
mammals, insects and plants that call Woodfield Park home.”

Enjoy guided walks, nature themed stalls and family activities.
Our experienced staff will be on hand to help you to record the wildlife you spot on the day.
Café on site serving hot and cold food, drinks and ice cream.
Free event, free parking, no booking needed.

[See image gallery at www.doncasternaturalhistorysociety.org.uk]

https://www.flourishwoodfieldpark.org/event/bioblitz/