Welcome to the WNC Website!

Are you interested in Natural History?
Do you enjoy walks and talks about Natural History subjects?
Do you enjoy the challenge of identifying plants and animals?
Are you keen on Wildlife Photography?
Do you visit or live in or near the Worcestershire area?
 
If you answered YES to any of these questions, then you might like to know more about the Worcestershire Naturalists Club!
  The WNC, which claims to be one of the oldest naturalists' clubs in the country, was founded in 1847 by a group of three Victorian naturalists. It has existed continuously since then, with the following objectives: The Club still attempts to meet these objectives (stuffy it is not!) and provides a lot of fun for its members, through the following types of activities:


What's New for (To Be Advised)


WNC Activities

The WNC organises continuous year-round activities, all of which are open to members and non-members alike. Guided walks are arranged throughout the year, usually visiting local sites of interest, but occasionally straying further afield. All walks are very informal and rarely require exertion, and whenever possible local experts are persuaded to share their knowledge with us.

In the winter, the guided walks are supplemented by a series of indoor meetings. These are mainly of the lecture / slide show form, when Club members or visiting speakers share their experiences with us. Evening meetings are held in the Lower Room of the Holy Trinity Church Hall, Link Top, Malvern, and start at 7.30 p.m.

To give you an idea of the range of interests the Club embraces, this page contains the details of forthcoming events and information on the fascinating things you may have missed!


 
Membership
 
Annual Membership currently costs £8 for an individual or £12 for a husband and wife, corporate membership also £12 . Youngsters from 10 - 18 pay only £1, and no charge is made for the under-10s, but they should be accompanied by an adult. Members receive a copy of each annual issue of our magnificent Transactions, full of information about the Club's activities, together with many fascinating articles by members on an enormous range of natural history topics.
 
Non-members are always encouraged to join us at any of our events. Field meetings are usually free of charge , but it is advisable to check with the Field Secretary (see Contacts) that the arrangements have not changed at the last minute. A nominal charge (currently £2) is made to members and non-members for attendance at indoor meetings, which includes light refreshments. Raffle prizes are always welcomed!

Follow this link for a Membership Application & Standing Order Mandate Form, which should be filled in and returned to Michael Jupe (see Contacts) and, for the SO Mandate,your bank.

IMPORTANT. Data and Privacy. In becoming a member of the Worcestershire Naturalists' Club, you accept that we will hold personal data digitally or in our files about you. These data are limited to your name, postal address, email address, telephone number, date of birth, copy correspondence and subscription details including any standing order mandate or other payment format. We may send you information about Club business and events, but we keep your data private and do not use the information for marketing purposes or reveal it to any third party.


Outdoor Meetings, Spring/Summer 2024

If you would like to see what the WNC gets up to, why not join us on one of our excursions? (Non-members are asked to contribute £2 each.) Occasionally excursions are made jointly with other naturalist groups. Please contact the leader or Hon. Secretary for more details or if adverse weather, floods, etc. should make cancellation possible.
 
Date, subject
Time
Place (Topic)
Leader
OS Ref.
Saturday, 23rd March - woodland walk around Droitwich Community Woodland
10.00am
 Ombersley Rd., Droitwich
 Sheila Jones
SO 882626
Thursday, 11th April - Blackfields Farm walk
10.00am
 Nr. Broadwas WR6 5NE
 Michael Pettigrew & Barbara Ganderton
SO 781565
Tuesday, 30th April - Diglis Fish Pass (then Cherry Orchard LNR)
2.15pm
 Worcester, at the fish pass
 Michael Pettigrew
SO 846535
Saturday, 11th May - Eastnor Park
10.00am TBC
 Eastnor, Nr. Ledbury
 Cherry Greenway
SO 732368
Saturday, June 1st - Moth morning at The Woodlands
9.00am
 Monkwood Green
 Chris Betts
 SO 801602
Tuesday, 11th June - Woodford's Meadow
10.00am TBC
 Malvern
 Vanessa Chaplin
SO780462
Wednesday, 12th June - Hallow Fields survey along Severn
10.00am
 Meet at Camp House Inn
 Chris Betts
SO 834591
End June/early July - potential evening glow-worm visit
dusk onwards
 Monkwood Green
 Michael Pettigrew
SO 801602
Thursday, 4th July - Welland Orchard & Castlemorton Common
10.00am TBC
 Malvern
 Vanessa Chaplin
 TBC
Wednesday, 10th July - PROVISIONAL TO BE CONFIRMED Wyre Forest
10.00am TBC
 TBC
 Michael Pettigrew
 SO ??? TBC
Saturday, 26th October - FUNGUS FORAY Grimley Gravel Pits
10.30am
 Grimley (Grass verge parking off Grimley turn)
 Cherry Greenway
 SO 831602
-


Indoor Meetings, 2024

 

All indoor meetings commence at 7.30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Parish Hall (Lower Hall), Link Top, Malvern. Admission 2.00, to include tea/coffee and biscuits. Visitors are most welcome. Please support each meeting s fund-raising raffle, and bring a raffle prize.

 
Date
Time
Title
Speaker/Notes
Meetings will be advised by email or please contact the Hon. Secretary
 
 
 


Top 10 Places

All the venues listed here (in alphabetical order) are frequently visited by the Club and its members, and should cater for a wide range of interests. These favourite places were selected by the late and much missed Dr Tony Hughes, and he asked at the time if you would forgive him if your own favourites have been omitted!

Arley and Highley: A walk along the banks of the Severn in this area north of Bewdley is always rewarding. Flowers such as flowering rush, purple loosestrife, tansy and arrowhead brighten the water's edge, and there is always the chance of seeing kingfishers. This is also a good place to search for the notable club-tailed dragonfly, and you can usually retrace your route on the Steam Railway!

Bittell Reservoirs: While the larger of these reservoirs near Barnt Green is used extensively for water sports, the smaller one is reserved for wildlife. A sunny day in the winter months is ideal for observing the many types of wintering water-fowl, while spring and autumn give the chance of spotting unusual birds on migration. The large alder trees provide winter food for many small birds, including siskins and redpoll.

Bredon Hill: The huge outlier of Cotswold limestone that dominates the Vale of Evesham is readily approached from the south through Kemerton. The estate management there is very sympathetic to wildlife, and a fine range of limestone flowers can be guaranteed throughout the summer. Fallow deer are always around, though rarely seen, and there is never a shortage of birds, (including resident buzzards) and butterflies.

Castlemorton Common: An extensive area of rough-grazed common land on the east side of the Malvern Hills just south of Welland, looked after by the Malvern Hills Conservators. It contains a range of soil types and habitats, and is rewarding at all times of the year. Specialities include the high brown fritillary, good nesting sites for many small birds, ponds with great crested newts, and flowers such as lousewort, spring cinquefoil and autumn lady s-tresses.

Cleeve Common and the Bill Smyllie Reserve: The western scarp of the Cotswolds provides many areas of great interest, but these, just above Cheltenham and Cleeve Prior in Gloucestershire, are among the most rewarding. The limestone flowers are superb and include a wide range of orchids - musk, frog, bee, wasp, common spotted, fragrant, pyramidal (pink and white), common twayblade, etc., are all found. The butterflies, too, are excellent, including chalkhill and small blues, dark green fritillary, and many of the more common species. If you are lucky, you may see a common lizard, but watch out for adders!

Cother Wood: This is a Herefordshire Wildlife Trust reserve, on the slopes of a north-south ridge of ancient limestone, just to the west of the Malvern Hills. Habitats range form mature oak-wood to ungrazed limestone grassland and encroaching scrub. Many orchid species can be found, including fine displays of the greater butterfly-orchid in May and June. Butterflies used to include the wood white and grizzled skipper, but now you are more likely to see the green hairstreak, dingy skipper and marbled white. In the long-abandoned limestone quarries, ancient fossils can be found.

Eades Meadow:  Worcestershire is fortunate to retain several ancient hay meadows that have not been ploughed within living memory. This fine example is looked after by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, which holds special open days in spring (for the green-winged orchids) and in autumn (for the autumn crocuses). At other times access is restricted in order that the traditional hay and grazing can be protected.

Monkwood: A large mixed wood west of Hallow, which used to supply the wooden handles for Harris paint brushes, but is now administered jointly by Butterfly Conservation and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. Special butterflies include wood white, white admiral and purple hairstreak, and the woodland management is aimed to encourage fritillaries. Some small artificial ponds are havens for several dragonfly and damselfly species, including the magnificent emperor dragonfly. From the bluebells, lilies-of-the-valley and early-purple orchids of the spring, through to the colchicums and violet helleborines of the autumn, there is plenty to satisfy the botanists, and there is always a good range of fungi as winter approaches. Alongside is Monkwood Green, an ancient common and Site of Special Scientific Interest, with an exceptional selection of animals and plants, including the last remaining population of petty whin in the county, yellow-necked mice and barn owls.

Upton Warren: A series of small lakes south of Droitwich, partly owned by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. This is one of the foremost bird-watching sites in the county, providing year-round possibilities - you never know what strange birds might appear! As well as birds, it is good for dragonflies, and there are areas where halophytes (salt-loving plants) thrive on the brackish oozings from underlying salt deposits.

Wyre Forest: This area of ancient woodland, to the north of Bewdley, has an excellent visitor centre and many other points of access. Apart from the whitty pear or sorb tree, which has featured many times in the WNC Transactions, the wood shelters much fascinating plant and animal life. One local resident has made a special study here of adders, and a flock of crossbills regularly visits an area of conifers. In summer, the silver-washed fritillary is frequently seen.


Picture Gallery

Follow the links to view a few of the fascinating things that may be seen on WNC outings. To return to this list, either click on 'Gallery' in the menu on the left, or select the 'BACK' button on the menu bar of your internet browser.
 
All pictures have been supplied by WNC members, who retain their copyright. No picture may be reproduced without the owner's permission.
 
FLOWERS
Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Near British Camp, with view to Worcestershire Beacon, Malvern Hills.Many Worcestershire woods and open areas are transformed into carpets of blue at the end of April.
Early-purple orchid (Orchis mascula). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Cother Wood, Herefordshire Trust Reserve. This species occurs commonly in woods, hedgerows and open areas in and around Worcestershire.
Giant bellflower (Campanula latifolia). Photographed by Jacquie Hartwright. This genus includes many spectacular flowers. The giant bellflower elegantly lives up to its name, being the tallest British species. The spreading bellflower (C. patula) is quite a rarity, with only one or two remaining sites locally.
The yellow star-of-Bethlehem (Gagea lutea). Photographed by Jacquie Hartwright. Leigh Sinton. This is an uncommon spring-flowering bulb found in a few Worcestershire woods. Not every golden spring flower is a celandine!
Green-winged orchid (Anacamptis morio). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Brotheridge Green. There are several ancient meadows in Worcestershire where the green=winged orchid creates magnificent displays in May. Although it has many colour forms, all have the characteristic green lines on the "hood".
Elecampane (Inula helenium). Photographed by Jacquie Hartwright. An introduced roadside plant, this is a real aristocrat of the daisy family, growing up to a metre tall with huge leaves and 7cm golden flowers.
Dark (or black) mullein (Verbascum nigrum). Photographed by Jacquie Hartwright. In olden days, mullein was dipped in fat and used as candles at funerals. The stamens of V. nigrumwere used by the Romans to lighten their hair.
Autumn lady's-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis).Photographed by Tony Hughes. Brotheridge Green. Although normally a plant of chalk downs and coastal areas, there is a strong colony near Malvern, flowering in August and September.
 
BUTTERFLIES, MOTHS and other INVERTEBRATES
The red admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Malvern. This lovely insect is commonly seen in gardens in late summer, when thousands of migrants may appear. Some then hibernate to re-appear in the spring.
The wood white butterfly (Leptidea sinapis). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Monkwood. near Hallow. This is the least common of the "whites", but may be seen fluttering about in several Worcestershire woods in late spring.
The comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album). Photographed by Tony Hughes on Sedum spectabile in Malvern. With its characteristic "comma" on the underside of its wings, this species has long been associated with the hop-yards of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, and is most frequently seen in late summer.
The green-veined white (Pieris napi). Photographed by Tony Hughes on Sedum spectabile in Malvern. It is commonly seen from May onwards.
The emperor moth (Saturnia pavonia). Photographed by Jacquie Hartwright. In spite of its large size, this moth is usually well camouflaged and difficult to spot.
The club-tailed dragonfly (Gomphus vulgatissimus). Photographed by Jacquie Hartwright. Worcestershire's large, slow-flowing rivers are well-known for this species, seen at its best from late spring to early summer.
The broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Monkwood, near Hallow. This is one of the easiest dragonflies to photograph because it frequently returns to the same perch to rest.
The ruddy darter (Sympetrum sanguineum). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Monkwood, near Hallow. The male has a distinctly waisted abdomen and, when mature, is a most spectacular colour. In recent years it has become much more common in Worcestershire.
The blue-tailed damselfly (Ischnura elegans). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Ripple Pool. This is the most common of all British damselflies and may be found in almost all watery situations.
Shield bug on abutilon leaf. Many species if shield bug may be encoutered, often well camouflaged against green leaves and buds.
Crab spider (Misumena sp.). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Malvern. Crab spiders do not make webs but ambush their prey. They are able to match their body colours to the plants on which they live. The tiny male, seen here hitching a ride on the female, was once thought to be a separate species.
 
FUNGI
Giant polypore (Meripilus giganteus). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Priory Park, Great Malvern. This is a large bracket fungus, each cap up to 30cm across with clusters up to a metre in diameter. It lives on dead tree stumps or roots.
White or crested coral fungus (Clavulina cristata). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Knapp and Papermill, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Reserve. This is one of several similar species to be found on the ground in woods in autumn.
Earth star may be encountered in the autumn. Geastrum coronatum  has a noticeable stalk beneath its puff-ball. Earth Stars rely on the impact of rain drops to help them puff out their spores. Photographed by Tony Hughes. With thanks to Jeremy and Graham Constant, Bowling Green, Worcester.
Green wood-cup (Chlorosplenium aeruginascens). Photographed by Jacquie Hartwright. Not only are the external parts of this fungus a truly amazing colour, but its mycelium stains the underlying wood blue-green - much valued by wood carvers. Cup diameter is less than 5mm
Shaggy ink-cap or lawyer's wig (Coprinus comatus). Photographed by Jacquie Hartwright. These get their name from the way their caps rapidly dissolves into a black, inky fluid, laden with spores.
 
OTHER ANIMALS
The Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis). Photographed by Tony Hughes. Westwood Park. This stunning bird is often seen on Worcestershire rivers but suffers in harsh wintwers. This specimen, caught for ringing, seemed quite unconcerned at being handled and photographed.
The Common or viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara) Photographed by Tony Hughes. This little native lizard prefers dry, sunny places and is well-camouflaged; it is not often seen, except when basking.


Contacts: Officers of the WNC

To contact the Club, please email or call Sheila Jones (below) or write to us, giving your address and email if possible, at: Worcestershire Naturalists' Club, c/o Bank House, Martley, Worcestershire WR6 6PB
Chairman  Garth Lowe 
Hon. Secretary  Sheila Jones 
email: sheilaj5656@gmail.com; telephone: 01905 619654
Hon. Transactions Editor  Dr. Christopher Betts 
Hon. Treasurer   Michael Jupe 
Indoor Meetings Secretary   Vanessa Chaplin 


History of the WNC

Through the life of Edwin Lees, born in 1800, the study of natural history in and around Worcestershire has been enormously enhanced. Although a printer by trade, one of his life-long passions was to study and promote the glories of the countryside in which he lived. We are greatly indebted to him and to two of his close friends, Prof. James Buckman and William Matthews, for the foundation of this Club in 1847, and for developing it through much of the Victorian era.

We are also greatly indebted to Mary Munslow Jones who, in 1980, published The Lookers-out of Worcestershire. This fascinating book tells many stories of the first 100 years of the Club s existence, setting out the events against the context of the social scene of those times, and providing entertaining insights into many of the personalities involved.

Another valuable record of the Club s Victorian period is found in the first volume of the WNC Transactions, printed in 1897, which meticulously records a great deal of the Club s activities throughout its first 50 years. Succeeding volumes of Transactions have provided faithful records of all in which the Club has been involved, right up to the present day.

The Centenary of the Club was celebrated in 1947 by a special issue of Transactions entitled simply The Worcestershire Naturalists Club, 1847 - 1947. This issue was dedicated to the memory of Carleton Rea, a very eminent amateur botanist and mycologist who, besides contributing in many ways to the WNC, was instrumental in founding the British Mycological Society. This special issue not only summarises the founding of the Club and many aspects of its activities, but also provides a sort of "Who s Who" record of over 20 of its more notable members.

To celebrate the Club s 150th Anniversary in 1997, a small exhibition was mounted in prominent public places around the County, ranging from several Public Libraries to the Countryside Centre in Worcester and a couple of shows at the Three Counties Showground near Malvern. The exhibition was mainly photographic, illustrating the wealth of natural history around us as seen through the cameras of Club members.

Finally, in 1997 a marvellous discovery was made by Jacquie Hartwright in the depths of the Worcester Library archives - one of Edwin Lees original note books! This was entitled The Journal of Natural History and covers his excursions and observations during the year from July 1825 to August 1826. Besides giving an informative view of the Worcestershire countryside of over 170 years ago, this record provides a fascinating insight into the energy and enthusiasm of our founder, and of his great knowledge and love for all things natural.

The following section provides a time-line record of a selection of the more important happenings relating to the Club s long history.


Events Relating to the History of the WNC

1800 Birth of Edwin Lees on 12th May
1833 Foundation of Worcestershire Natural History Society 
1834 Charles Hastings publishes Illustrations of the Natural History of Worcestershire 
1841 Edwin Lees publishes The Botanical Looker-Out..... 
1843 Edwin Lees publishes his Botany of the Malvern Hills 
1847 Worcestershire Naturalists Club founded by Edwin Lees (President), William Mathews (Secretary and Treasurer) and James Buckman 
1856 Edwin Lees publishes his Pictures of Nature Around the Malvern Hills 
1862 The original whitty pear or sorb tree in Wyre Forest is burnt down
1867 Edwin Lees publishes his Botany of Worcestershire 
1869 A portrait is presented to Edwin Lees to commemorate his work for the Worcestershire Naturalists Club and the Malvern Naturalists Club
1876 John Amphlett elected President; Carleton Rea (age 16) admitted as member 
1880 Demise of the Worcestershire Natural History Society; its museum passes to Worcester Corporation
1884 
Death of founder member, Professor James Buckman
1886 G E Mackie publishes The Malvern Field Handbook and Naturalists Calendar
1887 Death of founder member Edwin Lees on 21st October, aged 87; buried at Pendock
1892 First Fungus Foray on 28th October; now an annual event 
1895 Ladies admitted as Ordinary Members for the first time 
1896 First issue of the Club s Transactions, covering 1847 - 1896
1896  Carleton Rea founds the British Mycological Society
1897 50th Anniversary of the Club, celebrated by a two-day trip to the Elan Valley
1901 Death of founder member William Mathews 
1909 First lectures to the Club by lady members 
1909   John Amphlett and Carleton Rea publish their Botany of Worcestershire
1918  Death of John Amphlett on 23rd June, aged 73
1920 Annual subscriptions doubled to 10/- due to post-war inflation
1931 Election of Mrs C Urquhart Stuart as the Club s first lady President 
1934 An outbreak of Dutch elm disease is recorded - not too severe this time
1938 Ginkgo biloba tree planted by Malvern Library in memory of R F Towndrow, a well-loved local naturalist (and grocer)
1939 Club membership drops to 79, its lowest level for over 50 years
1945 Fred Fincher joins the Naturalists' Club 
1946 Death of Carleton Rea, internationally renowned botanist and mycologist, aged 85 
1946 Publication of Birds of Worcestershire by Anthony Harthan, sometime Club Secretary
1947  Centenary Booklet published, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Club 
1948  Last recorded nesting of corncrakes in Worcestershire 
1954 The first wintering black-caps recorded locally 
1960  John Bishop joins the Club as Chairman, 
1961 Mrs M Palmer-Smith elected President, a post she held until her death in 1997 
1961 Collared doves, immigrants from Asia, breed for the first time in Spetchley 
1962 Michael Pettigrew, a relative of John Amphlett, joins the Club; he is now President and Hon. Field Secretary 
1968 Last recorded nesting of red-backed shrikes on the Malverns
1980 The Lookers-Out of Worcestershire published by Mary Munslow Jones, recording the first 100 years of the Club s activities and personalities 
1990  Discovery of a copy of the lost 1869 portrait of Edwin Lees 
1997 150th Anniversary Exhibition travels the County 
1997 Re-discovery of Edwin Lees 1825 notebook
1999 WNC internet website launched
1999 150th Anniversary walk and dinner held on 18th September (only 2 years late!) at Pewcroft Farm, Suckley
2000 Death of Bob Bishop, a fine naturalist who was WNC Secretary for many years and a regular contributor to Transactions
2014 Death of Justin Smith, distinguished and renowned mycologist who led many Fungus Forays for the Club Death of Dr Tony Hughes, Honorary Secretary and Press Secretary of the Club from 1994, an outstanding naturalist and scientist who contributed to knowledge in several fields, notably on wild orchids
2016 Death of Mary Munslow Jones, doyenne of the Club, at the age of 100, author, former Transactions editor and exceptionally knowledgeable self-taught naturalist


Transactions of the WNC

Most of the activities of the Club are recorded in its annual Transactions distributed during the spring. More-or-less complete sets of Transactions can be consulted in the Public Libraries in Birmingham (Local Studies Dept.), Worcester (The Hive), Malvern and Stourbridge, and at the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust headquarters at Smite Farm. Since 2016, when the present Editor re-catalogued all the Club's books and journals, the Club's own library has been available for members to consult as well as all Bob Bishop's slides which have been scanned and indexed. Please contact the Editor for details - there is some fascinating reading!

The first volume of the Transactions was edited by Carleton Rea and issued in 1897, a large volume, covering Club activities over the 50 years since its foundation in 1847. Rea continued to produce issues sporadically for the next 50 years, each one covering several years events. Subsequently, several editors have continued to maintain the high standards he set. From 1967 a new  format, the 6-monthly Newsletter of the Worcestershire Naturalists Club, was introduced. This ran until 1979 when annual issues of the Transactions were resumed, and in 1990 the current style was adopted, which has been under the editorship of Dr Chris Betts since 1997.

All recent issues of Transactions contain the usual information such as the Club s Officers and Council Members, a report on the latest AGM and the accounts for the previous year. The remainder is much more interesting, comprising an editorial section, reports on Field and Indoor Meetings, a section of brief articles in News and Notes, longer Articles by members, and the occasional Book Review and Obituary.

The Club holds a small stock of copies of recent issues of Transactions which are available for sale at modest prices. Please address requests to The Secretary (see Contacts section).

The Editor (see Contacts section) is always pleased to receive items for forthcoming issues of Transactions, not later than 31st October each year. Contributions should be e-mailed to editor@wnc.org.uk


Downloads

Our much loved erstwhile Editor, Mary Munslow Jones who passed away at the grand old age of 100 in 2016, wrote a charminmg little novel The Perry Forest Line loosely based on our current Editor's Wyre Forest family before she died. Mary gave the script to Dr Betts and we have pleasure in making it available as a free download.

You can get it by following this link THE PERRY FOREST LINE

Another free download we are pleased to host for Grimley Parish Council and local residents and friends is the survey of the trees on Monkwood Green. Just click or tap this link to download it: MONKWOOD GREEN TREE SURVEY