Events in
Rockingham Forest
Butterfly Conservation local gtoup on a field trip in Fineshade
Guided walks, training and special events
Here's a list of coming events in the Rockingham Forest Vision area. Some are organised by us, and others by our partners and associated organisations. The red buttons will enable you to see more details or send us an email to book. Some events have a maximum capacity, often 20 people, so please book in good time to avoid disappointment.
Learn about flies that kill snails
Ringhaw, Old Sulehay Nature Reserve. PE8 6PA
Saturday 11 May 10:00 -16:00
Join John Showers, the county recorder, and learn about these fascinating flies
The snail-killing flies (family Sciomyzidae) parasitise snails or slugs. In this workshop you will find that most species are fairly straightforward to identify using a key. No prior knowledge of fly identification will be assumed.
Butterfly Conservation
Field Trip
Fermyn Woods Country Park, NN14 3HS
Sunday 12 May 10:00-14:00
Walk with members of the local Butterfly Conservation group
A morning visit to see how winter conservation work has helped Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, Green Hairstreaks and other spring species in the park. With permission of Fermyn Woods Country Park and part of the Natural England Species Recovery Programme.
Charcoal making with an Exeter Charcoal retort
Rawhaw Wood, Pipewell, NN14 1QZ
Tuesday and Weds,14th and 15th May
Simon James from the Smallwoods Association will be leading a hands-on demonstration burn of the Exeter Charcoal Retort. Places limited.
Tues am: Loading the retort and lighting the heat up wood. pm. Retort getting up to temperature and likely to be gassing by 2pm.
Weds am: Open retort & remove charcoal.
There will be time for a guided walk through the wood to look at Hazel coppice in rotation. For more information or to book a free place contact Hugh or Carolyn of Hazel Woodland Products, 07785 536613.
Woodland walk with the warden
Collyweston Great Wood,
National Nature Reserve
Wednesday 22nd May 10:00 -12:00
Normally you need a permit to enter this NNR so this guided walk when it will be looking at its best is an opportunity not to be missed
No-one knows this Ancient Woodland as well as Tim Starsmore-Sutton and he will be able to point out the trees, flowers and other wildlife that make this a special place. This is part of Natural England's week celebrating NNRs across the country.
Guided walk around a working coppiced woodland
Rawhaw Wood, Pipewell, NN14 1QZ
Saturday 1st June 10:00 -12:00ish
Visit the woodland where Hugh and Carolyn live and make a living by coppicing hazel
An opportunity to be shown around this amazingly different world and learn about the managed hazel coppice, charcoal making and much more. If you wish, bring a picnic and stay on for a chat. Numbers limited and booking by email essential
Workshop: woodland plants and plant communities
Ringhaw, Old Sulehay Nature Reserve. PE8 6PA
Sunday 2 June 10:00 -16:00
Learn how to identify woodland plants with Lewis Saunders
A workshop learning the identification features of a wide range of characteristic woodland plant species, with a focus on those which indicate Ancient Woodland.
Introduction to Forestry
Ring Haw Field Station, near Yarwell, PE8 6PW
Thursday 6 June and Friday 19 July
9:30am - 4:00pm
Two introductory courses for individuals and organisations who own or manage woodlands in the Rockingham Forest area.
Introduction to managing woodland for productivity, for climate change, for biodiversity, and for recreation. Tutor - Jemma Cuthbert, RFS Education Officer. Full details and bookings on the RFS website
Workshops: Grasses I and II - a beginner's introduction
Ringhaw, Old Sulehay Nature Reserve. PE8 6PA
Sunday 9 and 16 June 10:00 -16:00
Learn how to identify grasses with Brian Eversham
Two days explaining the structure of grasses, including their beautiful if subtle flowers, and help you identify common grasses in the field using a hand lens and a short guide to the most distinctive species,
Butterfly Conservation
Field Trip
Fineshade Wood, NN17 3BB
Saturday 6 July 10:30-12:30
Walk with members of the local Butterfly Conservation group
Come along to look for the excellent range of woodland species regularly recorded here: Silver-washed Fritillary, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Emperor, White Admiral, Purple Hairstreak and Dark Green Fritillary. Part of the Natural England Species Recovery Programme.
Introduction to butterflies In Northamptonshire
Old Sulehay Nature Reserve near Yarwell
Learn about the butterfly species in Northamptonshire with the county recorder
Sunday 14 July 10:00 -16:00
Dave James will deal with the identification and life cycles of our butterflies and explain how to help with butterfly surveying. No experience or equipment necessary, though a pair of close-focusing binoculars will help.
Workshop: ecology of climate change with Brian Eversham
Ringhaw, Old Sulehay Nature Reserve. PE8 6PA
Sunday 6 October 10:00 -16:00
The Trust's CEO leads a workshop on climate change and its impacts on habitats and species
This workshop will explore underlying ecological changes. What is happening to the climate? Impacts on habitats; how are plants responding; changes in geographic range and biology of invertebrates and vertebrates; invasive species and diseases.
Discovering fungi in a
National Nature Reserve
Collyweston Great Wood, NNR
Wednesday 16 October 10:00 -12:30
A guided walk of interest to anyone wanting to understand more about fungi in woodland
A rare opportunity to visit this amazing reserve managed by Natural England. Join Alan Robbins of the Huntingdon Fungus Group to see what species can be found at what is often the peak time of year for fungi. Please email to book.
A practical introduction to coppicing
Short Wood and Southwick Wood, Oundle
Learn practical skills in this nature reserve.
Sunday 10 November 10:00am - 4:00pm
This workshop led by Ian Wilson is a practical introduction to coppicing. The day will be spent looking at coppicing, layering and ride-widening and how these activities can benefit the flora and fauna of the wood.
What have you missed?
There is a complete list of all events since March 2023 here.
Our series of guided walks started at the beginning of 2022. Here you can read a report on some of the most memorable ones that took place that year.