New Year Plant Hunt: Group Hunts

Planning a group hunt? Email us with the details and we'll post your event on this page and help spread the word!

Whether you're going out as a group of seasoned botanical recorders, or you're a bunch of friends attempting your first ever New Year Plant Hunt, if you want to make your event bigger and friendlier then we are here to help.

No meetings matched your search.

Glengarriff NYPH

West Cork 31st December 2023 10:00am
led by
Clare Heardman

Meet at the entrance to Glengarriff Nature Reserve by the Gate Lodge on the N71 c1km from Glengarriff village. Everyone welcome but please let Clare know in advance if you intend coming along.

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St Nectan's Plant Hunt

North Devon 2nd January 2024 11:00am
led by
Clare Gurton

Hartland Nature Society is holding a New Year Plant Hunt at St Nectans. Meet at Stoke Churchyard, Stoke Road, Stoke, Hartland, Torridge District, Devon EX39 6DU.

Grid ref: SS 23507 24744. What 3 words: spilling.paler.release

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Limerick NYPH

Co. Limerick 2nd January 2024 11:00am - 2pm
led by
Olly Lynch

County Recorder Olly Lynch will be leading a NYPH around Limerick City and invites you to join him. The event is being run in conjunction with the Limerick Branch of the Irish Wildlife Trust.

Olly says:  "The meeting point will be in the Potato Market, Merchants Quay car park (https://maps.app.goo.gl/jh2G6ucErwvPX1d47). We will explore the urban flora of King John's Castle, and Limerick city.

"We will then travel South towards Arthur's Quay, and the Henry Street area. The terrain is expected to be on pavement, but should be prepared for any eventuality.
"If the weather is wet, I plan to continue with the event, with appropriate rain gear. However, if the weather deteriorates significantly, the event will be called off with notice. All levels of experience are welcome. Please note, the car park operates on a pay by display basis if you wish to park here. It is approximately €2 by hour, or €8 for the day".
Please contact Olly to register your attendance, and so he can contact attendees in the event of cancellation.
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Dorset Flora Group Poole plant hunt

Dorset 2nd January 2024 10:00am
led by
Tom and Jean Smith
Meet at Swimming Poole Car Park (Grid reference SZ019909, Postcode BH15 1TN) at 10.00am. ///gives.famous.steer
We will cover a route including some green spaces, built up areas and the edge of Poole Harbour for between two and three hours of recording with a refreshment break, probably in a café. We'll be walking on hard-surfaced paths and pavements and some potentially wet and muddy areas.

Parking charges apply at Swimming Poole car park, however this is only 5 minutes’ walk from Poole Bus Station and 10 minutes’ walk from Poole railway station if you wish to use public transport.

The event will go ahead unless there are adverse weather conditions, so please feel free to call before leaving home if you wish to check.

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Lakeside New Year Plant Hunt

South Hampshire 2nd January 2024 10:00am - 2pm
led by
Martin Rand

Meeting point: Lakeside Country Park, Eastleigh, Hants, SO50 5PE, SU446 175, W3W ///groups.duck.pages

Meet at car park to west of miniature railway station ((1) on map). Free parking here and to E. Southampton Airport Parkway rail station ((3) on map) 15 mins walk. Bus route((4) on map) 5 mins walk. Mostly on gravel paths, short minor slopes but with wet and muddy stretches. Route will concentrate on Country Park but if time permits go to Stoneham Churchyard etc, (2) on map.

Walking mobility needed but route is not strenuous. If weather turns awful there is a cafe to retreat to. Event will be cancelled if circumstances demand. Participants should provide their own email and check it up to the morning of the event, or phone if they want confirmation.

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Seaford Plant Hunt

East Sussex 1st January 2024 11:00am - 1pm
Join us in person to get involved in this national survey. Learn more about wildflowers and connect with other people who are passionate about the wildflowers and wildlife in our town. Location is Seaford, BN25 East Sussex.
Free but booking required. Location confirmed on booking, near town centre parking and station.

Lewes NY Plant Hunt

East Sussex 30th December 2023 10:30am - 12am
led by
Lesley Healey

Plant Hunt around Lewes Cemetery, meeting in the car park by the chapel (What 3 Words: soccer.slices.kind).

We will proceed unless it's really wet. Ring Lesley to check. The Cemetery is accessible for most able to walk. Some wheelchair accessible paths. Very basic fitness required, flat ground.

More info here: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=wildflowerlewes

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Woolwich Common Plant Hunt

West Kent 2nd January 2024 11:00am
led by
Jane Lawson

We ( The Friends of Woolwich Common) will be plant hunting on Woolwich Common SE18 at 11.00 am on 2nd January, meeting at the cross path.

If you’d like to join us just turn up.  Also follow the Friends of Woolwich Common on Facebook.

Cody Dock New Year Plant Hunt

South Essex 2nd January 2024 12:00am - 3pm
led by
Gino Brignoli
Meet at Cody Dock cafe from 11:30am.
Grid ref: TQ 38734 81919; what three words: ///feels.dreams.belt
The route will follow the footpath along the tidal stretch of the River Lea and will include some green spaces and parts of the surrounding industrial estate.
contact

St. Albans Plant Hunt

Hertfordshire 31st December 2023 11:00am
led by
Grow Sopwell

Meet at Berners Drive Community Garden, Berners Dr, St Albans AL1 2JB.

In bad weather, this event will be cancelled.

Please check the Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/1404415210175850 and website for updates.

Terrain is largely level, but there are sections of uneven ground.

More info at https://growsopwell.org/

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Radley NYPH

Oxfordshire 1st January 2024 9:30am
led by
Harriet

NYPH organised by Radley Environment Group.

Meet at the junction of St James Terrace and Foxborough Road, Radley, Abingdon.

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Great Missenden NYPH

Buckinghamshire 1st January 2024 10:30am
led by
Tony Marshall and Karen van Oostrum

Group Hunt led by Central Chilterns Botany Group.

Meet at Great Missenden Station forecourt. A walk looking for early-flowering plants around the streets of Great
Missenden. 1-2 hours. We hope to find a café or pub open for a drink, although we cannot rely on that.

contact

Caister-on-sea Plant Hunt

East Norfolk 2nd January 2024 10:30am
led by
Jo Parmenter

Meet at 10.30am at the south end of the Lifeboat Station Car-Park, Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk TG52711192 NR30 5HB.

Norfolk botanists are a hardy breed, but in the event of snow, heavy rain or strong winds, we may cancel the event; telephone if you have any concerns.

Terrain: Mostly level, on streets and footpaths, albeit we will spend some time in the dunes.

Fitness level required: sufficient for a normal family outing to the coast.

contact

Strandhill Plant Hunt, Co. Sligo

Co. Sligo 30th December 2023 11:00am
led by
Bridget Keehan

Meet at Strandhill Car Park, Shore Road, Strandhill, Co Sligo (G 60573 35885).

If weather is very bad, the event may be rearranged, participants will be notified.

This event will be mainly on roads and paths on easy, fairly level terrain, possibly taking small tracks through dune habitat (time / weather permitting). We will be stopping for lunch in the Strand Bar around 1pm, followed by another short walk for anyone who wishes. We will staying in the vicinity of Strandhill village, within easy reach of the car park, if anyone needs to leave early.

Fitness level required: Average fitness. We may take additional / earlier breaks if weather is poor.

contact

Luton New Year Plant Hunt

Bedfordshire 2nd January 2024 10:00am - 1pm
led by
Samuel Willis

Meet at Bide-a-while Gardens, LU3 1SD, ///edit.boats.random

Terrain is flat but a mix of paved and muddy trails. Participants should be able to walk a couple of miles unaided

We'll email you if there are other factors which prevent the event from going ahead.

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Rushden NYPH

Northamptonshire 30th December 2023 10:30am
led by
Brian Laney, Alyson Freeman

Meet at Hall Car Park, Rushden, NN10 9ES. The car park is free.

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Nailsworth Plant Hunt

West Gloucestershire 1st January 2024 11:00am - 4pm
led by
Clare and Mark Kitchen and Olga Krylova

Meet at ST847994 Newmarket Road Car Park. Bring food and drinks.

More info: https://glosnats.org/events/new-year-plant-hunt-in-nailsworth/

contact
Clare Kitchen; mobile. 07840468856

Warwick NYPH

Warwickshire 31st December 2023 10:00am
led by
John and Monika Walton

This year's VC38 New Year Plant Hunt will be on New Year's Eve Sunday 31 December at Warwick University at 10 a.m.

Warwick University has been ignored as a plant site for many years and there are few recent records from the campus, so our survey will not only cover plants in flower but will also include general recording.
We will meet in car park 8a. which is opposite the multi storey car park and is one of the main car parks for the Arts Centre. This will cost you £2 for the day which can be paid in three ways. You can pay on a phone app. in the car park (but I can't remember which it is), walk over to the Arts Centre and pay by card at a machine in the foyer
or the easiest way is to pay online before you arrive. Search for Warwick Arts Centre/Getting there where there is a link to book your parking.
After a brief look around the car park we will walk over to the Arts Centre in case anybody needs to pay there.
I have warned the security people that we will be coming so let's hope that we do not get arrested too many times.
We will walk a couple of miles and if the Arts centre is open there should be toilets available here or in the Rootes Building.
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Downpatrick NYPH

Co. Down 1st January 2024 10:30am - 1pm
led by
Graham Day

Meet outside the Down County Museum on English Street. Grid J 4837 4456 or thereabouts.

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Shropshire Plant Hunt

Shropshire 31st December 2023 10:00am - 1pm
led by
John Handley (Shropshire Botanical Society)

Meet at the Co-op car park in Church Stretton on Sunday 31st December at 10:00 am with the prospect of a cafe afterwards.

contact

South Lincs Flora Group Hunt

South Lincolnshire 31st December 2023 10:30am
led by
Sarah Lambert

Meeting point - Lincoln - what3words: cakes.vague.makes

More details on the SLFG Facebook group (private group, ask to join):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/220381351407697

Text Sarah Lambert to book and for further details inc where to park, last-minute changes etc.

contact

Leicester New Year Plant Hunt

Leicestershire 1st January 2024 11:00am - 3pm
led by
Louise Marsh and Russell Parry

This is the inaugural meeting of the new Leicester Botany group. We will meet at 11am outside Morrison's supermarket, Freeman's Common, Leicester. Postcode LE2 7LT. Grid ref SK 58809 02857.

Our Hunt will last for a maximum of 3 hours and we'll explore the urban habitats around the industrial estate. We've held New Year Plant Hunts at this location before, so it will be interesting to see how the 2024 results compare with previous years.

We can decide on the day if we want to 'stop the clock' midway for half an hour and grab a hot drink and some cake in Morrison's cafe.  The event will go ahead unless the weather is truly awful but please phone before leaving home if you'd like to check.

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Loughborough NYPH

Leicestershire 2nd January 2024 10:30am
led by
Louise Marsh

Everyone is welcome to join this New Year Plant Hunt, which will follow a similar route (around downtown Loughborough) to last year, when 18 species were found in bloom. It will be interesting to see how this year compares!

Meet at Bedford Square, grid ref SK53561928, south of Woodgate - this is near several car parks and bus stops.

The Hunt will go ahead unless the weather is very bad, but please feel free to phone or email me (Louise) if you'd like to check before setting off. Or if you are running late or can't find us!

We will, of course, be 'stopping the clock' at some point for hot drinks, cake, lunch etc.

contact

Willaston Meadow NYPH

Cheshire 31st December 2023 11:00am
led by
Fiona Mosley
We will meet in the community orchard at Big Meadow, Willaston, Neston, Cheshire CH64 1RH. You will need wellies, a notebook or smartphone. Parking is nearby on Elm Road.
Event organised by Fiona Mosley, Secretary, Friends of Willaston Meadow.
contact
Fiona Mosley

Friends of Princes Park and Scouse Flowerhouse combined …

South Lancashire 1st January 2024 2:30pm
led by
Lis Davidson

Princes Park Sunburst gates entrance to Princes Park in Liverpool L8 (3TA quite close)

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Sorby NHS Plant Hunt

South-west Yorkshire 1st January 2024 10:30am
led by
Gerry Firkins

The annual Sorby Natural History Society New Year Plant Hunt is taking place on 1st January.  Meet at 10.30am at the Fat Cat Car Park on Alma Street at 10.30 am. SK 35240 88115 (The Cat isn’t open and they have said it is fine to use their car park.) We will have a look around the streets of the area around Kelham, in Sheffield City Centre.

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Natural History Society of Northumbria New Year Plant Hunt

South Northumberland 1st January 2024 10:00am - 1pm
led by
James Common

Join NHSN Senior Naturalist, James Common, for a morning of urban wildflowers as together, we see how many species we can find in bloom on the streets of Heaton. Wild species, garden escapes, urban invaders, we'll look for them all.

Meet at Entrance to Heaton Park on Heaton Park Road, NZ264652.

Please wear decent walking boots. Do feel free to bring a hand lens or handy field guide. Together, we'll explore urban areas of Heaton before heading towards Warwick Street and eventually, the outskirts of the Ouseburn Valley.

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Dumfriesshire Botany Group NYPH

Dumfriesshire 1st January 2024 10:30am
led by
Chris Miles

This will be on January 1st in Dumfries. Meeting at 10:30 at Whitesands CP in Dumfries.

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Kirkcudbright New Year Plant Hunt

Kirkcudbrightshire 2nd January 2024 10:00am
led by
Kirkcudbright Botany Group

Meet at Southerness free car park just past the bar called 'The 19th Hole' at NX975544.

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Stirling Plant Hunt

Stirlingshire 2nd January 2024 10:00am
led by
Matt Harding

Meet at Stirling Train Station. What 3 words: scarf.twigs.double

We'll have a quick look around the station area, then head up the Back Walk along the old town walls, which is a really good area for plants. There are plenty of car parking options; a good one is the Forthside Car Park by the Vue Cinema. Contact me (Matt) if you plan to come, so I know to look out for you!

In poor weather, we will probably do a minimal hunt starting from the same location and retreating to a cafe much sooner!

Terrain: Some ascent on made paths.

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