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Sunday 26th April (outdoor meeting)

A walk in Spring Wood with David Gibbons to look for bluebells and listen for spring migrants. Meet 10.30am in the CP at the S end of Staunton Harold reservoir (SK378219). Bring lunch. In the afternoon we shall visit South Wood which may be muddy.

Thursday 7th May (outdoor meeting)

As part of ‘Let’s Go Wild in Derby 2009’ join John Bland for a walk looking at part of the Darley Abbey tree trail and listening for evening birdsong. Meet 7pm in CP at end of Darley Park Drive (SK350380).

Sunday 17th May (outdoor meeting)

Visit The Avenue Washlands a former coking and chemical plant which has been transformed into a tranquil haven for wildlife. Guide Stewart Abbott. Meet 10.30am in the Learning Centre's CP off Mill Lane, Tupton. Go north on the A61 from Clay Cross and after going over two islands turn right into Mill Lane (SK396670). Bring lunch.

Thursday 21st May (outdoor meeting)

An evening amble in Dovedale looking mostly for wheatears, redstarts, flycatchers and dipper, as well as the interesting plants of the dale. Meet 7.15pm in the Dovedale CP (SK146509).

Saturday 30th May (outdoor meeting)

Longdale with Brain Gough looking for limestone and grassland flowers. Meet 11am Friden CP which is off minor road running NE from Newhaven (SK172607). Carry lunch.

Thursday 4th June (outdoor meeting)

Peter Oldfield, a local farmer, will show us the orchids and other wild flowers in his fields which border Carsington Reservoir. Meet 7.30pm Sheepwash CP (SK248528).

Saturday 13th June (outdoor meeting)

Loz Brooks takes us to see the dragonflies and orchids of Pleasley Pits Nature Reserve. Meet 11am Pit Lane (SK501644). Map available from S Jones. Carry lunch.

Sunday 14th June (outdoor meeting)

The Friends of Allestree Park Discovery Day. Exhibitions in the Evergreen Hall and walks in the park. 10.00 – 16.00

Sunday 28th June (outdoor meeting)

Dunsley Meadows LNR floristically rich calcareous grasslands with marshy areas. Guide Alan Willmot. Meet 10.30am in Café CP, Via Gelia (SK283573). Carry lunch.

Tuesday 7th July (outdoor meeting)

Belper Parks. An evening stroll around a sown wild flower meadow in Belper Coppice led by Kieron Huston from DWT. Meet 7pm by the LNR sign in the Coppice CP off Market Square in Belper (SK352474).

Sunday 12th July (outdoor meeting)

Visit Langar Wildflower Farm for a walk amongst wildflowers, some of which are grown as food plants for butterflies and there is a pond where seven species of dragonflies can be seen. If time allows in the afternoon Brian Gough will take us to Heron Brook. Meet 11am in the CP on Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Notts (SK732342). Carry lunch.

Saturday 18th July (outdoor meeting)

Bill Cove, Head Warden at Calke Park will guide us through Ticknall Limeyards. Meet 10.30am in Ticknall Village CP, 200m up Ingleby Lane (SK353240). Carry lunch. Paths may be muddy.

Thursday 23rd July (outdoor meeting)

A visit to a wildflower meadow at Shipley Country Park which has been created to be a Living Bird Table in the winter. Guide John Holmes. Meet 7.15pm at Shipley Country Park Visitor Centre signposted off the A608 Heanor Road, Heanor (SK431452).

Saturday 1st August (outdoor meeting)

Let’s hope for better weather this year on a visit to Meynell Langley Estate with Margaret Hanson. In the afternoon we shall be guided round the Meynell Langley Garden Centre Trial Gardens. Cost £2.50 per person. Meet 10.30am on the lane signed to Meynell Langley Garden Centre off the Kirk Langley to Kedleston Road (SK 301399). Bring lunch.

Tuesday 11th August (outdoor meeting)

Risley Glebe. Brian Gough will guide us round this DWT reserve to look for water violet and signs of mammals. Meet 7.00pm The Risley Park pub CP, on the B5010 (SK457356). NB. CP has barrier which opens on your approach.

Sunday 16th August (outdoor meeting)

As part of ‘Let’s Go Wild in Derby 2009’ join Bill Grange to discover the wealth of varied wildlife in the City centre. Meet 2pm at the junction of Ford Street and Brook Walk (SK348366).

Saturday 22nd August (outdoor meeting)

Swainspark Wood with Alan Willmot. In the afternoon, Albert Village lake. Meet 10.30am in layby just by S.Derbys/Leics border on Occupation Road (SK297171). Bring lunch.

The first two meetings of our indoor programme will be in celebration of Charles Darwin’s bicentenary:

Friday 11th September (indoor meeting)

Jens Rolff an entomologist from Sheffield University explains why Nothing in Biology makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution.

Friday 9th October (indoor meeting)

The Evolution of Darwin’s Finches. An illustrated talk by Emeritus Professor David Parkin from the Genetics department of Nottingham University.

Sunday 18th October (outdoor meeting)

Fungus Foray in Hilton Gravel Pits. Leader Pete Smith. Meet in lay by on Sutton Lane (SK245314) at 10.30am. Bring lunch.

Friday 13th November (indoor meeting)

The Colourful Lives of Britain’s Marine Animals. Octopus, corals, sharks and lobsters – to name a few! Marine biologist Paul Naylor will use his underwater photographs to show what amazingly beautiful and fascinating animals live around our coasts, and what intriguing lives they lead.