Past Events: 2011

Last updated: 30 December 2011.

Photo: Looking closely at the chalk-stream River Test, Hampshire.

This is an archive of past events. For current events, please see our Forthcoming events page.

January

• Yorkshire: New Year Walk at Potteric Carr. Sat 1 January. "Start the New Year with an invigorating walk and find out what’s going on at the wild side of Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Doncaster." Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm. Booking needed.
• Surrey: Bird Walk at RSPB Riverside Nature Reserve. Sat 1 January: "Everyone (both beginners and experts) is welcome to join Guildford RSPB Local Group members on this gentle walk of up to 2 miles to find and identify the birds of the area. We expect to see a variety of ducks and geese, possibly a kingfisher and birds of the woodlands and hedgerows."
• Somerset: Somerset WT: Bird Walk: Litton Reservoir. Sun 2 January. "Join Vic Matthews and exercise your legs at the start of the New Year on this 2 hour walk in an area last visited in 2002. The walk will take us through Coley, Sherborne, Litton to the Litton reservoir, where winter wildfowl will be present."
• Kent: Stroll Around the Oare Marshes, Faversham. Sun 2 January. 10am-1pm. Led by Geoff Orton. Find out more about the Oare Marshes.
• Staffordshire: Suffolk WT: New Year Bird Walk at Lackford Lakes. Sat 1 January. Look out for by the River Lack. Time: 10am-12pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm. Walks led by Paul Holness, bring or borrow binoculars. Read more about Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve.
• Staffordshire: Talk: Northumberland Wildlife Trust: The Life Cycle of the Atlantic Salmon. 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm 3rd January 2011. Venue: Jubilee Hall, Rothbury.
• Hampshire: Itchen Navigation Art Exhibition. 5 Jan-4 Feb, Winchester Discovery Centre: "Discover the Itchen Navigation through wonderful music, audio, film, prints and imagery! An exhibition marking the end of two years of arts activities focused on the Itchen Navigation led by artist Abigail Downer. Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester SO23 8SB"
• Lincolnshire: The Wolds Chalk Stream Project. 6 January 2011: Franklin Hall, Spilsby, 7.30pm: "An illustrated talk by Chalk Streams Project Officer, Ruth Snelson. With Spilsby Area Group."
• Cumbria: Cumbria WT: Shore and wetland birds on the Solway. 8 January 2011, 9am-3pm. Bird spotting walk.
• Shropshire: A talk on the River Severn. Monday 10th January, 7.30pm, Bridgnorth Library: "An illustrated talk by Liz Etheridge looking at the history of the Severn and exploring plans to manage Britain’s longest river and its catchment naturally."
• Derbyshire: Water for Wildlife Volunteer Work Party: Tissington. 10 January 2011 "Join the Water for Wildlife Project to carry out willow scrub control on Bletch Brook near Tissington. The brook supports one of the few remaining water vole populations in the Dove catchment."
• Worcestershire: Severn Fly Life Conference. Wednesday 12th January 2011 (Brook Bank House Hotel, Bransford, Worcester).
• Perthshire: Scottish WT: Pine Marten Watching. Wednesday 12th January 2011, 6:00PM - 10:00PM, Loch of the Lowes.
• Cambridgeshire: Water voles and otters. Illustrated talk by Cliff Carson of the Middle Level Drainage Board, Brampton Memorial Centre, Thrapston Road, Brampton,Cambridgeshire, 12 January, 7.30pm.
• Cardiff: WTSWW: Reintroduction of the beaver in the UK. Thursday, January 13, 2011, 7:30pm. Lecture Theatre, Main Building, Cardiff University. Talk by Rob Parry.
• Cornwall: Bird watching on the Tamar Estuary. Saturday 15 January, 2011: " Join us for a morning visit to the hides overlooking Kingsmill Lake to view wintering waders and wildfowl. The event is free." Booking needed.
• Staffordshire: Staffs WT: Bird Walk: Blithfield Reservoir. Saturday 16th January, 10.00 am - 12.00 noon. Blithfield Reservoir: "Why not wrap up warm, grab your binoculars and join us for the first bird walk of 2011. Amble your way around the reservoir spotting wintering ducks, goosander, raven and buzzard. Cost: £2.00. Booking is advisable."
• Nottinghamshire: Notts WT: Tracks and signs of mammals. Sunday 16 January: "Get out and about and learn how to recognise the tell-tale indications of mammal activity with the South Notts Local Group. Meet 10.30am at the entrance to Skylarks Nature Reserve – on Adbolton Lane on the left after Holme Pierrepont Water Sports Centre."
• Cardiff: North Wales WT: Winter waders and wildfowl. Sunday 16 January 10am: "Brush up on your identification skills with our popular winter visit to Malltraeth Cob, led by Ian Wright, followed by an optional visit to local eatery for lunch."
• London: Thames 21: Bow Locks Spruce Up. 19th January 2-4pm: "Odd jobs to keep the towpath looking tip top after we’ve blitzed it this summer."
• Leicestershire: Talk: Middleton Lakes. Friday 21st January 2011, Ashby Methodist Church: "A talk about the development of Middleton Lakes, a new RSPB nature reserve near Tamworth. This will be followed by a walk around Middleton Lakes in February."
• Hampshire: HWT: Walk: Itchen Watermeadows. 23 January 2011.
• London: Thames 21: Winter Waterway Walk. 28th January 10am-12pm. Details TBC. Check website for more information.
• Yorkshire: Bitterns Walk and Talk: "Sat, 29th January, 2011. Join local bird experts at Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Doncaster for a morning lecture on bitterns and wetland birds, followed by a delicious home-made lunch at Lower Eller Café. Complete the day with a guided walk around the reserve giving you the opportunity to discover more about this intriguing visitor to Potteric Carr. The Saturday activities will provide good background information if you whish to participate in the Bittern Census on Sunday. Time: 10:00am-3:00pm"
• Plymouth: Plymouth Insect Film Festival. University of Plymouth, 29th January, beginning midday: "'Bugs' is a one day festival celebrating all manner of creepy crawlies at the cinema. Featuring a wide variety of family friendly activities such as bug building, face painting and live displays of our creepy crawly friends."

February

• Gwent: Gwent WT: Canal Wildlife: 1 Feburary. Talk by Graham Harris, The St Michaels Centre, Abergavenny 7.30pm.
• Cumbria: Eden Invasive Species Group: A new initiative to tackle invasive species in the River Eden Valley - Meeting on Wednesday 2 February 2011.
• **World: World Wetlands Day: Wed 2nd February. A global event that celebrates the Ramsar Convention. Why not hold your own local event to mark the day too? **
• Wiltshire: Fishes of the Bristol Avon: 3 February, Charlton Village Hall. Talk by Dr Mark Everard.
• Wiltshire: Malmesbury River Valleys Trust AGM: 4 February: "The Trust's AGM will be on February 4th at 7.15 in the Town Hall. After the formal meeting, at 8.00pm Wessex Water will give a talk on research it has been doing into river flows and how it balances the need for abstraction with supporting good quality water in the river. All are welcome. Refreshments will be provided"
• Sussex: Understanding the Ouse Part 2: Talk: Amphibians in the Ouse valley: "At the Linklater Pavilion, Lewes Railwaylands Nature Reserve, Lewes, Friday 4th February, starting at 7.30 pm, Speaker – Professor Trevor Beebee, University of Sussex."
• Scotland: Friends of the River Kelvin: 5 February, regular monthly cleanup, morning.
• Merseyside Mersey Valley Wardens: Wildfowl Watch: Sunday 6th: "Join our guided walk looking at the wintering wildfowl on the lake. Meet: 10.30am Information Point, Chorlton Water Park"
• Somerset: Friends of the River Frome AGM: 7 February.
• Dorset: Dorset WT: Dorset Bridges: 8th Feb 2011 19:30. "A talk and presentation on the challenges of managing Dorset's bridges and their importance for wildlife. Given by John Burridge, principal Engineer for Bridge Management, Dorset County Council. Oakdale South Road Middle School, School Lane, Oakdale, Poole BH 15 3JR."
• Derbyshire: Derbyshire WT: Reptile and Amphibian Projects in the Peak District: 8 February: "County Amphibian Recorder Chris Monk is a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Trustee. Over the past five years he has been involved in the Making the Adder Count project and great crested newt conservation work. Tonight he gives us an update on these two important projects."
• Chilterns: Walk: Revive the Wye: 9 February: "Meet at 10.15 in free car park off Kingsmead Road near Bridge Bank, Wycombe. 2 hr amble to look at the River Wye and discuss its problems and see some improvements which we have made and what is still to do. We will not be going very fast or far so please wrap up well."
• Cumbria: Cumbria WT: Saving Our Rivers: Friday, 11 February 2011, 7:30pm - 9:00pm: "Bekka Close, from the South Cumbria Rivers Trust, will talk about the threat of invasive species to our rivers. This event is suitable for all ages. Entry is £2 for adults including refreshments, payable on the door, and free for children."
• Oxfordshire: Practical Fen Management Volunteer Taster Day: Sunday 13 February 2011, Time: 10am-3pm, Dry Sandford, Oxon.
• Cornwall: Friends of Fowey Estuary: A Talk on the Service of the Mission for Seafarers: Tuesday 22nd February, 19.30: "BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Around the world, night and day, The Mission to Seafarers provides help and support to those at sea in need. Find out more about this Christian agency, who work in more than 230 ports caring for the practical and spiritual welfare of seafarers of all nationalities and faiths. Free to Friends of Fowey members and £1.50 to all others."
• London: Thames 21: DEEP CLEAN 1: East London, Isle of Dogs : "Taking advantage of 2011's lowest tides. Aimed at getting to the lowest parts of the foreshores not reached by normal tides, this clean-up will be the perfect opportunity to help remove even more litter from the Isle of Dogs." 20-21 Feb. TIME: 9.15am - 11.45am. Meet at Popular Rowing Club, Ferry Street, E14.
• Cornwall: Sponsored abseil in aid of Surfers Against Sewage: Saturday 19 February, Lusty Glaze Beach, Newquay, Cornwall.
• Henley: Pirates of the Thames: Thursday 24 February, 10.30am - 4pm, River and Rowing Museum Henley, (drop in any time): "Yes - there really were pirates on the River Thames many years ago! Search for buried treasure, make a model pirate ship and a parrot for your shoulder. Plus lots more timber-shivering activities. Dress as a pirate and get in free!"
• Avon: Avon WT: Talk: A stroll along the River Chew: Thursday 24 February: "Illustrated talk by Helen and Richard Grey. Millennium Hall, Old School Room, Chew Magna, 7.45pm. Entry £2.50, season £12, refreshments included."
• Essex: Waterway Recovery Group Canal Camp: Chelmer and lackmore: Date: Saturday 19th - Saturday 26th February, Location: Maldon, Essex, Activites: vegetation clearance, improvement works: "Why not join the Essex Waterways team this February as they have an array of tasks waiting for you! Get stuck into various improvement works including bank protection, painting, towpath clearance and repairs. Accommodation for the week is on a barge moored in the tidal estuary, converted for residential use."

March

• Oxfordshire: Talk: "George Dunlop Leslie and Our River: a Victorian artist on the Thames". Saturday 5th March. River and Rowing Museum, Henley: "Royal Academician and one-time resident of Remenham and Wallingford, George Dunlop Leslie (1835-1921) regularly paced the river between Maidenhead and Oxford in his punt and related his experiences in his memoir, Our River. This talk will discuss how he was well placed to observe the ebb and flow of activity on the Thames as it confronted rapid change in its purpose and its people."
• Devon: Devon WT: Frogs, Newts, and Toads. Saturday 5th March, 11am-3pm: "We will be looking for frogs, toads and newts in ponds at Braunton Burrows, and there may be the option to stay on later to look for great crested newts in the evening (this will be weather dependent)."
• Scotland: Friends of the River Kelvin: 5 March, regular monthly cleanup, morning.
• Yorkshire: Yorkshire WT: Wetland land management. Saturday 5th March: "Come along for a guided tour around Potteric Carr and find out more about the management of the wetlands and how habitats are created and improved to attract a range of wetland birds."
• Ireland, Wicklow: IWDG: Land-based whale watch. Saturday 5th March. Free event, open to all.
• Bucks: BBOWT Talk: LONDON WETLANDS CENTRE - THE FIRST 10 YEARS: "Alastair MacKay will take us through the history of this most successful and rewarding urban wildlife centre." 15 March, 7.45-10pm.
• London: National Riverfly Conference 2011: Your rivers, their future. Thursday 10 March 2011, Flett Theatre, The Natural History Museum, London. Speakers include: Chairman of the Environment Agency, Rt. Hon. Lord Smith of Finsbury; environmental scientist Professor Steve Ormerod; Anglers' Monitoring Initiative leads Will Tall (Wandle Piscators) and Dai Roberts (South East Wales Monitoring Group) and international fly fisherman Stuart Crofts amongst others.
• National: Surfers Against Sewage Motiveocean Beach Clean & Water Sports Tour: March-May 2011. Friday 11th: Weston Super Mare; Sat 12th: Saunton; Sun 13th: Woolacombe; Friday 18th: Exmouth; Sat 19th: Boscombe; Sun 20th: Boscombe; Mon 21st: Porthtowan; Friday 25th: Marazion; Sat 26th: Falmouth; Sat 26th: Tynemouth; Sat 26th: Brighton; Sat 26th: The Wirral; Sat 26th: Scarborough; Sat 26th: Saltburn; Sat 26th: Isle of Wight; Sun 27th: Newquay.
• Devon: River Axe Canoe Race. Sunday 13th March. "This popular race is an excellent introduction to canoe racing and also provides a challenge for the more experienced paddler."
• Merseyside: Mersey Valley Wardens: Explore Walk: Urmston Meadows (River Mersey). Monday 14th March. "Join us for a leisurely springtime stroll around the Meadows Meet 1.00pm Riverside Drive entrance (opposite Matlock Avenue)"
• **Worldwide: International Day of Action for Rivers. 14th March. In 2010, there were more than 136 actions in at least 27 countries.**
• Cornwall: Cornwall WT: Pond Dipping at Par Sands Lake. Friday 11 March. "BOOKING ESSENTIAL, LIMITED PLACES. Explore mysterious Par Sands Lake and find out what lives in its depths."
• Dorset: Talk: Dorset WT: Urban Wildlife: Making Biodiversity Happen at the Local Level. Friday 18 March. Illustrated talk by Professor David Goode, Wimborne.
• **National: Climate Week 2011. 21-27 March.**
• **Worldwide: World Water Day 2011. 22nd March.**
• Oxfordshire: Hydropower Seminar at the River and Rowing Museum. "Appropriately for World Water Day, the Museum will be holding its third Hydropower Seminar to review progress and developments over the previous year and to hear case studies." See website for booking details.
• London: Thames 21: DEEP CLEAN 2: West London, Putney Bridge: "Taking advantage of 2011's lowest tides. Aimed at getting to the lowest parts of the foreshores not reached by normal tides, this clean-up will be the perfect opportunity to help remove even more litter from the area." 20-March. TIME: 10.00am - 12.30pm. Meet at the Putney Bridge end of Embankment, on the south side of the river, SW15.
• London: The Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race. 26th March. Putney to Mortlake along the River Thames.
• Cambridgeshire: The Big Cam Cleanup. 26th March. Volunteers needed! See website for details.
• Oxfordshire: 2011 World Pooh Sticks Chamionships. Sunday 27th March. Days Lock, Little Wittenham, OX14 4RB.

April

• London: Thames 21: Lea Navigation Clean-up Love the Lea. Sunday 5 April 2011. "Join Thames21 and help clean-up the Lea Navigation near Stamford Hill and Tottenham." 10am-1pm.
• Cambridge: Cam Valley Forum AGM plus Talk: The Geology of the Cam Catchment. 4 April 2011. St. Mark’s Church Hall, Newnham. Including an illustrated talk by Dr. Bob Evans, Anglia Ruskin University, on ‘The geology of the Cam catchment and river catchment improvements’. Welcome and refreshments 7pm, AGM 7.15pm, talk at 8pm. Non-members welcome."
• Staffordshire: Staffs WT: Westport Lake Conservation Group. 5 April 2011: "We are starting a new Group at Westport Lake Country Park meeting once or twice a month. The first volunteer session is on Tuesday 5th April 11am-2pm meeting at the visitor centre. We will be doing some practical conservation work, working alongside Stoke City Council Officers." Find out more about Westport Lake Nature Reserve.
• Norfolk: Otters: ecology and conservation. 5th Apr 2011: "An illustrated talk by Professor Christopher Mason , bringing together information and experiences of otters gathered over a period of 30 years. As the number of otters in Norfolk are growing, this should be an interesting background to their revival in our county."
• Somerset: Somerset WT: Life and death on the seashore. 6th Apr 2011 19:30 - 21:00: "Chris Cornell will take a close look at life between the low and high tide marks."
• Worcestershire: Worcestershire Wildlife Trust: Talk: Where to Watch Wildlife along the River Severn. 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm 7th April 2011, Kidderminster.
• Northumberland: Alnwick & District Natural History Society - Conservation and management of our coastal waters. 6:30 pm - 9:45 pm 7th April 2011, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Talk: "Illustrated talk by Neil Wellum of the Marine Management Organisation. 7.30pm. Cost: visitors £1.50"
• Surrey: Surrey Wildlife Trust: Learn how to identify amphibians. 10am-3pm 7th April 2011, Leatherhead. Cost: 25 pounds.
• National: Surfers Against Sewage Motiveocean Beach Clean & Water Sports Tour: March-May 2011. Friday 1st April: Plymouth; Sat 2nd: Watergate; Sun 3rd: St Austell; Friday 15th: Perranporth; Sat 16th: St Ives; Sun 17th.
• Dorset: Everything You Wanted to Know About Crayfish. Friday 15th April: "Presentation by Dr Paul Stebbing from the Centre for Environment, FIsheries & Aquaculture Science. Preceeded by a rapid AGM for the Wimborne DWT Group."
• Hampshire: H&IOW Wildlife Trust: River Hamble Walk. 17th April, 2pm: "Join us for a walk along the upper reaches of the Hamble to see birds at low water and woodland plants, followed by a lunchtime drink or lunch at the pub."
• London: London WT: Visit to Barnes Wetland Reserve. 10th April: Visit to Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust wetland reserve at Barnes, south London, particularly for ducks, geese, swans, wading birds and water wildlife. About 2-3 hours.
• Ireland: Lough Ree International Pike Angling Festival 2011. Wednesday 13-Friday 15 April 2011.
• Yorkshire: Pond Dipping at Potteric Carr. Wednesday 13 April 2011: "Find out the mysteries of the underwater world at Potteric Carr - be prepared to be astonished and amazed at your discoveries!"
• Gloucestershire: Talk: The Severn Estuary. Friday 15 April 2011, 7.30pm: "An illustrated talk by Rupert Higgins. An introduction to the ecology and wildlife of this internationally important wetland. The talk will describe the physical features of the estuary and explain how these shape the habitats and wildlife, which include rare saltmarsh plants, large migratory bird populations and a surprising range of fish." Coleford, Forest of Dean.
• Derbyshire: River Wye - Gone Wild. "A talk by Warren Slaney of Haddon Estate about the changes the Estate has been making in the management of the River Wye." 18 April, 7.30pm, Bakewell Medway Centre.
• London: Thames 21: Spring walk. Tuesday 26 April. "Join Thames21 for a Spring waterway walk. The walk is supported by Mind's 'Ecominds' project." 10am-12.30pm.
• Wiltshire: Wilts WT: LANGFORD LAKES CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS, STEEPLE LANGFORD. 27 April 2011, 10am-1pm: "Three lakes and a half-mile stretch of the River Wylye. Tasks include looking after footpaths and facilities as well as managing habitats such as the lake shores."
• Yorkshire: River Aire Trust. 27 April 2011. A public meeting to discuss a proposal to form a new river trust to look after the Aire.
• Somerset: Friends of the River Frome: Working Party. Saturday 30 April. 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at Frome Canoe Club.

May

• London: Canalway Cavalcade 2011. Little Venice - Paddington, London, Saturday 30th April to (Bank Holiday) Monday 2nd May 2011: "Come and join the fun at Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice - a unique community and waterways festival in the heart of London. There will be the colourful spectacle of over a hundred boats gathered in the pool, working and traditional boats in procession, trade shows, bands, lots of kids' activities, a real ale bar, a variety of tasty snacks and food, and plenty more to enjoy. Admission is Free."
• Durham: The 24th Annual Conex Canoe Race: 2 May 2011. 5 mile race on Grade 2 water. Open to all paddlers (Individuals, Canoe Clubs, Schools, Youth Organisations, Firms).
• **World: International Dawn Chorus Day: 2 May 2011.**
• Northamptonshire: Inland Waterways Association Campaign Rally 2011: "IWA's Northampton Branch is to host the 2011 National Campaign Rally over the May Day weekend, 30 April to 2 May, 2011, on the river Nene in Northampton."
• Yorkshire: YWT: Marine Eco Action's Shoresearch!: Saturday 7 May 2011. Looking for marine life on the rocky Holbeck shore.
• London: Thames 21: Spring Waterway Walk: Friday 6 May 2011.
• Scotland: Scottish WT: River Spey Otter and Osprey Walk: Fri 6 May 2011, 7-9pm, WDCS Spey Bay Wildlife Centre, 7-9pm.
• Lancashire: Eden Rivers Trust: Eden River Invertebrate Monitoring Intiative: 7 May 2011.
• Sussex: Sussex Ouse Conservation Society: Task Force: 8 May 2011. River conservation work on the Ouse (details to be confirmed - see website). Also 12 June, 10 July, 14 Aug, 11 Sep, 9 Oct.
• Arran, Scotland: Arran Wildlife Festival 2011: May 2011. Dates to be confirmed. [Cancelled]
• National: Surfers Against Sewage Motiveocean Bear Clean & Water Sports Tour: March-May 2011. 7th May, Cromer.
• Worcestershire: Pond Invertebrate Identification course. 7th May. Learn how to identify pond wildlife with Worcs Wildlife Trust.
• London: Thames 21: Clapton: Love the Lea!: Find out how to help the River Lea with those hands-on friends of London's rivers, Thames21, 14th May, 11am-2pm.
• Northumberland: Environment Agency: Kielder Hatchery Open Day: Saturday 14 May 2011. How do fish get around the giant Kielder Dam? Go and see for yourself!
• Yorkshire: YWT: Newt walk and talk: Saturday 14 May 2011. Potteric Carr Nature Reserve. Booking essential.
• Sussex: Sussex WT: River Rother Walk: Saturday 14 May 2011. "This gentle, circular walk of just less than five mile passes through the pretty villages of Stedham and Iping and also Woolbeding Wood which is owned by the NT. All three locations are on the beautiful River Rother."
• Somerset: Somerset WT: Evening River Yeo Walk: Wed 18 May 2011,6.30pm, Yeovil. "Clive Hawkins will lead this evening stroll along the river Yeo looking for spring flowers and birds."
• Wales, Dolgellau: Charity Paddlesports: 22 May 2011: "Mawddach Rotary Club is organising a charity paddlesports event on the Mawddach Estuary from Barmouth to Penmaenpool, near Dolgellau."
• Wales: Welsh Waterways Festival 2011 and National Trailboat Festival 2011: Saturday 28th to (Bank Holiday) Monday 30th May 2011: "The Welsh Waterways Festival 2011, incorporating IWA's National Trailboat Festival, is to be held on the Neath Canal at Ynysarwed Farm on the B4242 one mile south of the Resolven."
• Warwickshire: Warwickshire WT: Fantastic Frogs: Monday 30 May 2011. Family activity geared towards children. Search for frogs and toads and make a froggy mask to take home! Parkridge Centre, Solihull, 10.30-12.00pm.
• Warwickshire: Warwickshire WT: Party at the Pond: Tuesday 31 May 2011. Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Coventry. Pond dipping and pond education. 10.30-12.00pm.
• Nottingham: Notts WT: Watery Wildlife: Tuesday 31 May 2011. Half-term wildlife acivities for kids at Attenborough Nature Centre (booking essential - 0115 972 1777), 10.15-12.15pm.

June

• London: The Three Rivers Cleanup: 28 May-12 June. A couple of weeks of frantic activity to work wonders on three London Rivers with the Quaggy Waterways Action Group and Thames21.
• Cornwall: The Greenbank Fal River Festival 2011: 27 May-5 June. Celebrating one of the West Country's great rivers.
• Dorset: Dorset WT: Pond Dipping: 2 June. Ages11-13 at Lorton Meadows, Littlemoor, Weymouth.
• Nottinghamshire: Notts WT: Watery Wildlife: 2 June, Attenborough SSSI Nature Reserve, 10.15am to 12.15pm.
• Cornwall: Cornwall WT: Film on the River Fal: 3 June: "The King Harry Ferry will be transformed into a floating cinema as part of the Fal River Festival". Sounds interesting!
• Gwent: Fourteen Locks Walk: 4 June 2011. "Roger James of the Gwent Wildlife Trust will lead a walk starting at the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, Cwm Lane (ST279886). This walk will combine local history with visits to some local wildlife Sites."
• Hertfordshire: Herts & Middlesex WT: Dragonfly spotting near the River Lea: 4 June, Ware.
• London: Love the Lea: 4 June: "Join Thames21 for the beginning of a series of practical workdays aimed to improve the River Lea."
• Devon: Devon WT: Wildlife Festival: 4 June, Barnstaple. Loads of great nature events happening in North Devon!
• London: The London Green Fair 2011: 4-5 June 2011, Regents Park.
• **International: World Environment Day 2011**: 5 June 2011.
• Norfolk: NACA Bawburgh Open Day 2011: 5 June 2011. A free event with 14 qualified Angling coaches and many other activities and demonstrations intended to raise awareness of angling, conservation and the environment.
• **International: World Oceans Day 2011**: 8 June 2011. Many events happening worldwide.
• Derbyshire: Derbyshire WT and the Arkwright Society: Wildlife Safari: Cromford Canal: 12 June 2011. Looking for wildlife near the Cromford Canal. 10.30am-12.30pm
• Tyne: Corbridge Balsam Bash: 15 June 2011. Tackling alien invaders with the Tyne Rivers Trust.
• Cornwall: Friends of the River Fowey: Boat trip to Polperro: 17 June. Booking essential.
• Avon: Avon WT: Duck Race Along the River Frome: 19 June. Meet at Jubilee Park, Quarry Road, Chipping Sodbury. Races start at 2pm.
• North East: Northumberland WT: Tyne River Cruise: 25 June 2011. This special event marks the 40th Anniversary of Northumberland Wildlife Trust. It's a with River Escapes along the River Tyne, from the quay to the sea. 2 - 5pm.
• North East: Clean Tyne Project: River Bank Raid: 30 June 2011.
• Oxfordshire: Beating the Tide 150 Years of Thames Rowing Club: Exhibition at the River and Rowing Museum, Henley.

July

• Avon: Avon WT: Chew Valley Lake Bioblitz. 1-2 July 2011. Celebrating the biodiversity of Chew Valley Lake.
• Somerset: Somerset WT: Riverside walk along River Frome: Sunday 3rd July: "Tony House will lead this walk along the River Frome from Rode looking for otters, dippers, kestrel and other riverine wildlife."
• Warwickshire: Stratford River Festival 2011: 2-3 July.
• Merseyside: The Insect Life of Chorlton Meadows: 3 July. Mersey Valley Countryside Partnership.
• London: Thames21 Nature River Walk: 4 July 2011. Cranford Park To Bulls Bridge, 10.30am-12pm.
• Worcestershire: Evesham River Festival: Sat 9 July 2011.
• Oxfordshire: The Coracle Society AGM 2011: Sun 10 July 2011. Broughton Castle, Banbury. Including paddling and networking for coracle enthusiasts.
• Cornwall: Looe Festival of the Sea: 9-10 July 2011.
• Cumbria: Cumbria WT: Eden Dippers Wildlife Watch Group: 9 July 2011. River dipping on the River Eden, for kids.
• London: River Wandle Cleanup: Sun 10 July 2011, Wandsworth.
• Lincolnshire: Stamford Rivercare Group - Riverday 2011: Sun 10 July 2011. Family event on the Stamford Town Meadows from 10am-5pm.
• Yorkshire: York Festival of Rivers: 9-24 July.
• Bedfordshire: Bedford River Festival: Dates to be confirmed.
• **National: National Fishing Month: 16 July-14 August 2011.**
• Gwent: Gwent Wildlife Trust: Magor Marsh Open Day: 16 July. A family fun day of pond dipping, face painting, and general celebration of one of South Wales' best wildlife sites.
• Hampshire: Hampshire Water Festival 2011: 16-17 July.
• Gloucestershire: River Folk Festival: Dates to be confirmed. The Trout Inn, Lechlade.
• Gloucestershire: BBOWT: Pond Dipping: 28 July, Tring, College Lake.
• Staffordshire: 2011 National Festival & Boat Show. 29-31 July 2011, Shobnall Fields, Burton-on-Trent.
• Kent: Maidstone River Festival: 30 July.
• Essex: Learn to fish for free with coach Nick Watkins!: When: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm, Dates: Tuesday 26 July, Thursday 28 July, Place: Puddledock Farm Fishery, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, RM14 3NX. Also more dates in August (see below).

August

• **National: National Fishing Month: 16 July-14 August 2011.**
• **National: National Marine Week: 30 July-14 August 2011. Many events organized by Wildlife Trusts all around the country**
• Devon: Devon Wildlife Trust Marine Festival: 3 August. Lots of family activities at Wembury Marine Centre.
• Teeside: Stockton International Riverside Festival: 4-7 August.
• Lincolnshire: Lincs WT: National Whale and Dolphin Watch: 6 August.Round-and-Round Hide, Anderby Creek, 10am-4pm.
• Cheshire: Cheshire WT: Making Waves: 9 August. Learn about our amazing seas from marine expert Maya Plass at Wigg Island [PDF leaflet].
• Cornwall: StringerBessant fundraising gig for Surfers Against Sewage: 7 August, Lusty Glaze Beach.
• Derbyshire: Derbyshire WT: Balsam Bashing on the Upper Derwent: 8 August.
• Scotland: Scottish Racing Week: 7-14 August. Lots of canoe races on the River Clyde, Loch Lubnaig and the Forth and Clyde Canal.
• East Anglia: Earth First! Summer Gathering: 10th - 15th August.
• Oxfordshire: RSPB Wild for the River: Thursday 11 August, River and Rowing Museum, Henley.
• Somerset: Friends of the River Frome: Balsam Bash and Litter Pick: 13th August.
• Gloucestershire: Gloucestershire WT: Meet the Reptiles: 13th August. Reptile-spotting walk in the Forest of Dean
• Oxfordshire: Thames trips on the Consuta River Launch: 4 and 24 August, River and Rowing Museum, Henley. Enjoy a river trip on a working Victorian steam launch!
• Wales: Conwy River Festival: 13 July-21 August 2011.
• Herefordshire: River Wye Preservation Trust Summer Walk: A walk along the River Monnow. 14 August.
• Rutland: Birdfair 2011: Friday 19th - Sunday 21st August, Rutland Water. International birdwatching event organized jointly by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and RSPB.
• Wales: Gwent WT: An introduction to dragonflies: 20 August 2011. An introductory session on dragonflies followed by hands-on spotting on glorious Magor Marsh.
• Tyneside: Tyne Coarse Fishing Championship: 21 August 2011.
• Essex: Learn to fish for free with coach Nick Watkins!: When: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm, Dates: Tuesday 2 August , Thursday 4 August, Tuesday 9 August, Thursday 11 August. Place: Puddledock Farm Fishery, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, RM14 3NX

September

• London: Thames 21 River Rescue: Wapping Stone Stairs Clean-Up: 1 and 3 September 2011. Help Thames21 clean up the Thames foreshore in Wapping, East London.
• London: South Tottenham Loves the Lee: 3 September 2011. Pennywort removal.
• London: WWF Blue Mile Fundraising Event: 4 September 2011, Stoke Newington West Reservoir Centre, North London. Swim, kayak or paddle board for a mile to raise money for rivers and seas. Or hold an event near you.
• London: QWAG: Inaugural Annual Ray Manchester walk: 4 September 2011, 11.00-13.30. A new event that will be held each year in memory of river campaigner Ray Manchester.
• London and Thames Valley: David Walliams swims the Thames: 5-12 September 2011. The comedian will be swimming from Gloucestershire to Big Ben in eight days to raise money for Sport Relief.
• Gloucestershire: The Upper Thames Protection Society AGM: 7 September 2011, Cricklade.
• Yorkshire: Water Voles of Goole Fields: 7 September 2011. Evening talk about vole habitat creation by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
• Sussex: Sussex WT: Cruise along the Ouse: 8 September. A stroll along the banks of the Ouse to Southease, catching the train back to Lewes at the end. 10am-2pm. Free but donations welcome.
• Derbyshire: Derbyshire WT: Upper Derwent Himalayan Balsam Pulling: 9 September 2011, Bradwell and Bamford crossroads to Leadmill.
• Liverpool: Mersey River Festival 2011: 8-16 September 2011. The festival will be held again in 2011 (the first time since 2005).
• **London: Mayor's Thames Festival: 10-11 September 2011. Many activities based around the River Thames, mostly between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge.**
• Edinburgh: Water of Leith Conservation Trust: A TREASURE HUNT IN NEVERLAND: 11 September 2011. Pirates ahoy in Edinburgh, with a great family river day.
• **National: MCS Beachwatch Big Weekend: 17-18 September 2011. National beach cleaning effort all across the country.**
• Kent: Dragonboat Race 2011: 18 September 2011. Bewl Water Outdoor Centre.
• Worcestershire: Inland Waterways Association AGM 2011: 24 September 2011.
• **International: World Rivers Day 2011: 25 Sept 2011.**
• Oxfordshire: Henley Literary Festival: 28 September-2nd October 2011.
• Northumberland: An Evening with the Atlantic Salmon Trust at Alnwick Castle: 20 September 2011. Find out all about the only UK charity working to help conservation of wild salmon and sea trout.

October

• London: River Shuttle Knowledge Walk: 1 October 2011. Thames21 walk through Bexley Woods with a group of local experts. 10am-12pm.
• Oxfordshire: Henley Literary Festival: 28 September-2nd October 2011.
• Yorkshire: Todmorden Riverside Improvement Group: Monday October 3rd (and first Monday of each month).
• Yorkshire: Aire Rivers Trust: Wed 5 October. Meeting of the newly formed Aire Rivers Trust at Shipley Library. Please support this new group!
• North Wales: North Wales WT: Malltraeth: creation of a wetland reserve: Thursday 6 October 2011 2pm. Progress report on the bittern breeding project, with warden Ian Hawkins.
• National: BBC Autumnwatch: Fri 7 October. Join the BBC team once a week for the next two months in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.
• Oxfordshire: BBOWT: WEST BERKSHIRE LIVING LANDSCAPE 7-MILE CIRCULAR WALK: Sun 9 Oct. Following the Kennet & Avon canal, over Crookham Common, along the Enborne river, with a pub lunch before ending back at Thatcham.
• Dorset: Dorset WT: Save our Sharks at Kimmeridge: Sun 9 October. 10am-3pm, for ages 13-25. As part of European Shark Week, there will be a presentation and film about shark ecology, biology, and conservation.
• Scotland: Friends of the River Kelvin: Loch Lomond Canoe Trip: Mon 10 October.
• Derbyshire: Derbyshire WT: Water Voles and Otters of Derbyshire: Tue 11 October. Chris Wood and Steve Docker will talk about Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's work to encourage water voles and otters in the rivers Dove and Derwent.
• Avon: Avon WT: WILDLIFE OF THE SEVERN ESTUARY: Wed 12 October. Talk by Rupert Higgins, Redland.
• Wiltshire: Wilts WT Repairing the Scars of Mineral Extraction: 13 October 2011. Gareth Harris explains how old mineral workings have been restored at Cotswold Water Park. Venue: Charlton Village Hall, 7.30pm.
• Lincolnshire: Lincs WT: Birds of Wetlands: 14 October 2011. Talk by wildlife photographer Geoff Trinder.
• Somerset: River Frome Tidy-Up: 15 October 2011, with Friends of the River Frome.
• Scotland: Tay Descent 2011: 20 October 2011: One of the biggest events on the paddling calendar!
• Lancashire: Eden Rivers Trust Fisheries Seminar: 22 October 2011, Carlisle.
• London: Thames 21: Sunbury lock cleanup: 23 October 2011. Details of this (and other London-river-cleaning events) on the Thames21 website.
• Essex: Pond Conservation's 50 pond dig!: 22-23 October 2011. Help Pond Conservation dig 50 ponds in 24 hours!
• London: London WT: Clean Up the River Crane: 23 October 2011. Crane Park Island Nature Reserve, 10:30 - 16:00.
• Scotland: Paddle 2011: 22-23 October 2011. The Scotland Canoe and Kayak Show, Bells Sports Centre, Perth.
• Oxfordshire: Big Draw: 28 October 2011. Help create the longest river drawing ever at the River and Rowing Museum, Henley.

November

• Staffordshire: Staffs WT: Nature along the waterways: 1 November. Talk by Paul Wilkinson, 7.30pm, Central Methodist Church, Aldergate, Tamworth.
• Cumbria: Cumbria WT: The Solway Coast: 9 November. Talk by Graeme Proud.
• Yorkshire: Full Moon Walk: 10 November 2011. Staveley Nature Reserve, near Boroughbridge, 6-8pm.
• Lancashire: Lancs WT: Wetland Wildfowl Training Day: 12 November 2011. Training course in identification of wetland birds.
• Pembrokeshire: S&WWWT: Estuary walk at Newport: 13 November 2011.
• Devon: SAS: North Devon Beach Cleaning: 12-27 November 2011. SAS is appealing for people to help with beach cleans on the following dates: Woolacombe – 12th November 11am – 1pm; Saunton Sands – 13th November 11am – 1pm; Westward Ho! – 26th November 11am – 1pm; Woody Bay – 27th November – 10am – Midday; Lynmouth – 27th November – 2pm – 4pm.
• Cornwall: St Agnes Movie Night: Sharkwater: 17 November, 7.30-9pm. Free film about the state of our sharks.
• International: World Toilet Day 2011: 19 November 2011. A global event to remember a truly disgraceful statistic: 2.6 billion of the world's people (almost 40%) still lack proper sanitation.
• Oxfordshire: DYS: POND MANAGEMENT AND CREATION: Saturday 19 November 2011, 10am-4pm. Didcot, Oxon. Workshop by local expert Rod D'Ayala.
• Gwent: Gwent WT: Wildlife of the Lower Wye Valley Tributaries: Talk by Stephanie Tyler, Wednesday 16th November, 7.30pm, Chepstow.
• Shropshire: Severn Fisheries Conference: 19 November 2011. Ironbridge, Shropshire.
• Sussex: Sussex WT: Arlington Reservoir Walk: 19 November 2011. A two mile walk around the reservoir looking for wintering birds
• Yorkshire: Aire Rivers Trust regular meeting: Wednesday 23 November 2011, Shipley. Please show your support for this new group!
• Wiltshire: Upper Thames Protection Society AGM 2011: Thursday 24 November 2011, Cricklade.
• Herefordshire: River Wye Preservation Trust AGM 2011: Friday 25 November 2011, 7.30 p.m., at the Bunch of Carrots, Hampton Bishop.
• Worcestershire: Worcs WT: Otters: Tales of the Riverbank: Friday 25 November 2011, The Eco Centre, Ridgewood High School, Park Road West, Wollaston, Stourbridge, 7.30 p.m. Talk by Derek Crawley.

December

• Staffordshire: IWA Walk and Site Visit: Fradley Junction: 1 December 2011. A Site Visit to see repair work on the canal locks at Fradley Junction.
• Hampshire: Hampshire WT: Farlington Marshes Walk: 2 December 2011. 10am-1pm. Walk and bird watch near Langstone Habour
• Suffolk: River Stour Trust Festive Bazaar: Sunday 4th December 2011, 11am to 3pm, The Granary, Quay Lane, Sudbury. Seasonal fundraising event.
• London: London WT: Barking Riverside Walk: Saturday 3 December, with expert birders.
• Lincs: Lincs WT: Guided Bird Walk: Saturday, December 03, Meet at Cleethorpes Discovery Centre for a guided walk of the lakeside and Cleethorpes foreshore with Ray Hume.
• Oxfordshire: BBOWT: WINTER BIRD RACE: Sunday 4th December 2011. How many birds can you spot in one day?
• Hampshire: HWT: Walk around Fleet pond: Ruth Cairns of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust will lead you round Fleet Pond pointing out the many different birds. Sunday 4th December 2011, 10am-12pm.
• London: Thames 21: West London Waterway Walk: Mon 5 December. ~5km walk from 10.30am-1pm. Join Thames21 for a guided nature walk at Osterley Park.
• Edinburgh: Ribbon of Wildness by Peter Wright: MONDAY 5th DECEMBER, 7.30pm, Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1TQ. ALL WELCOME - MEMBERS FREE - GUESTS £2. Author Peter Wright will be giving an illustrated talk about his book Ribbon of Wildness - Discovering the Watershed of Scotland.
• Yorkshire: Todmorden Riverside Improvement Group: Monday 5th December 2011. General "river repairs" and cleaning.
• Yorkshire: YWT: An introduction to waders identification: 3 December 2011. Learn how to spot wading birds at Spurn National Nature Reserve.
• Dorset: Dorset WT: Rejuvenating the Lost Ponds of Langton: 5 December 2011. Talk at Langton Village Hall.
• Northumberland: Northumberland WT: Alnwick and District Natural History Society: Wildlife on the Tweed Estuary: 8 December 2011. Field trip to observe winter wildlife on the River Tweed.
• Oxfordshire: Invasive Species in the Thames: A talk by Alison Poole, WildCRU, University of Oxford. RRM Henley, 10 December.
• Kent: Kent WT: North Kent Marshes Walk: Sunday 11 December, 10am. A walk watching wintering birds of the Thames and Medway.
• Cornwall: Cornwall WT: Winter Waders and Finches Walk in Saltash: Walk in Saltash, 10 December.
• London: London WT: Barking Riverside Conservation Volunteer Session: 10 December 2011. Hands-on conservation. Help London Wildlife Trust manage habitats at Barking Riverside including the Ripple Nature Reserve, to promote biodiversity and access on site.
• London: Atlantic Salmon Trust: Ocean Silver, the Atlantic Salmon's Ocean Odyssey: Implications for Fishery Managers: 13 December 2011. A one-day conference about the SALSEA project.
• Mersey Valley: Winter Solstice Dance: Mersey Valley Wardens, December 22nd.
• Hertfordshire: Herts WT: Colne Valley Walk: 5-6 mile walk taking in the Colne Valley and River Colne, with Herts & Middlesex WT. 27 December.