Scroll down to see upcoming events and activities in 2025...

The Friends of Mortimer Forest offer a range of nature focused walks, talks and activities for our members throughout the year. We hope that you enjoy the projects we are planning. If you have an area of expertise and would like to lead a future walk please contact us. Thank you to all who have contributed to the successful programme so far.

We advertise our guided walks and provide approximate timings and an indication of the level of ability needed for each walk. Please exercise your own judgement when joining the walks, they are of mixed ability, usually on woodland tracks on varied terrain. Please contact us in advance if you have any questions about walk ability or suitability. 

May 2025

Calling all early birds for a morning guided walk in the forest.

Dave Pearce is back following a successful walk last year. He will be leading a small group in the Mortimer Forest in the early morning to hear the Spring Dawn Chorus.
The walk will depart from Mary Knoll Cottages, Whitcliffe, Killhorse Lane, SY8 2HD. Private parking at the cottage. The route is suitable for good walkers, the terrain is mixed woodland and can be steep in parts.
RSVP by email is required, limited capacity event.
For this walk you will need walking boots, waterproofs, optional snacks/water and camera/binocular. Please dress appropriately for potentially cold morning weather.
If you have any questions please contact us and RSVP with names and all attendees to: info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk

June 2025

Damselfly & Dragonfly Identification Course

Aimed at beginners this course will take place over 2 days:

Session 1 : Identification of Damselflies  10-4pm Thursday 12th June 2025

Session 2: Identification of Dragonflies   10-4pm Wednesday 6th August 2025

Summary:

These training days are designed for all those with a desire to learn how to identify these stunning insects. Aimed at beginners we hope to introduce you close-up to a number of dragonflies and damselflies so that you will leave confident in your own abilities to identify them and make species records. Ideally participants will attend both sessions building a firm foundation for recording dragonflies and damselflies in the local area.

Course outline:

The two identification days will follow a similar format. The morning will be spent in the classroom at Stephen House, College Street, Ludlow SY8 1AN and the afternoon in the field at a local pond - location tbc. Approximate timings are as follows:

10.00 – lecture and interactive workshop

12.30 – lunch

1.30 – netting and identification of damselflies & dragonflies on site

4.00 – end

NB. Should bad weather prevail the field identification afternoon session may be postponed.


Booking details:

The Course is being organised by The Friends of Mortimer Forest and the Ludlow Branch of Shropshire Wildlife Trust. To book your place and receive further details please email davidarbuthnott58@gmail.com or telephone / text 07904 803833.

Birdsong at Dusk

Dave Pearce will be leading a small group in the Mortimer Forest in the evening to hear birdsong at dusk.
The walk will depart from the Hanway Common, Mortimer Forest, a circular loop. The route is suitable for good walkers, the terrain is mixed woodland and can be steep in parts. We reccomend long trousers as there are areas of bracken and long grass. RSVP by email is required, limited capacity event.
For this walk you will need walking boots, waterproofs, optional snacks/water and camera/binocular. 
If you have any questions please contact us and RSVP with names and all attendees to: info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk

November 2025

Border Bryologists 2025

BORDER BRYOLOGISTS 2025-2026
This meeting is to help beginners learn their mosses and liverworts, rather than high-powered recording sessions. This guided walk with local expert Mark Lawley will meet at Black Pool Car Park, Mortimer Forest on Sunday 23rd November at 10.30am. Please bring good walking shoes, waterproofs and sandwiches.
You may wish to bring with you a copy of the British Bryological Society’s Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland: a Field-guide (2010), available at https://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk
The Friends of Mortimer Forest will join the Border Bryology group, to explore various types of woodland, a stream, forestry tracksides and an abandoned quarry in Mortimer Forest, north Herefordshire. Park in the public car park (Black Pool Car Park) at SO 497717, off the B4361 road from Ludlow to Richards Castle.
RSVP essential: info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk