Name: Willows for Beginners
Start: 2026-07-23T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-07-23T13:00:00+01:00
Location: Big Waters Nature Reserve

Join NHSN Senior Naturalist, James Common, for a field trip and taster session exploring the identification of common willows
About this Event

About This Course

Course Tutor: James Common

Start Date: Thursday 23 July, 10 am-1 pm

Course Length: 1 Session

Location: Big Waters Country Park, carpark, NZ 22972 73235, minivans.hazy.glossed)

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Course cost: £7.50 NHSN Members / £10 Non-Members

Willows (Salix) can be a daunting group. Many species look remarkably similar, and their tendency to hybridise often leads botanists to overlook them altogether. Fortunately, in the lowland areas of the North East, only about ten species and hybrids are regularly encountered.

In this session, we’ll aim to find and identify a range of these willows, and perhaps some common hybrids as well. Extra time will be set aside for practising identification skills in pairs or small groups.

This session will include:

• An introduction to 7-10 familar willow species and hybrids

• Key identification features of common willows

• Hands-on development of practical botanical skills in the field

In the event of poor weather, every effort will be taken to reschedule.

Accessibility

Most trips are planned to include areas of flat, even walking. However, some visits may involve uneven ground, rough terrain, or steps. Parking is available at or close to all sites.

These field courses are designed to be chatty, friendly, and informal and are suitable for beginners, as well as for botanists looking to visit interesting places as part of a group.

Additional Information

Questions (and identification queries) are welcome at any time by emailing [email protected].

Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.

Recommended Equipment:

If you have one, please do bring a hand lens. Walking boots and a waterproof jacket are also recommended.

About the tutor:

James works as Senior Naturalist at NHSN. Outside of work, he is a passionate wildlife recorder with a focus on botany and invertebrates. As a botanist, he is a joint BSBI Vice-County Recorder for North Northumberland and an iRecord verifier for South Northumberland.