Description
Join James Common on a journey through the ferns of North East England, aiming to find and identify around 30 species over six field trips.
Overview
Course tutor: James Common
Course length: Feb-August 2026. Please check the shortened programme below*
Course structure: 11 field sessions at different locations across the North East
Course cost: £75 NHSN Members / £100 Non-Members
* A full programme, including meeting instructions, will be sent to all attendees via email or can be requested in advance by emailing james.common@newcastle.ac.uk.
About This Course
Since Victorian times and the days of Pteridomania (fern fever), ferns have fascinated botanists across Britain. While the Victorian craze for collecting ferns has thankfully faded, this diverse and intriguing group of plants continues to capture interest, not only for their beauty but also for the challenge of identification and, in many cases, their habit of growing in exceptionally scenic places.
Here in the North East, we are fortunate to have an unusually high diversity of fern species, especially compared with southern England. Searching for them can be a rewarding pursuit. Some species are tricky to identify, while many are refreshingly straightforward.
In this new field course, we will set out to discover the region’s fabulous ferns, exploring exciting and beautiful locations as we work to identify as many species as possible over the season. Some will test our skills, and others will be easier to spot. Whether you are keen to encounter new species, learn the basics, or delve deeper, this programme is designed to inspire curiosity, appreciation, and a lasting interest in ferns and their habitats. It will also provide a strong foundation to continue your fern journey in the future.
This course will include:
- Key identification features of common ferns
- An introduction to some rarer ferns and their habitats
- Tips on distinguishing distinctive species and more complicated groups
- Hands-on development of practical botanical skills in the field
Accessibility Information
Due to the tendency of ferns to grow in remote, often rocky and uneven places, a reasonable degree of fitness is required for some trips. In some areas, there will be uneven ground, steep inclines, and steps. Where this is the case, we will endeavour to travel at a steady pace, pausing if needed.
While several sites are accessible by public transport, many will require personal transport. Parking is available at or close to all sites. These field courses are designed to be chatty, friendly, and informal. They should suit both intermediate botanists keen to develop their skills and explore new locations, as well as enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of the region’s flora.
Trip Programme:
- Jesmond Dene, Newcastle - Friday 22 May, 10 am-1 pm
- Gosforth Nature Reserve, Newcastle - Friday 12 June, 10 am-1 pm
- Hareshaw Linn, Bellingham - Friday 3 July, 10 am-2 pm
- Blaydon Burn, Blaydon - Friday 17 July, 10 am-2 pm
- Cow Green, Upper Teesdale - Friday 31 July, 10 am-4 pm
- Hen Hole, The Cheviots - Friday 21 August, 10 am-3.30 pm
Questions (and identification queries) are welcome at any time by emailing james.common@newcastle.ac.uk. Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.
Recommended Equipment:
If you have one, please bring a hand lens. If you have a favourite ID guide, please bring it. I would recommend either the FSC fold-out guide to ferns or Britain’s Ferns by James Merryweather.
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.