The Society publishes annual journals (The Hertfordshire Naturalist and The Hertfordshire Bird Report, which form the HNHS Transactions published continuously since 1875) and books on specific topics (wild flowers, birds, moths, dragonflies, mammals, amphibians and reptiles).
Past issues
One or both journals are sent free of charge to HNHS/Herts Bird Club members depending on their chosen subscription. We are, however, able to sell surplus copies to non-members for £10 each, including p&p. Please contact the HNHS Secretary, David Utting on 01727 762855, by email, or write to 250 Sandridge Road, St Albans, AL1 4AL. The latest issues are shown below.
Previous issues of The Hertfordshire Naturalist can be found here and past issues of The Hertfordshire Bird Report are here.
Contributors
The Hertfordshire Naturalist's editorial board welcomes papers whether based on detailed surveys, experiments, observational studies or historical reviews. Further information on how to contribute can be downloaded here.
HNHS Transactions
The Hertfordshire Bird Report 2021 The Hertfordshire Bird Report 2021 was published and circulated to HNHS/Bird Club members in November 2022 (Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society, Vol. 54 (2), pp. 89-176.) |
The Hertfordshire Naturalist 2022 The Hertfordshire Naturalist 2022 (Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society, Vol. 54 (1), pp. 1-88) was mailed to members in October 2022 Contents: Long-term monitoring at Heartwood forest - 2022 update (Tim Wright et al.) The influence of habitat quality and habitat availability on British bat (Chiroptera) activities across the north Thames river basis (Bethan Finn Leeming, Sarah J. Scott & Judy England) The hoverflies of Nunnery Allotments (Will Scarratt) Crayfish in Hertfordshire: 2022 Update (Edward Willis-Jones) |
HNHS Books
Beetles of Hertfordshire
This ground breaking account of all 2,483 species of beetle so far recorded in Hertfordshire was published by the HNHS in July 2018.
Written by former County Recorder, the late Trevor James, it is beautifully illustrated with colour photographs and provides detailed information on the occurrence of every species, as well as their habitat needs and conservation status.
It is the first book to cover all the beetles reliably recorded in a UK county in such a comprehensive way, making it a landmark for future studies.
"This is the first book to cover all the beetles reliably recorded in a UK county in such a comprehensive way – it is a remarkable achievement and a landmark for future studies." Paul T. Harding, British Journal of Entomology and Natural History, 31, 2018.
"...a heroic achievement...this is an impressive book. It sets a new standard for county beetle faunas and will be a hard act to follow. I can unreservedly recommend it for anyone with an interest in British beetles." A.G. Duff, The Coleopterist.
Published in hardback in the same, attractive A4 format as our five existing wildlife atlases, the book's 496 pages include 750 distribution maps for the more widely-recorded beetle species. More than 600 colour photographs illustrate a group of insects whose intricacy and beauty are too easily overlooked.
The introductory offer for Beetles of Hertfordshire has now expired, but our website price of £45 (plus £10 p&p) is still £16 lower than the recommended retail price. Buyers who wish to save on the charge for mailing such a large book may arrange to collect their copy from the HNHS Secretary in St Albans (by prior appointment). Prices for mailing to overseas addresses are available on request (if ordering from an EU country please note that customs duty may now be charged).
Butterflies of Hertfordshire and Middlesex
Our widely-acclaimed book Butterflies of Hertfordshire and Middlesex was published in November 2016. Copiously illustrated with colour photographs taken in the two counties, it provides the first in-depth account of butterflies found in our area for almost 30 years.
The book is published in the same A4, hardback format as Birds of Hertfordshire and other popular HNHS atlases. It includes present-day and historic distribution maps for all 34 resident and migrant species recorded in recent years, together with an analysis of trend data. Its 272 pages also provide an expert evaluation of changing rural and urban landscapes and their impact on butterfly populations since the 1980s. Descriptions of more than 50 publicly accessible 'top spots' for butterflies are accompanied by maps and other information on visiting them.
If you buy Butterflies of Hertfordshire and Middlesex here you can choose to have the book dellivered by post for £28 or collect it (by prior appointment) from HNHS at 250 Sandridge Road, St Albans, AL1 4AL for £25.
Prices for mailing to overseas addresses are available on request. Payment can be made using your debit or credit card through our secure PayPal account. Orders will be acknowledged by e-mail. Alternatively send a cheque for £28 (or £25 if collecting the book), payable to 'Hertfordshire Natural History Society' together with your name, address, and telephone number to: Hertfordshire Natural History Society, c/o 250 Sandridge Road, St Albans, AL1 4AL. Add your email address if you wish for an immediate acknowledgement of your order.
If you are ordering from overseas and we have contacted you about an additional charge for mailing your book, please pay the amount to us as a donation, using this PayPal button:
Birds of Hertfordshire
Birds of Hertfordshire, describes all the species of birds ever recorded in the County, from our common garden birds though to the rarest. It is a full county avifauna and atlas including comprehensive information on where and when to see the birds and how their numbers and distribution have changed over the years.
Published for Herts Bird Club by Hertfordshire Natural History Society in February 2015. Written by local experts with all the photographs taken in Hertfordshire, the book is A4 format, hardback and in full colour throughout.
You can buy this book direct from Hertfordshire Natural History Society with your credit or debit card using the PayPal link below. You can choose to have the book delivered by post for £39 or collect it by prior appointment).from HNHS at 250 Sandridge Road, St Albans, AL1 4AL for £34.
Data protection and privacy: in accord with its Privacy Policy, the HNHS will only use the personal data provided by customers for the purpose of fulfilling their orders.
Hertfordshire Geology and Landscape
A major work on Hertfordshire's earth heritage and its fundamental influence on geodiversity and biodiversity.
Published by HNHS with Hertfordshire Geological Society in December 2010. A4 format, hardbound, 384 pages, illustrated in colour throughout with over 200 maps and photographs.
The book gives a comprehensive and authoritative account of the basic geology of the county and its relationships with a wide range of topics, including soils, ecology, agriculture, prehistoric archaeology, hydrogeology, mineral resources and building stones.
Dragonflies and Damselflies of Hertfordshire
Published by Hertfordshire Natural History Society in April 2008
Paperback, B5 size, 144 pages, colour photos, maps and flight charts
Original cover price £22
The book covers all 19 species of Dragonfly found in the county at the time of publication. Each is described and illustrated with a colour photo, distribution map and the time of year when it can be seen in Hertfordshire.
Flora of Hertfordshire
OUT OF PRINT
A must for everyone who enjoys the Hertfordshire countryside and finding wild flowers. Includes over 2000 species of vascular plants, sub-species and hybrids recorded in the county during the Hertfordshire Flora Survey 1987-2005, with distribution maps and comparisons with earlier surveys.
The foreword is by the well-known natural history author and plant expert, Richard Mabey.
Introductory sections describe the history of botanical recording, Hertfordshire's physical make-up - geology, soils, climate and hydrology, the history of our natural landscape; our wild plant habitats; their ecology and changing flora and a brief discussion of alien plants in Hertfordshire.
The Moths of Hertfordshire
OUT OF PRINT
Colin Plant's definitive book - The history, status, distribution and phenology of the micro- and macro-Lepidoptera of a south-eastern English county
Published by Hertfordshire Natural History Society in July 2008.
544 pages, with many colour photos, distribution maps and flight charts
Hardback, A4 size, 295 x 210mm, spine 36mm, weight 2480g,
The book is the result of ten years of survey work by volunteers, led by the Herts Moth Group and compiled and edited by Colin Plant. You can buy this book direct from Hertfordshire Natural History Society with your credit or debit card using the PayPal link below. You can choose to have the book delivered by post for £25 or collect it (by prior appointment) from HNHS at 250 Sandridge Road, St Albans, AL1 4AL for £15.
Recent News
HNHS / Herts Bird Club Autumn Meeting & AGM
HNHS members and non-members are warmly invited to join us from 2 to 5.30pm on Saturday 7 October for the Autumn Meeting and AGM. We are once more grateful to Affinity Water for agreeing to host the meeting at their offices in Tamblin Way Hatfield AL10 9EZ
This year's programme of wildlife talks includes news of the positive part that anglers are playing in nature conservation in the Colne Valley and a landscape-scale assessment of Water Voles along the River Lea. A popular community approach to conservation being applied in St Albans will be described by its founder.
Please note that AGM papers, including proposed constitutional amendments, were emailed to members on Tuesday 12 September (or posted to those not on email). There will be a £5 entry charge for the whole meeting, but no charge for members attending the AGM only.
Celebrating the life and achievements of Trevor James (1947 - 2020)
The many natural history achievements of outstanding Hertfordshire naturalist, Trevor James, were celebrated at a conference on Saturday 9 September.
Despite exceptionally hot weather, an audience of more than 50 HNHS/Bird Club members and friends enjoyed a day of talks at Redbourn Parish Centre. These related to Trevor's national contribution to biological recording and his particular areas of wildlife interest.
For those who were unable to attend, links to video recordings of the tributes paid and the main presentations can be found below.
Hertfordshire 'Wild Snaps' wanted!
Calling HNHS / Herts Bird Club photographers. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is inviting entries for its 2023 Wild Snaps competition for anyone who has captured a special wildlife moment on camera this year.