01/01/2026

On the first Monday of the month I lead Ladybirders (a guided birdwatching walk for ladies) for Essex Wildlife Trust at The Naze. For dates, further details and bookings please contact the Centre team on 01255 679379.

01/01/2026

On alternate Wednesdays I lead Ladybirders (a guided birdwatching walk for ladies) for Essex Wildlife Trust at Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve. For dates, further details and bookings please contact the Centre team on 01206 729678.

01/01/2026

Guided walks last 2.5 hours (unless otherwise stated) and finish with refreshments back at the cars. Group size is a maximum of 8 (plus me as leader).
Booking in advance is essential on all walks please.
If you are booked and have to cancel within 2 weeks of the day (or fail to attend) it will incur the full charge if I'm unable to fill your place.

09/02/2026

Monday 9th February 10am – 12.30pm Cockaynes Wood EWT
(£15 per person). Access is off Alresford Road, between Wivenhoe and Alresford – park and meet in the lane just north of the railway leading east. TM052216. This reserve is jointly managed by Essex Wildlife Trust and Cockaynes Wood Trust and has a mix of habitats – heath, grassland, woodland and ponds.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: mistle thrush, fieldfare, redwing, treecreeper, coal tit, yellowhammer, great spotted woodpecker, common buzzard, siskin, lesser redpoll and brambling possible; also scarlet elf cup fungi.
Booking in advance is essential please.

11/02/2026

On Wednesday 11th February at 10am I'll be giving an illustrated talk to Strood Probus Group.

12/02/2026

On Thursday 12th February at 7.30pm I'll be giving an illustrated talk entitled "Secret Water" to Thorpe le Soken WI.

13/02/2026

I'll be joining Fellowship Afloat (Tollesbury) again 13-15 February to help lead their Winter Birding Weekend. For further details please visit their website at www.fact.org.uk.

17/02/2026

Tuesday 17th February 10am – 1pm Tollesbury Wick EWT
(£15 per person). Meet in the free car park in Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury CM9 8SE. It’s then a few minutes’ walk to the nature reserve.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: brent geese, wigeon, teal, shoveler, gadwall, pintail, red breasted merganser, waders (eg avocet, godwits, golden plover), marsh harrier, barn owl, short eared owl, stonechat, scarcer grebes and divers possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

19/02/2026

On Thursday 19th February at 2.15pm I'll be giving an illustrated talk entitled "An Essex Wildlife Diary" to the Royal British Legion Witham Women's Section.

20/02/2026

Friday 20th February 9.30am – 4pm Minsmere RSPB
(£30 per person + £10 reserve entry or bring RSPB membership card). Meet in the reserve car park. TM473672. IP17 3BY. The plan is to do the coast circuit (c2 miles), have lunch in the car park, and then do the Island Mere circuit (c2 miles). Please bring a packed lunch.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: marsh harrier, bittern, bearded tit, marsh tit, treecreeper, nuthatch, siskin, redpoll, water pipit, whooper swan, yellow legged and Caspian gull; otter possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

25/02/2026

Wednesday 25th February 10am – 12.30pm Shut Heath Wood EWT
(£15 per person). Meet in the off-road parking area for the nature reserve at TL855131. From Braxted Park Road take Tiptree Road through Gt Braxted village. Where the woodland ends there is a hidden turning on the right just before the junction with Braxted Road. Drive through the gateway and there is room for several cars to park at the edge of the track. The nearest postcode is CM8 3ED, but satnav may have trouble finding the car park! Paths are likely to be muddy!
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: green, great spotted and lesser spotted woodpeckers, treecreeper, nuthatch, mistle thrush, fieldfare, goldcrest, common buzzard, woodcock possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

27/02/2026

Friday 27th February 10am – 1pm Old Hall Marshes RSPB
(£15 per person). Meet in the reserve car park at the far end of Old Hall Lane, Tolleshunt D’Arcy CM9 8TP. TL959122. From the B1026 take Chapel Road/Back Road and turn in to Old Hall Lane, which is quite a narrow lane. Drive to the far end, over the speed bumps round the gardens/cottages, through the metal gates, over the cattle grid and follow signs to the car park (open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri). The walk is approx 3 miles (the short circuit!) over uneven ground, including the seawall.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: marsh harrier, brent goose, waders (eg curlew, avocet, black tailed godwit, golden plover), red breasted merganser, barn owl, bearded tit; hen harrier possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

28/02/2026

On Saturday 28th February 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a Wader ID Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

02/03/2026

On Monday 2nd March at 7.30pm I'll be giving an illustrated talk entitled "Spring is Sprung" to Great Leighs WI.

06/03/2026

Friday 6th March 10am – 4pm Westleton Heath & Dunwich Beach
(£30 per person). Meet in the main Westleton Heath car park in Dunwich Road (nearest postcode IP17 3DB), on the left towards the far end of the heath. We’ll take a stroll in search of some of the heathland birds; then drive to Dunwich Beach car park (IP17 3EN) (where there are toilets) for lunch; and then have a walk along the shingle beach scanning the marsh and sea as we go. Please bring a packed lunch.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: Dartford warbler, woodlark, stonechat, linnet, crossbill, marsh harrier, common scoter, snow bunting, other seabirds possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

11/03/2026

Wednesday 11th March 10am – 12.30pm Wrabness EWT
(£15 per person). Meet in the reserve car park. TM167315. CO11 2TF. Take the first left just past the bridge on Wheatsheaf Lane (off the B1352 between Bradfield and Wrabness) and the car park is on your right (there is a height barrier). Most of the paths are tarmac/hard surface, with only one or two grassy areas.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: brent geese, wigeon, teal, red breasted merganser, black tailed godwit, knot, green woodpecker, song thrush, yellowhammer, barn owl & little owl possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

13/03/2026

Friday 13th March 10am – 4pm Santon Downham & Lynford Arboretum
(£30 per person). Birding in the Brecks! Meet in the Forestry Commission car park in Santon Downham (IP27 0TJ) at the junction of Mark Lane & Santon Road (there are toilets). We’ll then take a walk along the Little Ouse River. Then we’ll drive to Lynford Water car park (IP26 5HW) for a walk around Lynford Arboretum. Please bring a packed lunch.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: siskin, redpoll, brambling, nuthatch, mandarin, lesser spotted woodpecker, coal tit, marsh tit, crossbill, hawfinch, treecreeper, firecrest.
Booking in advance is essential please.

17/03/2026

Tuesday 17th March 10am – 12.30pm Frinton on Sea to Holland Haven
(£15 per person). Meet on the Greensward at the southern end of The Esplanade near Frinton Golf Club, CO13 9EP. There is plenty of free parking along The Esplanade and Second Avenue. We’ll walk along the seawall to Holland Haven and back via the Country Park and by the golf course (approx. 3½ miles).
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: stonechat, rock pipit, purple sandpiper, turnstone, common buzzard, peregrine, wigeon, teal, brent goose, barn owl, an early wheatear possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

20/03/2026

On Friday 20th March 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a Raptor ID Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

27/03/2026

Friday 27th March 10am – 4pm Abberton Reservoir EWT
(£30 per person). Meet at the north (reserve) end of Layer de la Haye Causeway (there’s plenty of parking along the causeway) – B1026 - Church Road/Wigborough Road. Depending on the weather and the latest bird news, we’ll probably view from the Causeway and then walk round the nature reserve, and later visit Wigborough Bay and Layer Breton Causeway. Please bring a packed lunch.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: pintail, goldeneye, goosander, smew, great white egret, cattle egret, kingfisher, marsh harrier, peregrine, stonechat, rock pipit; scarcer species such as black necked grebe possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

31/03/2026

Tuesday 31st March 10am – 4pm Upper Hollesley Common/Hollesley Marshes
(£30 per person). Meet in Upper Hollesley Common car park in Heath Road, IP12 3HU. From Melton take the B1083; then left onto Heath Road (signed to Hollesley and Sutton Heath); drive through Sutton Heath; the car park is on the left almost opposite Red Lodge.
Please bring a packed lunch. After lunch we’ll drive to nearby Hollesley Marshes RSPB, IP12 3JW.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: woodlark, stonechat, Dartford warbler, coal tit, crossbill, white fronted goose, avocet, marsh harrier, early wheatear possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

07/04/2026

Tuesday 7h April 10am – 1pm Heybridge Gravel Pits
(£15 per person). Meet in Daisy Meadows pay & display car park in Basin Road, Heybridge Basin CM9 4RW. We’ll walk along the canal, cut through the housing estate and then along the seawall overlooking the gravel pits and the River Blackwater.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: brent goose, wigeon, teal, black tailed godwit, avocet, greenshank, bearded tit, marsh harrier, Mediterranean gull, Cetti’s warbler.
Booking in advance is essential please.

09/04/2026

Thursday 9th April 10am – 12.30pm Brightlingsea
(£15 per person). Meet near the toilet block at the far end of Promenade Way, Brightlingsea CO7 0HH (beyond the lido and boating lake, towards Bateman’s Tower) (free roadside parking should be available). TM078162.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: a selection of waders (eg black tailed godwit, avocet, curlew), red breasted merganser, brent goose, little egret, marsh harrier, green woodpecker, Cetti’s warbler, reed bunting, grey partridge, wheatear and other migrants possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

11/04/2026

On Saturday 11th April 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a Bird Song Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

13/04/2026

Monday 13th April 10am – 12.30pm Alresford Creek
(£15 per person). Parking/meet near the memorial by the ruins of St Peter’s church in Ford Lane, Alresford. Nearest postcode is CO7 8AZ. TM064206. We’ll walk a circuit across the fields to the River Colne and along Alresford Creek (approx 3 miles).
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: yellowhammer, wigeon, teal, red breasted merganser, waders (eg avocet, godwits, curlew, knot), marsh harrier, common buzzard, great spotted woodpecker.
Booking in advance is essential please.

24/04/2026

Friday 24th April 10am – 4pm Lakenheath Fen RSPB
(£30 per person + £4 reserve entry or bring RSPB membership card). Meet in the RSPB car park in Station Road (B1112), Lakenheath, IP27 9AD. TL724865. There is a visitor centre with toilets. The main circular trail is approx 3 miles. Please bring a packed lunch.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: marsh harrier, bittern, bearded tit, common crane, kingfisher, water rail, garganey, sedge warbler, grasshopper warbler, hobby.
Booking in advance is essential please.

30/04/2026

Thursday 30th April 10am – 1pm Arger Fen SWT
(£15 per person). Meet in the layby at CO8 5BN. TL930353. From the A134 at Nayland turn left (W) at Nags Corner, signed to Wissington and Bures. Continue along Wiston Road/Bures Road (‘wiggly’ road for a few miles); then turn right (N) at a crossroads onto Smallbridge Entry (this road is very narrow); pass paddocks, then WA Church seed store; then layby is on your right. (See also Suffolk Wildlife Trust website for location map.)
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: nightingale, blackcap, garden warbler, red kite, raven; bluebells, early purple orchid, wild garlic.
Booking in advance is essential please.

03/05/2026

On Sunday 3rd May (5.15-7.30am followed by breakfast) I'll be leading a Dawn Chorus walk for EWT at The Naze. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01255 679379.

07/05/2026

Thursday 7th May 6 – 8.30am Dawn Chorus at Cockaynes Wood
(£15 per person). Maybe more “Early Morning Chorus” rather than strictly “Dawn Chorus”?! Access is off Alresford Road, between Wivenhoe and Alresford – park and meet in the lane just north of the railway leading east. CO7 9JX. TM052216. (Alternative parking round the corner just south of the railway at the turning to Brett Aggregates.) This reserve is jointly managed by Essex Wildlife Trust and Cockaynes Wood Trust and has a mix of habitats – heath, grassland, woodland and ponds.
Species we’ll be hoping to see/hear include: mistle thrush, nightingale, great spotted woodpecker, treecreeper, linnet, yellowhammer, common tern, great crested grebe; butterflies (eg green hairstreak, orange tip); bluebells.
Booking in advance is essential please.

09/05/2026

On Saturday 9th May 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a Bird Song Workshop at The Naze for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01255 679379.

15/05/2026

On Friday 15th May 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a Bird Song Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

05/06/2026

On Friday 5th June 1.30 - 4.30pm I'm leading a Dragonfly ID Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

05/06/2026

On Friday 5th June 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a Butterfly ID Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

18/07/2026

On Saturday 18th July 1.30 - 4.30pm I'm leading a Butterfly ID Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

18/07/2026

On Saturday 18th July 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a Dragonfly ID Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

08/08/2026

On Saturday 8th August 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a New to Birdwatching Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

10/09/2026

On Thursday 10th September 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a Bird Migration Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

10/10/2026

On Saturday 10th October 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a Wader ID Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

07/11/2026

On Saturday 7th November 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a Raptor ID Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

05/12/2026

On Saturday 5th December 9.30am - 12.30pm I'm leading a Duck ID Workshop at Fingringhoe Wick for EWT. This will include a classroom session followed by a guided walk round the nature reserve. For further details and booking please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.