01/07/2021

Guided walks last 2 or 2 1/2 hours and finish with refreshments back at the cars. Group size is a maximum of 7 (plus me as leader).

04/08/2021

Wednesday 4th August 10am – 12.30pm Frinton on Sea to Holland Haven
(£10 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: yellow wagtail, common buzzard, whitethroat, sedge warbler, reed warbler, reed bunting, swift, waders (eg avocet, green sandpiper, ruff, black tailed godwit), terns offshore.
Booking in advance is essential please.

09/08/2021

Monday 9th August 10am – 12.30pm The Naze
(£10 per person). Meet in the pay & display car park near the EWT visitor centre in Old Hall Lane, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8LE. TM264235. Drive through Walton and then follow Hall Lane, Naze Park Road and Old Hall Lane to the end! The car park is on the right. The walk will be approximately 2 miles; and the ground is uneven in places.
Species we’ll be hoping to find include: butterflies (meadow brown, speckled wood, skippers, etc); kestrel, swallow, warblers (whitethroat, chiffchaff, Cetti’s, etc), sandwich tern, returning waders, linnet.
Booking in advance is essential please.

12/08/2021

Thursday 12th August 1.30 - 4pm Old Hall Marshes RSPB
(£10 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 seen recently include: marsh harrier, common tern, waders (eg avocet, black tailed godwit, ruff, spotted redshank, greenshank & and maybe a rarity or two), bearded tit & cattle egret possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

18/08/2021

Wednesday 18th August 10am – 12.30pm Wrabness EWT
(£10 per person). Meet in the reserve car park. TM167315. CO11 2TF. From the B1352 between Bradfield and Wrabness turn left into Wheatsheaf Lane, take the first left just past the bridge, 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: sand martin, turtle dove, song thrush, linnet, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, blackcap, common buzzard; butterflies; plants.
Booking in advance is essential please.

19/08/2021

Thursday 19th August 10am – 12.30pm Fingringhoe Wick EWT
(£10 per person). Meet in the reserve car park. TM041195. CO5 7DN. Access is via South Green Road or Furneaux Lane (both quite narrow!) in Fingringhoe village.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: common tern, waders (eg avocet, black tailed godwit, grey plover, greenshank), hobby, marsh harrier, common buzzard, turtle dove, osprey possible; dragonflies (eg ruddy darter, migrant hawker, southern migrant hawker possible); beewolf.
Booking in advance is essential please.

24/08/2021

Tuesday 24th August 1.30 – 4pm Abberton Reservoir
(£10 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. We’ll view from the Causeway and walk to Wigborough Bay and then possibly drive to Layer Breton Causeway in search of birds, but it will depend on the latest bird news.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: common and black terns, red crested pochard, great white egret, yellow wagtail, returning waders (eg black tailed godwit, ruff, green and wood sandpipers, little ringed plover), marsh harrier, hobby, osprey and other rarities possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

27/08/2021

Friday 27th August 1.30pm wildlife boat trip
(£18 per person). We’ll be joining Tony Haggis for a 2-hour boat trip around the beautiful Walton Backwaters. Meet in the car park at Titchmarsh Marina in Walton on the Naze CO14 8SL at 1.15pm. From Kirby Road (B1024) turn into Coles Lane (signed for Titchmarsh Marina and Harbour Lights restaurant) and drive to the car park at the far end (it’s a long narrow lane with speed bumps!). Maximum 11 places (plus me!) so please book early to avoid disappointment. Please bring warm, weatherproof clothing!
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: waders (eg avocet, oystercatcher, godwits), marsh harrier, Mediterranean gull, terns; common seal. Scarcer species such as osprey possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

18/09/2021

Saturday 18th September 10am wildlife boat trip
(£18 per person). We’ll be joining Tony Haggis for a 2-hour boat trip around the beautiful Walton Backwaters. Meet in the car park at Titchmarsh Marina in Walton on the Naze CO14 8SL at 9.45am. From Kirby Road (B1024) turn into Coles Lane (signed for Titchmarsh Marina and Harbour Lights restaurant) and drive to the car park at the far end (it’s a long narrow lane with speed bumps!). Maximum 11 places (plus me!) so please book early to avoid disappointment. Please bring warm, weatherproof clothing!
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: waders (eg avocet, oystercatcher, godwits), marsh harrier, Mediterranean gull, terns; common seal. Scarcer species such as osprey possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.