01/01/2024

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.

02/01/2024

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.

02/01/2024

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.

10/10/2024

On Thursday 10th October 10am-4pm I'm leading a Gull ID Workshop for Essex Wildlife Trust at Fingringhoe Wick (& West Mersea). For further details and bookings please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

11/10/2024

Friday 11th October 10am – 12.30pm The Naze
(£12 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.
It’s migration time so it’s hard to predict, and almost anything could turn up, but species we’ll be hoping to see include: brent geese, sanderling, goldcrest, firecrest, brambling, warblers, thrushes, skuas. Rarities such as yellow browed or Pallas’s warbler, wryneck, red backed shrike, ring ouzel possible!
Booking in advance is essential please.

15/10/2024

Tuesday 15th October 10am – 12.30pm Landguard Point
(£12 per person). Meet in the pay & display car park by the View Point Café at the far end of View Point Road, Felixstowe IP11 3TW (where there are toilets). Part of the walk will be on the shingle beach. The site is a migration hotspot, but this can be very weather dependent!
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: terns, wheatear, redstart, common warblers, pipits, Mediterranean gull, ring ouzel, rarities possible; gannet, scoters, skuas, divers and early brent geese may be passing offshore.
Booking in advances is essential please.

16/10/2024

On Wednesday 16th October at 8pm I'm giving an illustrated talk entitled "Wild Scotland - Highlands & Islands" to Wickford Wildlife Society.

24/10/2024

Thursday 24th October 10am – 12.30pm Gunners Park/Shoebury Ranges EWT
(£12 per person). Meet in Gunners Park car park, New Barge Pier Road, SS3 9FD (off the B1016). This is a good migration site with a mix of habitats, including grassland, scrub, lake and coast, and a number of tarmac/gravel paths.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: terns, skuas, wheatear, whinchat, common warblers, sanderling, brent geese; ring ouzel, yellow browed warbler and other rarer species possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

31/10/2024

Thursday 31st October 10am – 12.30pm Blue House Farm EWT
(£12 per person). Meet in the reserve car park in Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge CM3 6GU. TQ 857969. Following recent completion of a 40 hectare wetland creation project, this site is looking even more promising. It’s a linear walk over rough ground to the banks of the River Crouch; and there are 3 hides.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: black tailed godwit, lapwing, marsh harrier, skylark, brent goose, barnacle goose, reed bunting, barn owl, scarcer species possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

01/11/2024

Friday 1st November 9.45am wildlife boat trip
(£18 per person). We’ll be joining Tony Haggis for a 2-2½ 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 (for 10am boat trip). From Kirby Road (B1024) turn into Coles Lane (signed for Titchmarsh Marina and Harbour Lights restaurant) and drive to the boatyard 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, red breasted merganser, brent goose; common seal. Scarcer species possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

02/11/2024

On Saturday 2nd November 9.30am-12.30pm I'm leading a Raptor ID Workshop for Essex Wildlife Trust at Fingringhoe Wick. For further details and bookings please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

06/12/2024

On Friday 6th December 9.30am-12.30pm I'm leading a Duck ID Workshop for Essex Wildlife Trust at Fingringhoe Wick. For further details and bookings please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.