On Tuesday 16th April 10am-1pm I'm running a "Bird Song for Beginners" course at Fingringhoe Wick (Essex Wildlife Trust). This week's topic is "Garden Birds" and will include a classroom session and a guided walk. Can be done as a single session or part of a 4-week course (also 23rd, 30th, & 7th May). For further details and bookings please contact the visitor centre on 01206 729678.

On Tuesday 23rd April 10am-1pm I'm running a "Bird Song for Beginners" course at Fingringhoe Wick (Essex Wildlife Trust). This week's topic is "Warblers" and will include a classroom session and a guided walk. For further details and bookings please contact the visitor centre on 01206 729678.

Working with Essex Wildlife Trust at Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve - leading guided birdwatching walks for ladies on alternate Wednesday mornings 10am-12noon. For further details and bookings please contact the visitor centre on 01206 729678.

On Thursday 25th April at 8.15 pm I'm giving a talk entitled "The Naze - beach, birds, blackberries & more" to Chelmsford EWT Local Group at Gt Baddow URC.

Thursday 25th April 10.30am-12.30pm Little Bentley Hall Wood
(£7 per person). Meet at Little Bentley church, Church Road, CO7 8SE (almost opposite Bentley Manor). The aim is to enjoy a walk through a bluebell wood, but there should be a selection of wildlife to see as well!
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: blackcap, woodpeckers, jay; butterflies; bluebells
Booking in advance please.

On Friday 26th April I'm giving a talk entitled "Essex in the Spring" to Shenfield Probus.

On Tuesday 30th April 10am-1pm I'm running a "Bird Song for Beginners" course at Fingringhoe Wick (Essex Wildlife Trust). This week's topic is "Nightingale & Skylark" and will include a classroom session and a guided walk. For further details and bookings please contact the visitor centre on 01206 729678.

On Wednesday 1st May 10am-4pm I'll be leading a course for Essex Wildlife Trust at Fingringhoe Wick - "Bird Song". This will include a classroom session, followed by a short walk to put the theory into practice. After lunch we'll take a longer guided walk around the nature reserve in search of more birds. For further information and bookings please contact admin at Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960.

On Tuesday 7th May 10am-1pm I'm running a "Bird Song for Beginners" course at Fingringhoe Wick (Essex Wildlife Trust). This week's topic is "Finches plus" and will include a classroom session and a guided walk. For further details and bookings please contact the visitor centre on 01206 729678.

Working with Essex Wildlife Trust at Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve - leading guided birdwatching walks for ladies on alternate Wednesday mornings 10am-12noon. For further details and bookings please contact the visitor centre on 01206 729678.

Saturday 11th May 10am-3pm Fingringhoe Wick EWT reserve
(£15 per person + £2 suggested reserve entry donation or bring EWT membership card). Meet in the reserve car park. TM041195. CO5 7DN. Access is via South Green Road or Furneaux Lane (both quite narrow!) in Fingringhoe village. Please bring a packed lunch (or light lunches are available in the visitor centre).
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: nightingale, chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, garden warbler, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, turtle dove, common tern; also butterflies and dragonflies
Booking in advance please.

Working with Essex Wildlife Trust at Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve - leading guided birdwatching walks for ladies on alternate Wednesday mornings 10am-12noon. For further details and bookings please contact the visitor centre on 01206 729678.

Friday 24th May 10.30am-12.30pm Wrabness EWT reserve
(£7 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: nightingale, turtle dove, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff, bullfinch, green woodpecker, barn owl
Booking in advance please.

Spring Special (minimum 4 participants)
Friday 31st May 10am-3pm Minsmere RSPB reserve
(£15 per person + £9 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 and then the Island Mere circuit (c1.5 miles). Please bring a packed lunch.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: marsh harrier, bittern, avocet, terns, sand martin, Mediterranean gull, barnacle goose, nightingale, marsh tit, hobby, bearded tit
Booking in advance please.

Working with Essex Wildlife Trust at Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve - leading guided birdwatching walks for ladies on alternate Wednesday mornings 10am-12noon. For further details and bookings please contact the visitor centre on 01206 729678.

Friday 14th June 10am start The Naze circuit
(£10 per person). Meet in the pay & display car park near the EWT visitor centre. TM264235. Drive through Walton and then follow Hall Lane and Naze Park Road to the end! The car park is on the right. This is a longer walk of c4 miles. Optional stay on for lunch in the visitor centre (or bring a picnic) for those that wish.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: waders (eg whimbrel), terns, swallows & martins, marsh harrier; common seal possible
Booking in advance please.

Friday 28th June 10.30am-12.30pm Hythe Lagoons
(£7 per person). Meet at the far (east) end of Haven Road, Colchester (just before CTruk, CO2 8HT) TM022236 – parking is at the side of the road. We’ll then walk through to the riverside walk along the River Colne to this Colchester Borough Council site and the viewing screen overlooking a large lagoon, which could be full of water(!!) and waders.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: avocet, black tailed godwit, greenshank, green sandpiper, common sandpiper, little ringed plover, peregrine, yellowhammer
Booking in advance please.