News/Reports

Guided walk Frinton to Holland Haven

11/03/2024

I don't know whether you'd call it 'saving the best till last' or 'by the skin of my teeth', but eventually managed to find the wintering purple sandpipers at the end of our guided walk from Frinton to Holland Haven and back this morning. Other highlights included Mediterranean gull, common gull, marsh harrier, common buzzard, avocet, black tailed godwit, oystercatcher, curlew, shoveler, wigeon, teal, shelduck, gadwall, reed bunting, goldcrest, Cetti's warbler (heard) ....

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

07/03/2024

Early morning fog cleared enough to leave us a fine morning for our guided walk at Old Hall Marshes, albeit with an increasing chilly breeze. Loads of birds, with highlights including brent geese, 50+ pintail, wigeon, shoveler, gadwall, 2+ marsh harrier, red kite, 2 great white egret, 6 snipe, c100 avocet, c400 golden plover, 2 ruff, black tailed godwit, displaying lapwing, knot, reed bunting, skylark, Cetti's warbler & bearded tit heard, brown hare .....

Guided walk at Colne Point

05/03/2024

Colne Point is a fairly unique place and usually produces some quality birding. This morning was no exception for our guided walk; and highlights included merlin, 2+ marsh harrier, common buzzard, kestrel pair, stonechat pair, rock & meadow pipits, curlew, lapwing displaying, big flocks of starling & golden plover, 4 red legged partridge, constant song of skylarks, reed bunting, linnet, wigeon, brent geese, 20+ stock dove, 3 brown hare ....

Guided walk at Wrabness

27/02/2024

Wonderful conditions for our guided walk at Wrabness this morning - it really felt like spring has arrived - lots of bird song, the first chiffchaff of the year, bees on blossom, alexdanders in flower ... Other highlights included song thrush, 1 green sandpiper, Cetti's warbler (heard), 2+ common buzzard, 2+ kestrel, 1 marsh harrier, 2+ reed bunting, brent geese, redshanks, 200+ dunlin, 10+ red breasted merganser, 4+ goldeneye, female pintail, 5+ great crested grebe, shoveler, wigeon, linnet .....

Guided walk at Shut Heath Wood

23/02/2024

Shut Heath Wood was very wet and muddy for this morning's guided walk, though the weather was kind to us and it was mostly nice and sunny. Plenty of signs of spring - bird song, bluebell leaves, pussy willow, hazel catkins, honeysuckle sprouting ... Bird highlights included 5+ common buzzard, 4+ red kite, great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch (heard), 2+ lesser redpoll, c80 fieldfare, 16 red legged partridge, goldcrest, treecreeper (heard), 2 mistle thrush, long tailed tit .....

X (formerly Twitter)

15/02/2024

So, I'm now on X (@LizHuxley1) as well as Facebook (Liz Huxley - Wildlife Photography & Guided Walks)

Guided walk at Kirby le Soken

15/02/2024

We could hardly have asked for better weather for our guided walk at Kirby le Soken this morning. Star bird was probably the leucistic male blackbird. I've seen them with some white feathering before, but never one quite like this (see photo). Other highlights included brent geese, 100+ avocet, 2 green woodpecker, 2 little egret, 2 stonechat, several skylark, 1 song thrush, 2 Mediterranean gull, 2 reed bunting, 1 kestrel, 1 common buzzard, lots of waders .... And we finished off with excellent lunch at The Social Kitchen!

Guided walk at Brightlingsea

13/02/2024

Once again the forecast didn't quite deliver for our guided walk along the river at Brightlingsea. Persistent drizzle set in, making viewing conditions a bit challenging, trying to keep rain off glasses, binoculars, scope... We still had a great time; and highlights included, brent geese, 10+ skylark, rock pipit, 2+ marsh harrier, 10 red breasted merganser, 2 pintail, male stonechat, 2 reed bunting, 4 red legged partridge, plenty of waders - curlew, redshank, oystercatcher, dunlin, grey plover, turnstone, lapwing, black tailed godwit ....

Wildlife boat trip

10/02/2024

Remarkably good weather (for early February!) for our wildlife boat trip round the Walton Backwaters this morning. Hundreds of birds moving around ahead of the super-high rising tide, as well as when birds of prey cruised through. Highlights included close views of a great northern diver, single purple sandpiper & Mediterranean gull, 8+ marsh harrier, 2 common buzzard, 1 peregrine, 4 red breasted merganser, 1 goldeneye, wigeon, teal, pintail, shelduck, lots of lapwing, dunlin & brent goose, 3 sanderling, 100+ avocet, oystercatcher, grey & golden plovers; 30+ common seal, 3 grey seal ..... A fantastic morning.

Guided walk at Aldeburgh

02/02/2024

Fabulous day guiding around Aldeburgh - good weather, fun company and some great birding. We spent the morning at North Warren RSPB where highlights included 2 great white egret, 1 spoonbill, 1 water rail, barnacle & white fronted geese, pintail, shoveler, gadwall, wigeon, teal, shelduck, male marsh harrier, female stonechat, goldcrest and lapwing. Moved on to Thorpeness Meare for lunch (and loos!), where we added Egyptian geese and eventually the long-staying drake ring necked duck. Then on to Aldeburgh Town Marshes where we watched more geese (including brents), avocet, rock pipit, and finished off with ringtail hen harrier, short eared owl and marsh harrier in quick succession. An amazing and memorable day!

Guided walk at Copt Hall

31/01/2024

Shame about the chilly wind, but we still had a fantastic afternoon at Copt Hall. White fronted goose (2) and spotted redshank (2) were nice surprises; and other highlights included Mediterranean gull (5+), common buzzard (2+), marsh harrier (4+), brent goose (600+), lapwing (800+), wigeon, teal, shelduck, shoveler, curlew ....

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

29/01/2024

Unforecast fog all day made our guided day at Abberton Reservoir fairly challenging, but we still enjoyed a great day's birding. Highlights included 2 immature velvet scoter, 14+ goosander, 3 sightings of marsh harrier, common buzzard, kestrel, 2 great white egret, stonechat pair, rock pipit, redhead smew, black necked grebe, c100 linnet, c500 lapwing, 2 Egyptian goose, goldeneye, pintail, shoveler, lots of tufted duck & pochard, goldcrest ....

Guided walk at Minsmere

25/01/2024

Fabulous day guiding at Minsmere with so many highlights including ringtail hen harrier, 9 whooper swan, red throated diver, 2 stonechat, 2 great white egret, bullfinch pair, multiple marsh harrier sightings, 250+ redwing, 6 avocet, 2 barnacle goose, 1 snipe, shoveler, pintail, gadwall, 1 goosander, coal tit, 2 goldcrest, water rail (heard), Cetti's warbler (heard), muntjac ...... Brilliant!

Guided walk at Mersea Island

22/01/2024

Once again the forecast wasn't quite as accurate as it might have been, and the 40mph winds never really eased! It made viewing conditions challenging for our guided walk on Mersea Island, but we made the best of it and had an enjoyable time. Highlights included 20+ sanderling, turnstone, curlew, 3 Mediterranean gull, common gull, 500+ brent goose, 40+ avocet, male red breasted merganser, 5 marsh harrier, teal, shelduck, 10+ long tailed tit, single kestrel ...

Guided walk at Stone Point, The Naze

19/01/2024

A glorious morning for our guided walk to Stone Point, The Naze - sunny but frosty. Highlights included brent geese, kestrel, jay, sanderling, ringed plover, bar tailed godwit, avocet, snipe, lapwing, skylark, rock pipit, stonechat, redwing, muntjac ....

Guided walk at Alton Water

11/01/2024

A wonderful crisp morning for my first guided walk of 2024 at Alton Water. Highlights included great crested grebe, tufted duck, great white egret, bullfinch, siskin, coal tit, long tailed tit, goldcrest, treecreeper, yellowhammer, fieldfare, redwing, linnet, jay, reed bunting, great spotted woodpecker ....

Guided walk at Wrabness

29/12/2023

Led my final guided walk of 2023 this morning at Wrabness EWT reserve - and the rain started just as we finished! Special moment was finding a brambling in among a large flock of chaffinch. Other highlights included green woodpecker, brent geese, wigeon, shelduck, redshank, dunlin, turnstone, curlew, oystercatcher, common buzzard, little egret, long tailed tit ....

Guided walk at Kirby le Soken

21/12/2023

So it wasn't the best conditions for our guided walk at Kirby le Soken this morning - rather dull, very windy and muddy! Our circuit included part of the Walton Backwaters; and we finished with lunch at 19toGo. Highlights included brent geese, big numbers of golden plover & knot, curlew, oystercatcher, redshank, dunlin, grey plover, a red kite & 2 marsh harrier, teal, shoveler, shelduck, little egret, skylark, green woodpecker, common gull, kestrel, brown hare, common seal ....

Guided walk at Lackford Lakes

20/11/2023

After rather arduous journeys we had a great day guiding at Lackford Lakes. Highlights included a mobile and vocal flock of 100+ siskin, lesser redpoll, 4 sightings of kingfisher, 40+ lapwing, 10+ snipe, 3 Cetti's warbler (heard), 4 redwing, 3+ goldcrest, nuthatch, 2 marsh tit, coal tit, 12+ Egyptian goose, 4 raptor species overhead during lunch by the visitor centre (red kite, sparrowhawk, marsh harrier, common buzzard), great spotted woodpecker, jay, water rail (heard), gadwall, wigeon, teal, tufted duck, pochard, shoveler, starling murmuration to finish (maybe 4000 birds).... (Unfortunately I only had the phone for photos today!)

Guided walk at Copt Hall

16/11/2023

The weather gods were not on our side for this afternoon's guided walk at Copt Hall - persistent light rain, dull light and a chilly north breeze. Poor conditions for the raptors and owls we'd hoped for (only common buzzard seen). The high tide was pretty spectacular; and we noted brent geese, wigeon, teal, curlew, redshank, dunlin, grey plover, shelduck, curlew and little egret out on the saltmarsh. Other highlights included 3-4 rock pipit, 100+ lapwing, 10+ golden plover, 3 great crested grebe, cormorant heading over towards Abberton Reservoir to roost, grey heron, stock dove ....

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

14/11/2023

So, the BBC weather app showed 0% chance of rain for this morning's guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick. How wrong could it be!! We started at Margaret Hide, where a mega-high tide had already moved most of the waders on (big flocks of knot were flying off as we walked up). Light rain started as we walked to Kingfisher Hide; and then became steady, heavy rain! We tried waiting for a break in the weather, but it didn't come, so with lunch calling we headed back to the Centre and got wet! Still with no let-up in the rain we viewed from the Centre windows, watching activity around the bird feeders and also adding marsh harrier and great white egret out on the saltmarsh to our list. Highlights included 6+ redwing, 2+ goldcrest, c4000 knot, c150 avocet, 50+ brent geese, 2 Cetti's warbler (heard only), 2 reed bunting, male yellowhammer, 2 marsh harrier, 1 great white egret, 40+ lapwing, wigeon, teal, shelduck, tufted duck, pochard, great spotted woodpecker, curlew, turnstone, bar tailed godwit .... Fifty species was a very decent bird list given the weather conditions.

Guided walk at Cudmore Grove

13/11/2023

It was lovely and sunny for our guided walk at Cudmore Grove Country Park, East Mersea this morning (none of the forecast rain), although the wind increased during the morning (as forecast), becoming strong and gusty, making birding (and walking) more challenging. Highlights included brent geese, teal, wigeon, gadwall, shoveler, little egret, jay, long tailed tit, goldcrest, sanderling, turnstone, great crested grebe, skylark, rock pipit, Cetti's warbler (heard only) ....

Guided walk at Heybridge Gravel Pits

10/11/2023

A productive morning spent guiding round Heybridge Gravel Pits with 56 species seen. Highlights included 6 greenshank, brent geese, impressive numbers of golden plover and black tailed godwit, big flock of avocet, 8+ bearded tit, reed bunting, 2 stonechat, fly-by sparrowhawk, wigeon, teal, shoveler, linnet, greenfinch, great crested grebe ....

Guided walk along Walton Channel

07/11/2023

A beautiful sunny morning for our guided walk along Walton Channel. Highlights included at least 6 stonechat, 200+ brent geese, wigeon, teal, shelduck, 9 little grebe, 20+ avocet, black tailed and bar tailed godwits, redshank, grey plover, curlew, dunlin, knot, oystercatcher, turnstone, little egret, sparrowhawk, kestrel, common buzzard, meadow pipit, goldfinch, common gull, skylark, still a couple of butterflies out and about (red admiral and small white), muntjac ....

Wildlife boat trip

03/11/2023

After Storm Ciaran and amber weather warnings yesterday I wasn't sure that today's wildlife boat trip round the Walton Backwaters would go ahead, but we did, and we had a great time. It was fine and dry (until after we got back), if a little breezy, and we enjoyed some great birding. Highlights included 2 red throated diver, juvenile peregrine, common buzzard, marsh harrier, sparrowhawk, brent geese, wigeon, teal, shelduck, female red breasted merganser, rock pipit, linnet, swirling flocks of waders - dunlin, knot, redshank, grey plover, avocet, bar tailed and black tailed godwit; and at least 24 common seal.

Guided walk at Manningtree

31/10/2023

The weather was better than forecast (and the tide higher than forecast!) for our guided walk along the river at Manningtree. Added excitement was provided by the air ambulance landing on the small beach and a 1960's diesel engine (D6817) crossing the rail bridge. Birding highlights included 400+ black tailed godwit, 50+ avocet, 100+ lapwing, 10 greenshank, 3 snipe, 2 kingfisher, 4+ common buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, 50+ linnet, brent geese, wigeon, teal, shelduck, gadwall, rock pipit, goldfinch ....

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

27/10/2023

A bit damp and drizzly (and not great light for photography), but we still had a good morning's birding on our guided walk at Cockaynes Wood. Star sighting was watching 3 goldcrest calling and posturing to each other for a couple of minutes. Other highlights included 3+ fieldfare (my first of this autumn), coal tit, long tailed tit, 2+ skylark, green & great spotted woodpeckers, 2+ jay, treecreeper (heard), kestrel, little & great crested grebes ... Also a number of fungi, including a few fly agaric.

Guided walk at Colne Point

23/10/2023

After lots of recent rain we had good weather for our guided walk at Colne Point this morning. Highlights included 3 marsh harrier, 3 common buzzard, 2 sparrowhawk, 3+ rock pipit (and great to compare them side by side with meadow pipit), 2 stonechat, female reed bunting, 20+ wigeon, brent geese, little egret, ringed plover, turnstone, curlew, 100+ lapwing, 1 greenshank, 100+ linnet ....

Guided walk at Landguard Point

19/10/2023

Given the forecast I think we rather got away with it weatherwise for our guided walk at Landguard Point (Felixstowe) this morning - a bit breezy and one light shower! Nothing particularly scarce, but it was great to see migration happening with totals of 100+ brent geese and 160+ wigeon heading south offshore. Other highlights included 10+ robin (presumably an influx), 2 song thrush, several goldfinch and linnet, 2 Mediterranean gull, a distant red throated diver and single bar tailed godwit south, meadow pipit, goldfinch, and a common seal.

Guided walk at Blue House Farm

03/10/2023

Superb morning guiding at Blue House Farm EWT. Although the site has largely dried out, we still enjoyed some excellent birding. Highlights included, stonechat, whinchat, linnet (60+), common buzzard (6+), marsh harrier, kestrel (2+), bearded tit (4+), Cetti's warbler (heard only), barnacle geese (c30), snipe (3), skylark (12+), teal, curlew, reed bunting, swallow .....

Guided walk at Minsmere

29/09/2023

An amazing day guiding at Minsmere - glorious weather and some great birds and other wildlife. The surprise find was a goosander on East Scrape, while other highlights included hobby, marsh harrier, common buzzard, lesser redpoll, stonechat, bearded tit, common & green sandpipers, ruff, snipe, bar tailed & black tailed godwits, avocet, shoveler, gadwall, teal, wigeon, water vole, red deer, willow emerald damselfly ..... A brilliant day!

Guided walk at Hanningfield Reservoir

27/09/2023

Amazing numbers of birds on our guided walk at Hanningfield Reservoir this morning. Hundreds of coot, cormorant, tufted duck and teal, 10+ red crested pochard, 6 pintail, 3 ruff, 2 hobby, 2 yellow legged gull,10+ Egyptian goose, 2+ goldcrest, 1 treecreeper, coal tit and great spotted woodpecker heard only, shoveler, gadwall, lapwing, grey heron, great crested grebe ...... and a little gull seen after lunch.

Guided walk Frinton to Holland Haven

21/09/2023

Amazing to witness bird migration in progress on this morning's guided walk from Frinton to Holland Haven. There was a steady passage of meadow pipits heading south (estimated total 300+), 12 wheatear along the seawall and golf course, 20 swallow, reed warbler, 3 Cetti's warbler (heard only), 2 stonechat, 2 sandwich tern, whinchat, juvenile scaup, little stint, 2 snipe, 3 common buzzard, 2 hobby, sparrowhawk, 2 wigeon, 10 teal ....

Guided walk at Dovercourt West End

16/09/2023

Another lovely morning for our guided walk at West End, Dovercourt. The harsh light made viewing and photography more awkward, but we had a great time. Star bird was a kingfisher seen twice, but sadly it didn't hang around. Other highlights included meadow pipits migrating south overhead, little grebe, gadwall, tufted duck, linnet, Cetti's warbler (heard only), red legged partridge, common sandpiper, snipe, curlew, oystercatcher, bar tailed godwit, grey heron, common buzzard, common gull, swallow ....

2024 calendars

14/09/2023

My wildlife calendars for 2024 have arrived and are now available at £9.00 each (+ P&P if mail order).

Guided walk at Brightlingsea

05/09/2023

Really felt like summer this morning for our guided walk along the river at Brightlingsea - sunny and warm, with a pleasant E breeze so it didn't feel too hot. A nice mix of birds, though lots were distant and/or brief views. Highlights included little egret, curlew, redshank, turnstone, avocet (14), oystercatcher, common tern (4+), sandwich tern (6), common gull (2), kestrel, common buzzard (including 9 circling together), goldfinch (20+), linnet, whinchat (1), reed warbler, Cetti's warbler (3 heard only), whitethroat, chiffchaff .... A lovely way to spend a morning!

Wildlife boat trip

31/08/2023

A beautiful morning for our wildlife boat trip round the Walton Backwaters - very peaceful (except when the peregrine stirred up all the waders!). Highlights included common seal (20+), swallows & house martins gathering prior to heading south, common buzzard (5+), peregrine, kestrel, marsh harrier, sandwich tern (2), ringed plover (100+), whimbrel (2), brent goose (just the one!), a nice mix of waders (turnstone, black tailed & bar tailed godwits, curlew, redshank, oystercatcher, dunlin, knot, sanderling, golden plover, lapwing) .... It's tough this working lark!

Guided walk at The Naze

22/08/2023

Conditions couldn't have been much better for our guided walk at The Naze this morning - warm and sunny, enough breeze to keep it not too hot, incoming tide, seawall vegetation recently cut - and plenty of birds and other wildlife. Highlights included wheatear, curlew sandpiper, black tailed and bar tailed godwits, common and sandwich terns, ringed and grey plovers, green woodpecker, blackcap, chiffchaff, common buzzard; holly blue and speckled wood butterflies; stoat, water vole ....

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

16/08/2023

A beautiful morning for our guided walk at Old Hall Marshes - warm and sunny, but enough breeze to keep it pleasant, and an in-coming tide. Highlights included curlew, whimbrel, common sandpiper, green sandpiper, black tailed godwit, grey plover, lapwing, bearded tit, marsh harrier, willow warbler, lesser whitethroat, reed bunting, yellow wagtail, shoveler, teal, pochard, Egyptian goose ....

Guided walk at Holland Haven

10/08/2023

A beautiful morning (actually felt like summer!) for our guided walk at Holland Haven. Found good numbers of wasp spider, as well as Roesel's bush cricket, a female great green bush cricket and several butterfly species. No rare birds today, but highlights included nice numbers of fresh willow warbler and lesser whitethroat, whitethroat, chiffchaff, blackcap, swallow, yellow wagtail, linnet, common sandpiper, avocet, black tailed godwit, little ringed plover, oystercatcher, lapwing, teal, kestrel, sparrowhawk, little grebe ....

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

04/08/2023

The forecast wasn't great for today, but apart from getting caught in one heavy downpour we didn't do too badly on our guided walk at Abberton Reservoir (though we did watch dark clouds and thunder skirting round us too!). We managed an impressive 60 species with highlights including slavonian grebe, common sandpiper, swallow, reed warbler, spoonbill, cattle egret, green sandpiper, kingfisher, grey wagtail, garganey, shoveler, gadwall, yellow wagtail, marsh harrier, great white egret, black tailed godwit, lesser whitethroat, willow warbler, common buzzard, peregrine ....

Guided walk at Blue House Farm

20/07/2023

Very pleasant morning for our guided walk at Blue House Farm. Large areas of the site had dried out, but we still managed a good bird list and plenty of butterflies too. Highlights included skylark, meadow pipit, corn bunting, black tailed godwit, lapwing, green sandpiper, common buzzard, kestrel, sparrowhawk, barnacle goose, yellow wagtail, shelduck, greenfinch, lesser whitethroat, linnet, grey heron, little egret, stock dove; marbled white, gatekeeper, small copper, painted lady, peacock, small heath ....

Guided walk at Landseer Park

13/07/2023

Timed it right this morning between the showers for our guided walk at Landseer Park. It's a great site for flowers and butterflies, but also has a nice mix of other wildlife. Highlights included marbled white, brown argus, meadow brown, small skipper, brimstone, small tortoiseshell, comma, gatekeeper; 6 spot burnet moth; dark bush cricket, Roesel's bush cricket, meadow grasshopper; kestrel, whitethroat, wren, jay, song thrush, chiffhcaff, blackcap; marjoram, scabious, cornflower, lady's bedstraw, greater knapweed, common toadflax, purple loosestrife; and so much more.

Guided walk at Chalkney Wood

11/07/2023

The forecast over the weekend wasn't good for today, but actually it turned out good for our guided walk at Chalkney Wood this morning, and we enjoyed a lovely range of wildlife sightings - plants, butterflies, dragonflies, birds and more. Highlights included common spotted orchid, betony, wild basil, enchanters nightshade, common centaury, silverweed; painted lady, red admiral, white admiral, silver washed fritillary, ringlet, speckled wood, comma; banded demoiselle, scarce chaser, brown hawker; treecreeper, grey wagtail, little egret, coal tit, long tailed tit, chiffchaff, blackcap, jay, swallow ....

Guided walk at Gt Holland Pits

07/07/2023

Almost perfect weather for butterflies this morning; and we managed 14 species during our guided walk at Gt Holland Pits, including white admiral, purple hairstreak, white letter hairstreak, brimstone, brown argus, red admiral, comma and small copper. Other highlights included blackcap, chiffchaff, goldcrest family, wren family, green woodpecker, 3 common buzzard circling together, Mediterranean gull (bright white against the blue sky), song thrush; dragonflies - broad bodied chaser, ruddy darter, common darter, four spotted chaser; and a wonderful mix of wildflowers. And finished off with coffee and cookies! All in all a lovely morning.

Guided walk at Stour Wood

04/07/2023

Came close to cancelling this morning's guided walk at Stour Wood in view of the forecast (key targets were butterflies!), but so glad I didn't as the rain held off until later. Highlights included white admiral, silver washed fritillary, painted lady, gatekeeper, ringlet, hollly blue, red admiral; ruddy darter; dark bush cricket; chiffchaff, green & great spotted woodpeckers; and plenty of plants eg enchanters nightshade, rosebay willowherb, common figwort, yellow pimpernel, common centaury ....

Guided walk at Strumpshaw Fen

30/06/2023

Spent a lovely day guiding at Strumpshaw Fen. Sadly no swallowtails, but still plenty to see - birds, butterflies, dragonflies, plants. Highlights included red kite, hobby, marsh harrier, great white egret, common tern, gadwall, shoveler, swift, bearded tit, bullfinch; ringlet, green veined white, red admiral, comma; Norfolk hawker, scarce chaser, emperor, four spotted chaser, ruddy darter, red eyed damselfly, banded demoiselle; common spotted orchid, southern marsh orchid, ragged robin, hemp agrimony, bog myrtle, purple loosestrife ....

Guided walk at Lackford Lakes

26/06/2023

Gifted with good weather for our guided walk at Lackford Lakes today. Highlights included swift, marsh harrier, red kite, hobby, Egyptian goose, kingfisher, common tern, cuckoo, Cetti's warbler, garden warbler, siskin, tufted duck, gadwall; dragonflies - banded demoiselle, hundreds of common blue and azure damselflies, red eyed damselfly, emperor (several females egg-laying), black tailed skimmer, brown hawker; mullein and cinnabar moth caterpillars; speckled bush cricket; butterflies - comma, red admiral, small copper ... and so much more. A very enjoyable day!

Guided walk at Lakenheath Fen

23/06/2023

A lovely day spent guiding at Lakenheath Fen. It really felt like summer - warm and sunny, gentle breeze, lots of dragonflies ... Highlights included marsh harrier, hobby, bittern, kingfisher, cuckoo, reed bunting, pochard family, juvenile great crested grebe, sedge warbler, common buzzard, great spotted woodpecker; bee orchid, vipers bugloss, purple loosestrife; banded demoiselle, black tailed skimmer, four spotted chaser, hairy dragonfly; meadow brown, red admiral .... and the "Flying Scotsman" was a bit of an unexpected bonus!!

Guided walk at Elmstead Woods

20/06/2023

Thought this morning's guided walk at Elmstead Woods was going to be a washout - rain with occasional thunder as we started - but we persevered and it soon cleared and wasn't too bad (though feet got pretty wet walking through wet meadows). Lovely mix of wildlife with birds, plants, butterflies, damselflies. Highlights included whitethroat, skylark, kestrel, hobby, song thrush, yellowhammer, swallow, house martin, chiffchaff, green woodpecker; bee orchid, yellow rattle, oxeye daisy, ladies bedstraw, common knapweed; meadow brown, small heath, common blue; banded demoiselle.

Wildlife boat trip

17/06/2023

Well, that was a memorable wildlife boat trip round the Walton Backwaters this morning! Highlights included common seals with pups, little tern, common tern, avocet, curlew, oystercatcher, kestrel, common buzzard, marsh harrier, little egret, skylark, brent goose (still a few not headed north), Mediterranean gull, ringed plover .... However, we'll probably remember it most for our boat's engine failure on the way back and having to wait to be rescued and towed back to the marina! All in a day's work!!

Guided walk at Minsmere

06/06/2023

Fantastic day guiding at Minsmere yesterday. Highlights included avocet, black tailed godwit, sanderling, sandwich tern, common tern, little tern, kittiwake, bittern, marsh harrier, red kite, hobby, stone curlew, bullfinch, sedge warbler, reed warbler, sand martin, swift, bee orchid, southern marsh orchid, red deer and so much more.

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

01/06/2023

A successful guided walk at Old Hall Marshes this morning, with 56 bird species recorded. Highlights included marsh harrier, avocet, wheatear, swift, cuckoo, ruff, common tern, bearded tit, hobby, water rail, Cetti's warbler, reed warbler, sedge warbler, shoveler, gadwall, pochard, tufted duck, Egyptian goose, reed bunting ....

Guided walk at Wrabness

24/05/2023

Lovely spring morning for our guided walk at Wrabness. Highlights included song thrush, 2 yellowhammer, 3 nightingale (heard), garden warbler (heard), 2 turtle dove, cuckoo (heard), Cetti's warbler, swallow, chiffchaff, blackcap, 4 Mediterranean gull, 4 common buzzard, sparrowhawk, still 50+ brent geese along the river, green woodpecker, mistle thrush, jay ....

Guided walk at Upper Hollesley Common & Hollesley Marshes

16/05/2023

A fab day guiding at Upper Hollesley Common and then moving on to Hollesley Marshes RSPB after lunch. I think we managed to see all the target species, with highlights including woodlark, Dartford warbler, redstart, stonechat, yellowhammer, mistle thrush, treecreeper, coal tit, common buzzard, hobby, marsh harrier, black tailed godwit, shoveler, gadwall, Egyptian goose, reed warbler, sedge warbler, reed bunting, swift; fallow deer, fox; green tiger beetle; small copper ....

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

12/05/2023

Oh dear - grey and showery with a chilly north wind for our guided walk at Abberton Reservoir this morning - not ideal!! However, the damp conditions meant that swifts, swallows and martins were feeding low over the water close to the causeways, giving amazing views. Other highlights included common tern, great crested grebe, Egyptian goose, gadwall, shoveler, tufted duck, little egret, grey heron, little ringed plover, reed bunting, kestrel, hobby, yellow wagtail, mute swan, skylark, nightingale (heard only), Cetti's warbler (heard only) ....

Guided walk at Alton Water

08/05/2023

We did alright with the weather for our guided walk at Alton Water this morning. Highlights included 2 jay, 30+ great crested grebe, 20+ common tern, male mandarin, several blackcap & chiffchaff, 2 whitethroat, 2 garden warbler, cuckoo, 3 singing nightingale, 2 song thrush, goldcrest, yellowhammer, 2 red kite; and a few butterflies - comma, orange tip, red admiral, green veined white.

Dawn Chorus walk at Cockaynes Wood

04/05/2023

An early(ish!) start for our guided Dawn Chorus walk at Cockaynes Wood this morning. Almost the first bird we found was a nightingale singing close by, but unfortunately it remained hidden. Other highlights included 4+ blackcap, 3+ chiffchaff, 6+ reed warbler, 1 Cetti's warbler, 1 cuckoo, 2 mistle thrush, 3+ song thrush, 10+ wren, 1 green woodpecker, 1 great spotted woodpecker, 9 common tern, 2 yellowhammer, 2 great crested grebe .... A lovely morning!

Guided walk at Arger Fen

25/04/2023

Lovely morning for our guided walk round Arger Fen (Suffolk Wildlife Trust). Great site for for plants as well as birds. Highlights included chiffchaff, blackcap, yellowhammer, red kite, common buzzard, sparrowhawk, goldcrest, green & great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatch, treecreeper, cuckoo (heard only); stunning display of bluebells, wild garlic, cuckoo flower, water avens, cowslip, yellow archangel; wild cherry, wild service ......

Wildlife boat trip

22/04/2023

Better weather than was forecast and a lovely morning for our wildlife boat trip round the Walton Backwaters. Highlights included 40+ bar tailed godwit (many in stunning breeding plumage), 20+ avocet, 3 whimbrel, grey plover, dunlin, turnstone, oystercatcher, 4+ swallow, c100 barnacle goose, 10+ Mediterranean gull, 2+ common buzzard, 2 marsh harrier, 1 red kite, cuckoo (heard only), 2 rhea (!!) on Horsey Island, common seals .....

Guided walk at Lakenheath Fen

17/04/2023

Fantastic day guiding at Lakenheath Fen - great weather and brilliant birds (even if most were brief and/or distant and/or heard only! Highlights included marsh harrier, common buzzard, sparrowhawk, bearded tit, water rail, nightingale, bittern, common crane, stonechat, garganey, reed bunting, chiffchaff, blackcap, Cetti's, reed and sedge warblers. Also plenty of butterflies - peacock, brimstone, green veined white, orange tip, small tortoiseshell, comma; and roe deer.

Guided walk at Manningtree & Mistley

06/04/2023

A much better morning than was forecast for our guided walk at Manningtree & Mistley, although light wasn't great for photography. We managed 52 species, with highlights including 2 greenshank, 800+ black tailed godwit (including lots now in smart breeding plumage), 20+ avocet, red kite, common buzzard, sparrowhawk, peregrine, marsh harrier, 6 red breasted merganser, 2 singing chiffchaff, wigeon, teal, shelduck, shoveler, gadwall ....

Guided walk at Kirby le Soken

30/03/2023

Very muddy underfoot and an increasing breeze for our guided walk at Kirby le Soken/Walton Backwaters this morning. Highlights included 2 green woodpecker, 2 yellowhammer, several skylark singing, linnet, noisy black headed and Mediterranean gulls beginning to pair up, 3+ common buzzard, 3 kestrel, reed bunting, shoveler, teal, 2 chiffchaff; 25+ (distant) common seal hauled out; as well as brimstone and peacock butterfly. Rounded off with lunch at 19toGo!

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

28/03/2023

Fairly grim conditions this morning (rain and a cold wind) for our guided walk at Old Hall Marshes, but we still managed an impressive species list. Highlights included brent geese, wigeon, teal, shoveler, gadwall, pintail, tufted duck, pochard, shelduck, at least 4 marsh harriers, barn owl, water rail, avocet, black tailed godwit, snipe, reed bunting, chiffchaff and Cetti's warbler (heard only), Egyptian goose, brown hare ....

Guided walk at Holland Haven

27/03/2023

A lovely sunny morning, but a chilly breeze for our guided walk at Holland Haven. Started with at least 6 common buzzard over the car park; soon followed by good views of firecrest and goldcrest in quick succession, allowing useful comparison. Other sightings included 2 purple sandpiper, chiffchaff, 2 Mediterranean gull, 10 avocet, 1 marsh harrier, 2 kestrel, 2 stonechat, 2 Egyptian goose, 4 gadwall, teal, wigeon, shoveler, shelduck, curlew, oystercatcher, 250+ woodpigeon, heard 3 Cetti's warbler and a song thrush ....

Guided walk at Heybridge Gravel Pits

23/03/2023

A bit too windy for our guided walk round Heybridge Gravel Pits yesterday, but it was still a nice walk. Highlight was watching a big flock of black tailed godwits take off and wheel around, and then seeing the peregrine fly past, which they had obviously spotted long before we did. Other sightings included avocet, redshank, oystercatcher, great crested grebe, wigeon, teal, shelduck, tufted duck, pochard, and noisy black headed gulls beginning to check out the nesting islands.

Guided walk at Alresford Creek

18/03/2023

Despite the forecast/weather we had a fantastic morning on our guided walk at Alresford Creek. Sixty species was an amazing total, with the surprise highlight being a spoonbill spotted on the Fingringhoe side of the river, and a male hen harrier flying past whilst we watched it. Other sightings included great spotted & green woodpeckers, 3 chiffchaff, 16+ avocet, black tailed godwit, grey plover, 4 red breasted merganser, female goosander, treecreeper, goldcrest, song thrush, gadwall, tufted duck, wigeon, teal, 2 common buzzard, skylark, long tailed tit ....

Wildlife boat trip

11/03/2023

Weather was much calmer today, which was great for our guided wildlife boat trip round the Walton Backwaters. Highlights included lots of brent geese and waders, finding a common scoter, sparrowhawk, 2 kestrel, peregrine, 6+ common buzzard, 4+ marsh harrier, 100+ avocet, 2 red breasted merganser, 2 Mediterranean gull, 10+ common seal and a fox.

Guided walk at Shut Heath Wood

03/03/2023

Cold, grey conditions were not ideal for birds or birding (!), with very few birds singing. However, any woodland walk seeing 3 treecreeper, 2 nuthatch and 6+ goldcrest is good in my books; and other sightings included 4+ great spotted woodpecker, 4+ common buzzard, 8+ long tailed tit, 1+ sparrowhawk, 1 jay, lots of blue tits and great tits; as well as several grey squirrels, a few southern wood ants, bluebell leaves coming through and a couple of primroses in flower.

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

20/02/2023

A lovely bright morning for our guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick; and witnessed a surprisingly high high tide over mid-day covering the whole marsh. Highlights included avocet, ringed plover, dunlin, black tailed and bar tailed godwit, oystercatcher, redshank, tufted duck, pochard, shoveler, teal, wigeon, shelduck, long tailed tit, goldcrest, skylark, stonechat, red breasted merganser, golden plover, song thrush, goldfinch, Cetti's warbler (heard only) ....

Guided walk at Wrabness

17/02/2023

Nice and bright, but a bit too windy for our guided walk at Wrabness this morning. However, we still managed an impressive bird list, with highlights including wigeon, teal, pintail, brent geese, red breasted merganser marsh harrier, common buzzard, kestrel, redwing, mistle thrush, rock pipit, yellowhammer, skylark, little egret, and much more. It was good to hear a number of species singing - a sure sign that spring is on its way!

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

14/02/2023

Another very foggy start for our guided walk at Cockaynes Wood, but sun broke through and became a beautiful morning. Highlights included 2+ song thrush, 2 yellowhammer, great spotted and green woodpecker, jay, goldcrest, common buzzard, 30+ linnet, 2 Egyptian goose, coat tit, gadwall, great crested grebe pair beginning to display; and scarlet elf cup fungus.

Guided walk at Mersea Island

10/02/2023

Started our visit by viewing the estuary from Victoria Esplanade where highlights included 2 great northern diver, great crested grebe, Mediterranean and common gull. Then drove to East Mersea to view across towards Langenhoe Marshes. Here sightings included avocet, black tailed godwit, grey plover, curlew, lapwing, golden plover, brent geese, 4 red breasted merganser, sparrowhawk, common buzzard, 3 marsh harrier, skylark ....

Guided walk at Colne Point

09/02/2023

Fortunately the grey, mizzly, cold start to our guided walk at Colne Point didn't last and it became a lovely sunny morning. Highlights included at least 2 marsh harriers (including one interacting with a brown hare), 2 kestrel, 1+ common buzzard,100+ brent geese, 500+ lapwing, 200+ golden plover, 20+ stock dove, 3 stonechat, 30+ meadow pipit, 10+ rock pipit, 30+ skylark, 2 reed bunting, shoveler, teal, shelduck; and surprise sighting was a Chinese water deer running away across the saltmarsh.

Guided walk at Minsmere

03/02/2023

Fab day guiding at Minsmere. Great to see the three swan species (mute, whooper & Bewick's) next to each other for ID comparison. Other highlights included 4+ marsh harrier, c500 lapwing, 1 great white egret, 20+ red throated diver offshore, 1 Dartford warbler, 2 stonechat, 2 snipe, 6 avocet, 1 marsh tit, great spotted woodpecker, coal tit, 6+ pintail, shoveler, gadwall, wigeon, teal, shelduck .... And a wonderful sunset on the drive home.

Guided walk at Alton Water

31/01/2023

Another lovely morning for our guided walk at Alton Water. Highlights included: 40+ great crested grebe, 1 male goldeneye, 2+ great spotted woodpecker, 1 treecreeper, 1 male brambling, 1 red kite, 1-2 common buzzard, 2 jay, 2+ coal tit, 1 mistle thrush, 30+ redwing, 10+ fieldfare ....

Guided walk at Kirby le Soken

27/01/2023

Beautiful morning (if a little muddy!) for our guided walk at Kirby le Soken, taking in part of the Walton Backwaters. As a walk leader it's always a bit of a worry when "bird of the day" is a mammal (!), and today it was a fox - but it was a pretty special encounter with a fox. Other highlights included redwing, jay, long tailed tit, goldfinch, teal, shelduck, brent geese, avocet, knot, rock pipit, skylark, green woodpecker, linnet, and distant views of 18 common seals hauled out on the mud. A lovely morning, and rounded off with an excellent lunch at 19toGo.

Guided walk at Copt Hall

23/01/2023

A cold, dull, grey afternoon for our guided walk at Copt Hall, but still managed a decent bird list. Star bird was a barn owl watched hunting along the seawall ahead of us; and other highlights included peregrine, 3+ common buzzard, 2 marsh harrier, immature Mediterranean gull, 2 fieldfare, 500+ brent geese, 2 reed bunting, 4 rock pipit, great spotted woodpecker, several hundred cormorant commuting over towards Abberton Reservoir, numbers of wigeon, teal, shelduck, lapwing, golden plover ....

Guided walk at Mersea Island

17/01/2023

Beautiful bright crisp day for guiding around Mersea Island. Highlights included great northern diver, Mediterranean gull (2), sanderling (10+), red breasted merganser (5), great white egret, barn owl, common buzzard, marsh harrier (7), sparrowhawk, reed bunting (10+), avocet (15+), golden plover (200+), fieldfare (2) ...

Guided walk at Stone Point, The Naze

12/01/2023

A grey, blustery morning made for a bit of a workout on our guided walk out to Stone Point at The Naze! Highlights included sanderling (10+), purple sandpiper (1), bar tailed godwit (90+), grey plover, turnstone, ringed plover, cormorant (500+ in total, with a steady stream of groups moving into Hamford Water), red throated diver (1), brent geese, skylark, little egret, kestrel (1), linnet, goldcrest (2), common seal (5), muntjac (3) ....

Guided walk Frinton/Holland Haven

09/01/2023

A bit breezy, but a nice morning for our guided walk from Frinton to Holland Haven. Highlights included amazing views of a purple sandpiper, as well as green woodpecker, stonechat (pair), red throated diver (4 on the sea), Cetti's warbler (heard only), wigeon (400), teal (60+), shoveler (4), common buzzard (3), kestrel, avocet (4), lapwing (6), curlew (20), stock dove ....

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

06/01/2023

First guided walk of the year - a fantastic day at Abberton Reservoir. Literally thousands of birds! Highlights included long tailed duck, scaup (10), goosander (c50), smew, goldeneye (c30), pintail (6), black necked grebe, great white egret (4), marsh harrier (2), merlin, common buzzard (2), Caspian gull (first winter), Mediterranean gull (winter adult), Bewick's swan (4), black tailed godwit (30+), ruff (2), green sandpiper, Egyptian goose (6), grey wagtail .... What a fab way to start the year's birding.

Guided walk at Kirby le Soken

19/12/2022

Rather dull conditions with a bit of drizzle on and off for our guided walk at Kirby le Soken this morning - a circuit taking in part of the Walton Backwaters. Highlights included kestrel, common buzzard, redwing (20+), snipe, avocet (c50), knot (500+), brent geese (300+), rock pipit (3), shelduck, teal, wigeon, pintail, shoveler, lapwing, golden plover, and about common seal (c20).

Guided walk at Lackford Lakes

02/12/2022

Great day guiding at Lackford Lakes SWT reserve, despite dull conditions and light rain on and off. Highlights included great spotted woodpecker, 2 reed bunting, treecreeper, 80+ siskin, 20+ lesser redpoll, 2 goldcrest, kingfisher, marsh harrier, 100+ lapwing, 15+ snipe, 2 green sandpiper, grey wagtail.... However, we saved the best till last, watching the amazing spectacle of thousands of starlings murmurating prior to dropping down to roost in the reedbed. The sight! The sound! Fantastic!

Guided walk at Colne Point

29/11/2022

Another fascinating morning for our guided walk at the unique place that is Colne Point EWT reserve. Not the longest bird list, but some great quality - 1 (possibly 2) dartford warbler, female merlin, 3 marsh harrier, 3 sanderling, 2+ stonechat, 10+ rock pipit, 4+ reed bunting, 3 little egret, 400+ brent goose, 20+ wigeon, 300+ lapwing ....

Guided walk at Brightlingsea

28/11/2022

What an absolutely beautiful morning for our guided walk along the river at Brightlingsea - I keep having to remind myself it's the end of November!! And the birding was pretty special as well. Star bird was definitely a male black redstart feeding among the riverside rocks, but there was a good supporting cast too including 4+ rock pipit, 6+ skylark, 3 little egret, brent geese, 3 male red breasted merganser, 100+ avocet, 45+ curlew, 200+ oystercatcher, female stonechat, adult male marsh harrier, common buzzard, green woodpecker, 3+ reed bunting, 3 yellowhammer ..... A wonderful morning!

Guided walk at Hanningfield Reservoir

24/11/2022

Had the best of today's weather for our guided walk at Hanningfield Reservoir this morning. Star bird was undoubtedly a wader - initially thought as a common sandpiper, but later re-identified as its much rarer North American counterpart, spotted sandpiper. Other highlights included goldeneye, goosander, wigeon, teal, gadwall, tufted duck, black tailed godwit, lapwing, grey wagtail, great crested grebe, common buzzard, cormorant, long tailed tit, goldcrest, meadow pipit ....

Guided walk at Heybridge Gravel Pits

10/11/2022

Mostly cloudy, but at least it stayed dry for our guided walk at Heybridge Gravel Pits this morning. Lots of birds being moved by the rising tide and crowding together on higher ground. Highlights included, 1000+ black tailed godwit, 250+ avocet, 20+ ringed plover, golden and grey plovers, dunlin, curlew, redshank, 6 greenshank, 2 stonechat, 2 rock pipit, 1 kestrel, 20+ shoveler, wigeon, teal, brent geese, 4 Egyptian geese, 3 Cetti's warbler (heard only), little egret ....

Guided walk at Manningtree/Mistley

04/11/2022

Lovely sunny morning, but a cold wind, for our guided walk at Manningtree and Mistley yesterday. Highlights included 800+ black tailed godwit, 20+ ringed plover, 100+ lapwing, 300+ avocet, wigeon, teal, shelduck, little egret, 1 red kite, 1 common buzzard, 1 rock pipit, 1 snipe, 1 greenshank, 1 Mediterranean gull, 2 Cetti's warbler (heard only), 1 pintail ....

Wildlife boat trip

27/10/2022

Another fab wildlife boat trip round the Walton Backwaters this morning. Red throated diver and juvenile spoonbill were nice surprises, while other highlights included brent geese, wigeon, teal, red breasted merganser, avocet, golden plover, black tailed and bar tailed godwit, lapwing, ringed plover, turnstone, little egret, peregrine, marsh harrier, common seal ....

Guided walk at The Naze

07/10/2022

Nice morning guiding at The Naze, though winds not in a favourable direction for bird migration. Highlights included chiffchaff (4+), skylark (2), Cetti's warbler (5 heard), great spotted woodpecker (1), goldcrest (4), kestrel (2), brent goose (15), pied wagtail (20+), grey wagtail (1), meadow pipit (20+), swallow (1), turnstone (7), teal (3), linnet (6); also several common darter, red admiral, speckled wood, peacock.

Guided walk at Minsmere

29/09/2022

Fantastic day guiding at Minsmere today - great weather, great wildlife, great company! Highlights included 35+ bearded tit (the most I've seen at one place), 2 bittern, 2 great white egret, 3+ marsh harrier, 1 common buzzard, marsh tit, coal tit, 4 avocet, 4 black tailed godwit, 2 treecreeper, coal tit, marsh tit, nuthatch (heard), great spotted woodpecker, stonechat, wigeon, pintail, kingfisher, red deer and so much more.

Guided walk at Landguard Point

22/09/2022

A lovely morning for our guided walk at Landguard Point, which is a pretty unique and interesting site (even when there aren't very many birds about!!). Highlights included several mobile flocks of starlings, steady passage of swallows heading south, Mediterranean gull (6), sandwich tern (4+), wheatear (1), blackcap, meadow pipit, goldfinch, pied wagtail; and plants such as sea kale, yellow horned poppy, sea spurge and vipers bugloss.

Wildlife boat trip

10/09/2022

Fab wildlife boat trip round the Walton Backwaters this morning. Highlights included marsh harrier, golden & grey plover, knot, black tailed & bar tailed godwit, avocet, common sandpiper, greenshank, knot, turnstone, little egret, wheatear, wigeon, teal, sandwich tern, common seal .... Can't wait for the next one!

Guided walk at Holland Haven

06/09/2022

Some quality species on our guided walk at Holland Haven this morning. Almost the first bird we found was a cracking little firecrest; then followed up with 6+ swallow and 3 late swift heading south, kestrel, grey heron, c100 teal, 3 juvenile shelduck, 1 curlew, 1 ruff, 1 snipe, several lapwing, 4 stonechat, 1 wheatear; and finished off with 2 wasp spider.

Guided walk at Gt Holland Pits

02/09/2022

Lovely sunny morning guiding at Gt Holland Pits and seeing a great mix of birds, plants, butterflies and dragonflies. Highlights included: blackcap, chiffchaff, common buzzard, teal, swallow, bullfinch and great spotted woodpecker heard only; tansy, common fleabane, red bartsia, water lily; small copper, common blue, holly blue, brown argus, red admiral; common and ruddy darters, migrant hawker, southern hawker, willow emerald ...

2023 calendar

01/09/2022

My wildlife calendars for 2023 have arrived and are now available at £9.00 each (+ P&P if mail order).

Guided walk at The Naze

31/08/2022

Windy conditions (fresh NE) for this morning's guided walk at The Naze, and rather quiet for birds. Star birds were a whinchat and a wheatear, with a supporting cast of long tailed tit, turnstone, curlew, swallow; also several migrant hawker dragonflies hunting in sheltered spots.

Guided walk at Frinton/Holland Haven

23/08/2022

Lovely walk guiding at Frinton/Holland Haven this morning. Highlights included a nice flock of curlew on the Scrape (24), whimbrel (1), lapwing (30), green sandpiper (1), golden plover (6), stonechat (family of 4), whinchat (1), common buzzard (2), marsh harrier (1 juvenile), stock dove .... and still several small heath butterflies about.

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

18/08/2022

A mix of weather for our guided walk at Abberton Reservoir this morning - cloudy start, then got caught in a heavy shower, finished off in warm sunshine! Some brilliant birding though, with highlights including great white egret (15+), spoonbill (12), cattle egret (5+), common tern (14), black swan (2), yellow wagtail, kestrel, marsh harrier (juv), common buzzard, black tailed godwit (24), common sandpiper (2), green sandpiper (3), ruff (1), lapwing, Egyptian goose (24+), swallow ....

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

16/08/2022

A bit cooler (but also drizzly) for our guided walk at Old Hall Marshes this morning. Superb mix of waders - curlew, avocet, lapwing, ruff, common sandpiper, snipe, redshank, black tailed godwit, spotted redshank, grey plover, golden plover, greenshank. Other highlights included tantalising views of bearded tits moving through the reeds, marsh harrier, hobby, common tern, little egret, shoveler, reed warbler, little grebe ...

Guided walk at The Naze

12/08/2022

Hard work in the heat on our guided walk at The Naze this morning, but still an enjoyable time and a nice range of wildlife. Highlights included: muntjac, brown hare; swallow, house martin, sand martin, kestrel, common buzzard, yellow wagtail, lapwing, curlew, black tailed godwit, avocet, curlew, common sandpiper, reed bunting, barnacle goose; holly blue, red admiral, small heath, peacock; ruddy darter, migrant hawker.

Guided 'easy' walk at Wrabness

08/08/2022

Another very warm one for our 'easy' guided walk at Wrabness NR this morning (very pleasant, though heat haze made viewing anything at distance much more challenging!). Highlights included swallow, sand martin, little owl (1), kestrel (2+), turtle dove (1 purring and then preening), lesser whitethroat (2), blackcap (2), chiffchaff (1), green woodpecker (1+), jay (1), common buzzard (3), lapwing, redshank, oystercatcher; and some pretty cool plants too - red bartsia, fleabane, toadflax, mullein, scabious, margoram, lady's bedstraw, everlasting sweetpea, rosebay willowherb ...

Guided walk at Elmstead Woods

02/08/2022

Lovely morning spent guiding round Elmstead Woods. Really nice varied mix of wildlife, with highlights including common lizard; muntjac; banded demoiselle; common buzzard, green woodpecker, swallow, house martin; gatekeeper, common blue, small heath, speckled wood; common knapweek, common fleabane, greater willowherb, chicory, bird's foot trefoil; Dryad's saddle, King Alfred's cakes ....

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

29/07/2022

A lovely morning for our guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick. Highlights included teal, shelduck, tufted duck, pochard, greenshank, black tailed godwit, grey plover, leucistic redshank, lapwing, little egret, little grebe, reed warbler, sedge warbler, common tern .... I particularly like this time of year when some of the returning waders still sport their smart breeding plumage.

'Easy' guided walk at Gt Holland Pits

18/07/2022

A hot morning for our guided walk at Gt Holland Pits, but we made the most of patches of shade and had a productive time with a nice variety of wildlife. Highlights included sparrowhawk, mandarin, long tailed tit; white admiral, ringlet, small skipper, gatekeeper; ruddy and common darters, emperor, emerald damselfly, southern hawker; common fleabane, common centaury, red bartsia, common knapweed ....

Guided walk at Chalkney Wood

14/07/2022

Lovely morning guiding at Chalkney Wood - and grateful for the shade in the woodland! Great variety of wildlife - butterflies, dragonflies, birds, plants and a few mammals too. Butterfly highlights included silver washed fritillary, brimstone, painted lady, peacock, ringlet, gatekeeper (12 species seen); dragonflies - banded demoiselle, brown hawker, ruddy darter and southern hawker; birds - chiffchaff, treecreeper, grey wagtail, green woodpecker, common buzzard, kestrel.

Guided walk at Stour Wood

11/07/2022

Seriously warm for our guided walk at Stour Wood this morning. Plenty of butterflies, but all very mobile and any that settled only did so briefly. Good numbers of silver washed fritillary and white admiral (our target species!); also red admiral, comma, ringlet, meadow brown, gatekeeper, peacock, large and small whites, Essex skipper. Birds included song thrush, wren, blackcap, chiffchaff and green woodpecker; and a nice selection of other insects and plants too.

Guided walk at Landseer Park

06/07/2022

Fab morning guiding at Landseer Park. A wonderful display of wildflowers resulting in hundreds of butterflies (notably marbled whites and skippers) and other insects (eg six spot burnet and forester moths, various bees and grasshoppers), Birds included blackcap, chiffchaff, whitethroat, song thrush, common buzzard, jay and coal tit.

Wildlife boat trip

01/07/2022

Just a few images from a fab time guiding on yesterday's wildlife boat trip round the Walton Backwaters. Good weather, good company and good birding (and seals!!). Highlights included little and sandwich terns, curlew, dunlin, ringed plover, oystercatcher, redshank, lapwing, barnacle geese, marsh harrier, kestrel, common buzzard, swallow; and, of course, the common seals with pups.

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

28/06/2022

Superb morning guiding at Abberton Reservoir. Started with purple emperor and white letter hairstreak butterflies. Bird highlights included common tern, swift, juvenile pied wagtails, little ringed plover family, great spotted woodpecker, black swan, spoonbill pair, young little egrets and grey herons, 4 great white egret, marsh harrier, common buzzard, sparrowhawk, increasing numbers of geese (Canada, greylag, Egyptian), the long-staying hybrid male Baikal teal x teal now moulting into eclipse plumage ....

Guided walk at Wrabness

17/06/2022

El scorchio! Hot and sunny for our guided walk at Wrabness EWT reserve this morning, but just enough breeze to keep it pleasant - and the wildlife didn't disappoint. Highlights included purring turtle doves, lots of sand martins, yellowhammer, swift, common buzzard, little owl, whitethroat, reed bunting, oystercatcher, little egret, green woodpecker, blackcap, chiffchaff; butterflies - large skipper, meadow brown, red admiral; plants - white bryony, mullein, birds foot trefoil, everlasting sweetpea, meadow cranesbill, common centaury, vipers bugloss, scarlet pimpernel. All in all a lovely morning.

Guided walk at Minsmere

14/06/2022

Fabulous day guiding at Minsmere today - great weather and great wildlife. Highlights included 2+ bittern, 4+ marsh harrier, 3 glossy ibis, avocet, black tailed godwit, 50+ common scoter, 2 great white egret, 2 common crane, 2 stone curlew (on the way in), bearded tit, reed warbler, sedge warbler, common and sandwich terns, kittiwake, Mediterranean gull, hobby, garden warbler, stonechat, red deer, Norfolk hawker, pyramidal and southern marsh orchids, yellow horned poppy .....

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

10/06/2022

Beautiful morning guiding round Old Hall Marshes RSPB reserve. Great to see plenty of young birds - common tern, black headed gull, avocet, great crested grebe, greylag & Egyptian geese, shelduck. Other highlights included marsh harrier, cuckoo, reed & sedge warblers, bearded tit, greenshank, bar tailed & black tailed godwits .... Butterflies included my first meadow browns of the year.

Guided walk at Elmstead Woods

27/05/2022

Great weather again for our morning guiding at Elmstead Woods - and a wonderful variety of wildlife. Bird highlights included yellowhammer, common buzzard, swallow, house martin, swift, willow warbler, lesser whitethroat, jay, grey heron; butterflies - green hairstreak, painted lady, speckled wood, small heath; azure and large red damselflies; mother shipton and silver Y moths; plants - yellow rattle, red campion, foxglove, oxeye daisy, birds foot trefoil .....

Guided walk at Wrabness

09/05/2022

Another lovely morning for our guided walk at Wrabness NR. Amazing to stand and listen to so many birds singing - nightingale, turtle dove, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, chiffchaff, blackcap, wren, yellowhammer, song thrush, sand martins chattering overhead ..... Still at least 150 brent geese on the foreshore; and other sightings included stock dove, common buzzard, common tern, green woodpecker and swallow.

Guided walk at Alton Water

05/05/2022

Really enjoyable guided walk at Alton Water this afternoon. Star bird was on the far side of the reservoir (!), but a slavonian grebe in breeding plumage is a bit special, even at distance. Plenty of birds singing - chiffchaff, blackcap, blackbird, nightingale (7), garden warbler, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, goldfinch, linnet, yellowhammer, reed bunting, cuckoo, wren. Other highlights included swallow, kingfisher, great crested grebe, greylag geese with goslings, mallard ducklings, tufted duck, shelduck, grey heron .... Notable plants included bluebells, spring beauty, water mint and crosswort.

Guided walk at Shut Heath Wood

03/05/2022

A little sunshine would have been nice for our guided walk at Shut Heath Wood today, but we still had a great time. The floral display was stunning with bluebells, bugle, climbing corydalis, primrose, wood anemone (going over), yellow pimpernel, wild strawberry and cuckoo flower. The wood ants were amazing to watch and listen to! (sounds like pattering rain as hundreds of them move trough the leaf litter). Bird highlights included common buzzard, very vocal blackcaps, chiffchaff, wren, treecreeper, a pair of long tailed tits bringing food to the nest, brief views of a tawny owl chased into a tree by a jackdaw and then just as we relocated it in the tree it flew off again, song thrush, great spotted woodpecker.

Dawn Chorus at The Naze

30/04/2022

Out and about a bit earlier today for our guided Dawn Chorus at The Naze. Got off to a great start with a nightingale singing below Sunny Point; and finished with the star bird of our walk - a surprise fulmar south along the cliffs by The Tower. In between there were plenty of warblers - whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff, lesser whitethroat, sedge warbler, Cetti's warbler; and other sightings included goldfinch, greenfinch, sparrowhawk, song thrush, swallow, reed bunting, whimbrel, cuckoo, oystercatcher (39 species in total).

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

27/04/2022

Would have been nicer if it had been a few degrees warmer, but still an enjoyable guided walk round Fingringhoe Wick this afternoon. It's always wonderful to hear nightingales, and a couple were very close, but unfortunately we didn't spot them. Plenty of other birds singing too - whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff, cuckoo, reed warbler ... Other sightings included whimbrel, tufted duck, pochard, Mediterranean gull, avocet, oystercatcher, black tailed godwit, marsh harrier, kestrel, little grebe ...

Guided walk at Arger Fen

22/04/2022

Decent weather helped to make this morning's guided walk at Arger Fen very enjoyable. The bluebell display was stunning; and falling blossom from the wild cherries looked like snow! Other highlights included wild service tree; flowers - yellow archangel, primrose, wild garlic, cuckoo flower, wood sorrel, thyme-leaved speedwell, water avens; birds - common buzzard, nuthatch (heard only), garden warbler (2), blackcap (4+), chiffchaff (6+), kestrel ....

Wildlife boat trip

14/04/2022

Fabulous morning for our wildlife boat trip round the Walton Backwaters. The real highlight was spending time with the engine off just drifting silently past the marsh with the tide, listening to the birds, with common seals popping up to check us out; and sightings included swallow (2), Mediterranean gull (40+), red breasted merganser (2), golden plover (50+), sandwich tern (1), red kite (2), common buzzard (4+), oystercatcher (100+), curlew, turnstone, grey plover .....

Guided walk at Alresford Creek

11/04/2022

Weather and tide were both good for our guided walk at Alresford Creek this morning. Bird highlights included vocal chiffchaffs and blackcaps, black tailed godwits and golden plovers acquiring their stunning breeding plumage, common buzzard, marsh harrier, sparrowhawk, lingering single avocet and a few brent geese (total 47 species); some nice spring flowers - greater stitchwort, field pansy, bluebell, lesser celandine, storksbill, spring beauty, three cornered leek; and a few butterflies - small tortoiseshell, comma and peacock.

Guided walk at Frinton/Gt Holland

05/04/2022

A bit breezy, but at least the drizzle stopped for our circular guided walk via Frinton golf course and Gt Holland this morning. 'Star bird' was between a cracking male wheatear and the good numbers of singing skylarks, with other highlights including 3 red throated divers offshore, reed bunting, yellowhammer, corn bunting, common buzzard, kestrel, red legged partridge, linnet, greenfinch, goldfinch ....

Guided walk at Heybridge Gravel Pits

24/03/2022

It felt more like summer than March for this morning's guided walk at Heybridge Gravel Pits. Highlights included black tailed godwit (800+, including various stages of moult to breeding plumage), kingfisher (2), chiffchaff (1+), common buzzard (2), red kite (1), greenshank (1), avocet (20+), reed bunting (male), Cetti's warbler (heard only), tufted duck, pochard, shoveler, brent goose, knot, bar tailed godwit, redshank, curlew ......

Guided walk at Holland Haven

16/03/2022

Surprise mammal highlight on our guided walk at Holland Haven this morning was a Chinese water deer on the grazing marsh. Bird highlights included 2 common buzzards sitting on an owl box, shoveler, displaying lapwing, black tailed godwit (4), avocet (30+), snipe (15), curlew (5), male stonechat and sparrowhawk.

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

11/03/2022

The forecast was pretty much spot on today - rather breezy, but dry morning and showery afternoon (first spots of rain just as we got back to the cars) for our guided walk at Old Hall Marshes this morning. Highlights included 80+ pintail, 5-6 marsh harrier, a big female peregrine feeding on the ground (see record photo) and then sat on a post, 100+ black tailed godwit with some moulting into breeding plumage, 3 ruff, avocet, golden plover, displaying lapwing and redshank, actually saw a Cetti's warbler as well as heard them, brent geese, brown hare .....

Guided walk at Shut Heath Wood

08/03/2022

Sunshine and blue skies, but a cold SE wind for our guided walk at Shut Heath Wood this morning. There was plenty of blue tit and great tit song and activity; we had brief views of a coal tit; at least 3 great spotted woodpeckers were calling, drumming and moving about the trees; star bird was a treecreeper moving like a mouse along branches; wrens, green woodpecker and song thrush were heard but not seen; skylark and red legged partridge were noted on an arable field; 2 common buzzard soared above the woods......

Wildlife boat trip

05/03/2022

A gloomy day, but a fantastic guided wildlife boat trip round the Walton Backwaters this morning. Star bird was a stunning little merlin that gave amazing views; but other highlights included kestrel (2), marsh harrier (2), short eared owl (1), brent geese (500+), red throated diver (2), red breasted merganser (9), rock pipit (1), avocet (30), Mediterranean gull (1), cormorant (500+), common seal (9+), as well as shelduck, gadwall, golden plover, ringed plover, little grebe .....

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

28/02/2022

A bit cloudy and chilly for our guided walk at Abberton Reservoir this afternoon, but at least it stayed dry. Highlights included male marsh harrier, grey wagtail, smew, goosander (7), great white egret, snipe (at least 38), dunlin (12), black tailed godwit (c30), redshank (2), peregrine, common buzzard, hybrid male baikal teal x teal (presumed escapee), skylark (16), Egyptian goose (3), goldeneye (10+) ....

Guided walk at Mersea Island

22/02/2022

The forecast said "fresh breeze", but it was definitely "windy" for our guided walk east from The Strood on Mersea Island. Challenging conditions for birdwatching (problems holding optics still and birds hiding!), but highlights included skylarks singing, little egret, common buzzard, corn bunting, reed bunting, curlew, brent geese, mute swan, great crested grebe; and amazingly a Chinese water deer.... And the rain held off until after we'd finished!

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

16/02/2022

Wellies were required after yesterday's rain, but we had a very enjoyable guided walk at Cockaynes Wood this morning. Star of the show was definitely the kingfisher that posed for us and gave great views; but other highlights included yellowhammer, siskin, coal tit, great spotted woodpecker, male marsh harrier, gadwall, great crested grebe pair displaying, skylark, mistle thrush; as well as scarlet elf cup and yellow brain fungi.

Guided walk at Colne Point

11/02/2022

An excellent morning guiding at Colne Point - great weather and fantastic birding, including 6+ marsh harrier and 6+ common buzzard against a bright blue sky, peregrine, kestrel, short eared owl, lapwing (100+), starling (200+), reed bunting (2 male), several skylark singing, corn bunting, stock dove, brent geese (100+), shoveler (pair), rock pipit (2), stonechat ....

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

08/02/2022

Lovely sunny morning for our guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick. Highlights included a flock of lapwings and golden plovers glinting in the sun as they flew overhead, siskin (2) in alders by the lake, great spotted woodpecker, shoveler, teal, tufted duck, shelduck, little grebe, red breasted merganser (pair), knot (including one starting to gain its breeding red plumage), common buzzard (at least 3), male marsh harrier, singing song thrush .... A lovely morning.

Guided walk at Wrabness

03/02/2022

The light wasn't great for photography, but a really nice mix of birds on our guided walk at Wrabness EWT reserve this morning. Highlights included song thrush, little owl, 10+ yellowhammer, 20+ linnet, 20+ goldfinch, skylark, kestrel, marsh harrier, brent geese, 6 red breasted merganser, 8 pintail, 400+ knot ....

Guided walk at Alton Water

28/01/2022

Fab morning guiding at Alton Water. So many highlights - kingfisher, siskin, brambling, linnet, reed bunting, yellowhammer, goldcrest, great crested grebe, slavonian grebe, continental race of cormorant, goldeneye, fieldfare, mistle thrush, common buzzard, great spotted woodpecker, red legged partridge ....

Guided walk at The Naze to Stone Point

25/01/2022

Bird of the day on this morning's guided walk to Stone Point at The Naze was a pale bellied brent goose (breed in Arctic Canada) among the usual dark bellieds (breed in Arctic Russia) on the foreshore (pale bellied on the left in the photo). Other sightings included kestrel, curlew, oystercatcher, bar tailed godwit, ringed plover, turnstone, sanderling, rock pipit, skylark, little egret, and muntjac deer.

Gift Vouchers

21/01/2022

Bespoke Gift Vouchers are now available for 1-2-1 guided walks and/or programmed walks.

Guided walk at Manningtree & Mistley

21/01/2022

Sunny but cold pretty much summed up today's weather for back-to-back guided walks at Manningtee/Mistley. Sightings included: teal, wigeon, pintail, greenshank (3), snipe (3), avocet (400+), knot (3,000+), kingfisher (1), Mediterranean gull (1), black swan (2), lapwing, ringed plover, red breasted merganser (9), goldeneye (20+), grey wagtail (1), grey heron, little egret, brent geese, little grebe ......

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

05/01/2022

First guided walk of the year - at Abberton Reservoir this morning. Bright and sunny but cold. Good list of species, with highlights including rock pipit, 8 great white egret, 6+ goosander, female scaup, 80+ black tailed godwit, 200+ lapwing, 35+ goldeneye, great northern diver, 4 cattle egret, redhead smew ....

Guided walk at Brightlingsea

30/12/2021

Nice bright morning, if a bit windy, for our guided walk along the river at Brightlingsea. Highlights included 2 confiding rock pipit around puddles in the car park, brent geese, curlews on the grazing marsh, 4 red breasted merganser, shelduck, 150+ avocet, 400+ lapwing, oystercatcher, a very pale common buzzard and marsh harrier interacting, fieldfare, gadwall, kestrel ....

Guided walk at Holland Haven

20/12/2021

A fantastic morning's guiding at Holland Haven - I love it when a plan comes together! No fog was a good start after the last couple of days! First target was purple sandpiper; and we were soon enjoying close views of 5 on the sluice with turnstones. Next target was dartford warbler (a scarce bird in Essex); and another tick when we found it following a stonechat pair by the golf course - very mobile, but good views (and a couple of record photos). Our surprise find was a flock of 13 white fronted geese that flew in off the sea. Other highlights included 300+ brent geese, 200+ lapwing, red throated diver, rock pipit, kestrel, Cetti's warbler, reed bunting, shoveler, teal, wigeon, shelduck, curlew, little egret ....

"Birds of Essex" Photographic Competition

16/12/2021

Chuffed! One of my images was voted as winner of Essex Birdwatching Society's "Birds of Essex" Photographic Competition Autumn 2021.
Received the framed copy of my winning photo from EBS today. Thanks to everybody who voted for my entry.

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

14/12/2021

Another lovely morning for our guided walk at Old Hall Marshes RSPB. Highlights included 4-5 marsh harrier, 3 reed bunting, brent geese, lots of wigeon & teal, 2 snipe, 400+ lapwing, 100+ avocet, 100+ golden plover, bearded tit (heard only), female peregrine, brief kingfisher, kestrel, pintail, mute swan family ....

Guided walk at West Mersea

09/12/2021

Bit of a first today - didn't take a single photo on our guided walk at West Mersea this morning!! Some good birding though, with highlights including great crested and little grebes, brent geese, great northern and red throated divers (though sadly failed to find the recent black throated diver), red breasted merganser, wigeon, sanderling, Mediterranean gull, skylark, rock pipit, corn bunting, avocet, kestrel ....

Guided walk at The Naze

08/12/2021

Lovely sunny morning for our guided walk at The Naze, but a rather challenging fresh breeze kept small birds well hidden. Despite that we still recorded 47 species, with highlights including pied wagtail (30+), kestrel, brent geese (400+), grey partridge (15), stonechat (3), avocet, redshank, black tailed godwit, sanderling, shelduck, gadwall, green woodpecker, long tailed tit, Cetti's warbler (heard only) ....

Guided walk at Colne Point

03/12/2021

Given the morning's weather I think we did pretty well for our guided walk at Colne Point this afternoon. Stars of the show were 2 short eared owls (records shot attached), but the supporting cast included barn owl, marsh harrier (3), common buzzard (2), kestrel, stonechat, rock pipit, sanderling, oystercatcher, curlew, wigeon, shoveler, little grebe, little egret and a big flock of brent geese as a noisy finale. Excellent!

Guided walk at Copt Hall

29/11/2021

Couldn't really have asked for better weather for our guided walk at Copt Hall this afternoon, given that it's the end of November. Birds such as golden plover, male marsh harrier, stonechat, reed bunting and starling all looked stunning in the low sunshine. Other highlights included squadrons of cormorants streaming overhead towards Abberton Reservoir, a big flock of brent geese, teal, wigeon, kestrel, 4 little grebe in the borrowdyke, curlew, redshank, common buzzard, little egret, lapwing and redwing.

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

25/11/2021

Such a beautiful morning for our guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick - had to keep reminding myself it's the end of November!! Magic moment was watching an adult male marsh harrier repeatedly having a go at getting a little grebe and then being mobbed by two crows until it finally gave up and drifted off to find an easier meal; and surprise sighting was a common seal hauled out in the intertidal area. Other highlights included: gadwall, wigeon, teal, shoveler, shelduck, brent goose, golden plover, avocet, bar tailed godwit, great spotted woodpecker, great crested grebe, kestrel, common buzzard, and a rather late red admiral.

Guided walk at Walton Channel

15/11/2021

Not a bad morning for our guided walk along Walton Channel - overcast, but with very light wind and a falling tide. Over 50 bird species, including marsh harrier, brent goose, teal, black and bar tailed godwits, avocet, curlew, stonechat, reed bunting, skylark, kestrel, common buzzard, red legged partridge, rock pipit, jay ...

Guided walk at Wrabness

10/11/2021

Challenging viewing conditions with fog and mizzle for our guided walk at Wrabness this afternoon. Made things very atmospheric; and nice to see some autumn colours and mist droplets on leaves and spiders' webs. Highlights included: brent geese, wigeon, teal, redshank, knot, lapwing, black tailed godwit, rock pipit, sparrowhawk, green woodpecker, jay, little egret and grey heron.

Guided walk at Cudmore Grove

27/10/2021

Lovely morning guiding at Cudmore Grove, East Mersea. Highlights included: brent geese (with a few juveniles), shoveler, wigeon, teal, jay, goldfinch, Cetti's warbler (heard), golden plover (300+), avocet, black tailed godwit, curlew, swallow (4), rock pipit, skylark, little grebe, kestrel ...

Guided walk at The Naze

22/10/2021

Fairly challenging birding conditions for this morning's guided walk at The Naze - blustery fresh westerly, bright sun and a high tide! Highlights included: 3+ jay, chiffchaff, sparrowhawk, brent geese, turnstone, bar tailed godwit, c60 sanderling, rock pipit, ringed plover, little egret, goldcrest, Cetti's warbler, long tailed tit; and a few common darters still on the wing by a sheltered, sunny pond.

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

19/10/2021

Windy conditions made birdwatching (and photography) a bit more challenging on our guided walk at Old Hall Marshes RSPB (near Tollesbury) this morning. Highlights included 40+ black tailed godwit, 200+ golden plover, 2-3 spotted redshank, 2 greenshank, 1 ruff, 20+ ringed plover, common buzzard, kestrel, 2 marsh harrier, jay, gadwall, shoveler, pochard, reed bunting, skylark, meadow pipit ....

Guided walk along Walton Channel

14/10/2021

Walton Channel 'round 2' for today's guided walk. A bit breezier and not so pleasant, but still plenty of birds to see. Highlights included:- black and bar tailed godwits, avocet, grey plover, curlew, lapwing, wigeon, teal, brent goose, little grebe, marsh harrier, linnet, stonechat .... Love hearing the calls of waders (mainly curlew and redshank today) carrying across the saltmarsh.

Guided walk along Walton Channel

13/10/2021

A beautiful afternoon for our guided walk along Walton Channel today, with blue sky, incoming tide and calm conditions. Unexpected highlight was c15 grey partridge dust-bathing along a field edge, 5 brambling that dropped in but didn't stay long, meadow pipits and redwings passing overhead, 400+ black tailed godwit, avocet, grey plover, curlew, common buzzard, jay, reed bunting, skylark, wigeon, teal ....

Guided walk at Landguard Point

08/10/2021

A foggy journey to Landguard Point was a bit disheartening for our guided walk, but visibility was much better by the time we started. There'd been an obvious influx of robins, blackbirds and song thrushes overnight. Other highlights included black redstart, purple sandpiper, Mediterranean gull, a few swallows heading south, chiffchaff, blackcap, wheatear, small groups of brent geese south offshore, a flock of goldfinches, linnets and meadow pipits on the common ....

Guided walk at Colne Point

23/09/2021

A fresh breeze, but a lovely morning for our guided walk at Colne Point. Highlights included a juvenile pale morph common buzzard, 2 juvenile marsh harriers, small parties of swallows and house martins heading south, linnet, kestrel, yellow wagtail, oystercatcher, curlew, lapwing, golden plover, lots of sea aster mining bees, yellow horned poppy and more.

Wildlife boat trip - Walton Backwaters

18/09/2021

Fantastic weather for our wildlife boat trip on the Walton Backwaters this morning. Highlights included: common seal, turnstone, little egret, golden plover, sandwich tern, common tern, the first returning brent geese of the autumn, common sandpiper, marsh harrier, female eider, sanderling, avocet, dunlin, bar tailed godwit, knot, teal, wigeon, wheatear, swallow. Good weather, good birds, good company ... and cake - can't be bad!!

Guided walk at Brightlingsea

13/09/2021

Fabulous weather again for our guided walk at Brightlingsea this afternoon (along the river from Bateman's Tower). Highlights included a rather distant osprey, sparrowhawk (2), kestrel, common buzzard, common tern (3), grey partridge (4), green woodpecker, wheatear (2), oystercatcher (20), curlew (15), turnstone (2), reed bunting, linnet, goldfinch (flock of 50+), and a clouded yellow butterfly.

wildlife calendar 2022

11/09/2021

Delighted to announce that my calendar for 2022 is now available at £8.50 each (plus postage if mail order).

Guided walk at Holland Haven

07/09/2021

Such a beautiful morning for our guided walk at Holland Haven - sunny, warm and calm (if a little hazy). Started off with a successful search for wasp spiders (we found 5); butterflies included red admiral, small copper and speckled wood; migrant hawker dragonflies. Our bird total was 43 species, including blackcap, lesser whitethroat, greenfinch, linnet, wheatear (4+), whinchat, avocet (10), black tailed godwit (5), brief views of kingfisher, common buzzard (2), juvenile marsh harrier, sandwich tern, reed warbler, teal, grey heron, turnstone (2).

Wildlife boat trip - Walton Backwaters

27/08/2021

Today's "guided walk" was a wildlife boat trip on the Walton Backwaters. Sightings included 60+ turnstone, 15+ golden plover, 100+ bar tailed godwit, curlew, sandwich tern, 2-3 marsh harrier, peregrine, a female eider, c50 avocet, grey plover, and of course common seals (though 2 rhea on Horsey Island didn't make the official list!).

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

24/08/2021

Fabulous encounter with two brown hares on our guided walk at Abberton Reservoir today - such a privilege! (It always worries me after a birdwatching walk when 'bird of the day' is a mammal!!) Other highlights included: brimstone butterfly, 500+ cormorant, 30+ common tern, 2 common sandpiper, 2 green sandpiper, 5 ruff, 6 red crested pochard, 30+ pintail, 30+ wigeon, 2 great white egret, 15+ Egyptian goose, 12+ yellow wagtail, kestrel, greenshank ....

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

19/08/2021

Fab morning guiding at Fingringhoe Wick EWT. Star bird was an osprey over Geedon Marsh; but the waders were spectacular, many still in breeding plumage - black tailed godwit (500+), bar tailed godwit (2), avocet (100+), grey plover (120+), golden plover (100+), greenshank (43), spotted redshank (2), curlew (100+), whimbrel (1), lapwing, redshank, ringed plover, dunlin, knot, oystercatcher. Total of 47 bird species, plus plants, butterflies and other insects.

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

12/08/2021

Reached the dizzy heights of 50 bird species on our guided walk at Old Hall Marshes RSPB this afternoon, of which an impressive 17 were waders. Many of these are returning from much further north and look particularly stunning in their breeding plumage at this time of year. Highlights included: whimbrel, green and common sandpipers, greenshank, avocet, ruff, black tailed godwit, golden and grey plovers, snipe, spotted redshank, common tern, spoonbill, marsh harrier ....

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

30/07/2021

Not the best weather conditions for today's guided walk at Abberton Reservoir, but timed it right being in the hides during the worst of the wind and rain. Highlights included 60+ common tern, 250+ cormorant, teal, gadwall, 1 goldeneye, 2 great white egret, spoonbill pair with 2 juveniles, swifts and martins feeding low over the reservoir, stock dove, great crested grebes with young, 10+ Egyptian geese, 1 black swan, 40+ goldfinch, linnet ...

Wildlife boat trip - Walton Backwaters

27/07/2021

Not strictly a "guided walk", but so good to be able to do wildlife boat trips round the Walton Backwaters again. Highlights included 2 eider, 4 little tern, c40 sandwich tern, 12+ Mediterranean gull, 3+ whimbrel, 30+ bar tailed godwit, 12+ black tailed godwit, 2+ marsh harrier, 1 common sandpiper, 30+ grey plover, and 15+ common seal. A brilliant trip, and we missed the rain! Can't wait till the next one.

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

22/07/2021

Fab weather again for our guided walk at Cockaynes Wood. Star sighting was between juvenile nightingale and a sunbathing chiffchaff - both giving amazing views. Other highlights included common tern, song thrush, great spotted and green woodpeckers, swallow, common buzzard, yellowhammer; painted lady, small copper, gatekeeper; green eyed flower bee; oak eggar caterpillar; common centaury, chicory, sainfoin, small balsam.

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

19/07/2021

A beautifully warm and sunny afternoon for our guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick, with a nice range of species seen, including:-
birds: turtle dove, swallow, chiffchaff, black tailed godwit, lapwing;
butterflies: purple hairstreak, red admiral, peacock, gatekeeper, small heath;
dragonflies: brown hawker, ruddy darter, emperor, blue tailed damselfly;
plants: common centaury, lady's bedstraw, hare's foot clover, viper's bugloss, sea lavender, lesser calamint;
other: beewolf, labyrinth spider, cinnabar moth caterpillar, ichneumon wasp

Guided walk at Elmstead Woods

15/07/2021

Great time at Elmstead Woods this morning for our guided walk. Varied habitats = varied wildlife! Highlights included a 'singing' quail (very close at one point, but still couldn't see it!!), common buzzard, juvenile swallows and house martins, yellowhammer, kestrel, green woodpecker; banded demoiselles along the brook; brown hare; 10 species of butterfly; pyramidal orchid ....

Guided walk at Stour Wood

13/07/2021

Un-forecast sunshine this morning helped our guided walk at Stour Wood in search of butterflies and other wildlife. Our main targets were white admiral and silver washed fritillary; and we saw both, but they wouldn't settle for us, so unfortunately no photos. A nice selection of plants too, including common centaury, narrow leaved ragwort, slender St John's-wort, enchanters nightshade, foxglove and yellow pimpernel.

Guided walk at Landseer Park

07/07/2021

Slightly different guided walk at Landseer Park this morning, focusing more on butterflies and wildflowers. Would have preferred a little more sunshine, but still plenty to see. Highlights included marbled white, Essex skipper, Roesel's bush cricket, swollen thighed flower beetle, chiffchaff, kestrel, swift, pyramidal orchid, lady's bedstraw, cornflower, vipers bugloss, common toadflax, dittander and so much more.

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

29/06/2021

Superb afternoon guiding a walk round the Lord Woodmouse Trail at Abberton Reservoir - with 52 bird species seen/heard, and the weather remained dry for us too! Best moment for me was finding a summer plumaged red necked grebe, but other highlights included little ringed plover, yellow wagtail, hobby, nightingale, bullfinch, swift, yellowhammer, common tern, ruddy shelduck, gadwall, cuckoo ....

Guided walk at The Naze

28/06/2021

Very misty conditions for our guided walk at The Naze this morning. Lovely to see some young birds, notably kestrel and ringed plover, while other highlights included swallow, sand martin, swift, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, greenfinch, curlew, oystercatcher and more.

Guided walk at Wrabness

16/06/2021

Twas a little hot, but a superb morning guiding at Wrabness NR, with so much to see and hear. Highlights included sand martins (with juveniles), turtle dove (eventually seen after hearing them several times), yellowhammer, reed bunting, linnet, song thrush, jay, kestrel, whitethroat and lesser whitethroat, common buzzard; painted lady, brimstone and common blue butterflies; mullein moth caterpillars; common centaury and common spotted orchid; and so much more.

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

11/06/2021

Another lovely morning for our guided walk at Old Hall Marshes RSPB reserve, and busy with bird activity. Cuckoos (at least 4) were very vocal, marsh harriers hunted the marsh, common terns were busy nesting, and avocets and lapwings had young. Other highlights included sedge warbler, Cetti's warbler (heard only), distant cattle egret, pochard, shoveler, reed bunting....

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

10/06/2021

A warm and relaxed afternoon for our guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick EWT today, with a varied range of wildlife seen/heard. Highlights included: nightingale, turtle dove, chiffchaff, garden warbler, cuckoo, marsh harrier, common tern, grey plover, great spotted woodpecker, reed warbler, swallow, jay; brimstone, green hairstreak, speckled wood; hairy dragonfly, four spotted chaser, black tailed skimmer...

Guided walk Frinton to Holland Haven

08/06/2021

Fabulous morning - warm and sunny with a gentle breeze - for our guided walk from Frinton to Holland Haven. Highlights included several reed warblers and reed buntings, showy sedge warbler and meadow pipit, male stonechat, house martins and swallows, linnet, surprise sighting of 2 barnacle geese, nesting avocets, swift, lapwing.... Also butterflies:- orange tip, small heath, peacock and red admiral.

Guided walk at Manningtree

04/06/2021

Surprisingly good bird list (32 species) from a very soggy guided walk west along the River Stour from Manningtree this afternoon. Highlights included avocet, oystercatcher, lapwing, little ringed plover, gadwall, shelduck, common tern, skylark, sedge and reed warblers, marsh harrier, swift, swallow .... Just about dried out now!!

Guided walk at Elmstead Woods

03/06/2021

Felt much more like summer guiding at Elmstead Woods this morning. Great variety of wildlife - plants, birds, butterflies, dragonflies... Highlights included: banded demoiselle; brimstone, green hairstreak, small heath; cinnamon bug; chiffchaff, willow warbler, yellowhammer, swallow, green woodpecker; yellow rattle, grass vetchling, birds foot trefoil....

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

27/05/2021

Fantastic morning guiding at Cockaynes Wood EWT reserve. Great views of nightingale (singing and carrying nest material). Other highlights included blackcap, great spotted and green woodpeckers, yellowhammer, cuckoo, swift, mistle thrush, common buzzard; green hairstreak; blue tailed and azure damselflies; and a nice range of wildflowers too.

Guided walk at The Naze

24/05/2021

Nearly finished our guided walk at The Naze before the showers arrived this morning! Many birds were heard only - blackcap, cuckoo, lesser whitethroat, Cetti's warbler, reed warbler, skylark - but sightings included several whitethroats, chiffchaff, kestrel, greenfinch, gadwall, sedge warbler, long tailed tit family and a muntjac.

Guided walk at Wrabness

18/05/2021

Fortunate with the weather for a morning guiding at Wrabness EWT reserve. Highlights included 3+ turtle doves, 6+ nightingales, 150+ sand martins, c100 brent geese still along the river, shelduck, linnet, whitethroat, reed bunting, yellowhammer, blackcap, green woodpecker...

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

14/05/2021

Felt like more birds heard than seen on a fab morning guiding at Fingringhoe Wick, but sightings included whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff, nightingale, lesser whitethroat, garden warbler, great spotted woodpecker, cuckoo, swallow, swift, reed bunting, common tern... Also heard tawny owl and reed warbler.

Guided walk at Holland Haven

12/05/2021

A beautiful morning for our guided walk at Holland Haven today. Lots of birds heard and seen (39 species), but most disappeared as I reached for the camera! Highlights included blackcap, whitethroat, swallow, green woodpecker, shelduck, avocet, linnet, stonechat, sedge warbler, skylark and kestrel. Also a few butterflies - orange tip, peacock, speckled wood and red admiral.

Guided walk at Shut Heath Wood

07/05/2021

Spectacular display of bluebells in Shut Heath Wood for our guided walk this morning. Other highlights included a very noisy and active pair of great spotted woodpeckers, several treecreepers and wrens, blackcap, chiffchaff, mistle thrush, common buzzard, jay; as well as the amazing colonies of wood ants.

Guided walk at The Naze

30/04/2021

Fab morning guiding at The Naze with numbers of highlights - a very showy lesser whitethroat (just after hearing it singing nearby and telling the group we were unlikely to see it as they skulk deep in cover!!), swallow, sand martin, female eider, Mediterranean gull, dunlin (flock of c400 with several in breeding plumage), common buzzard, kestrel, whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff, jay, lapwing ...

Guided walk at Wrabness

27/04/2021

Fabulous morning at Wrabness guiding a group. Sightings included turtle dove (2 - my first of the year), ring ouzel, blackcap, chiffchaff, nightingale (at least 5 present), swallow, sand martin (c200), whimbrel, yellowhammer, whitethroat (at least 9), linnet, common buzzard, green woodpecker and much more. And it was nice and warm!

Guided walks at Frinton

22/04/2021

Two guided walks at Frinton today (circuits via the golf course). Highlights included: reed bunting (2), wheatear (2), whimbrel (7 + 1), skylark (c20), corn bunting (10+), yellowhammer, mistle thrush, green woodpecker, common buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel (2), Cetti's warbler, whitethroat, reed warbler; also muntjac (2) and Chinese water deer.

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

21/04/2021

Highlight of our guided walk at Cockaynes Wood this morning was a nightingale singing close to the path (that gave frustratingly brief views); but there were also singing blackcap, chiffchaff and goldcrest; green woodpecker, sand martin and swallow, kestrel and common buzzard, linnet, great crested grebe ... Also a nice selection of flowers - bluebell, lesser celandine, wood anemone, golden saxifrage, greater stitchwort, storksbill ...

Guided walks at Fingringhoe Wick

15/04/2021

A real mix of weather for our guided walks at Fingringhoe Wick today - sunshine, cloud, rain, hail. Highlights included brief nightingale, lots of chiffchaff and blackcap, a pale bellied brent goose in among the dark bellied, Mediterranean gull, common buzzard, marsh harrier, linnet, great spotted woodpecker, swallow, stock dove, little grebe, shelduck, shoveler ...

Guided walk at The Naze

13/04/2021

Lovely couple of hours for our guided walk at The Naze this morning. Highlights included skylark, chiffchaff (8+), blackcap (2), jay, greenfinch, Cetti's warbler (heard only), sanderling (67), eider (1 female), ringed plover, dunlin (including 1 in breeding plumage), common buzzard ...

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

09/04/2021

Weather was better than forecast for our guided walk at Abberton Reservoir this morning. Nice to see some familiar faces, but also some great birds too, including Egyptian goose family, little ringed plover, yellow wagtail, swallow, whimbrel, blackcap, goldeneye, skylark, snipe, reed bunting, Mediterranean gull, common buzzard, common tern ...

Guided walk at Holland Haven

07/04/2021

Viewing conditions a bit tricky in this morning's cold wind, but still had a successful guided walk at Holland Haven with over 40 species seen. Highlights included purple sandpiper, avocet, snipe, black tailed godwit, shoveler, wigeon, shelduck, chiffchaff, kestrel, common buzzard, green woodpecker, brown hare and adder.

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

01/04/2021

Somewhat cooler for this morning's guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick. Chiffchaffs were everywhere we went, as well as several blackcaps; while other highlights included shoveler, tufted duck, shelduck, brent geese, skylark, common buzzard, kestrel, little grebe and little egret. However, my favourite was my first swallow of the year flying around the visitor centre as we ended our walk.

Guided walk at Wrabness

31/03/2021

Another fabulous morning for today's guided walk at Wrabness EWT. Bird of the day for me was the sand martins that have arrived back from Africa. Other highlights included chiffchaff (8), yellowhammer, common buzzard, green and great spotted woodpeckers, bullfinch, cowslips, peacock and small tortoiseshell butterflies, and a colony of mining bees (possibly Andrena clarkella).

Guided walk at Mistley

30/03/2021

So good to be out guiding again! Spent the morning at Mistley Walls & Quay, where highlights included lots of black tailed godwits (most in their stunning brick-red breeding plumage), turnstones lined up along boat decks, avocet, oystercatcher, redshank, shelduck, teal, little egret, black swan, chiffchaff and another rookery to add to the EBS survey ... and it was such a beautiful day to be out as well.

Guided walks update

24/03/2021

In line with Government guidelines I'm starting a programme of small group guided walks (for 5 + me) from 29th March 2021. For details and availability please see the Events page.

Lockdown update

15/03/2021

In line with latest Government guidance all my guided walks, courses and events are currently cancelled. However, with easing of restrictions I plan to start offering guided walks (rule of 6) from 29th March, and details are on the Events page. Wildlife photos and greeting cards are still available for sale - please contact me if interested to make arrangements.

Index

Guided walk Frinton to Holland Haven

11/03/2024

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

07/03/2024

Guided walk at Colne Point

05/03/2024

Guided walk at Wrabness

27/02/2024

Guided walk at Shut Heath Wood

23/02/2024

X (formerly Twitter)

15/02/2024

Guided walk at Kirby le Soken

15/02/2024

Guided walk at Brightlingsea

13/02/2024

Wildlife boat trip

10/02/2024

Guided walk at Aldeburgh

02/02/2024

Guided walk at Copt Hall

31/01/2024

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

29/01/2024

Guided walk at Minsmere

25/01/2024

Guided walk at Mersea Island

22/01/2024

Guided walk at Stone Point, The Naze

19/01/2024

Guided walk at Alton Water

11/01/2024

Guided walk at Wrabness

29/12/2023

Guided walk at Kirby le Soken

21/12/2023

Guided walk at Lackford Lakes

20/11/2023

Guided walk at Copt Hall

16/11/2023

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

14/11/2023

Guided walk at Cudmore Grove

13/11/2023

Guided walk at Heybridge Gravel Pits

10/11/2023

Guided walk along Walton Channel

07/11/2023

Wildlife boat trip

03/11/2023

Guided walk at Manningtree

31/10/2023

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

27/10/2023

Guided walk at Colne Point

23/10/2023

Guided walk at Landguard Point

19/10/2023

Guided walk at Blue House Farm

03/10/2023

Guided walk at Minsmere

29/09/2023

Guided walk at Hanningfield Reservoir

27/09/2023

Guided walk Frinton to Holland Haven

21/09/2023

Guided walk at Dovercourt West End

16/09/2023

2024 calendars

14/09/2023

Guided walk at Brightlingsea

05/09/2023

Wildlife boat trip

31/08/2023

Guided walk at The Naze

22/08/2023

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

16/08/2023

Guided walk at Holland Haven

10/08/2023

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

04/08/2023

Guided walk at Blue House Farm

20/07/2023

Guided walk at Landseer Park

13/07/2023

Guided walk at Chalkney Wood

11/07/2023

Guided walk at Gt Holland Pits

07/07/2023

Guided walk at Stour Wood

04/07/2023

Guided walk at Strumpshaw Fen

30/06/2023

Guided walk at Lackford Lakes

26/06/2023

Guided walk at Lakenheath Fen

23/06/2023

Guided walk at Elmstead Woods

20/06/2023

Wildlife boat trip

17/06/2023

Guided walk at Minsmere

06/06/2023

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

01/06/2023

Guided walk at Wrabness

24/05/2023

Guided walk at Upper Hollesley Common & Hollesley Marshes

16/05/2023

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

12/05/2023

Guided walk at Alton Water

08/05/2023

Dawn Chorus walk at Cockaynes Wood

04/05/2023

Guided walk at Arger Fen

25/04/2023

Wildlife boat trip

22/04/2023

Guided walk at Lakenheath Fen

17/04/2023

Guided walk at Manningtree & Mistley

06/04/2023

Guided walk at Kirby le Soken

30/03/2023

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

28/03/2023

Guided walk at Holland Haven

27/03/2023

Guided walk at Heybridge Gravel Pits

23/03/2023

Guided walk at Alresford Creek

18/03/2023

Wildlife boat trip

11/03/2023

Guided walk at Shut Heath Wood

03/03/2023

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

20/02/2023

Guided walk at Wrabness

17/02/2023

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

14/02/2023

Guided walk at Mersea Island

10/02/2023

Guided walk at Colne Point

09/02/2023

Guided walk at Minsmere

03/02/2023

Guided walk at Alton Water

31/01/2023

Guided walk at Kirby le Soken

27/01/2023

Guided walk at Copt Hall

23/01/2023

Guided walk at Mersea Island

17/01/2023

Guided walk at Stone Point, The Naze

12/01/2023

Guided walk Frinton/Holland Haven

09/01/2023

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

06/01/2023

Guided walk at Kirby le Soken

19/12/2022

Guided walk at Lackford Lakes

02/12/2022

Guided walk at Colne Point

29/11/2022

Guided walk at Brightlingsea

28/11/2022

Guided walk at Hanningfield Reservoir

24/11/2022

Guided walk at Heybridge Gravel Pits

10/11/2022

Guided walk at Manningtree/Mistley

04/11/2022

Wildlife boat trip

27/10/2022

Guided walk at The Naze

07/10/2022

Guided walk at Minsmere

29/09/2022

Guided walk at Landguard Point

22/09/2022

Wildlife boat trip

10/09/2022

Guided walk at Holland Haven

06/09/2022

Guided walk at Gt Holland Pits

02/09/2022

2023 calendar

01/09/2022

Guided walk at The Naze

31/08/2022

Guided walk at Frinton/Holland Haven

23/08/2022

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

18/08/2022

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

16/08/2022

Guided walk at The Naze

12/08/2022

Guided 'easy' walk at Wrabness

08/08/2022

Guided walk at Elmstead Woods

02/08/2022

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

29/07/2022

'Easy' guided walk at Gt Holland Pits

18/07/2022

Guided walk at Chalkney Wood

14/07/2022

Guided walk at Stour Wood

11/07/2022

Guided walk at Landseer Park

06/07/2022

Wildlife boat trip

01/07/2022

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

28/06/2022

Guided walk at Wrabness

17/06/2022

Guided walk at Minsmere

14/06/2022

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

10/06/2022

Guided walk at Elmstead Woods

27/05/2022

Guided walk at Wrabness

09/05/2022

Guided walk at Alton Water

05/05/2022

Guided walk at Shut Heath Wood

03/05/2022

Dawn Chorus at The Naze

30/04/2022

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

27/04/2022

Guided walk at Arger Fen

22/04/2022

Wildlife boat trip

14/04/2022

Guided walk at Alresford Creek

11/04/2022

Guided walk at Frinton/Gt Holland

05/04/2022

Guided walk at Heybridge Gravel Pits

24/03/2022

Guided walk at Holland Haven

16/03/2022

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

11/03/2022

Guided walk at Shut Heath Wood

08/03/2022

Wildlife boat trip

05/03/2022

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

28/02/2022

Guided walk at Mersea Island

22/02/2022

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

16/02/2022

Guided walk at Colne Point

11/02/2022

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

08/02/2022

Guided walk at Wrabness

03/02/2022

Guided walk at Alton Water

28/01/2022

Guided walk at The Naze to Stone Point

25/01/2022

Gift Vouchers

21/01/2022

Guided walk at Manningtree & Mistley

21/01/2022

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

05/01/2022

Guided walk at Brightlingsea

30/12/2021

Guided walk at Holland Haven

20/12/2021

"Birds of Essex" Photographic Competition

16/12/2021

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

14/12/2021

Guided walk at West Mersea

09/12/2021

Guided walk at The Naze

08/12/2021

Guided walk at Colne Point

03/12/2021

Guided walk at Copt Hall

29/11/2021

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

25/11/2021

Guided walk at Walton Channel

15/11/2021

Guided walk at Wrabness

10/11/2021

Guided walk at Cudmore Grove

27/10/2021

Guided walk at The Naze

22/10/2021

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

19/10/2021

Guided walk along Walton Channel

14/10/2021

Guided walk along Walton Channel

13/10/2021

Guided walk at Landguard Point

08/10/2021

Guided walk at Colne Point

23/09/2021

Wildlife boat trip - Walton Backwaters

18/09/2021

Guided walk at Brightlingsea

13/09/2021

wildlife calendar 2022

11/09/2021

Guided walk at Holland Haven

07/09/2021

Wildlife boat trip - Walton Backwaters

27/08/2021

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

24/08/2021

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

19/08/2021

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

12/08/2021

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

30/07/2021

Wildlife boat trip - Walton Backwaters

27/07/2021

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

22/07/2021

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

19/07/2021

Guided walk at Elmstead Woods

15/07/2021

Guided walk at Stour Wood

13/07/2021

Guided walk at Landseer Park

07/07/2021

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

29/06/2021

Guided walk at The Naze

28/06/2021

Guided walk at Wrabness

16/06/2021

Guided walk at Old Hall Marshes

11/06/2021

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

10/06/2021

Guided walk Frinton to Holland Haven

08/06/2021

Guided walk at Manningtree

04/06/2021

Guided walk at Elmstead Woods

03/06/2021

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

27/05/2021

Guided walk at The Naze

24/05/2021

Guided walk at Wrabness

18/05/2021

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

14/05/2021

Guided walk at Holland Haven

12/05/2021

Guided walk at Shut Heath Wood

07/05/2021

Guided walk at The Naze

30/04/2021

Guided walk at Wrabness

27/04/2021

Guided walks at Frinton

22/04/2021

Guided walk at Cockaynes Wood

21/04/2021

Guided walks at Fingringhoe Wick

15/04/2021

Guided walk at The Naze

13/04/2021

Guided walk at Abberton Reservoir

09/04/2021

Guided walk at Holland Haven

07/04/2021

Guided walk at Fingringhoe Wick

01/04/2021

Guided walk at Wrabness

31/03/2021

Guided walk at Mistley

30/03/2021

Guided walks update

24/03/2021

Lockdown update

15/03/2021