01/01/2025

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

01/01/2025

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

01/01/2025

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

21/02/2025

On Friday 21st February 9.30am-12.30pm I'm leading a Wader ID Workshop for EWT at Fingringhoe Wick. This will include a classroom session and a guided walk on the reserve. For further information and bookings please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

24/02/2025

Monday 24th February 10am – 12.30pm Shut Heath Wood EWT
(£15 per person). Meet in the off-road parking area for the nature reserve at TL855131. From Braxted Park Road take Tiptree Road through Gt Braxted village. Where the woodland ends there is a hidden turning on the right just before the junction with Braxted Road. Drive through the gateway and there is room for several cars to park at the edge of the track. Nearest postcode is CM8 3ED. Paths are likely to be muddy!
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: green, great spotted and lesser spotted woodpeckers, treecreeper, nuthatch, mistle thrush, fieldfare, goldcrest, common buzzard, woodcock possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

28/02/2025

Friday 28th February 9.45am wildlife boat trip
(£20 per person). We’ll be joining Tony Haggis for a 2-2½ hour boat trip around the beautiful Walton Backwaters. Meet in the car park at Titchmarsh Marina in Walton on the Naze CO14 8SL at 9.45am (for 10am boat trip). From Kirby Road (B1024) turn into Coles Lane (signed for Titchmarsh Marina and Harbour Lights restaurant) and drive to the boatyard car park at the far end (it’s a long narrow lane with speed bumps!). Maximum 11 places (plus me!) so please book early to avoid disappointment. Please bring warm, weatherproof clothing!
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: waders (eg avocet, oystercatcher, godwits), brent goose, marsh harrier, common buzzard, red breasted merganser, pintail, hen harrier, short eared owl; common seal. Scarcer species such as scoter or divers possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

04/03/2025

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

07/03/2025

Friday 7th March 10am – 12.30pm Cockaynes Wood EWT
(£15 per person). Access is off Alresford Road, between Wivenhoe and Alresford – park and meet in the lane just north of the railway leading east. TM052216. This reserve is jointly managed by Essex Wildlife Trust and Cockaynes Wood Trust and has a mix of habitats – heath, grassland, woodland and ponds.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: mistle thrush, fieldfare, redwing, treecreeper, coal tit, yellowhammer, great spotted woodpecker, common buzzard, siskin, lesser redpoll and brambling possible; also scarlet elf cup fungi.
Booking in advance is essential please.

07/03/2025

On Friday 7th March I'm giving a talk entitled "Tales from the Riverbank" to Mile End WI.

21/03/2025

On Friday 21st March 9.30am-12.30pm I'm leading a Raptor ID Workshop for EWT at Fingringhoe Wick. This will include a classroom session and a guided walk on the reserve. For further information and bookings please contact the Centre Team on 01206 729678.

22/03/2025

Saturday 22nd March 10am – 12.30pm Frinton on Sea to Holland Haven
(£15 per person). Meet on the Greensward at the southern end of The Esplanade near Frinton Golf Club, CO13 9EP. There is plenty of free parking along The Esplanade and Second Avenue. We’ll walk along the seawall to Holland Haven and back via the Country Park and by the golf course (approx. 3½ miles).
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: stonechat, rock pipit, purple sandpiper, turnstone, common buzzard, peregrine, wigeon, teal, brent goose, barn owl, an early wheatear possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

25/03/2025

On Tuesday 25th March I'm giving a talk entitled "Encouraging Wildlife Into Your Garden" to Boxted Wildlife.

26/03/2025

Wednesday 26th March 10am – 1pm Old Hall Marshes RSPB
(£15 per person). Meet in the reserve car park at the far end of Old Hall Lane, Tolleshunt D’Arcy CM9 8TP. TL959122. From the B1026 take Chapel Road/Back Road and turn in to Old Hall Lane, which is quite a narrow lane. Drive to the far end, over the speed bumps round the gardens/cottages, through the metal gates, over the cattle grid and follow signs to the car park (open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri). The walk is approx 3 miles (the short circuit!) over uneven ground, including the seawall.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: marsh harrier, brent goose, waders (eg curlew, avocet, black tailed godwit, golden plover), red breasted merganser, barn owl, bearded tit; hen harrier possible
Booking in advance is essential please.

31/03/2025

Monday 31st March 10am – 12.30pm Kirby le Soken
(£15 per person). We’ll park/meet in Island Lane, (off Walton Road), Kirby le Soken, on the left opposite Silvertons, CO13 0DA. (When you turn in to Island Lane, Silvertons in on your right. On the left, you pass cottages, then there is a small car park and catering stand. We’ll take a circular walk route via Quay Lane, part of the Walton Backwaters and Island Lane; and finish with lunch (not included) at The Social Kitchen.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: brent goose, wigeon, pintail, waders (eg avocet, godwits, knot, curlew, golden plover), marsh harrier, peregrine, stonechat, yellowhammer, barn owl possible; common seal.
Booking in advance is essential please.

04/04/2025

Friday 4th April 10am – 12.30pm Heybridge Gravel Pits
(£15 per person). Meet in Daisy Meadows pay & display car park in Basin Road, Heybridge Basin CM9 4RW. We’ll walk across the lock and the seawall overlooking the gravel pits and the River Blackwater.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: brent goose, wigeon, teal, black tailed godwit, avocet, greenshank, bearded tit, marsh harrier, Mediterranean gull, Cetti’s warbler.
Booking in advance is essential please.

08/04/2025

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

10/04/2025

Thursday 10th April 9.45am wildlife boat trip
(£20 per person). We’ll be joining Tony Haggis for a 2½ hour boat trip around the beautiful Walton Backwaters. Meet in the car park at Titchmarsh Marina in Walton on the Naze CO14 8SL at 9.45am (for 10am boat trip). From Kirby Road (B1024) turn into Coles Lane (signed for Titchmarsh Marina and Harbour Lights restaurant) and drive to the boatyard car park at the far end (it’s a long narrow lane with speed bumps!). Maximum 11 places (plus me!) so please book early to avoid disappointment. Please bring weatherproof clothing!
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: waders (eg avocet, oystercatcher, godwits), brent goose, marsh harrier, common buzzard, red breasted merganser, pintail; common & grey seals. Scarcer species possible.
Booking in advance is essential please.

15/04/2025

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

17/04/2025

Thursday 17th April 10am – 4pm Lakenheath Fen RSPB
(£30 per person + £4 reserve entry or bring RSPB membership card). Meet in the RSPB car park in Station Road (B1112), Lakenheath, IP27 9AD. TL724865. There is a visitor centre with toilets. The main circular trail is approx 3 miles. Please bring a packed lunch.
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: marsh harrier, bittern, bearded tit, common crane, kingfisher, water rail, garganey, sedge warbler, grasshopper warbler, hobby.
Booking in advance is essential please.

29/04/2025

Tuesday 29th April 10am – 12.30pm Arger Fen SWT
(£15 per person). Meet in the layby at CO8 5BN. TL930353. From the A134 at Nayland turn left (W) at Nags Corner, signed to Wissington and Bures. Continue along Wiston Road/Bures Road (‘wiggly’ road for a few miles); then turn right (N) at a crossroads onto Smallbridge Entry (this road is very narrow); pass paddocks, then WA Church seed store; then layby is on your right. (See also Suffolk Wildlife Trust website for location map.)
Species we’ll be hoping to see include: nightingale, blackcap, garden warbler, red kite, raven; bluebells, early purple orchid, wild garlic.
Booking in advance is essential please.

04/05/2025

On Sunday 4th May at 5.15am I'll be leading a Dawn Chorus walk for Essex Wildlife Trust at The Naze. For further details and bookings please contact the Centre Team on 01255 679379.

10/05/2025

On Saturday 10th May 9.30am-12.30pm I'm leading Bird Song Workshop for Essex Wildlife Trust at The Naze Centre. This will include a classroom session and guided walk. For further details and bookings please contact the Centre Team on 01255 679379.

16/06/2025

On Monday 16th June I'll be giving a talk entitled "Tales from the Riverbank" to Ongar Wildlife Society.

09/09/2025

I'll be joining the team at Sizewell Hall to co-lead their Birdwatching Break 9th-12th September, including giving a couple of talks and leading guided walks. For further details please visit their website at www.sizewellhall.org.uk.

17/09/2025

On Wednesday 17th September I'm giving an illustrated talk to Colchester U3A at Highwoods Community Centre.

25/09/2025

On Thursday 25th September I'm giving a talk entitled "The Essex Coastal Marshes in Winter" to West Mersea Wildlife Forum.

23/10/2025

On Thursday 23rd October I'm giving a talk entitled "Essex Diary" to Witham U3A.

11/11/2025

On Tuesday 11th November I'm giving a talk entitled "Wild Essex in Winter" to Mersea Island Horticultural Society.

19/11/2025

On Wednesday 19th November I'm giving a talk entitled "Tales from the Riverbank" to Billericay WI.