Essex Wildlife Trust, Abbotts Hall Farm, Gt Wigborough, Colchester, Essex CO5 7RZ
What's on: Talks & Courses
For more details click on the location
Sun 27 Jul Our Native Trees
Native woodlands and the way they have been managed are an often overlooked aspect of our history. The course will begin with an introduction to and history of native woodlands, looking at what defines a native tree and moving on to the state of our woodlands in the present day. It will focus on trees that are likely to be found in the woodlands and hedgerows of Essex and will explain how we identify trees using a combination of clues such as leaves, buds, bark, tree height and location. Simple identification keys will also be discussed. The course is aimed at those with little or no experience of native tree identification but should also appeal to those with some knowledge of the subject. This course needs to be booked through Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862 960. A donation of £30 is requested 10am - 4pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 27 Jul Butterfly and Dragonfly Walk
A fascinating walk led by local expert Margaret Mitchell. Learn a little about the wide variety of flying insect the park supports!! 2pm
Location: Thorndon Countryside Centre
Wed 6 Aug Owl Evening
Once again the owls visit Hanningfield, come and see and find out about these fascinating creatures. 7.30 - 9.30pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Fri 8 Aug Bat & Moth Evening
Join us as we gather round our moth traps to discover what nocturnal creatures are attracted to the lights, hopefully including splendid hawkmoths and bats. Our local experts will be on hand to help with identification. Hot chocolate will be provided! 9pm - midnight
Location: Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 9 Aug Macro photo day course
Get the most out of your close up photography with Danies Bridge Pre-booking essential. 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Location: Thorndon Countryside Centre
Sun 10 Aug Digital Macro Photography
You will be guided through the most common terms encountered in the world of digital macro photography, along with examples of techniques used. Later, you will be taken out on the Nature Reserve to capture your own macro images of insects and flowers and then you will be shown how to edit them using software. 10.00am - 2.30pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 16 Aug Optics Day
Wildlife expert and bird enthusiast Kris Miners will be on hand to give you the advice you need to choose the ideal optics for you. 11.00am - 4.00pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 17 Aug Plants, Trees and their hidden uses & traditions
Join Kris Miners for an informative walk around our Nature Reserve. You will be guided around the reserve and on the way you will learn about the hidden uses and the folklore of our wild plants and trees. For further info on Kris and his course; www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk Booking Essential 10am-1pm
Location: Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Fri 29 Aug Bat Evening
Join us for a talk on bats followed by a walk out on the reserve using bat detectors to listen out for the different species on the reserve. 8pm - 10pm approx
Location: Langdon Visitor Centre
Sat 6 Sep The plants and trees that feed and serve us
Join wild food and bushcraft instructor Kris Miners on a course that will delve into the depths of our past to reveal how our native, and not so native plants and trees have been used for centuries to feed and serve us. A donation of £30 is requested. 10 am - 4 pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 6 Sep Artists Day Course
The fourth in this series of day courses with Trevor Harwood. Choose any medium painting all aspects of the park outside weather permitting. Pre-booking essential. Limited spaces 10am till 4.30pm
Location: Thorndon Countryside Centre
Sun 7 Sep PHOTOGRAPHIC COURSE (General)
Need tip of the trade to get those fantastic photos? Then book a place on Daniels course. Whether your camera is basic or to of the range, Daniel will help you get those tremendous results. For more info on Daniels courses www.DanielBridge.co.uk booking Essential 10am - 4pm
Location: Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Mon 8 Sep Birds
with well known wildlife photographer Barry Kauffman-Wright.
Location: Havering Local Group
Wed 10 Sep Apples and Orchards
A very different meeting tonight, our speaker Andrew Tann will be bringing along some apples, we will learn about the growing and cultivation of fruit trees. Andrew is inviting members to bring in our own apples for him to name, preferable with a stalk still attached.
Location: Basildon
Sun 14 Sep Badger Day Course
A fascinating insight into this secretive animals lifestyle. The anatomy, the law, how to track and much more. Limited places. Pre-booking and payment essential 10 am till 4pm
Location: Thorndon Countryside Centre
Thu 18 Sep ‘Wildflower Names, Folklore, Food and Fantasy’
An illustrated talk by renowned botanist and natural history lecturer, Sue Buckingham, provides whimsical view of the wildflower world, its history and mysteries.
Location: Brentwood and Billericay Local Group
Sun 21 Sep FINGRINGHOE WICK; BADGER WORKSHOP & WATCH
This workshop is for anyone interested in the identification,natural history, ecology & conservation of badgers. Led by Don Hunford a local expert who has a tremendous knowledge of badgers, based on years of careful study and observation and has featured on television programmes about this fascinating mammal, including the Badger Night Live broadcasts. Book early as imited places available 3PM - 9PM
Location: Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Sun 21 Sep Trees in the Landscape
Using Hanningfield Nature Reserve and the surrounding area as an example, this course will look at how management by humans and the changing needs of society have affected the appearance of the landscape to give us the countryside that we see today. We will look at native and non-native trees and explain how they got there and the reasons why. There will be some discussion of tree identification but we will also look at old maps and documents to explore the historical context. This course is aimed at those who are interested in trees and their place in the countryside and have little or no prior knowledge of the subject. A donation of £30 is requested. Please book by telephoning Abbotts Hall Farm reception on 01621 862960. 10 am - 4 pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Thu 25 Sep “Two Tree Island – a virtual tour”
by Mark Bridges. 8.15pm United Reformed Church, High Street, Great Baddow.
Location: Chelmsford Local Group
Fri 26 Sep Bushcraft
Bushcraft is essentially the knowledge of how our natural environment works and the skills we can employ to live with nature and adapt to the changing seasons. On this course you will be guided through a selection of different aspects of bushcraft such as wildfood, natural shelters, water purification, fire building and how to harness natural resources to help us survive. 5.00pm - 9.00pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 27 Sep Poetry Festival Workshop
Join us on a walk around the park, and then create your own literary masterpiece with two visiting poets - Matthew Paul and John Barlow 1.30 pm
Location: Chafford Gorges Visitor Centre
Sat 4 Oct Poetry Workshop
WILD WORDS Let your creative instincts take a walk on the wildside. 2006 BBC Wildlife Poet of the Year, Derek Adams will be running a poetry workshop at the Visitor Centre. Join Derek and reserve warden, Bill Godsafe on a guided walk, then turn your wild experiences into a poem. A fantastic opportunity to come along and write poetry with an experienced poet. Bring a notebook and pen. Refreshments provided. An Essex Wildlife Trust / Essex Poetry Festival event 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 5 Oct Beginners Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography
Kris Miners will lead you in exploring the world of Digital Photography, helping to make clear the technical terms and methods employed. You will be shown examples of different techniques and later put these newly gained skills to use on the 100 acre nature reserve. You will see and learn about wildlife of the nature reserve as we walk around the site. For this course you will need to bring along a digital camera. Previous experience is not necessary. Bring a packed lunch. Tea/coffee provided. 10.00am - 2.30pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 8 Oct Birds of New Zealand and its Subantarctic Islands
An illustrated talk by Nick Green.
Location: Uttlesford Local Group
Sun 12 Oct Wildfood
Kris Miners will teach you some of our forgotten past by providing you with knowledge of our edible and poisonous plants and trees which have been used for centuries by our ancestors. 10.00am - 1.00pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Mon 13 Oct Wildlife and the Olympics in the Lee Valley
talk by Ranger Amy Lewis.
Location: Havering Local Group
Thu 16 Oct Evening meeting
An illustrated talk on "Ancient Woodlands - use them or lose them" by Geoffrey St Clair in the Mitchell Room at Gt Bentley Village Hall at 7.30pm
Location: Tendring Local Group
Thu 16 Oct Wildlife Management at Old Hall Marshes RSPB Reserve’
An illustrated Talk 'The development and work of this local reserve are presented by the Warden, Paul Charlton. Plans for a winter visit?
Location: Brentwood and Billericay Local Group
Thu 16 Oct Indoor talk:
Woodland Trust, Sally Hepher. Westcliff United Reformed Church Hall, Kings Road, Leigh.
Location: Southend and Rochford Local Group
Sat 18 Oct Thames Barge Trip
Join us as we set sail from Brightlingsea for a day's birdwatching along the River Colne. Fuly catered trip. Booking in advance is essential. 10.45am-4.30pm
Location: Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Mon 20 Oct Training & Survey Course - Introduction to wildlife
This course will be classroom based and will aim to give the beginner a basic understanding of wildlife We will look at Taxonomy to help the novice understand how we classify and assign names to species. We will give an overview of the main Essex habitats. Information on the legislation and protection offered to species and habitats through designation will also be covered. We will look at basic ecological principles. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions. A donation of £30 is requested. 10 am - 4 pm
Location: Abbotts Hall Farm
Wed 22 Oct Historical Ecology
A course designed to illustrate how the secrets of the countryside can be unlocked by looking at wood and farm names, field patterns and other clues as to how the countryside has changed over the centuries. This is a room-based study and will use current and historical maps largely from Essex, for which there is a wealth of documentary evidence. A donation of £30 is requested. 10 am - 4 pm
Location: Abbotts Hall Farm
Fri 24 Oct “Native Trees & Woodland”
by Bill Godsafe. 7.30pm Little Baddow Memorial Hall, North Hill, Little Baddow.
Location: Chelmsford Local Group
Sat 25 Oct Birdwatching Trips
Join our expert leaders for one or two days of field trips to various local sites. We'll use our up-to-date local knowledge to take you to the best places and see the best birds. Numbers are limited to please book early to avoid disappointment. 10am-4pm
Location: Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 29 Oct Owl Evening
Another 'Owlwise' evening run by Phil Eckett. Come and find out about owls and see them in the Visitor Centre. Booking essential. 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Mon 10 Nov Members Evening
A chance to see members Digital wildlife photos.
Location: Havering Local Group
Wed 12 Nov The Night Sky
An illustrated talk on the Night Sky by Royston Dean. If a clear night we will be star gazing through a telescope from the car park.
Location: Basildon
Wed 19 Nov Evening meeting
An illustrated talk on "What future for the Essex coast?" by Dr Chris Gibson at Beaumont Village Hall at 7.30pm
Location: Tendring Local Group
Thu 20 Nov “End to End – Flowers of the Mediterranean”
by Dr Peter Brandham. 8.15pm United Reformed Church, High Street, Great Baddow
Location: Chelmsford Local Group
Thu 20 Nov ‘The Wild Tigers of Ranthanbhore’
Illustrated talk by much respected wildlife photographer, Mickey Andrews, shows us the wonders of Ranthanbhore National Park. Enjoy a taste of Seasonal Cheer with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.
Location: Brentwood and Billericay Local Group
Sun 23 Nov Wildlife Photography Workshop
To coincide with his exhibition Adrian Watts is running a day's digital photography workshop, with both theory and practical sessions and plenty of help and advice on capturing wildlife on camera. Bring your own equipment and instruction manual. Lunch will be provided. Booking in advance is essential as places are limited. 10am-3pm
Location: Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 30 Nov Training & Survey Programme - Hedgelaying
This course gives an introduction to hedgelaying. An opportunity to understand why we lay hedges, how it is done and what the benefits for wildlife are. The day will be centred around practical instruction and hands on involvement in laying a hedge. A donation of £30 is requested. 9.30 am - 3.30 pm
Thu 4 Dec Indoor talk
Tooth and Claw by Ian Rowlands. Westcliff United Reformed Church Hall, Kings Road, Leigh.
Location: Southend and Rochford Local Group
Sun 7 Dec Beginners Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography
Kris Miners will lead you in exploring the world of Digital Photography, helping to make clear the technical terms and methods employed. You will be shown examples of different techniques and later put these newly gained skills to use on the 100 acre nature reserve. You will see and learn about wildlife of the nature reserve as we walk around the site. For this course you will need to bring along a digital camera. Previous experience is not necessary. Bring a packed lunch. Tea/coffee provided. 10.00am - 2.30pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Mon 8 Dec Otters in Essex
An illustrated talk by Darren Tansley Essex Wildlife Trust, Water for Wildlife Officer.
Location: Havering Local Group
Wed 10 Dec The Good Life.
An illustrated but different presentation tonight as Peter Webb tells us about ‘Self-sufficiency on the Essex marshes.’ Followed with the Christmas Social food and drink.
Location: Basildon
Tue 16 Dec Training & Survey Programme - Winter Bird Identification
A chance to study and better identify those waders, wildfowl and gulls that grace our shores during the winter period. Divers to geese, Pintail to Knot will all be in the area. The aim of this short course is to enhance the bird watching skills of the participant, whether beginner or more experienced, so there will be something for everyone. The course centres on the rich coastal areas around the Blackwater estuary. A donation of £30 is requested. 10 am - 4 pm
Location: Abbotts Hall Farm
