The Wildlife Trusts

10:00-16:00 Dormouse Survey Course

This course will cover dormouse ecology and survey techniques. A few years ago there was only a scattering of dormouse records in the county. Many of these were old records and there was no clear picture of dormouse distribution. Our aim is to establish a complete picture of dormice distribution so that efforts can be focused to safeguard them and provide appropriate management. After a brief indoor session we will have a site visit to look at dormouse habitat and management issues. Leader: Rebecca Banks Venue: Norsey Wood Requested Donation: Free course. Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

9:30-15:00 Using Environmental Arts and Crafts with young people

This course is suitable for anyone wanting to learn and experience what arts and crafts activities the natural environment has to offer. Participants will have a practical day of making and doing to try out different arts and crafts suitable to lead with children and young people using the natural world as inspiration. Leader: Jem Ayres: Venue: Chafford Gorges Visitor Centre, Drake Road, Chafford Hundred, Grays, Essex, RM16 6RG Requested Donation: £30

Location Chafford Gorges Visitor Centre

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

11:00-15:00 Shoresearch

Shoresearch is a volunteer scheme in Essex which utilizes the skills of volunteers with an interest in wildlife conservation to identify and record marine animals and plants in their natural habitat on the coast. All shore search activities this year will take place at Colne Point nature reserve. This is an Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve and shows the best diversity in one small area due to the sand pools left behind at low tide. For further details or to book your place please contact Sarah Allison on 01621 862976 or email: saraha@essexwt.org.uk

10:00-13:00 Riversearch Water Voles 1

Two stand-alone half day training sessions have been arranged for 2012. The course will serve as an introduction to the identification and ecology of water voles including an overview of current legislation, habitat management and health and safety issues. Students will also be trained to distinguish between water vole, field vole and brown rat morphology and field signs. Course suitable for beginners and people wishing to take part in the annual county survey for Essex. Leader: Darren Tansley: Venue: Abbotts Hall Farm Requested Donation: £15

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

11:00-15:00 Heathland Management

Characteristics, history and development over the centuries of lowland heath habitat, in particular of Essex heaths, will be described. The related wildlife will be summarised. Attention will be paid to succession, positive and negative influences and the resulting need for continual management. A range of management techniques will be covered and reference drawn to schemes and sources of funding. A visit to Tiptree Heath will take place in the afternoon. Leader Joan Pinch Venue: Abbotts Hall Farm and Tiptree Heath. Requested Donation: £15

Location Abbotts Hall Farm and Tiptree Heath

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-13:00 Riversearch Water Voles 2

Two stand-alone half day training sessions have been arranged for 2012. The course will serve as an introduction to the identification and ecology of water voles including an overview of current legislation, habitat management and health and safety issues. Students will also be trained to distinguish between water vole, field vole and brown rat morphology and field signs. Course suitable for beginners and people wishing to take part in the annual county survey for Essex. Leader: Darren Tansley: Venue: Abbotts Hall Farm

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place. Requested Donation: £15

10:00-16:00 Photography Workshop Level 2 Beyond the Basics

Discover hw focal length, white balance, aperture and more can transform your photography. Looking at composition and subject matter this one-day workshop with Daniel Bridge guides you to the best reults from your camera.

Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre

10:30-12:30 Foraging Taster Session

Edible Essex, in collaboration with Essex Wildlife Trust, is providing a fantastic opportunity for you to discover more about edible plants that grow wild in our countryside. The session will involve: a guided walk to forage for ingredients to make tea and salads, sampling some wild food – some cooked on an open fire and recipe suggestions. The session is free and open to anyone who wants to learn more about edible wild food. Families are very welcome, but children must be over the age of 8. Participants should bring a plastic container and wear suitable outdoor clothing. Booking is essential and places are strictly limited. For more information, or to book a place, please email sophie.blythe@essexrcc.org.uk or call 01376 574 330.

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

10:00-16:30 Wild Flower Identification 1

Two stand-alone training sessions learning how to identify wild flowers with the aid of books and keys. The day will include time for a field visit to look at varying habitats. The day is suitable for complete beginners who wish to know more about the wild flowers around them, and for those who want to improve their skills. It is recommended that a hand lens of c10x magnification be brought and, if possible, a copy of Francis Rose's Wild Flower Key. Leader: Stephen Clarkson Venue: Abbotts Hall Farm Requested Donation: £30.00

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-16:00 Grasslands Management Surveying and Monitoring Practical Course

There is an urgent need to monitor the wildlife value of grasslands and effectiveness of management. Grasslands are a priority habitat due to their fragility within succession. If they are not managed properly they will change their characteristics and floristic diversity very quickly. It has been recognised that certain species indicate floristic diversity whilst others indicate a positive or negative effect of management and these species could be used to monitor sites. This course will look at the basic identification of grasses, a practical solution to surveying and monitoring grasslands to ensure limited resources are being used effectively. Leader: Andy May: Venue: Abbotts Hall Farm Requested Donation: £30

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-16:30 Wild Flower Identification 2

Two stand-alone training sessions learning how to identify wild flowers with the aid of books and keys. The day will include time for a field visit to look at varying habitats. The day is suitable for complete beginners who wish to know more about the wild flowers around them, and for those who want to improve their skills. It is recommended that a hand lens of c10x magnification be brought and, if possible, a copy of Francis Rose's Wild Flower Key. Leader: Stephen Clarkson Venue: Abbotts Hall Farm Requested Donation £30.00

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-13:00 Outdoor Fun and Exploration Engaging Children in the Outdoors

This morning course is suitable for parents and carers, teachers and teaching assistants, play workers, child minders or anyone who believes that children should be given the time and space to be engaged and connected with the natural environment. This morning will be an opportunity to explore how we can support our children in exploring and discovering outside with activities which will challenge and excite them. Packed with ideas for you to enjoy with your children, this morning will be a chance to relax, play and learn in the woods at Abbotts Hall Farm. Leader: Jo Ling Venue: Abbotts Hall Farm Requested Donation: £15

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

12:30-16:00 Shoresearch June

Shoresearch is a volunteer scheme in Essex which utilizes the skills of volunteers with an interest in wildlife conservation to identify and record marine animals and plants in their natural habitat on the coast. All shore search activities this year will take place at Colne Point nature reserve. This is an Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve and shows the best diversity in one small area due to the sand pools left behind at low tide. For further details or to book your place please contact Sarah Allison on 01621 862976 or email: saraha@essexwt.org.uk

10:00-16:00 Grass and Rush Ecology

This course will introduce participants to the structure, identification and ecology of grasses and rushes. In addition, participants will be introduced to the management of grasslands to promote diversity. This course will involve a strong ‘hands on’ approach and will focus on identification skills and ecology of species from a variety of habitats including woodlands, heathlands and ponds In addition species commonly associated with types of grassland and other habitat will be discussed. Grasses will be identified to species level. Leader: Andrew May Venue: Abbotts Hall Farm Requested Donation: £30

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-16:00 An Introduction to the Study of Bumblebees

Bumblebees are an appealing, small group of insects that often attract those not otherwise drawn to the study of insects. Species diversity can be used as an indicator of habitat quality and several species are of conservation concern nationally. The course will discuss the range of bumblebees found in Essex and the UK, the books available to aid identification and other learning, methods of observation and preliminary skills in putting a name to specimens. The ecological requirements of the Essex species will also be discussed. Part of the day will be spent in the grounds of Abbotts Hall Farm, looking for bumblebees to name them and discuss their behaviour and ecology. In case of bad weather, this will be backed-up with pinned specimens. Course leader: Adrian Knowles. Requested Donation: £30.00 per person.

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-16:00 Crayfish Ecology and Identification

This course provides an introduction to Crayfish ecology and identification. We will look at the known distribution in Essex following recent survey work and the law relating to Crayfish. We will visit a site and undertake survey work using hand searching and trapping techniques. Course leaders: Martin Pugh/Rebecca Banks. Venue: E.T. Foakes Memorial Hall, Gt Dunmow. Attendance Free.

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-16:00 Grasslands Management Surveying and Monitoring Practical Course

There is an urgent need to monitor the wildlife value of grasslands and effectiveness of management. Grasslands are a priority habitat due to their fragility within succession. If they are not managed properly they will change their characteristics and floristic diversity very quickly. It has been recognised that certain species indicate floristic diversity whilst others indicate a positive or negative effect of management and these species could be used to monitor sites. This course will look at the basic identification of grasses, a practical solution to surveying and monitoring grasslands to ensure limited resources are being used effectively. Course leader: Andy May. Requested Donation: £30 per person.

Location Roding Valley Meadows

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

12:00-15:00 Shoresearch July

Shoresearch is a volunteer scheme in Essex which utilizes the skills of volunteers with an interest in wildlife conservation to identify and record marine animals and plants in their natural habitat on the coast. All shore search activities this year will take place at Colne Point nature reserve. This is an Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve and shows the best diversity in one small area due to the sand pools left behind at low tide. For further details or to book your place please contact Sarah Allison on 01621 862976 or email: saraha@essexwt.org.uk

10:00-16:00 A Practical Introduction to the Marine Life of Essex

With the longest coastline and more habitats than any other county in the UK, Essex boasts a spectacular array of marine life. This course will introduce you to just some of the many hundreds of marine species that call Essex home. This one day course is designed to be a classroom based morning session, focusing on species identification, the principles applied to the different types of marine survey techniques and an introduction to some of our sub tidal marine species coupled with a field based afternoon session on a local beach to practice the newly acquired skills. Course leader: Sarah Allison. Requested Donation: £30.00 per oerson.

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

9:00-12:30 Shoresearch August

Shoresearch is a volunteer scheme in Essex which utilizes the skills of volunteers with an interest in wildlife conservation to identify and record marine animals and plants in their natural habitat on the coast. All shore search activities this year will take place at Colne Point nature reserve. This is an Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve and shows the best diversity in one small area due to the sand pools left behind at low tide. For further details or to book your place please contact Sarah Allison on 01621 862976 or email: saraha@essexwt.org.uk

10:00-16:00 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. Course leader: Bill Godsafe. Requested Donation: £30.00 per person.

Location Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

16:00-21:30 Bat Ecology and Bat Echo Analysis

An opportunity to learn about the fascinating world of bats! The course will focus on the ecology of UK bats and is suitable for complete beginners or those who wish to know more about bats. Different survey techniques employed to studying bats are considered with case studies as examples. Analysing bat calls through the use of bat detectors and computer software will also be covered. In the evening there will be an opportunity to carry out a bat survey using bat detectors around the Hanningfield nature reserve. Course leader: Adam Rochester. Requested Donation: £30.00 per person.

Location Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-16:00 WildFlower Identification 3

A training session learning how to identify wild flowers with the aid of books and keys. The day will include time for a field visit to look at saltmarsh plants especially, to include Glassworts, wild plants and a few grasses. The day is suitable for complete beginners who wish to know more about the wild flowers around them, and for those who want to improve their skills. It is recommended that a hand lens of c10x magnification be brought and, if possible, a copy of Francis Rose's Wild Flower Key. Course leader: Stephen Clarkson. Requested Donation: £30.00 per person.

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-13:00 Riversearch Otter Survey Course

An extra half day training session has been arranged for 2012. These sessions are aimed at people who wish to learn how to identify Otter (and Mink) field signs, droppings (spraints), footprints and feeding remains. Ecology of Otters in lowland areas will be covered and habitat features that Otters use will be discussed. The course will include an outdoor session walking approximately 1 mile on rough grassland and footpaths. Maximum 15 people with no dogs or children please. Course suitable for beginners and people wishing to take part in the annual county survey for Essex. Course leader: Darren Tansley. Venue: Fordham Hall Estate, Woodland Trust Reserve, Fordham. Requested Donation: £15.00 per person.

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

9:30-15:30 How to use Environmental Arts and Crafts with young people

This course is suitable for anyone wanting to learn and experience what arts and crafts activities the natural environment has to offer. Participants will have a practical day of making and doing to try out different arts and crafts suitable to lead with children and young people using the natural world as inspiration. Course leader: Jem Ayres. Requested Donation: £30.00 per person.

Location Chafford Gorges Visitor Centre

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-16:00 Geology of Essex

How the basement on which Essex is constructed came into being, its wanderings around the globe over the ensuing millenia and the dramatic shifts in climate and sea level that have occurred throughout this journey. Fieldwork to take place at Chafford Gorges, an excellent example of these events, at least over the last 100 million years. Course leader: Mike Sandison. Requested Donation: £30.00 per person.

Location Chafford Gorges Visitor Centre

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-16:00 Introduction to Hedgerow Basket Making

The course will start with a walk on the reserve gathering hedgerow materials such as ivy, bramble, hazel and willow. You will see example baskets and be shown a range of techniques such as weaving to create your hedgerow basket. Please bring along a pair of thick gardening gloves and a pair of secateurs. Course leader: Donna Bennett. Requested Donation: £30.00 per person.

Location Langdon Visitor Centre

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-16:00 Trees in Winter Identification

The course will take a practical look at tree identification at a difficult time of the year using buds and bark as key identification features. It will involve strong hands-on approach and will focus on identification skills and ecology of species from a variety of habitats. Trees will be identified to species level. A dichotomous key – A guide to the identification of winter trees will be used during the course. Course leader: Andy May. Requested Donation: £30.00 per person.

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-16:00 Wintering Birds 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. Course leader: Dave Smart. Requested Donation: £30.00 per person.

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.

10:00-12:00 Woodland Christmas Wreaths and Garlands

Visit Abbotts Hall farm to make a winter garland or wreath using natural materials gathered at Abbotts Hall Farm. Use Holly, Ivy, Old Man’s Beard, seed heads and berries and fruits and willow to make a sumptuous decoration that is totally sustainable and biodegradable. The basic frame you take away can then be reused each year to make a new wreath. Maximum 15 people with no dogs or children please. Please come dressed for outdoors and walking. Course leader: Laura Harvey. Requested Donation: £15.00 per person.

Location Abbotts Hall Farm

Please telephone Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 or email: admin@essexwt.org.uk for more information or to book your place.