View our upcoming events for May 2012
Sat 5th May 2012 4:15-7:30 Bats Birds Bluebells and Breakfast See soprano pipistrelle bats, take a walk to listen to the dawn chorus and see bluebells on the way, followed by a full English breakfast. £12 per person. 9:00-17:00 Wildlife Spectacle Bluebell Weekend!! Over the weekend there will be a self guided trail on the reserve for families to enjoy. It will be themed around wildlfowers including bluebells to celebrate this spectacle we have here in the Spring. Come into the centre at any time over the weekend for more details. Normal entry donation. 10:30-14:30 Visit to Abberton Reservoir Meet in the visitor centre car park at 10.30am. For further information contact Havering Local Group on 01708 440297. 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Sun 6th May 2012 4:30-7:30 Dawn Chorus Day Come and experience the Dawn Chorus at Hanningfield. Join a guide who will take you around the reserve as the sun comes up identifying the different birds you will hear. Full cooked breakfast included. £12 per person. 4:30-7:30 Bedfords Park Dawn Chorus Join us to hear the wonderful bird sounds on our early morning walk, followed by a warming breakfast back at the centre. £10 per person, booking and donation in advance essential.
9:00-17:00 Wildlife Spectacle Bluebell Weekend!! Over the weekend there will be a self guided trail on the reserve for families to enjoy. It will be themed around wildlfowers including bluebells to celebrate this spectacle we have here in the Spring. Come into the centre at any time over the weekend for more details. Normal entry donation. 10:00-13:00 Walks throughout 2012 Walks throughout 2012 Join our friendly group for monthly walks on the 3rd or 4th Sunday of every month, as well as summer evening walks. Minimum of 15 walks a year. All walks are between 5-10 miles and all include one of the 87 Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserves, mostly in the south of Essex. Membership is only £10 donation per year (£15 joint), and then £2 donation per walk. All profits go to Essex Wildlife Trust. For more details please contact Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre. 14:00-16:00 Bluebell Walk Join Bill Godsafe, the reserve warden, for a lovely walk around the reserve looking at the carpets of bluebells. £5 per person. 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Mon 7th May 2012 7:00-10:30 Birds before Breakfast at Cranham Marsh Meet at the kissing gate at the end of Park Drive at 7am or 8am. Donation £5 to include the walk and a light breakfast. For further information contact Havering Local Group on 01708 440297. 19:00-21:00 Southend Seal Watch Meet at 7 pm at The Beach Hut, opposite Toulouse Restaurant, W.Esplanade, Southend SS0 7QY. Wellies are essential for this short walk. For members only. Booking essential. For further details contact Basildon Natural History Society on 01268 491540. 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Tue 8th May 2012 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Wed 9th May 2012 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Thu 10th May 2012 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Fri 11th May 2012 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Sat 12th May 2012 4:30-7:30 Dawn Chorus At the MOD Weathesfield Air base. Booking essential for security reasons start 4.30am. Bacon butties and drinks will be available. Suggested Donation of £4.00 per person. For further details please contact Braintree Local Group on 01376 324903. 10:00-12:30 Introduction to Birds 12th May 2012 Join David Petts for an enjoyable introduction to bird watching. Spring is really in the air at this time of year and there is much activity on the reserve. £5 per person. Please bring your own binoculars. 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk Come and experience the amazing sound of the Nightingale. We have approx.30-40 singing males each year and their song fills the air. These guided walks are always extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Sun 13th May 2012 4:15-7:30 Bats Birds Bluebells and Breakfast 13th May 2012 See soprano pipistrelle bats, take a walk to listen to the dawn chorus and see bluebells on the way, followed by a full English breakfast. £12 per person. Mon 14th May 2012 18:30-21:00 Guided Walking Tour of Two Tree Island Led by the Warden, Mark Bridges. Meet at the Reserve car park. For further details please contact Castle Point Local Group on 01268 754949. Sat 19th May 2012 10:00-16:30 RSPB Vange Marsh Half or Full Day Walk – A new venue to explore for breeding lapwing, avocet and waterfowl. Meet 10.00am in first car park in Wat Tyler Country Park, SS16 4UH. 1.30pm – Wat Tyler Country Park. For more information please contact Brentwood & Billericay Local Group on 01277 355541. 10:00-12:00 Birdsong for Beginners Join our leader for a gentle stroll around the nature reserve to listen to birdsong and learn how to identify some of the songsters. £5 donation requested. Booking in advance is essential. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre 10:00-16:00 Spring Birding Guided Bird indentification Walks - Optics Advice and Sales by professional bird tour leaders Discover lots of spring migrants such as Nightingale and Blackcap at the fantastic Fingringhoe wick nature reserve. This joint event with Essex Wildlife Trust and local bird tour company Swallow Birding is designed to bring you the best of spring bird watching. Join one of the guided walks to learn how to identify these birds or visit the centre for a cuppa and a piece of cake or advice on binoculars and telescopes. No Booking Required, Suggested entry donation requested Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre Sun 20th May 2012 8:30-12:00 Summer Migrants Walks and Bird Ringing Display Summer Migrants Walks and Bird Ringing Display at Two Tree Island. 8am - 12pm, walks leave at 8.30am and 10am. Come along to find out all about bird ringing and get really close to some of our summer migrants and/or join our guides on one of the two scheduled walks. For further details please contact the Volunteer Warden, Mark Bridges 01702 557971. £1.50 donation appreciated. Tue 22nd May 2012 19:30-20:30 5k series The third Tuesday of May, June, July and August. A 5k two lap run around the beautiful woodlands and former plotlands gardens on bridleways and footpaths. Suitable for all abilities but is naturally hilly and on rough terrain. No changing facilities but toilets and results service available. Visitor centre with seating and refreshments. Under 16s welcome if accompanied by an adult. Ample free parking. £2 per person Location Langdon Visitor Centre Sat 26th May 2012 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 Sat 2nd Jun 2012 10:30-14:30 Visit to Woodham Fen Meet in South Woodham Ferrers railway station car park at 10.30am. For further information contact Havering Local Group on 01708 440297. Wed 6th Jun 2012 19:30-21:30 Owl Evening Wed 6th June Owlwise' evening run by Phil Eckett. Come and find out about owls and see them in the visitor centre. £6 per adult, £4 per child. Sat 9th Jun 2012 10:30-12:45 Summer Wildflowers and Butterflies Come and join Tricia Moxey and Patrick Bailly, Warden of the Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve, for a two hour guided walk in these traditional flower rich meadows. Meet at 10.30am in the car park beside the David Lloyd Centre, off Roding Lane, Buckhurst Hill. TQ430 942. For further details contact Epping Forest Local Group on 01277 364522. Sun 10th Jun 2012 11:00-16:00 Open day and Ponddipping At Gt Holland Pits nature reserve. For more information please contact Tendring Local Group on 01255 861342. Open to non members. All are welcome to these events. Sat 16th Jun 2012 10:00-12:00 Visit to Thameside Nature Park Meet at the car park there, off Mucking Wharf Rd, Stanford le Hope SS17 0RN. Please phone to confirm times. For further details contact Basildon Natural History Society on 01268 491540. Sun 17th Jun 2012 13:30-15:00 Meadow Walk Our Meadow Wildlife Guided walk through the meadows in Bedfords park. £5 donation per person. Booking and donation in advance essential. Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Tue 19th Jun 2012 19:30-20:30 5k series June The third Tuesday of June, July, August. A 5k two lap run around the beautiful woodlands and former plotlands gardens on bridleways and footpaths. Suitable for all abilities but is naturally hilly and on rough terrain. No changing facilities but toilets and results service available. Visitor centre with seating and refreshments. Under 16s welcome if accompanied by an adult. Ample free parking. £2 per person Location Langdon Visitor Centre
Thu 28th Jun 2012 19:00-21:00 Summer Evening Walk Come and enjoy Hanningfield after hours when everyone else has gone home! Bill Godsafe, the reserve warden, will be leading an evening walk around the reserve giving you the chance to experience the site after hours when the wildlife usually has it to themselves! £5 per person. Wed 11th Jul 2012 20:30-22:00 Bat Count Join us for one of our fortnightly bat counts. We are lucky enough to have a maternity roost of soprano pipistrelle bats in the roof of the visitor centre. We run counts every fortnight and we invite you to join us to learn more about these fascinating creatures. Pete Claughton from Essex Bat Group will give a short talk followed by watching the bats emerge from the roost. Numbers can be up to 300 at this time of year! £3 per person. Location Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 17th Jul 2012 19:30-20:30 5k series July The third Tuesday 0f July and August. A 5k two lap run around the beautiful woodlands and former plotlands gardens on bridleways and footpaths. Suitable for all abilities but is naturally hilly and on rough terrain. No changing facilities but tiolets and results service available. Visitor centre with seating and refreshments. Under 16s welcome if accompanied by an adult. Ample free parking. £2 per person Location Langdon Visitor Centre
Wed 1st Aug 2012 19:30-21:30 Owl Evening Wed 1st Aug Owlwise' evening run by Phil Eckett. Come and find out about owls and see them in the visitor centre. £6 per adult, £4 per child. Fri 3rd Aug 2012 10:00-11:00 Reptile Walk 3 Come and see if you can find some of our cold blooded friends and learn all about them in their natural habitat £5.00 per person 19:30-23:00 Bat Walk Come along and seek out the bats that come out to hunt at night, great fun for all the family £5.00 per person 21:00-23:00 Moth Evening To tie in with National Moth night we will be holding a moth evening here at Hanningfield. £4 per person. Fri 10th Aug 2012 19:30-21:30 Family bat walk Come along and learn about the different bats that live and feed in the gorge. learn how to use a bat detector. Fun for all the family. £5.00 requested donation per person. Sat 11th Aug 2012 20:00-22:00 Night Patrol What are the animal residents up to on the reserve when we've all gone home? Come out after dark with us looking for bats and other creatures of the night. Family event, donation per person - £5. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Fri 17th Aug 2012 21:00-23:00 Moth Evening 17th August To tie in with National Moth night we will be holding a moth evening here at Hanningfield. £4 per person. Sat 18th Aug 2012 14:00-16:00 Wildflower Walk with Marion Miller Join Marion for a walk through the nature reserve identifying and learning about the wildflowers as you go and finishing up at the Fishing Lodge where there are quite a few wildflower species if you know where to look! You can then stop for some refreshment at the Café on the Water or wander back at your own pace to the visitor centre. £5 per person. Tue 21st Aug 2012 19:30-20:30 5k series August The third Tuesday of August. A 5k two lap run around the beautiful woodlands and former plotlands gardens on bridleways and footpaths. Suitable for all abilities but is naturally hilly and on rough terrain. No changing facilities but tiolets and results service available. Visitor centre with seating and refreshments. Under 16s welcome if accompanied by an adult. Ample free parking. £2 per person Location Langdon Visitor Centre Fri 24th Aug 2012 19:30-21:30 Summer Bat Evening Join us at Bedfords Park, for an informative talk, and then walk in the park to look for bats in their natural habitat. £5 donation per person, booking and donation in advance essential. Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Sat 8th Sep 2012 12:00-16:00 Fun in the Fields Following on from the success of last year's "Unto the Fields", Countrycare and the Essex Wildlife Trust will be hosting an Autumn fete of nature conservation discovery. Come along to learn more about this fantastic Nature Reserve and have some fun too. Something for all the family. Car parking next to the David Lloyd Centre off Roding Lane, Chigwell, IG9 6BJ. Follow signs from there to event location (grid reference TQ 430 945). Further details tbc (Please contact Countrycare on 01992 788203 or email contactcountrycare@eppinforestdc.gov.uk for more information). Location Roding Valley Meadows 19:00-21:00 Night Patrol 3 What are the animal residents up to on the reserve when we've all gone home? Come out after dark with us looking for bats and other creatures of the night. Family event, donation per person £5. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
19:00-21:00 Bat Evening September 2012 Join us for a short informal talk on the bats that live at the reserve then accompany us on a walk looking and listening for the different species using bat detectors (supplied). Please wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring a torch. Hot drinks and biscuits provided. £6.00 per person, not suitable for under 16's. Sun 9th Sep 2012 10:00-12:30 Introduction to Birds Join David Petts for an enjoyable introduction to bird watching. An interesting time as the summer migrants start to think about leaving. Please bring binoculars if you have them. £5 per person. 10:30-12:30 Animal Tracks and Signs Come for an interesting walk in the park and look for evidence of animals from the tracks they leave and feeding signs. £5 donation per person, booking and donation in advance essential. Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Fri 21st Sep 2012 18:30-20:30 Night Patrol 4 What are the animal residents up to on the reserve when we've all gone home? Come out after dark with us looking for bats and other creatures of the night. Family event, donation per person £5. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Sun 30th Sep 2012 10:30-14:00 Dunton Demon 5 A 5 mile off road run through woodland, meadows and former plotlands gardens. No changing facilities but toilets and result service available. Visitor centre has seating area and refreshments available. £6.00 in advance, £7.00 on the day. Location Langdon Visitor Centre 14:00-17:00 Fungus Foray An identification event, spotting and collecting fungi on the nature reserve. An indoor examination and information session will follow the walk in which specimens will be explored. £5 per adult, £3 per child. Sun 7th Oct 2012 10:00-16:00 Basic Map and Navigation Course Sun 7th Oct Even if you have no experience, by the end of this course you will be able to use an ordnance survey map and a compass. The morning will be in the classroom and in the afternoon you will be out on the reserve using your new skills. £25 per person. Sun 14th Oct 2012 13:30-15:30 Red Deer Walk Observe the Red deer rut on a guided walk around the deer enclosure. £5 donation per person. Booking and donation in advance essential. Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Sat 20th Oct 2012 20:00-22:00 Badger Evening Meet Frank Last president of the badger protection society and find out what it is like to dedicate your life to badgers. A light-hearted look at rescue, research, lifestyle, habits, the good and the bad. £6.00 per person Location Langdon Visitor Centre Sun 21st Oct 2012 10:30-12:30 Autumn Stroll in Gernon Bushes for Fruits and Fungi An opportunity to discover what is growing this autumn in this Nature Reserve with guides Tricia Moxey and Reserve Warden, Brian McGhie. Meet at 10:30 am at the entrance to the Reserve in Garnon Mead, Coopersale. Turn off B181 Epping to North Weald Rd into Coopersale Common Lane and then left into Garnon Mead beyond railway bridge. CM16 7RN Grid Ref: TL 476 031 Joint meeting with the Friends of Epping Forest. For further details contact Epping Forest Local Group on 01277 364522. Sat 27th Oct 2012 10:30-12:30 Fungi Foray Come for a stroll around the park in search of different types of fungi and tips on identifying them. £5 donation per person. Booking and donation in advance essential. Location Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Thu 1st Nov 2012 19:30-21:30 Owl Evening Thurs 1st Nov Owlwise' evening run by Phil Eckett. Come and find out about owls and see them in the visitor centre. £6 per adult, £4 per child. Sun 4th Nov 2012 10:00-13:00 Autumn Walk Join us for an approx 6 mile walk starting and finishing at Hanningfield Visitor Centre. We will be walking through lovely local countryside and at this time of year there should be a lovely display of autumn colour. £5 per person. Sun 2nd Dec 2012 10:00-12:30 Introduction to Birds Sun 2nd Dec Join David Petts for an enjoyable introduction to bird watching. See what winter migrants have arrived. Please bring binoculars if you have them. £5 per person. Sun 9th Dec 2012 10:00-13:00 Christmas Walk Join us for an approx 6 mile walk starting and finishing at Hanningfield Visitor Centre. We will be walking through lovely local countryside and returning to the centre for home made soup and a roll and mince pies. £7 per person. Location Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
10:30-12:00 Winter Wonders Escape the stresses of the season to find out what our wildlife is up to at this time of year on a walk round the reserve. £3 donation per person. Children must be accompanied. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Location Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
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