Essex Wildlife Trust, Abbotts Hall Farm, Gt Wigborough, Colchester, Essex CO5 7RZ
What's on: Trust events around the county
Our visitor centres organise a regular programme of events and activities for adults and families. Events taking place over the next few weeks are listed on the right. Click on the centre name against each event for information about the centre and about booking, and for events further ahead (or use the menu on the left).
The Trust has fourteen Local Groups across the county that organise a programme of walks and talks for local members. Non-members are welcome at these events also. Use the menu on the left for details of events in your area, or click here for a map showing where Local Groups operate.
Booking is essential for most centre events, so make sure you call or visit the centre in advance to avoid disappointment.
Sun 27 Jul PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE (Close up & Marco)
Never sure about using the macro setting on your camera? Join Daniel for his informative workshop on close up & macro work. You will be amazed what stunning pictures you can get! For more info on Daniels course www.DanielBridge.co.uk Booking Essential 10am -4pm
Location: Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
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
Mon 28 Jul Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential 10 am - 3pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 29 Jul Family Nature Day: SuperFly!
All about summer rainbow fliers with a winged trail and multicoloured art 10.30am - 2.00pm
Location: Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 29 Jul Wildlife Discovery Day: Amazing Animals
Wildlife themed day filled with lots of activities, games and crafts. Suitable for 7-11 year olds. (7 year olds must be accompanied by an adult). Bring a packed lunch and wear suitable clothing ! Advance booking and donation essential 10.30am-3pm
Location: Bedfords Park Visitor Centre
Tue 29 Jul Family Nature Day: Puppets!
Use inspiration from the natural world to create your own puppet to take home 1.30 pm
Location: Chafford Gorges Visitor Centre
Tue 29 Jul Wildlife Discovery Day: Incredible Insects
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult. 10.30am - 3pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 29 Jul Family Nature Day: Art in the Woods
A fun morning of arts and crafts under the trees 10am-12pm
Location: Langdon Visitor Centre
Tue 29 Jul Family Nature Day: Go Quackers
Meet the dabbling ducks on the lake, play duck games and make a 'quacking' mask to take home. 1.30-3.30pm
Location: Langdon Visitor Centre
Wed 30 Jul Family Nature Day: Pond Postcards
Pond dip for summer swimmers then make a postcard to decorate on the reserve. 10.00am - 12noon
Location: Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 30 Jul Family Nature Day: Wild Treasure!
Go on a scavenger hunt then transform your finds into a fantastic nature mobile. 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Location: Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 30 Jul Caterpillar Club
Wildlife fun and crafts in the park for pre school children. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance booking essential 10am-12pm
Location: Bedfords Park Visitor Centre
Wed 30 Jul Family Nature Day: Brilliant Bees
See honey bees up close in our bee hive and have some fun learning about these amazing creatures! Wildlife themed afternoon filled with lots of activities and crafts.. Suitable for all the family. Advance booking and donation essential. Spaces limited to 2 adults per paying child 1.30pm-3.30pm
Location: Bedfords Park Visitor Centre
Wed 30 Jul to Sun 3 Aug Come along to Fingringhoe Wick and enjoy two hours of dinosaur art and craft followed by a fossil sand dig out on the reserve. Each child attending will receive a FREE FOSSIL to take home DINO Dates 30th & 31st July, 1st,2nd & 3rd August DINO Craft & Dig Sessions 10am – noon 12.30pm – 2.30pm 3pm – 5pm Donation £5.00 per child per session, adults free Children must be accompanied by an adult. DINO WEEK.... Summer Holiday Fun
Come along to Fingringhoe Wick and enjoy two hours of dinosaur art and craft followed by a fossil sand dig out on the reserve. Each child attending will receive a FREE FOSSIL to take home Children must be accompanied by an adult. 10am – noon, 12.30pm – 2.30pm and 3pm – 5pm
Location: Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Wed 30 Jul Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential 10am - 3pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 30 Jul Family Nature Day: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Follow the story trail through the woods, play games and see if your caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly 10am-12pm
Location: Langdon Visitor Centre
Wed 30 Jul Family Nature Day: Pond Dipping
Discover the amazing watery world of the pond and the creatures that live there. 1.30-3.30pm
Location: Langdon Visitor Centre
Wed 30 Jul ECC- Be a Badger
Explore the park using the senses of a badger. Learn about a badgers life. suitable for ages 3+. Pre-booking essential 10.00am
Location: Thorndon Countryside Centre
Thu 31 Jul Family Nature Day: Minibeast Morning
Come and hunt for minibeasts at Bedfords Park. Wildlife themed morning filled with lots of activities and crafts.. Suitable for all the family. Advance booking and donation essential. Spaces limited to 2 adults per paying child 10am-12pm
Location: Bedfords Park Visitor Centre
Thu 31 Jul Family Nature Day: Pond Dipping Afternoon
Wildlife themed afternoon filled with lots of activities and crafts.. Suitable for all the family. Advance booking and donation essential. Spaces limited to 2 adults per paying 1.30pm-3.30pm
Location: Bedfords Park Visitor Centre
Thu 31 Jul Family Nature Day: Flap! Flap!
Who or what is flying high in the sky above Warren Gorge? 2 hours of craft, games, and fun for all. 10.30 am
Location: Chafford Gorges Visitor Centre
Thu 31 Jul Family Nature Day: Dinosaurs Trail
A self guided trail. Turn up any time between 1.30 pm and 3pm. Find the answers and claim your prize. 1.30 pm
Location: Chafford Gorges Visitor Centre
Thu 31 Jul Wildlife Discovery Day: Watery Wonderland
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult. 10.30 am - 3pm
Location: Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Fri 1 Aug Family Nature Day: Pond Patrol
A morning of pond dipping followed by an afternoon of pond inspired creations. 10.30am - 2.00pm
Location: Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Fri 1 Aug Conservation Club - Practicle Conservation For Young People
Suitable for 11 years +. ( secondary age ) Places limited so advance booking essential 10am-3pm
Location: Bedfords Park Visitor Centre
Fri 1 Aug Wildlife Discovery Day: WOODLAND SAFARI
Brave the woodland jungle to discover who eats who! Back at the Visitor Centre create your own woodland mobile. Please wear old clothes and don't forget to bring a packed lunch. Booking advised. 10.30am-3pm
Location: Langdon Visitor Centre
Fri 1 Aug Nightwatcher
Come and enjoy the dark side of the park, bats, owls, moths and more. Pre-booking essential. This event will be at Thorndon Park South. 7.30
Location: Thorndon Countryside Centre
Fri 1 Aug ECC-Knights, Princesses and Dragons Quest
Pick up a secret map and lead yourselves throught the woods.Solve riddles about magical long ago times. Collect a prize at the end. Suitable 3-8 years. Come in costume! 10.30-11.00am
Location: Thorndon Countryside Centre
Sat 2 Aug Optics Day
Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before you buy. Includes Opticron, Minox, Hawke and Manfrotto. Special offers available, including Swarovski ATS65HD. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. 9am-5pm
Location: Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre