Wildlife experiences in Essex
We offer a range of wildlife experience opportunities designed to bring people closer to nature and wildlife across Essex. Activities include animal experiences, experience days, as well as close up wildlife encounters with animals such as birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals.
Alongside our wildlife experiences, we offer a wide range of wildlife events including guided walks, birdwatching experiences and wildlife identification courses. Led by knowledgeable staff and conservation experts, our events provide opportunities to discover local wildlife, develop new skills and get closer to nature throughout the year.
Abberton introduction to butterflies with walk
Langdon butterfly seekers
Badger watching evening
Ingrebourne spooky species show
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of events do you offer
Guided walks
Join one of our guided walks to discover the wildlife, habitats and hidden stories of our nature reserves. Led by experienced guides, these walks are suitable for all levels and offer a great way to connect with nature while learning about local wildlife.
Birdwatching experiences
Whether you're completely new to birding or an experienced enthusiast, our birdwatching experiences offer something for everyone. Our birdwatching for beginners sessions are the perfect introduction, helping you identify common birds by sight and sound, use binoculars and spotting scopes, and build confidence in the field. More advanced guided walks provide opportunities to spot migratory birds, birds of prey, waders and wildfowl while learning from experienced birdwatchers at some of the region's best wildlife sites.
Wildlife identification courses
Improve your wildlife identification skills with courses covering birds, butterflies, wildflowers, fungi, insects and more. Learn practical techniques from experienced naturalists and build confidence in recognising species in the field.
Bat evenings
Experience the magic of bats as they emerge at dusk. Guided bat evenings use bat detectors to reveal species that would otherwise go unnoticed, while learning about their fascinating behaviour, ecology and conservation.
Badger watching
Watch badgers in their natural habitat as they emerge from their sett after sunset. These memorable evenings offer the chance to observe their feeding, grooming and social behaviour while learning about the conservation of one of Britain's best loved mammals.
Specialist wildlife experiences
Take part in a range of seasonal wildlife experiences led by knowledgeable staff and conservation experts. From dawn chorus walks and reptile surveys to family nature activities and photography sessions, there's something for every nature enthusiast.
How do I book a wildlife experience
Advance booking is required for most events, as spaces are often limited and can fill up quickly. We recommend checking the event listing on our website for booking details, which will indicate whether booking is available online, by telephone, by email, or if no booking is required.
Where are the events held?
Most of our events take place at our Nature Discovery Centres or our nature reserves. Please check the individual event listings for full location details and directions.
Who are these events suitable for?
Each event varies and may be suitable for children, families or adults please check individual event listings for full details. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced nature enthusiast you are sure to find something of interest.
Event booking terms and conditions
Our event booking terms and conditions can be found here.
