We offer guided wildlife walks in #WildEssex (and elsewhere) for anyone interested in wildlife and the countryside. Please contact Jude on jmgibson1959@btinternet.com for further details of upcoming events and to get on our mailing list.
We are pleased to make regular donations to charities involved in the conservation of the places we visit and plants and animals we enjoy, especially Buglife and the Essex Wildlife Trust.
Most of our walks are followed with a blog – just see List of Blogs | Chris Gibson Wildlife for a listing.
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UPCOMING WALKS – advance booking required please.
Contact Jude jmgibson1959@btinternet.com for further details and to book
2026
#WildEssex Walks
MARCH 3rd Cockaynes Wood. One of our favourite walks to a local nature beauty spot. Usually fungus to spot as well as signs of Spring. 10–12.30, meeting in Wivenhoe. A proportion of the proceeds to go to Essex Wildlife Trust. £10 PER PERSON.
APRIL 30th Chappel. Join us on an interesting half day, taking in the magnificent brick Viaduct, Chalkney Wood (hopefully with Bluebells in full flower), beautiful scenery as well as nature at every turn!. Bring packed lunch with an optional drink afterwards at The Swan. 11–4ish. Easy transport by train (our preferred option) though there is parking in the village. £20 PER PERSON.
JUNE 24th Wivenhoe Midsummer Evening Walk . Meet by Wivenhoe Jetty, a gentle evening stroll along the trail to Jacobs Ladder, Cut Throat Lane, maybe Stag Beetles and lots more. 7–9.30ish. Optional drink in local hostelry afterwards. £10 PER PERSON.
Dates for second half of the summer to include Lower Lodge Insect Hunt plus a Charity Picnic in Wrabness will be posted at the end of March.
NATURETREK walks exploring the Wild Side of Essex
Full day walks in Essex, please book through the Naturetrek website. Watch this space for dates in 2026!
Summer by the Stour Estuary (Day Trip) – Naturetrek 14 July
The Colne Estuary (Day Trip) – Naturetrek 13 March, 19 August, 22 September
Exploring The Naze and Walton Backwaters (Day Trip) – Naturetrek 5 August, 16 October
Heath Fritillaries – Hockley Woods, Essex (Day Trip) – Naturetrek 12 June
Danbury Ridge with Chris Gibson – Naturetrek 8 September
A day spent exploring the wildlife of the Colne Valley – Naturetrek 28 April
EVENTS AT BETH CHATTO’S
Wildside Walks will run throughout summer 2026: planned dates are 24 April, 15 May, 19 June, 17 July, 07 August, 21August and 11 September; two walks a day, from 1100-1200 and 1230-1330. Cost £5 for Friends of the Garden or £23 Full Price (which includes garden entry): please book on the Beth Chatto website Courses & Workshops – Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens by clicking on the event date and time you want.
Moth Mornings are also planned in 2025 on 20 June and 18 July (book via the garden website Courses & Workshops – Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens). These run from 0900-1100, and involve examination of the contents of the moth trap run the night previously, together with the opportunity to walk around the garden looking for insects and other wildlife before it opens to the public.
New for 2026, school holiday Bug Safaris aimed at kids, with provisional dates of 26 May, 22 July and 29 Oct; the July date is planned to have a mothy flavour, with time spent examining the contents of the moth trap. For more details, please visit the Beth Chatto website.
MINORIES MOTH CLUB
Moth trapping in the Minories Garden, book via their website What’s on | The Minories: 13 June, 25 July
WHATSAPP GROUP
Why not sign up for lots of lively chat and details of exclusive/ short notice events? Contact Jude jmgibson1959@btinternet.com for further details.
