Events
Coach trips
How much does it cost? £15.00 for adults & £7.50 for school children. (cheque or cash on the day)
Who can come? Everyone welcome, beginners, experts, non-members.
What should I bring? Packed lunch, a drink, suitable clothing and footwear essential. Why not bring a camera and binoculars if you have them?
Where and when? Depart 8.15am from Colchester North Station Forecourt, then 8.30am from Colchester War Memorial outside the Castle Park unless otherwise stated in the event description. Please let Carole Rogers know your preferred point so we don’t leave anyone behind.
When do we return? Typically between 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm unless bad weather dictates otherwise.
Car Trips
How much does it cost? Free of charge
How do I get to the event? You can travel in your own car but we encourage car shares. Please phone David Barnard (01206 825645) if you require a lift or would be willing to take someone else.
Where and when? We meet at the site at the time given in the event description below, usually 10.00 a.m. Most people bring a packed lunch and stay till mid afternoon.
What are the Tuesday meetings? Tuesday evening visits often have a botanical or survey element with experts on hand to guide beginners. We focus on important or threatened wildlife sites in and around Colchester.

RSPB Coach Outings

All bookings and other details about the trips, e.g. pick-up points, please ring Mick Kenny on 01206 395366 at least two weeks prior to trip with a discretionary charge of £5.00 for non-attendance after booking.


Sunday 30th September - Gibraltar Point

Sunday 28th October - Holme NWT

Sunday 25th November - Holkham

Sunday 27th January - Hickling NWT / Stubbs Mill

Sunday 24th February - Rainham Marsh (later start of 8.20am from Vint Crescent)
Events Calendar 2013
March 2013
Tuesday 26th March - 7.30 pm - Cardinal Bourne Hall - Members’ Slide Evening including digital, video and computer presentations.

This is now one of the most popular indoor events on our indoor calendar and an ideal opportunity to share your natural history exploits with other members, but as there are many technical aspects in catering for multimedia, it is ESSENTIAL that you book a slot with Darren Tansley if you want to take part.
Traditionally, this was just a slide evening but with the widespread use of digital technology it has expanded to incorporate digital photos, powerpoint presentations and even moving image. We want to give as many members as possible, a chance to show their images so in order to arrange for the correct equipment to be in place at the right time and ensure the smooth running of the evening phone Darren Tansley on 01621 862995 or email darrent@essexwt.org.uk with your details.
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April 2013
Tuesday 23rd April - 8.00 pm - Cardinal Bourne Hall - Tim Gardiner - Glowing, glowing, gone.?
 A new book, Glowing, Glowing, Gone? The Plight of the Glow-worm in Essex, has recently been published by the British Naturalists’ Association (BNA). It presents the results of standardised survey work in Essex, thought to be one of the first serious attempts in Europe to combine analysis of the distribution of glow-worms throughout a geographical area, with long-term monitoring of abundance to determine whether they are declining across a range of sites. Come along and discover the plight of this enigmatic beetle, is it really declining towards extinction and if so what can we do about it?
Wednesday 24th April - 9.30am - Car Field Trip to Wolves Wood, near Hadleigh, Suffolk
 Wolves Wood is one of the last remaining areas of wet native woodland in Suffolk, supporting a good range of birds, flowers and insects.
This walk, best as a half day visit, will be led by Russell Leavett who managed the site for the RSPB for many years. 9.30am start - meet at the RSPB car park (TM 053437) on the A1071 Hadleigh to Ipswich Road about two miles east of Hadleigh. Wellies may well be necessary so do have them with you just in case!

Tuesday 30th April - 7.00pm - Roman River Valley and Chest Wood, Layer de la Haye
Early spring flora including rare Purple toothwort. On this visit you can also take a look at some of the mosses, (bring a hand lens), as this site has some good ones.  Parking either on the verge just before the bridge entering Layer de la Haye, or turn right into New Cut, second road on right after entering village  TL 970207. Share cars please. Leaders Bill Chisholm contact no. 07910361883 and Peter Douch contact no 01206 574960
May 2013
Bank Holiday Monday 6th May – 11.00am to 3.00pm - High Woods Country Park       Bluebell trail & cream tea experience   (Ranger)
 Follow the marked trail through the woods taking you through our beautiful bluebell hot spots. Enjoy a lovely cream tea afterwards.
 Booking: No need to book – for more information call 01206 853588
Cost: £4 per adult, £2 per child   Event time: Drop in anytime between 11.00am – 3.00pm
 Meet at the Visitor Centre off Turner Road.
Friday 10th May - 8.15pm - High Woods Country Park - Bat Evening (Ranger)
 Take a walk through the Park with an Essex Bat Group expert and using bat detectors discover what species are living there. Normally exceptional views of bats are gained over the lake. Bring a torch.
 Booking essential call: 01206 282920   Cost: £4 per adult, children free.
Event lasts approx. 2hrs. Meet at the Visitor Centre off Turner Road.
Sunday 12th May - Coach Field Trip to Lackford Lakes / West Stow Country Park
 8.15am North Station Forecourt / 8.30am War Memorial
 On this trip we will be visiting Lackford Lakes in the morning and then travel onto West Stow Country Park for the afternoon.  
 Lackford Lakes is 100 hectares of wetland, woodland, scrub and sandy heath created from former gravel pits. It is a SSSI for its birds and dragonflies. It has a visitors centre with light refreshments and toilets. West Stow Country Park has 52 hectares of woodland and heathland with Thetford Forest within short walking distant. Good for breckland birds, plant and insect specialities. There is a visitor centre, café and toilets.
Tuesday 14th May - 7.00pm - Tiptree Heath
Special heathland plants, insects and birds. Also, there may be Exmoor ponies and/or Dexter cattle by May. A moth trap evening is to follow for those who want to stay on, (warm clothing, a snack and hot drink recommended), finishing around 11.30 pm.  Park in the car park TL 884149.   Leaders Joan Pinch & Sue More contact no. 01621 815016, plus David Barnard and the moth team contact no 01206 825645.
Tuesday 28th May - 7.00pm - Hythe Marshes, Colchester
Late spring flora including some special plants, birds on the lagoons and insects associated with grazing pasture. Meet at the end of Haven Road opposite to the offices of Fieldgate & Co. which is a dead end with disused sheds. TM O22236  Stout footwear essential, wellies if after a period of rain.  Leaders Russell Leavett contact no 01206 399059 and Peter Douch contact  no 01206 574960
June 2013
Tuesday 11th June - 7.00pm - Cymbeline Meadows, Colchester
Damselflies and dragonflies, water plants and other flowers and insects.  Walkers cross Avenue of Remembrance near the St Helena School and go down pathway on to the Meadows.  Cars take Spring Lane exit at Spring Lane roundabout and turn right at entrance to sports ground, then follow single track roadway towards Charter Wood.  TL 975259.  Leaders Ted Benton contact no 01206 867321 and Sonya Lindsell contact no 07770814282
Indoor Meetings
How much does it cost? Free of charge to members but donations are accepted for refreshments.
Where and when? Cardinal Bourne Hall, Priory Street, Colchester at 8.00 pm unless otherwise stated. The Hall is situated at the East Hill end of Priory Street with car parking almost opposite by the Roman Wall. CLICK HERE for an online map