We visit reserves in Essex usually the third Wednesday in the month. The visits last three to four hours between the rush hours. Sometimes we may go a little further and we welcome suggestions. Some members support the RSPB and Essex Wildlife Trust. If not, sometimes there is a small donation to enter a reserve.

Our aim is to enjoy each other’s company and the natural environment. To help each other recognize various species of birds, wild flowers, butterflies etc.

If you would like to join our group please contact John Gable using the Contact link above.

You can read an old report on some of out outings here 01 JAN & FEB 2020

Visit to Blue House Farm 21st May 2025

Hi Everyone,
On 21st May 2025 nine of us went to the Essex Wildlife Trust Reserve at Blue House
Farm, Fambridge. It is three years since we last visited and there has been a lot of
development, particularly with substantial fencing to protect ground nesting birds.
Apart from the excess sheep poo it was a good morning and I recorded 20 species
seen including Avocets, Barnacle Geese and a particularly good view of a Great
White Egret. This was rounded off with lunch in the Ferry Boat Inn.
Kath and I were walking by the river the other afternoon and went passed the Yacht
Club and then round the Marsh Farm loop. The tide was ebbing and the only birds in
view were the usual Swans, Seagulls, Pigeons and Mallards. That is until we got to
the bush areas which were filled with bird song. Obviously out came the phone and
on with the Merlin App and this enabled us to identify Corn Bunting, Sedge Warbler,
Tree Creeper, Chiff Chaff and Wren and over the fields Skylarks and the Cuckoo of
course. If I had this App 70 years ago I might have learnt some birdsongs when I
could remember things.
Hopefully some of you may have seen the Kingfishers at RSPB Reserve, Rainham
Marshes on BBC Springwatch the other night. You will recall this was the same
place where we saw the lone female last year.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 18th June and I intend to go to the RSPB
Reserve at Rye Meads SG12 8JS. This is another place we haven’t not been to for
three year and hopefully we will have sight of the resident Kingfishers. It is just over
an hour to get there (mainly along the A414) and you remember just before you get
to the reserve there is a toll road across the water company’s land which is usually
free. Last time the barrier was down it cost 50p but that was quite a long time ago.
There was quite a good pub we found for lunch last time and hopefully someone can
remember where it was.
Please let me know if you are coming and if necessary I will try to arrange lifts.
Kind regards
John Gable
01245 321383
07775 832552