Wildlife Trusts

One of my favourite places is the Suffolk Wildlife Trusts Lackford Lakes site, it`s always very tidy and the folk that work there are superb. I have seen so many varieties of bird, reptile and mammal and as a bonus the flight path for RAF Mildenhall runs to the North of the site.

Today I went to the Essex Wildlife Trusts Hanningfield site, again the staff were great and the whole site is very clean and tidy. I had my introduction to the visitor centre by a very young lady volunteer, I would guess her at early teens. How brilliant, she had a good knowledge of the site, gave good advice and was polite and a good ambasador for the trust. I find the Wildlife sites have a certain something, just look at the things they organise and run. For all ages, the work is endless and I particularly enjoyed the natural history stuff at Hanningfield.

So, why am I putting this on the forum? Well, it`s a public thank you and if you want a good time out in the open look no further than these trust sites. Today I had binoculars a good coat and stout boots and the pictures are in my head. A sort of freedom and escapism I suppose.

Cedric

Well Cedric, as I work for Essex Wildlife Trust I feel I can offer a big thank you for posting this, and obviously I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to Hanningfield (one of my favourite reserves, just a few miles from me). I'll let the team there know how much you appreciated your time there. If you're ever down Romford way, feel free to pop into the visitor centre at Bedfords Park and say hello.

I also like Lackford Lakes, getting some lovely views of some Kingfishers up there. What I like about the Wildlife Trusts is that they're very much dedicated to 'your' county, and look after the reserves and parks with people as much in mind as the wildlife there.

Did you see any posters for photography workshops at Hanningfield?

Dan

We have two sites near us - Doxey Marshes & Wolseley Gardens.
I have no problems with the sites - but the staff were not very helpful with our query regarding transfer of the local hospitals ducklings last year.
We have some nice pics from both sites though in my Flickr photostream.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28204187@N08/sets/72157616416224618/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/28204187@N08/sets/72157609609228841/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/28204187@N08/sets/72157619006048397/

Hi Dan, must confess the reason or the visit was to donate for two for next weeks photography day. I booked a few weeks ago and then promptly forgot to send the cheque. Fell in love with the place though, which was a real bonus. So next Saturday there will be a clutch of Pentax DSLR`s at Hanningfield. Looking forward to another visit, amazing number of Long Tailed Tits.

Cedric

Always good to hear!

See you on Saturday, Cedric.

Dan

Hi Dan, I just had a look at the map of your sites, there's quite a lot of them! I wonder if you recommend a good one for a first time visitor to try out? Somewhere in north-west Essex would be handy Will have wife and 3 year old boy in tow, so some local amenities for them would be good (play area for boy, shops for wife )

Tim,

You'll notice from the reserves map that there aren't so many your way, for some reason nearly all of the Visitor Centres and most of the reserves are south of the A12, guessing it has something to do with the population, and access to funding.

I also notice that there are only about 60 sites on the map, whereas the Trust looks after nearly 90 sites...

Anyway, can I recommend one your way? Unfortunately not, I don't think I've been to many up there. Just on the southern outskirts of Bishops Stortford is Rushy Mead, a small reserve of meadows, water and wet woodland. I've been there once, and there were lots of bees there, as well as some small moths with very long antennae, but that's about as much as I can remember. On the way home from there I stopped off at Sawbridgeworth Marsh, which had orchids, butterflies, irises, but again quite a small reserve. No shops though, or play equipment.

I quite like the look of West Wood, but having never been there, I can't say what it would be like photographically, but I'm tempted to go there soon for the Oxlips.

If you want larger reserves with a few more creature comforts, then head for one with a Visitor Centre. Bedfords Park, Thorndon Park, Hanningfield or Fingringhoe would be my suggestions here, or if you wanted to drop off the wife and child at Lakeside, you could pop into Chafford Gorges, although I think this is at its best in summer, when there are loads of dragonflies and damselflies there.

Dan

Thanks Dan, West Wood looks interesting and it's very close by! Will definitiely try that soon. I'll also try Chfford Gorges in the summer, I can guarantee my better half will want to hit Lakeside or Bluewater at some point!

I called myself a first time visitor earlier, but now realise I have been taken on a walk in the Fingringhoe site by friends in Colchester. Who could forget that name?

Just realised I meant to say I quite liked the look of Shadwell Wood for the Oxlips. Popping up there this afternoon, so will be passing through Saffron Walden in an hour or so. Depending on time etc, I may go on to West Wood.

Dan

Should be good, lovely weather up here at the moment!!!

i joined today Family membership,I live in Peterborough and forgot to ask where the sites are in my area , anyone know of any in this area.

Have a look here and see what takes your fancy Paul.

You should receive at least a welcome pack, and probably 3 magazines a year with info on your local trust, as well as the national Wildlife Trust's magazine 'Natural World' three times a year too. I would expect you'll get a reserves map amongst all that.

All the best,
Dan

cheers Dan