Steve Hallam leads Big County Birdwatch on a Dawn Walk

Once again, Steve Hallam led a successful Dawn Chorus walk through Hillhouse Wood on 6th May. This year it was one of 19 bird walks taking place in Essex over the Coronation weekend.

Steve Hallam reports:

Well, it looks as if I must have done the odd good thing in a previous life. Despite the distinctly dodgy weekend weather forecast, we had a lovely morning for our 2023 Dawn Chorus walk. Not that we could see this of course, at 03.45, but at least we knew we’d be staying dry. A nice number of 14 people also turned out, despite the distraction of a certain Royal event later that morning. Also different this year was that we had folded the walk into the programme of The Big County Birdwatch, organised by the Essex Birdwatching Society. This had been moved to take place in Spring, rather than Autumn. It was pleasing to welcome EBWS people to the walk.

April 25, 2023April 25, 2023

Walk the Dawn Chorus 2023

Dawn Chorus 2023 with Friends of Hillhouse Wood

The Dawn Chorus Walk 2023 is taking place on a busy weekend with Bird walks all across Essex. It will form part of the “Big County Birdwatch ’23” which being organised by the Essex Birdwatching Society. First, though, a report by Steve Hallam on the recent Spring Flower Walk at Hillhouse Wood.

Click here if you want to jump to the bird walks.

Spring Flower Dilemma

It is always a dilemma as to which date to set for the Spring Flowers walk. This is because the timing of when the various species flower can vary considerably between early and late seasons. This year I anticipated that the season would be early – so naturally it has been late. The solution was obvious, and so the ‘Bluebell’ walk was re-christened as a ‘Spring flowers’ one. The forecast for the afternoon was either for sunny periods or rain showers, depending on which forecaster you looked at. Either way, undaunted, a pleasingly large group of 22 assembled at the appointed hour and starting point.

May 15, 2022May 15, 2022

2022 Dawn Chorus Walk – Where’s the Song Thrush

Steve Hallam reports on the 2022 Dawn Chorus walk.

The 2022 Dawn Chorus walk at Hillhouse Wood took place in the midst of a run of warm sunny days, with cool nights. Except for the morning that we chose, which was cloudy and dull but mild. Nevertheless, the publicity team had done an excellent job, resulting in a very pleasing 30 people turning up. I was particularly pleased to find that Jonathan Jukes, the Woodland Trust Regional Manager responsible for the wood, had dragged himself out of bed at such an uncivilised hour, to join us. With the cloud cover, the night was still fully dark, and thus the birds were relatively slow to get going.

April 15, 2022February 22, 2024

The return of guided walks at Hillhouse Wood

Two Guided Walks Return to Hillhouse Wood

After a gap of three years, guided walks return with two great walks to enjoy with Steve Hallam in the next few weeks.

Spring Flower Walk on 23rd April, and
Dawn Chorus Walk on 7th May.

Spring Flower Walk

The last Spring Flower walk took place in 2019 in the company of Storm Hannah! Despite the weather, 22 folks assembled for the walk and thoroughly enjoyed themselves; the comic highlight possibly being when Steve was pretty much blown over by the force of the wind! The walk is normally conducted at a gentle pace (storms permitting).

In a typical year you are likely to see the following flowers:

May 20, 2019April 15, 2022

Dawn Walk Results in Waves of Song

Dawn Walk Results in Waves of Song

Steve Hallam led a small group on the annual Dawn Chorus Walk when they were greeted by waves of song. His account of the walk is shown below…

On the morning of 18th May, the population of West Bergholt could be divided into two groups:

the eight people who came on this year’s Dawn Chorus walk, and

those who had made a mistake.

This was one of the best ‘shows’ since I have been leading these walks (and this was nothing to do with me!), as I will explain.

Continue reading “Dawn Walk Results in Waves of Song”

May 7, 2019

Early Start for Dawn Chorus – 18th May

Early Start for Dawn Chorus

To get the best from the Dawn Chorus means an early start but it is well worth it. Steve Hallam will be leading this years’ Dawn Chorus Walk around Hillhouse Wood, offering the chance to see and/or hear nightingales and many other dawn choristers like the Blue Tit having its own early start (see right).

Previous years’ walks have seen and/or heard over Continue reading “Early Start for Dawn Chorus – 18th May”

May 14, 2018May 14, 2018

Dawn Chorus can reward an early start

Dawn Chorus can reward an early start

It might be an early start but the Dawn Chorus can truly deliver its own reward. Once again Steve Hallam will be leading the Dawn Chorus Walk around Hillhouse Wood, offering the chance to see and/or hear nightingales and many other brilliant dawn choristers like the Blackcap (see right).

Previous years’ walks have seen and/or heard over Continue reading “Dawn Chorus can reward an early start”

April 23, 2017April 26, 2017

Spring Flower Walk a Success, What’s Next?

Spring Flower Walk a Success, What’s Next?

Steve Hallam led a hugely successful Spring Flower Walk yesterday. An unprecedented 47 turned up to view the blooms and help the Keep The Bell Ringing appeal. Steve reports (click images to view larger): Continue reading “Spring Flower Walk a Success, What’s Next?”

May 11, 2016

Guided Walks at Hillhouse

Wodland flowers to see on Spring Nature Walk

Bluebells & Dawn Chorus Guided Walks

Guided walks at Hillhouse Wood are a regular feature of the calendar, Steve Hallam reports on the two Spring walks deciding that 2016 is a year of ‘firsts’:

Each Spring the Friends of Hillhouse Wood organise two guided walks – one to look at the Bluebells, and a Dawn Chorus one. These are normally 2-3 weeks apart, to match each one to when its subjects are at their best. However this year things were different, and for the first time ever we ran both walks on the same weekend. Continue reading “Guided Walks at Hillhouse”

May 7, 2016

Nightingales at Hillhouse Wood

Hillhouse Wood for Nightingales & more

If you miss out on the guided Bluebell walk today, why not come to the Dawn Chorus walk tomorrow morning? Led by Steve Hallam, this walk offers the chance to see nightingales and many other brilliant choristers. Previous years’ walks have seen and/or heard over 20 species, for example, in 2013 the following list was collected:

Tawny Owl.
Whitethroat.
Robin.
Nightingale.
Blackbird.
Wren.
Pheasant.
Rook.
Wood Pigeon.
Blackcap.
Blue Tit.
Chaffinch.
Canade Goose.
Chiffchaff.
Goldcrest.
Mallard.
Jackdaw.
Great Tit.
Buzzard.
Green Woodpecker.
Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

The walk will start from the Old Church at 3:45am on Sunday 8th May. You should bring warm clothing, stout footwear, a flask of hot drink and a torch – please note that the walk will only go ahead weather permitting.

If you haven’t been on one of these walks before you will find it a rewarding and delightful experience at a very special time for the wood’s varied wildlife; if you would like to know more then check out this report from the 2013 dawn chorus walk.