Winter Bird Walk 2023 -will a Waxwing show this year?

Winter Bird Walk 2023

Waxwing
Waxwings migrate from the boreal forests of continental Europe to spend their winters with us in search of rowan and other berries.

The Winter Bird Walk 2023 takes place on Saturday 4th March at Hillhouse Wood with Steve Hallam leading.  Walkers should meet at the Old Church at 10 am (weather permitting). We advise wearing stout footwear and warm clothing & with a warm drink in a flask.  Walkers can expect to see a range of resident woodland and meadow species as well as some winter visitors. Last year the walkers saw or heard:

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White Christmas or a Weather Crisis?

‘sno Joke – Weather is changing

The recent unexpected and rapid change in weather caught us short.  Despite this the Snow Patrol, with their usual efficiency, stepped in to mitigate risks as much as they could – more about them later.

We saw, perhaps 2″ of snowfall in West Bergholt, meanwhile our webmaster reported nearer 4″ falling in just a few hours;  he lives in Brentwood! By contrast, Greenstead and St. Johns had virtually none.

Continue reading “White Christmas or a Weather Crisis?”

Winter Bird Walk 2022 – will you see a Waxwing?

Waxwing
Waxwings migrate from the boreal forests of continental Europe to spend their winters with us in search of rowan and other berries.

Winter Bird Walk 2022

The first guided walk at Hillhouse Wood since 2020 takes place on Saturday 26th February when Steve Hallam leads the Winter Bird Walk 2022.  Walkers should meet at the Old Church at 10 am (weather permitting), wearing stout footwear and warm clothing & with a warm drink in a flask.  They can expect to see a range of resident woodland and meadow species as well as some winter visitors, the Woodland Trust lists the following as the top-15 winter potentials:

Continue reading “Winter Bird Walk 2022 – will you see a Waxwing?”

Who Wants to Join the Snow Patrol?

Snow Patrol Volunteers might be needed this winter

Snow Patrol at Orpen Hall 2018

If you remember the Beast from the East in 2018, you will remember what a sterling job the Snow Patrol did in keeping the village running. Looking at their faces, it seems they also took pleasure from the task in hand.

2018 was the first time for about three years that we have had any appreciable snowfall.  Thanks to a team of about twenty volunteers (and a just sufficient supply of salt), the Snow Patrol kept pathways to the key points of the village generally clear.

Is Snow Coming This Winter?

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Winter Bulletin & Some Christmassy News

Issue 163 Bulletin Cover

Issue 163 Bulletin CoverWinter Bulletin Is Online

First the Bulletin ‘heads-up’ and then:

Why Online?

With the recent Lockdown, it was not possible to print and distribute the Bulletin as usual but it is now available online.  If you know of somebody unable to access the online version, it will be possible to access Continue reading “Winter Bulletin & Some Christmassy News”

Winter Resilience – Coping with COVID

Winter ResilienceWinter Resilience

Colchester BC is launching a Winter Resilience programme to see us through winter with COVID.  The intention is to ensure all residents are prepared and/or have access to support when they need it.

Community360 minibus

This year they are going mobile and will be out and about in the community, so look out for the Community360 minibus in your area.  Soon they’ll be dropping off packs to Continue reading “Winter Resilience – Coping with COVID”

Winter Bird Walk 2020 – will you see a Waxwing?

Waxwing

Waxwing
Waxwings migrate from the boreal forests of continental Europe to spend their winters with us in search of rowan and other berries.

Winter Bird Walk 2020

The first guided walk of the year at Hillhouse Wood takes place on Saturday 29th February when Steve Hallam leads the Winter Bird Walk 2020.  Walkers should meet at the Old Church at 10 am (weather permitting), wearing

Continue reading “Winter Bird Walk 2020 – will you see a Waxwing?”

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