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.

May 4, 2023May 31, 2023

Coronation Weekend – have you got plans?

Have you got plans for the Coronation weekend?

If you don’t have plans for Coronation weekend perhaps some of the following might appeal:

Friday

The Vocal Zones Choir will be celebrating the Coronation in style at St Mary’s Church from 7:30 pm, tickets at the door are £3 (cash) to include wine and light refreshments.

Saturday

Some of the birds seen/heard at the 2022 Dawn Chorus walk

Why not take in the Dawn Chorus and be back home in time for the Coronation? Steve Hallam will be leading the walk starting from the Old Church at 3:45 – read more about this, and several other bird walks taking place this weekend, here.

Coronation Picnic in the Upper Castle Park will run from 10 am until 4 pm. Bring your own picnic or buy from street food stalls from Colchester Market.

Sunday

There is a Family Fun Day Coronation Celebration at the Mercury Theatre’s Piazza from 11 am – 3 pm. This event is free and includes live music, family games & crafts and cream teas.

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.

April 7, 2023April 9, 2023

Spring Flower Walk 2023

Spring Flower Walk 2023 with Friends of Hillhouse Wood

Early Purple Orchids similar to those seen

This is one of a few guided walks the Friends of Hillhouse Woods run each year. They work with The Woodland Trust to look after this beautiful remnant of ancient woodland.

Last years’ Spring Flower Walk identified nine flowers in the first few yards, also many birds and other natural delights. The stars of the walk were Early Purple orchids that were flowering in profusion on the bank above the top pond. Walkers saw a total of 29 plants and trees in flower, which shows what a rich little patch of nature we are lucky enough to have.

Don’t miss this years’ walk!

February 17, 2023February 17, 2023

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

Winter Bird Walk 2023

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:

September 25, 2022September 25, 2022

Environment & Highways 8th September 2022

Highlights of Environment & Highways Meeting on 8th September 2022

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 8th September 2022 with topics including:

Cessation of Highways Devolution project,
Parking signs at Poor’s Land,
Blocked gullies & Hillhouse Wood footpaths needing to be attended by ECC,
Repairs undertaken to the Beacon and handymen’s truck, and
A few items relating to trees, hedges and bracken.

Environment Committee Minutes

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.

May 4, 2022May 15, 2022

2022 Spring Flower Walk – but no pea shooters

Some of the spring flowers seen on the 2022 spring flower walk

Steve Hallam reports on the 2022 Spring Flower Walk.

This took place on a day of sunny intervals and a strong breeze; 12 people came along and off we went. Except that we did not go too far, to start with, as the first few yards of the track hold a variety of flowers to be discussed.

Daisies,
Dandelions,
Red campion,
Cow parsley,
Ground ivy,
Yellow archangel (domestic variety),
Garlic mustard,
Greater stitchwort and
Buttercup

… may not set everyone’s pulse racing – but they all contribute to a rich flora and they each have a story to tell. In the hands of a knowledgeable and articulate expert guide, these can weave a fascinating spell.

Unfortunately for the group, however, they had me – you get what you pay for!

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:

February 18, 2022February 22, 2022

Winter Bird Walk 2022 – will you see a Waxwing?

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: