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Category: Hillhouse Wood

Friends of Hillhouse Wood

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Spring Nature Walk & Bluebell Open Day – Hillhouse Wood

Sunday 1st May there are two opportunities to visit Hillhouse Wood guided by Joe Firmin & Philip Smith.  In the morning (starting 10am at the Old Church) Joe and Philip will lead a walk to see numerous spring birds including chiffchaffs and other warblers, spring butterflies and wild flowers.

In the afternoon (starting 2pm at the Old Church) you can view the Friends’ display and collect a nature trail guide before joining Joe and Philip for a guided walk to see the bluebells and other spring flowers, butterflies and spring bird life, possibly including early nightingales.
In both cases the tours are ‘weather permitting’ and wearing stout footwear or wellies is advisable.
This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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The Friends of Hillhouse Wood 16th AGM


takes place on Wednesday 8th December in the Orpen Hall and will welcome both members and non-members alike. Refreshments will be served from 7pm. The AGM will be followed by an illustrated talk entitled Walking, Wildlife and Winning Lottery Bids in the Dedham Vale which will be given by Simon Amstuz, Joint Project Manager for the Dedham Vale AONB and formerly Project Officer for the River Colne Countryside.

Any queries to M R Pluck, Honorary Secretary on 01206 514173.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Join a fungus foray

… through Hillhouse Wood on Thursday 4th November.

Meeting at the Old Church at 10am Ian Rose will be leading the ever popular fungus foray, seeing some of the 60-70 species in the wood. You will need to be dressed appropriately for walking in the wood — sturdy shoes are a must as the paths can be wet!

Organised by The Friends of Hillhouse Wood in conjunction with the Woodland Trust this event will run ‘weather permitting’.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Hunting Dragons at Hillhouse Wood…

Join the Friends of Hillhouse Wood for a Butterfly, Dragonfly & Summer Insect Walk on Saturday 17th July. Joe Firmin and Philip Smith will lead a summer insect walk in and near the wood, offering a chance to see whiteletter hairstreaks and other special
butterflies plus some unusual dragonflies and damselflies.

Meet at the Old Church at 2:30pm (weather permitting).

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Hillhouse Wood News Update

Various activities have taken place in the wood including a bluebell walk attended by 60 people, an early morning dawn chorus and next month a summer butterfly, dragonfly and insect walk guided by Joe Firmin and Philip Smith is planned.

A grant has been secured to enable the clearance of the overgrown top pond in the Autumn.

Find out more about Hillhouse Wood on the village website here.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Dawn Chorus


On Sunday 16th May, Joe Firmin and Philip Smith will lead a walk, offering a chance to see nightingales and many other brilliant dawn choristers. If you haven’t tried this you’ll find it a rewarding and delightful experience at a very special time for the wood’s varied birdlife. Please bring warm clothing, stout footwear, a flask of hot drink and a torch. Meet at the Old Church at 3:45am.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Spring Nature Walk & Bluebell Open Afternoon – Hillhouse Wood

The Friends of Hillhouse Wood, in conjunction with the Woodland Trust, have two upcoming opportunities to see the wood in all its spring splendour.

Sunday 18th April is the Spring Nature Walk; starting from the Old Church at 10am you are advised to wear stout footwear or wellies and warn clothing. Joe Firmin and Philip Smith will lead the walk in which you have the opportunity to see numerous spring birds inlcuding chiffchaffs and other warblers, spring butterflies and the earliest spring flowers.
The next date for your diary is Saturday 24th April when there is a Bluebells & Spring Wildlife Open Afternoon. Starting at the Old Church at 2pm where the Friends have a display between 2-4pm, you can join Joe Firmin and Philip Smith for a guided walk to see the bluebells and other spring flowers, butterflies and spring bird life, possibly including early nightingales.
Both events are “weather permitting”.
This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net