Dawn Chorus 2012

The Friends of Hillhouse Wood are offering the exciting opportunity to attend a guided walk through the woods just as the birds are waking and greeting the dawn. Meeting at the Old Church at 3:45am (yes am) on Saturday 19th May, walkers are advised to wear warm clothing, wear stout shoes and bring a flask of hot drink and a torch.

Bluebells & Nature

Join the Friends of Hillhouse Wood for their regular Bluebell Open Day & Spring Nature Walk from 1pm on Sunday 22nd April.  The Friends' display at the Old Church will feature information about the wood and offer a chance to collect maps, nature trails and quizzes on the wood for both adults & children.  Weather permitting, guided walks, led by Joe Firmin, will start at 2pm and be repeated as necessary, to see the Bluebells and other spring flowers, butterflies and spring bird life, possibly early nightingales.  Refreshments are available.   

Friends & Water Voles

Wednesday 14th December sees the 16th AGM of the Friends of Hillhouse Wood taking place at Orpen Hall.

Starting at 7pm with refreshments the AGM will be followed by an illustrated talk about water voles in Essex to be given by Darren Tansley, Water for Wildlife Officer for Essex Wildlife Trust and a committee member.

Join the fungus foray on 8th November

With some 60-70 species of fungus in Hillhouse Wood this is a great opportunity for you to discover them.  Ian Rose will be leading the walk which starts from the Old Church at 10am on Tuesday 8th November.  You are advised to be dressed appropriately since the paths in the woods can be wet, sturdy shoes in particular are advised.

Summer Wildlife Walk at Hillhouse Wood

Joe Firmin and Philip Smith will lead this walk starting at the Old Church at 10am on 10th July.  Being in and near the wood the walk offers a chance to see butterflies (including whiteletter hairstreaks), dragonflies, damselflies and other colourful insects, as well as summer wildflowers and resident birds.

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.

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.

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'.

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).

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.

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.

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".