Plant ID with Chris Gibson - Wivenhoe Essex (Day Trip)

Summary

Naturetrek leader Chris Gibson has recently published an innovative new field guide to the 700 most widespread wild plants of Britain and Ireland. This day tour is aimed as a practical introduction to using the book and how it works, using locally available flowers, according to the season. This book is described as a ’springboard to better botany’ and this day will be a step along that springboard for novices and improvers alike, dealing not just with ‘flowery’ plants but also the sometimes more tricky grasses and trees.

Finding plants to identify will involve short walks in the local woods, meadows and coastal habitats, when Chris will also share his extensive local knowledge, not just of botany but also birds, insects and all other aspects of local wildlife and conservation.

During the day we will have two or three seated sessions (probably outside) talking through the structure of the book and working through the new keys. In the event of inclement weather we will be able to retreat under cover, but this may include a local café or pub, so you may need some spending money! You will also need to buy and bring a copy of the book (available from good bookshops, direct from the publishers and Amazon etc). A hand-lens, often sold as a ‘jeweller’s loupe’, would also be an advantage. Be prepared to carry your lunch as the walks will take us some way from the car parking area.

• Take your first step on the springboard to better botany
• Enjoy a whistlestop tour of historic and natural-historic Wivenhoe
• Find flowers in coastal, woodland and wetland habitats – and identify them!
• Special wildlife highlights could include Firebug, Cave Spider, Cetti’s Warbler, Cuckoo, Jersey Cudweed and Four-leaved Allseed