The Wild Side of Essex: Summer by the Stour Estuary (Day Trip)

Tour Code: GBR302

Join all-round naturalist Chris Gibson for a stroll through the varied habitats of the Stour Estuary, taking in everything from birds and butterflies to flowers and geology.

We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 01962 733051.
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

The Stour Estuary lies between Essex and Suffolk, set in a gently rolling landscape recently recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The day will take in a range of sites, starting and finishing at the Wrabness Nature Reserve (Essex Wildlife Trust), scrubland featuring Whitethroats, Nightingales and (hopefully) Turtle Doves, one of few local sites where the latter is reliable, and rich grasslands with Burnet moths and Great Green Bush-crickets.

Continuing along the upper shore will take us past low cliffs, with breeding Sand Martins and fascinating London Clay geology, mudflats which could hold the first few returning northern waders, and salt marshes, now at their flowery best. En route we can seek farmland birds such as Corn Bunting, as well as take a brief look at Wrabness Churchyard and the startling, remarkable creation of Grayson Perry, A House for Essex.

In the middle of the day, hopefully in warm sunshine, we will be in Stour Wood RSPB reserve, a largely Sweet Chestnut ancient woodland with a continuous history of coppicing in recorded times. The birdsong and spring flowers will be past their best, but the rich woodland rides support important butterfly populations, including White Admirals and Silver-washed Fritillaries. And just possibly, given their very recent recolonisation of the area, Purple Emperors.

  • Nightingales and Turtle Doves possible
  • A mixture of habitats on this Day Trip
  • Visit an active Sand Martin colony
  • Search for a range of butterflies and other insects
  • An insight into the region's geology
  • Led by Chris Gibson
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!