This course is aimed at anyone who has curiosity about the natural world of trees, flowers, fungi, mammals, birds and butterflies and related creatures!
By exploring the local area on foot during the evening after the bustle of a busy day, you can see some of the oldest trees, fantastic fungi, some splendid ponds, flower rich grasslands, flourishing hedges and glimpse some of their associated animals as the day cools down and the light fades. Useful tips on identification will be offered and discussions relating to the dependence on one another will form part of the course. The walks will be in the Epping Forest area.
These walks give you a chance to appreciate the natural world at a very leisurely pace thus enabling the group to examine plants and animals closely. The meetings are planned to be outside, come rain or shine! Please come prepared to get a little muddy and wear suitable waterproof outdoor clothing. Please bring a torch, binoculars and a camera if you wish as well as a note book. Biting insects can be a problem at twilight so the use of an effective insect repellent is advisable!
Walks programme
The walks start at 7.00pm am ending approximately at 8.30pm.
Wednesday 2 May High Beach for history and views - meet in the car park next to the Visitor Centre at rear of Kings Oak Pub, High Beach. IG10 4AF GR TQ 411 981
Wednesday 9 May Barn Hoppitt, Chingford for ancient oaks - meet in the car park opposite Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, Chingford. E4 6AU GR TQ 395 947
Wednesday 16 May Connaught Water for water fowl - meet in the car park off Rangers Road, Chingford. E4 7QHTQ GR TQ 398947
Wednesday 23 May Along the River Roding and Roding Valley Lake - meet in the Nature Reserve Car Park next to the David Lloyd Centre, Roding Lane, Buckhurst Hill. IG7 6BQ GR TQ429 942
Wednesday
30 May Linder's Field Buckhurst Hill - meet at the entrance by metal
gates in Roebuck Lane, Buckhurst Hill. IG10 4QE GR TQ 414 944
Suggested
background reading:
Anon (1993) Guide book to Epping Forest. Corporation of London
EFDC Local Nature Reserves in the Epping Forest District. EFDC
Green, Georgina. (1982) Epping Forest through the Ages. Private
Pub
Hoy, Ken. (2002) Getting to Know Epping Forest. Friends of Epping
Forest
Leutscher, Alfred. (1974) Epping Forest - its history and wildlife.
David & Charles
There are a number of excellent identification books printed by Collins on Trees, Flowers, Mammals, Birds, Insects, etc.
The Conservators of Epping Forest have produced an OS map of Epping Forest or you may prefer the OS Explorer Map 174 Epping Forest and the Lee Valley.
Biographical note: Tricia Moxey has lived in the district for 35 years and is familiar with its natural history. Although originally trained as a botanist, she is keen to share with others her enthusiasm for and knowledge of many aspects of natural world.