STRUMPSHAW FEN RSPB RESERVE - Set in the wild and beautiful Yare Valley near Norwich, Strumpshaw Fen is a great place to see the varied wildlife of the Norfolk Broads. As well as breeding species such as Marsh Harrier, Grasshopper Warble, Bittern and Hobby the reserve is a great place to see Swallowtail Butterflies plus Norfolk Hawker Dragonflies and a wide selection of orchids and rare plants. CHELMSFORD ONLY.

LAKENHEATH RSPB RESERVE - A spring visit to this brilliant Fenland reserve is a delight where we can expect species such as Common Crane, Bearded Tit, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Barn Owl, Cetti's Warbler and Cuckoo plus lots more. CHEMLSFORD ONLY.

CARLTON MARSHES SWT RESERVE - A first time visit to this amazing reserve on the edge of 'The Broads'. A £4 million pound Heritage Lottery grant enabled the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to create over 1,000 acres of pristine habitat which has encouraged species such as Marsh Harrier, Bittern, Bearded Tit and Otter plus breeding waders such as Snipe, Redshank and Lapwing. New hides and trails plus a great centre with amazing views make this a great early spring destination. STANWAY PICK-UPS AS REQUIRED.

RUTLAND WATER RESERVE - Rutland Water in the Midlands holds the annual 'Bird Fair' in August and is home to the successful 'Osprey Re-introduction Programme'. In winter it offers opportunities to see Red Kite, Kingfisher, Goldeneye, Smew, Red-crested Pochard, Scaup, Great White Egret and rarer divers and grebes, plus the chance of Glaucous and Caspian Gulls. On our last visit we saw American Wigeon. Addmission charges apply. CHELMSFORD ONLY.

CANCELLED - TITCHWELL RSPB RESERVE - This well-known reserve is a 'Mecca' for wintering species with so much to see during a winter visit, from Long-tailed Duck, Common and Velvet Scoter through to divers and grebes. Waders include Sanderling, Spotted Redshank and Golden Plover plus BeardedTit, Brambling, Woodcock, Snow Bunting, Water Rail, Barn Owl and Hen Harrier. CHELMSFORD ONLY

CANCELLED - BOWERS MARSH RSPB RESERVE (SS13 2HG) - Four our final trip of the year we visit this great reserve in the south of the county. Bowers Marsh is made up of dry and wet grassland, fresh and saline lagoons, intertidal habitat, saltmarsh and arable areas which in turn attracts large numbers of wildfowl and waders plus gulls, raptors and many other species as we approach Christmas week.

CANCELLED - THAMESIDE EWT RESERVE (SS17 0RN) & RAINHAM MARSHES RSPB RESERVE (RM19 1SZ) - A return to these fabulous bird-filled reserves on the Thames estuary where the varied habitats will offer the chance to see a large selection of waders, gulls, wildfowl, raptors and much more. Both sites are blessed with excellent visitor centres which offer hot drinks and a selection of food in case it's cold!

CANCELLED - BRADWELL BIRD OBSERVATORY (CM0 7PW) and DENGIE MARSHES - A visit to the Dengie Coast and the area around Bradwell Bird Observatory during autumn migration where Peregrine Falcon, Marsh Harrier and many autumn migrants can be found in the scrub and bushes whilst vast numbers of waders feed out on the mudflats. The afetrnoon will be spent at the Bradwell Bird Observatory where we look for raptors over the saltmarsh.

CANCELLED - WALTON-on-the-NAZE (CO14 8LE) & HOLLAND HAVEN (CO15 5TX) – A trip to the north-east of the county starting at the Naze and around the John Weston reserve area for autumn migrants such as Redstart, Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, Whinchat and warblers that may include Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and maybe even something rarer such as Barred Warbler! After lunch on to Holland Haven Country Park where we search for more autumn migants throughout the afternoon.

CANCELLED - THURSLEY COMMON NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE – Thursley Common is a special wet heathland habitat where Dartford Warbler, Hobby, Tree Pipit, Redstart, Woodlark along with many summer migrants, dragonflies and butterflies can be seen. Shenfield & Grays pick-ups as required