The Wild side of Essex - 'Exploring the Essex Alps' (Day Trip)

Summary

Join all-round naturalist Chris Gibson for an exploration of the Danbury Ridge, the major topographical feature of inland Essex, comprising a ridge of London Clay, capped with sands and gravels. At its peak (107 metres!), the small town of Danbury is almost surrounded by nature reserves, especially managed by Essex Wildlife Trust and the National Trust. There are ancient woods, lowland heaths and meadows, re-wilded gravel pits and secondary woodland, ponds, marshes and even small bogs. All of these habitats mean there is always wildlife to be found, from birds to butterflies to flowers to fungi, accessible via an extensive network of paths. The range of conditions from damp to dry and open to shady means we will have chance to explore a wide diversity of wildlife, both common and scarce.

The spring walks are likely to feature singing Nightingales, basking Adders, woodland flowers, Green-winged Orchids and Green Hairstreaks. In August, it will be more the purple glow of Heather on the heaths, all manner of insects, the start of the fungal season and the chance of Autumn Lady’s-tresses, as well as the commoner woodland and heathland birds.

Carry your lunch, be prepared for mud especially after rainy spells and always check for ticks after the walk. Other than that, look forward to a day filled with all kinds of everything in the Wild Side of the heart of Essex.

• Spring butterflies, including Green Hairstreak
• Green-winged Orchid and possibly Autumn Lady’s-tresses in season (spring and late summer respectively
• Singing Nightingales and basking Adders in spring
• The purple haze of late-summer Heather
• Wide diversity of all sorts of wildlife
• Extensive views from the ‘roof of Essex’