• Telephone: 07989 218860
  • Email: info@naturalderbyshiretours.uk

Spring & Early Summer Evening Walks

Spring & Early Summer Evening Walks

With the clocks moving forward and evenings getting lighter and warmer now seems like the perfect time to roll out our 2023 program of evening group walks – including, for the first time, a couple of  Nightjar watching evenings!

All of the walks have a maximum group size of six people (bookings are on a first come, first served basis), cost £20 per person and will normally last around 3 hours. Exact meeting times and places will be confirmed to all bookers but the walks will typically start approximately 1 hour/90 minutes before sunset.

If you would like to do one of the walks but the date doesn’t suit you please get in touch as I will normally have availability on other evenings to run a private guided walk.

Saturday 13th May – Hares, Owls & Bats

Join me for a gentle, accessible evening stroll on my local patch. We’ll start the evening tracking down the local bird species that call this area home and as the evening draws on we’ll watch the antics of the local Brown Hares as well as looking out for Hobby which hunt in the area to well after sunset. As the sun goes down we’ll seek out the three resident species of Owl (Barn Owl, Little Owl & Tawny Owl), before, detector and thermal scope in hand, we turn our attention to finding the different species of bat that use the area (I have recorded Noctule, Common & Soprano Pipistrelles, Brown Long Eared and Daubentons here).

Saturday 20th May – Water Voles and Bats on the Cromford Canal

A lovely easy sunset wander along the Cromford Canal will hopefully be rewarded with the ‘plop’ of a Water Vole heading out across the water to graze the bankside vegetation. The canal is a stronghold for this endangered mammal but these shy creatures are highly crepuscular and an evening visit after most of the walkers have left is the perfect time to find them. As the sun sets we’ll use a bat detector and thermal scope to help us find and get great views of the Bat species that hunt near the insect rich waters with Common & Soprano Pipistrelles and hunting Noctules recorded on our recent walks.

Saturday 10th June & Saturday 24th June – Nightjar Watching Evenings (*NEW FOR 2023*)

Join me for an exciting evening adventure as we go looking for one of the UK’s most fascinating bird species – the Nightjar! This cryptically coloured migrant returns to the UK in May and spends its days sat perfectly camouflaged on the floor of its heathland or clear-fell home before coming alive after sunset where its strange mechanical churring song, delivered from a perch, is often clearly audible. We’ll hope to get views of this nocturnal specialist as it hunts for its favourite moth prey, their flight often betrayed by the white wing patches particularly on clear moonlit night. Its not just Nightjars we’ll be hoping to see as we’ll look for other nocturnal species such as roding (displaying) Woodcock, owls and bats whilst we wait.

Sunday 18th June – Bats in the City! 

An easy stroll along the Derwent in Derby looking for its crepuscular urban species. Starting near the Cathedral, where we’ll check in on the breeding Peregrines, we’ll then head upriver through the wonderful Darley Park as far as the Darley Abbey Mills looking for the bird species that call the park home as well as keeping our eye on the water for such brilliant species as Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Goosander along with Swifts and Hirundines feeding over the water. Our return walk will see us concentrate on the Bat species that feed and roost in the area and, with the help of our trusty bat detector and thermal scope, we may find up to five species with Noctule, Common & Soprano Pipistrelle, Whiskered/Brandts and Daubentons all recorded previously.


Share this

What Our Visitors Say ...

"I had a half-day walk with Antony, hoping to see a Ring Ouzel, and to see Waders in their nesting habitat. I achieved both of these, and saw several other good birds as well, including an owl and several Pied Flycatchers (another first for me). Anthony was not only very knowledgeable but also good company, and I would recommend his walks for anyone who enjoys wildlife but would benefit from some local expertise."
Tim Bucknall - Dorset.
"Antony's guided tour began in Hartington, and included an upland area, Biggin Dale and Wolfscote Dale. This gave us experience of a great variety of habitats, and a chance to see lots of birds, including ravens, rooks, jackdaws, a peregrine falcon, wheatears and stonechats, dippers and wagtails and chiffchaffs. The weather was variable, but Antony made the whole tour really entertaining and informative. He is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of nature, and birds in particular. Just as important, he is a very friendly and approachable guide, always willing to engage in discussion on any aspect of the area. We felt that, in addition to having a most interesting walk, we came away with really useful advice about how to observe birds on our future walks. The weather improved as we walked along the River Dove, and we were treated to some very special moments of bird observation, aided by Antony's telescope and tripod. We would highly recommend Antony to anyone keen to learn more about local wildlife as part of a most enjoyable walk in Derbyshire."
D & C Longson - Derbyshire.
"My mum and I had a fantastic bespoke walk with Antony around the Brassington area and Rose End Meadows in Cromford. Beautiful scenery, glorious sunshine and a wealth of interesting facts about the flowers, birds, insects and butterflies we met along the way. We had a truly magical time watching a Silver-washed Fritillary dancing and gliding around right in front of us for fifteen minutes. The walk was a birthday present for my mum and Antony took the time to find out what her specific interests and level of knowledge were in advance so that he could plan the route accordingly. He even sent us more information afterwards to confirm a couple of butterfly and dragonfly IDs. Antony really knows his stuff and his enthusiasm is infectious. He also has an unbelievable eye and ear for tiny creatures, plants and sounds that would have passed me by completely. A relaxing, hugely informative and very enjoyable day all round. Many thanks again, Antony!"
L Breakwell - Nottingham.
"Thank you ever so much for the Dawn Chorus experience last Saturday. Even though the weather was terrible we really enjoyed it. We all said would do it again regardless of the weather."
J Tagg - Derbyshire.
"Thoroughly enjoyed two fantastic nature walks with Antony in September 2020. Loved our walk on the Eastern Moors spotting moorland birds and lots and lots of red deer, just starting their rut. Our second walk was an early morning exploration of the very different habitat of the Derwent river and Cromford Canal. Spent ages watching a beautiful pair of dippers dabbling in the river, a streaking Kingfisher and tons of little Grebe diving in the clear water. Antony was an absolutely brilliant guide. He has amazing knowledge about every single species of bird, mammal and lots of plants across the Peak District and knows exactly where to find them. He has such a friendly and welcoming manner that you never feel you're not 'expert' enough and he patiently answers every question. I would thoroughly recommend a nature walk with Antony to get to know the Peak District through the eyes of a wildlife fan! Very best wishes and see you next spring!"
N Marshall - London.
"Antony was not only very knowledgeable about swifts but also provided valuable information to participants on the walks regarding support for the various swift habitats in their neighbourhood. Highly recommended."
D Howson - Derby.
"A great evening watching swifts, and learning about other local wildlife. The leader was very friendly and knowledgeable. He gave us lots of interesting information about swifts, and how we could help with their conservation. There was plenty of time to ask questions, and the walk was taken at a leisurely pace to enable everyone to keep up and get involved. A lovely evening stroll that everyone seemed to enjoy!"
H Naylor - Derbyshire.

Walking Tours In Derbyshire

  • Walking based wildlife tours in Derbyshire for up to 4 people (walks for larger groups can be arranged).
  • Walks to suit all abilities/fitness’s.
  • Full day, shorter and bespoke walks available.
  • Expert local guide.
  • Prices include use of optics and identification books/charts, a delicious packed lunch (full day walks only) and hot drinks.
  • Transport for up to 4 people available to and from accommodation.
  • 5% of each booking will be donated to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

Contact Us

Contact Us

Telephone:
07989 218860

Email:
info@naturalderbyshiretours.uk

natural derbyshire tours


Copyright © 2024 Natural Derbyshire Tours | HTML Sitemap | Privacy Policy
Web design, Web hosting & SEO by Website Design Derby Ltd

Skip to content