Butterflies you MAY spot this month 🦋

Remember, you can contribute to butterfly research and conservation in Essex by sending us your sightings 👉 essexwt.org.uk/butterfly-seek…

This week's #PicOfTheWeek was voted for by all the staff at Essex Wildlife Trust! 👏🏆

This bumblebee is clinging on to the bluebells and, we must admit, we don't want them to go either. 💜

📷 Wendy Cooper

We hope you enjoy the bank holiday, but don't forget about our coastal birds and their tiny chicks! 🐥

We’ve created helpful guidance on how we can all have fun at the coast whilst keeping our threatened beach-nesting birds safe.

Download and share 👉 bit.ly/3KoLga0

Set your alarms.. International Dawn Chorus Day is Sunday 5 May! ⏰

If you want some expert recommendations, our Lead Reserves Ecologist, Stuart, has shared the top places to hear this beautiful symphony. 🎶

Read more 👉 loom.ly/5LW7ADE

📷 Andy Morffew

Are you recording your butterfly sightings? Help us collect data to inform our conservation efforts for butterflies by taking part in #ButterflySeekers 🦋

Weeleyhall Wood literally springing into life. Why not join a guided bluebell walk this coming Sunday (5th May, 11-3pm) organised by the local Essex Wildlife Trust group?

Good luck Alex! 💪

There’s still time to sign up if you want to challenge yourself… essexwt.org.uk/events/running… 🏃‍♂️

First heath fritillary caterpillar sighted! 🔍🦋

This spiky friend was spotted by volunteer Charlie. The Belfairs team continually manage the woodland to ensure this rare butterfly has the perfect conditions - they are pretty fussy.

📷 Heath fritillary butterfly - Vicky Nall

The Cuckoo I filmed yesterday at Essex Wildlife Trust Thameside

We've still got late night openings and guided walks available to hear our resident #nightingales 👂

Book your place 👉 essexwt.org.uk/whats-on

You've got mail 📩

Check your inbox for our digital newsletter, Wild News.

We send monthly updates to our inbox with:
🦔 Conservation news
🏃‍♀️ Upcoming events
🌸 Seasonal spectacles
🐸 Advice on helping wildlife

Want to sign up? It's free! 👉 essexwt.org.uk/what-we-do/abo…

And the winner is... 🥁

Julie Levere's leafcutter #bee photo 🐝🍃

This will be our social media banner until the summer so thanks everyone for helping us decide. It was a tough one!

Making predator safe cages for beach nesting ringed plovers with the Essex Wildlife Trust. These will be used at Colne Point Nature Reserve 🪹🐣🐦🏖

#Essexcoast #essexbeaches 💙🦀🌞 #essexseaside BrightlingseaHarbour Visit Essex Parish Council BBC Essex Maldon Nub News Visit Mersea Island Secret Brightlingsea

**Volunteering opportunity 🐑🐄**

We are looking for livestock checking volunteers at Blue House Farm nature reserve and Tollesbury Wick nature reserve.

Interested? Read more and apply 👉 loom.ly/vfLPp7o

Is this the most unusual bird song you've heard?🎤🎶👂

You may have spotted these superstar singers on BBC News recently. Don't forget, we are offering guided walks and late-night openings to hear the nightingales at their best!

essexwt.org.uk/whats-on

📽 Adam Palmer

Take part in The Essex BioBlitz, the first study of it's kind in Essex 🌸

All you have to do is take photos of wildflowers. It really is that simple 👉 essexwt.org.uk/essex-bioblitz

Help us pick a winner 👇🏆

We had over 100 submissions for our next social media banner image so we need your help to decide...

Reply:
🌸 for Jonathan Pinnock's bluebells
🦋 for Sean Gillespie's brimstone
🐝 for Julie Levere's leaf cutter bee

Did you know, damaged or trampled #bluebells can take up to 7 years to re-grow? We all love bluebells, but it's important to keep to paths. Share this message to let others know! 💜

Best bluebell walks 👉 loom.ly/nZwtJGI

📷 Bluebell photos from the Conservation Team 🌸

Cracking couple of hours out and about this afternoon with Ring Ouzel, Spoonbills, Wheatears and Green Sand, amongst others. EBwS Bird News Essex Wildlife Trust

We're excited to announce an upcoming EBwS under-25s birding day at Abberton Reservoir on Monday 6th May. If you're under 25, or know someone who is, and would like to come along full details can be found here: ebws.org.uk/index.php/ebws… EBwS Bird News Essex Wildlife Trust