Better Birding with Nick Patel
Sat 8 Mar 2025 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM GMT
Heal Somerset, BA11 5HH
Description
This interactive workshop delivered by expert wildlife guide Nick Patel, is aimed at anyone who wants to learn more about spotting and identifying birds whether you are a complete beginner or are just looking to refresh your existing birding skills.
With an emphasis on late winter and early spring birds, the first part of this session will be in the Heal Somerset farmhouse where Nick will guide you through essential tips and tricks to spotting and identifying birds including calls, flight patterns, habitats and behaviour.
Nick will give you a step-by-step guide to develop your bird watching techniques so you can be more confident in finding the birds you want to see and will include pointers on how to get the most out of using binoculars and other equipment.
The workshop will be followed by an hour walk around the site where you will be able to put everything you have learned into practice plus learn more about what rewilding can achieve for our bird populations.
About your workshop leader, Nick Patel:
Nick is a tour guide, conservationist, naturalist and birder and is passionate about helping to protect, create and maintain British wildlife. A lifelong Birdwatcher, and former Nature reserve Warden, Nick has devoted his life to shouting about how amazing our native biodiversity is and just why we should care for it.
Nick says “I am really pleased and super excited to be working with Heal and looking forward to showcasing some of the amazing work they are doing at the Heal Somerset site. It’s truly inspiring and you can already feel an abundance of nature, which I am excited to share with people though my tours”.
LOCATION
Heal Somerset is in a very rural location, a few miles from Bruton, Frome, the A303 and the Wiltshire border, at Lower West Barn Farm, Bindon Lane, Witham Friary, BA11 5HH. Directions will be sent in a confirmation email.
TIMINGS
10am Workshop begins at Heal Somerset farmhouse
12pm Walk around site to put learning into practice
1pm Refreshments at farmhouse
CLOTHING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
We recommend you bring binoculars for this workshop, if you don't have any you could use, please let us know ahead of the day.
It is very likely to be wet underfoot at this time of year so we recommend that you wear wellingtons or sturdy waterproof shoes or walking boots suitable for rough, uneven ground. If the forecast is wet, bring a waterproof jacket and a hat and dress warmly.
[We give this level of detail to encourage wider participation in our events by people who may be unfamiliar with being out in nature and we hope this is useful for them as well as a reminder to those already aware.]
ACCESSIBILITY
The site is not yet wheelchair-accessible, but we do have one all-terrain mobility scooter available. If you would like to use this, please let us know ahead of the event.
If you use an assistance dog, your dog will be welcome.
If you have any additional questions about accessibility please email events@healrewilding.org.uk.
OTHER THINGS
Cancellation
We reserve the right to cancel this workshop and either refund you or book you into an alternative date. This would be due to a very poor weather forecast or illness and will be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Please note, tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.
Children and babies
Children over 14 are welcome at the workshop as are babies in slings (the site is not pushchair-friendly in a lot of areas). Please contact events@healrewilding.org.uk for more information about bringing children.
Dogs
We welcome assistance dogs but you can't bring a pet dog or any other pets to the site.
Supporting Heal
Please note, up to 50% of your ticket price will go towards supporting the work of Heal.
You'll also have the chance to become a Friend of Heal and to donate to support our work.
Special ticketing
If you are unwaged, a student or living on a very low income and the cost of attending is prohibitive, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk as we may be able to support your attendance. Please note this may not always be possible.
Local accommodation
We can't offer accommodation yet at Heal Somerset. There are lots of places to stay in and around Frome and Bruton.
Transport
The remote rural location means that travelling here by car is the most practical option and there will be car parking available for all tour participants.
Location
Heal Somerset, BA11 5HH