Nature Detective Day

Nature Detective Day

Footprints, feathers, bones and poo - what can these nature signs tell us about what's going on in the outdoors? Join naturalist Richard for a day of animal tracking workshops and exercises, focusing on how to get more from your walks outdoors. 

At a glance

• Arrive for a 1:30pm start, finishing around 4pm 
• Family friendly event with short presentations with interactive workshops on feathers, bone ID and owl pellet dissection
• Guided walk outdoors to search for tracks & signs
• Some uneven ground and variable weather conditions may apply!

Event Overview

Starting at 1:30pm, this afternoon turns visitors into nature detectives, getting hands-on with the clues wildlife leaves behind across the estate. After a short introduction to Hepple's rewilding approach and the habitats and animals you might encounter, our expert guide Richard will lead a programme of fun, practical activities and exercises designed to sharpen your tracking eye — from identifying footprints and reading scat to spotting feeding signs, fur, and other field evidence. Expect plenty of hands-on moments, with casts, samples and real examples to examine up close, alongside games and challenges suited to all ages. The session is interactive throughout, with our wild herbivores — Exmoor ponies, Highland cattle and Mangalitsa pigs — offering excellent real-life examples to compare your detective work against. As ever, wildlife sightings can't be guaranteed, but we'll do our best to put plenty of genuine clues in your path. The mix of tracks and signs on offer changes through the year, so whether you join in spring, summer or autumn, there's always something new to detect.

Guided barn owl pellet dissection

Your Guide

This event will be led by our in-house Ecologist & Guide, Richard Thompson. Richard grew up roaming the hills around Hepple before heading to Scotland where he gained a master's degree in Conservation and worked as nature-guide in the Scottish Highlands. After returning to his Northumberland roots Richard worked as a professional ecologist before joining the team here at Hepple. Richard is outdoor first-aid trained and is a Hill & Moorland Leader, a qualification that focuses on group management and upland navigation. Richard has also undertaken two UK track & sign assessments under the Cybertracker system, with expert John Rhyder. When not leading our events, Richard can be found conducting various monitoring jobs across the estate including bird & plant surveys, and his favourite, fungi forays.

Richard, Hepple Guide - Cal Thompson / This is Northumberland

Additional Information

Please note that this event includes periods of rough walking. Please come prepared.

We would strongly encourage bringing:

• Sturdy boots or comfortable wellies
• Binoculars
• Backpack with water bottle
• A warm/waterproof coat or jacket
• Waterproof trousers if it's forecast for rain

If you can leave them in the car so much the better! The weather in the Upper Coquet valley can be very changeable so please come prepared for anything. While we will aim to head out whatever the weather, if the forecast ahead of the event does look especially awful or hazardous, we will contact you to offer a full refund or a booking on an alternative date.

If you need to cancel your booking we can offer a full refund/rebooking to guests up to two weeks before the event. After this time we may not be able to offer you a refund but will aim to do so if we can resell your ticket. If Hepple Wilds need to cancel the event for any reason, we will offer a full refund or reschedule the event.

While this even is family friendly, any children must be accompanied by at least one adult who will bear responsibility for the child(ren). Children should be at least 7 years old to get the most from the day. 

Unfortunately this event is not currently accessible for wheelchair users or those with physical disabilities that may prevent them from prolonged walking in the outdoors over rough terrain. As we progress with our nature engagement plans, we aim to be able to host more accessible experiences.

In addition, this event is not dog friendly. We may be able to host pooches on our private/bespoke days, with prior arrangement.

On booking you should be asked about your dietary requirements and any special interests you might have. Please get in touch if you think we need to know anything else.

We look forward to welcoming you to our home and to the beautiful Hepple Wilds.

2025 guests crowded round a stoat poo