Visits and Talks

Woodlife Trails will visit your school or organisation. We will bring with us our popular table of exhibits which includes Natural History artefacts such as animal skulls, bones, skins, feeding signs, scat, and other interesting objects designed to educate not just youngsters but people of every age.

sitis and

The exhibits are designed to be touched and felt by the audience thereby heightening the learning. We also bring along our high-powered microscope to allow people to see objects in close detail.

Our owl pellet box is very popular. Youngster’s spend literally hours picking out the small mammal bones, separating them from the pellet.

As well as showing you our exhibits, we can take you for a walk in your own or nearby woods to show you what you may be missing. We will help you identify plants, trees and tell you how they can be used. We will give you a few tips and tricks to help you observe the wildlife in your area by introducing you to the tracks and signs the animals leave behind.

We are able to give presentations on nearly any subject involving the outdoors such as bushcraft, survival skills, wild-camping, wildlife observation, the natural world in general or specific subjects such as animal and human tracking, wildlife observation or JP's specialist interest, arachnology.

This year's talk by Pablo is entitled "How Close Do You Want To Go? - Getting close to Wildlife." Pablo uses PowerPoint including his own amazing footage of wildlife to describe how we can use our senses and field-craft techniques to get closer to Wildlife. This is ideal for wildlife photographers, stalkers, rangers, wardens, or conservation groups / social groups interested in wildlife and tracking.

Please contact us directly at info@woodlife.co.uk to discuss your requirements. Our daily rate for visits and talks is approximately £150-00 per day excluding travelling costs.

Visits and Talks

Woodlife Trails will visit your school or organisation. We will bring with us our popular table of exhibits which includes Natural History artefacts such as animal skulls, bones, skins, feeding signs, scat, and other interesting objects designed to educate not just youngsters but people of every age.

sitis and

The exhibits are designed to be touched and felt by the audience thereby heightening the learning. We also bring along our high-powered microscope to allow people to see objects in close detail.

Our owl pellet box is very popular. Youngster’s spend literally hours picking out the small mammal bones, separating them from the pellet.

As well as showing you our exhibits, we can take you for a walk in your own or nearby woods to show you what you may be missing. We will help you identify plants, trees and tell you how they can be used. We will give you a few tips and tricks to help you observe the wildlife in your area by introducing you to the tracks and signs the animals leave behind.

We are able to give presentations on nearly any subject involving the outdoors such as bushcraft, survival skills, wild-camping, wildlife observation, the natural world in general or specific subjects such as animal and human tracking, wildlife observation or JP's specialist interest, arachnology.

This year's talk by Pablo is entitled "How Close Do You Want To Go? - Getting close to Wildlife." Pablo uses PowerPoint including his own amazing footage of wildlife to describe how we can use our senses and field-craft techniques to get closer to Wildlife. This is ideal for wildlife photographers, stalkers, rangers, wardens, or conservation groups / social groups interested in wildlife and tracking.

Please contact us directly at info@woodlife.co.uk to discuss your requirements. Our daily rate for visits and talks is approximately £150-00 per day excluding travelling costs.

Now For Something Completely Different…

If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise!

No, it’s not another war, although some would think it was. It was the annual “Bunker Bash” at Kelvedon.

JP and I met up with the other Essex Outbacks and had a look around. There was some excellent displays and, of course, the re-enactors went to town.

It’s a little worrying when the stuff you used to drive about in the army was on display as museum pieces.

I used to drive these in Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles in the ‘70’s, but mine had an engine in.

This trio brought back memories.

Protecting the woods were a series of trenches. Of course they were manned by British WW1 soldiers…

Deep in the woods, we met Polish soldiers and US marines…

… and the 2nd Guards of the Soviet Army.

The re-enactors aren’t too far removed from bushcrafters. We all enjoy a weekend in the fresh air and getting back to whatever basics is suitable for the era.

The main purpose was to visit the surplus stalls. I came away with a Flecktarn camo shirt for a quid and a jacket.

This would be a good solution for carrying course equipment into Hatfield Forest, although I’m not sure what the National Trust would say!

Thanks for the visit.

Now For Something Completely Different…

If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise!

No, it’s not another war, although some would think it was. It was the annual “Bunker Bash” at Kelvedon.

JP and I met up with the other Essex Outbacks and had a look around. There was some excellent displays and, of course, the re-enactors went to town.

It’s a little worrying when the stuff you used to drive about in the army was on display as museum pieces.

I used to drive these in Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles in the ‘70’s, but mine had an engine in.

This trio brought back memories.

Protecting the woods were a series of trenches. Of course they were manned by British WW1 soldiers…

Deep in the woods, we met Polish soldiers and US marines…

… and the 2nd Guards of the Soviet Army.

The re-enactors aren’t too far removed from bushcrafters. We all enjoy a weekend in the fresh air and getting back to whatever basics is suitable for the era.

The main purpose was to visit the surplus stalls. I came away with a Flecktarn camo shirt for a quid and a jacket.

This would be a good solution for carrying course equipment into Hatfield Forest, although I’m not sure what the National Trust would say!

Thanks for the visit.

Diploma

Are you serious about Wildlife, Tracking and Bushcraft? We mean really serious? Are you over 16?

We can offer you our Woodlife Trails: Wildlife, Tracking and  Bushcraft Diploma through our structured development programme. Not only will you get a fully educational programme of learning covering all aspects of nature and bushcraft but it will cover the cost of each and every Woodlife Trails course you attend. This programme is suitable of anyone over 16 whatever your experience.

This isn't just a marketing ploy. Of course we want you to return on our courses, but if you take part in this programme, as well as attending courses for free, you will additionally benefit from one-to-one tuition and sessions to become a well-rounded, and advanced naturalist, tracker, and bushcraft practitioner. Who knows, if you have the aptitude, you may even start on the road to becoming a Woodlife Trails instructor.

The programme is very flexible. It's up to you when you want a session or a course and, as much as we can, we will give you information, tasks and assignments online.

The programme is not accredited with an outside organisation as with some bushcraft schools. We refuse to pay an organisation to accredit a programme that they know next to nothing about! We also believe that it takes more than a couple of days learn what's required just to get a quick buck off you! So be prepared for a long haul and a bt of hard graft!

Our own programmes and accreditation system has the benefit of being designed in-house by an experienced and fully qualified, training course designer and current NVQ assessor, who has had over 10 years experience in designing and delivering learning and development programmes for police and law-enforcement agencies. Qualifications include a Master's degree by Middlesex Univeristy in Training and Development Systems Management, NVQ awards and a Cert Ed in adult education - equivalent to today's Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS)

If that isn't enough, the programme is co-designed by someone who has a life-time experience as a Naturalist and Countryman as well as being a bushcraft instructor. Skills aquired only through practice and not through academic study.

Be prepared to work hard. Be prepared to study hard; but also be prepared to achieve and receive the highest accolade that is available in the world of Wildlife, Tracking and Bushcraft.

Be prepared to earn the Woodlife Trails: Wildlife, Tracking and Bushcraft Diploma.

Contact us for further details and entry requirements at info@woodlife.co.uk.

Diploma

Are you serious about Wildlife, Tracking and Bushcraft? We mean really serious? Are you over 16?

We can offer you our Woodlife Trails: Wildlife, Tracking and  Bushcraft Diploma through our structured development programme. Not only will you get a fully educational programme of learning covering all aspects of nature and bushcraft but it will cover the cost of each and every Woodlife Trails course you attend. This programme is suitable of anyone over 16 whatever your experience.

This isn't just a marketing ploy. Of course we want you to return on our courses, but if you take part in this programme, as well as attending courses for free, you will additionally benefit from one-to-one tuition and sessions to become a well-rounded, and advanced naturalist, tracker, and bushcraft practitioner. Who knows, if you have the aptitude, you may even start on the road to becoming a Woodlife Trails instructor.

The programme is very flexible. It's up to you when you want a session or a course and, as much as we can, we will give you information, tasks and assignments online.

The programme is not accredited with an outside organisation as with some bushcraft schools. We refuse to pay an organisation to accredit a programme that they know next to nothing about! We also believe that it takes more than a couple of days learn what's required just to get a quick buck off you! So be prepared for a long haul and a bt of hard graft!

Our own programmes and accreditation system has the benefit of being designed in-house by an experienced and fully qualified, training course designer and current NVQ assessor, who has had over 10 years experience in designing and delivering learning and development programmes for police and law-enforcement agencies. Qualifications include a Master's degree by Middlesex Univeristy in Training and Development Systems Management, NVQ awards and a Cert Ed in adult education - equivalent to today's Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS)

If that isn't enough, the programme is co-designed by someone who has a life-time experience as a Naturalist and Countryman as well as being a bushcraft instructor. Skills aquired only through practice and not through academic study.

Be prepared to work hard. Be prepared to study hard; but also be prepared to achieve and receive the highest accolade that is available in the world of Wildlife, Tracking and Bushcraft.

Be prepared to earn the Woodlife Trails: Wildlife, Tracking and Bushcraft Diploma.

Contact us for further details and entry requirements at info@woodlife.co.uk.

Trailing Fallow Deer

There’s still no sign of any significant rain here in the east of England but the temperatures are down to a  more a seasonal norm. No courses or shows for Woodlife Trails this weekend so it was time to chill out in Poor Park woods.

I didn’t expect to bump into the fallow deer so soon, especially since I hadn’t seen them for a while. I had lowered my profile but they were still quite suspicious. I tried to find a way around them but I was stuck behind a clump of trees. They moved off at a trot and I went to head them off.

I was quite aware that they would suddenly double back; so I did the same and, after ten minutes or so, I found them in a small clearing amongst the pines.

[vid 1]

They had spotted me again although I had kept low but they didn’t immediately run. Again, I wasn’t in the best position so all I could do was sit and observe. I’m always amazed at how keen their senses are; but it’s no real surprise considering they’ve been hunted by man for a thousand years.  

[vid 2]

After about ten minutes, they trotted off to the south of the woods. Instead of following them, I looked for the fresh sign they left behind. It was hard to ascertain any tracks in the dry conditions. The light brown shiny fewments, or pellets, were there to confirm what I already knew.

The damp ground showed where the deer had urinated. Looking at the position of the fewments compared to the dampness, I would say I was looking at a doe.

I was pretty much near the edge of the woods. I didn’t really want to push then out of the woods if they weren’t already out, so there was only one thing to do…

Have lunch!

The clouds threatened rain so I put up the poncho.

I’ve changed my stove around and gone back to the bushbuddy with trangia burner combo. They both fit exactly into the Snowpeak 900. The bushbuddy gives an additional option if I run out of fuel.

I tried out the bushbuddy in wood burning mode to brew a second cup of coffee. I must admit, this is a very flexible cooking combination. With the trangia burner, it’s a pretty unbeatable combination.

My attention went back to the fallow. As I suspected, they hadn’t run far but they had run out of the woods and taken up a typical position on a small ridge. Even though I was a good 400 yards away, they still spotted me coming out of the woods. Again I was at a disadvantage. Your call, Pablo. what now?

[vid 3]

I tacked to the west behind a hedgerow, but I ran out of hedge. I couldn’t stalk across the field so I made my way back to my original position. This was getting frustrating.

The woods were my only hope; so I went back in and walked quickly to a point almost adjacent to them.

[vid 4]

It was a good, but not as near as I wanted. I trotted further up and poked my head through the wood. That was better! A good view about 30 yards away, but something had spooked them and this time it wasn’t me!

[vid 5]

I had to be content with what I had. I had trailed them for 4 hours (apart from lunch) in and out of the woods. In a vain hope that they would return to the wood, I settled  down on the outskirts to wait for their return. I never knew if they came by. I fell asleep!

Coming soon… Badger Project. Are there any cubs this year?

Thanks for the visit.

Trailing Fallow Deer

There’s still no sign of any significant rain here in the east of England but the temperatures are down to a  more a seasonal norm. No courses or shows for Woodlife Trails this weekend so it was time to chill out in Poor Park woods.

I didn’t expect to bump into the fallow deer so soon, especially since I hadn’t seen them for a while. I had lowered my profile but they were still quite suspicious. I tried to find a way around them but I was stuck behind a clump of trees. They moved off at a trot and I went to head them off.

I was quite aware that they would suddenly double back; so I did the same and, after ten minutes or so, I found them in a small clearing amongst the pines.

[vid 1]

They had spotted me again although I had kept low but they didn’t immediately run. Again, I wasn’t in the best position so all I could do was sit and observe. I’m always amazed at how keen their senses are; but it’s no real surprise considering they’ve been hunted by man for a thousand years.  

[vid 2]

After about ten minutes, they trotted off to the south of the woods. Instead of following them, I looked for the fresh sign they left behind. It was hard to ascertain any tracks in the dry conditions. The light brown shiny fewments, or pellets, were there to confirm what I already knew.

The damp ground showed where the deer had urinated. Looking at the position of the fewments compared to the dampness, I would say I was looking at a doe.

I was pretty much near the edge of the woods. I didn’t really want to push then out of the woods if they weren’t already out, so there was only one thing to do…

Have lunch!

The clouds threatened rain so I put up the poncho.

I’ve changed my stove around and gone back to the bushbuddy with trangia burner combo. They both fit exactly into the Snowpeak 900. The bushbuddy gives an additional option if I run out of fuel.

I tried out the bushbuddy in wood burning mode to brew a second cup of coffee. I must admit, this is a very flexible cooking combination. With the trangia burner, it’s a pretty unbeatable combination.

My attention went back to the fallow. As I suspected, they hadn’t run far but they had run out of the woods and taken up a typical position on a small ridge. Even though I was a good 400 yards away, they still spotted me coming out of the woods. Again I was at a disadvantage. Your call, Pablo. what now?

[vid 3]

I tacked to the west behind a hedgerow, but I ran out of hedge. I couldn’t stalk across the field so I made my way back to my original position. This was getting frustrating.

The woods were my only hope; so I went back in and walked quickly to a point almost adjacent to them.

[vid 4]

It was a good, but not as near as I wanted. I trotted further up and poked my head through the wood. That was better! A good view about 30 yards away, but something had spooked them and this time it wasn’t me!

[vid 5]

I had to be content with what I had. I had trailed them for 4 hours (apart from lunch) in and out of the woods. In a vain hope that they would return to the wood, I settled  down on the outskirts to wait for their return. I never knew if they came by. I fell asleep!

Coming soon… Badger Project. Are there any cubs this year?

Thanks for the visit.

Bushcraft Magazine Meet in Kent

Early May Bank Holiday Friday saw JP and I struggling against his obstinate Land Rover in an attempt to get down the Egerton in Kent. To be fair it only broke down properly once. this, unfortunately, happened to be on Britian’s busiest motorway at the point where the busiest motorway is at it’s busiest. The M25 tolls. JP managed to get it started just as the tow truck arrived!

We set up our unique Parazebo and set out our ever increasing table of skulls, scat, tracks and feeding signs.

Thanks to Phil Brown from Badger Bushcraft for the loan of some of his great specimens.

During the weekend  JP carried out game prep and knife safety sessions while I did an intro to tracking and natural camouflage session – all of which went down very well. There’s some more pics on Phil’s blog.

Kids and adults alike enjoyed looking through the owl pellets, separating and identifying the tiny bones and skulls of shrew, vole and field mouse from the pellets.

Apart from the sessions, the weekend was a great social event and we managed to get away for a great evening down the pub with superb food. Other evenings were spent catching up with old friends and chatting around the fire with a seemingly never ending flow of rum, port and more rum!

It was glorious weather throughout the weekend, spoilt only by a strong, gusting wind on pack-up day that bent one of the Parazebo's struts! Never mind. There are plans for a mark 2 version!

Thanks for the visit.