Walks with Nature

Revive & Reconnect with nature on a Wildlife Walk

Distance: Usually Easy & up to 3 miles max
Skill Level: All abilities
Duration: 2-3 hours & 7-8 hours
Group Size: 3-6 Max
Cost: £35 - £70

Walks with Nature are about sinking into an environment with or without a camera and exploring nature at it's best.

Each walk is carefully designed to share fieldcraft tips and techniques for responsibly and ethically enjoying wildlife behaving naturally in its natural environment. 

This series of nature walks are about exploring habitats in a sensitive and responsible way. Observing natural wonders with little to no impact on their environment. Learning ethical fieldcraft that allows you to experience wildlife at its best... Natural and undisturbed.

The walks are for anyone and centred around the overall experience of nature and wildlife. Looking at fieldcraft and techniques to best observe stunning wildlife and spectacular behaviour in the wild.

While cameras are more than welcome and there will be opportunities to discuss photography, the photography component is not a key part of the walk. 

2023 Dates 

29th Jan, 7.30am (3 hours) - Winter Wetlands (St Aidan's, Leeds)

10th Feb,  10am - 1pm - In Search of Kingfisher (Talk & Walk, Burley in Wharfedale)

10th Feb,  2.30pm - 5.30pm - In Search of Owls (Talk & Walk, Burley in Wharfedale)

20th, 8.30am - 3.30pm - In Search of Otter (Talk & Walk, Burley in Wharfedale)

17th Mar,  10am - 1pm - In Search of Kingfisher (Talk & Walk, Burley in Wharfedale)

17th Mar,  3pm - 6pm - In Search of Owls (Talk & Walk, Burley in Wharfedale)

21st Apr,  9am - 5pm - River & Moor Tour, Full Day, Ilkley 

23rd Apr, 7am (3 hours) - Spring Wetlands (St Aidan's, Leeds)

5th May, 2pm - 9pm - In Search of Otter (Talk & Walk, Burley in Wharfedale)

10th May, 6.30pm (4 hours) - Spring on the Moors (Hawksworth)

15th May, 7pm (3 hours) - Spring on the River (Ilkley)

16th Jun,  10am - 1pm - In Search of Kingfisher (Talk & Walk, Burley in Wharfedale)

16th Jun,  6.30pm - 9.30pm - In Search of Owls (Talk & Walk, Burley in Wharfedale)

7th Jul,  7pm (2.5 hours) - Summer Wetlands (St Aidan's, Leeds)

8th Jul,  9am - 12pm - In Search of Kingfisher (Talk & Walk, Burley in Wharfedale)

8th Jul,  7pm - 10pm - In Search of Owls (Talk & Walk, Burley in Wharfedale)

12th Jul, 6.30pm (3 hours) - Summer on the Moors (Hawksworth)

9th Aug,  1pm - 9pm - River & Moor Tour, Full Day, Ilkley  

17th Sep,  7.30am (3 hours) - Riverside

Please remember that wildlife is unpredictable and there can be no guarantees on what species we'll see on any nature walk. However, you are guaranteed a relaxing, informative and inspiring time with like-minded people enjoying nature. 

Every Walk with Nature is sensitive to the habitats and wildlife within them. The aim of these walks aren't to "chase" down a particular species, rather, to share the knowledge, skills and fieldcraft that will help you create meaningful encounters over many years to come. Please see more details on each of the walks highlighted below...  

In Search of Owls

Location: Burley in Wharfedale, West Yorkshire

Duration: 2-3 hours

Seeing an owl is always magical and the best way to see them is in their own environment behaving naturally. This specially designed walk takes in the habitats of at least three owl species and in the right conditions offers a fair chance of seeing them! 

• Learn responsible and ethical in-the-field techniques of spotting wild owls and their habitats 
• Experience a range of inspiring environments offering a diverse range of wildlife including Curlew, Lapwing, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk, Red Kite, Buzzard, Little Owl, Tawny & Barn Owl.
• Nature Notes: Fact sheet handout full of info on UK owls, their habitats and the best way to find and observe them (emailed as a download after the event)
• Maximum of 4 participants

In search of Kingfisher

Location: Various West Yorkshire

Duration: 2-3 hours 

Whether it’s a flash of orange and blue whizzing past or perched ready to dive for a fish, experiencing a Kingfisher in its natural habitat is always exhilarating! This carefully prepared walk explores the habitats and the behaviour of the often elusive Kingfisher. 

• Improve your chances of seeing and experiencing a Kingfisher under expert guidance, so you can responsibly watch them in their natural habitat on future, self-led walks 
• Experience the diverse wildlife of the riverside including Kingfisher, Dipper, Heron, Goosander, oystercatcher, common sandpiper and (very) occasionally otters! 
• Nature Notes: Fact sheet handout full of info about Kingfishers their habitats and the best way to find and observe them (emailed as a download after the event)
• Maximum of 4 participants

The Secrets of the Otter

Location: Ilkley, West Yorkshire

Duration: 2-3 hours

For many, otters are the pinnacle of any wild waterside encounter. Just a glimpse can have you walking on air for weeks! Spotting otters isn't always easy and luck can play a big part. However, there are ways to improve that luck tenfold and this walk will share some top-tips and otter secrets as we explore some popular otter habitats. 

• Improve your understanding of the riverside habitat with expert guidance
• Experience the diverse wildlife of the riverside. Sightings could include Kingfisher, Dipper, Heron, Goosander, oystercatcher, common sandpiper, and with some luck, otters! 
• Nature Notes: Fact sheet handout full of info on otter, their habitats & the best way to find and observe them (emailed as a download after the event)
• Maximum of 4 participants

Explore the banks of the River Wharfe in Ilkley. As the sun sets and the light begins to fade our senses sharpen and a new natural world opens itself up. From birds and animals getting their last meals to bats, owls and otters just waking up. Not only will we be privy to the secretive sights and sounds of the twilight river, we'll be armed with the latest professional standard bat detector.

This Echo Meter will enable us to decipher the many different species of bat that enjoy hunting along the Wharfe. 

• Improve your understanding of the riverside habitat with expert guidance
• Experience the diverse wildlife of the riverside in the twilight hours. Sightings could include Kingfisher, Dipper, Heron, Goosander, oystercatcher, common sandpiper, several species of owl and bat and occasionally otters! 
• Nature Notes: Fact sheet handout full of info about Bats & Otter, their habitats & the best way to find and observe them (emailed as a download after the event)
• Maximum of 4 participants

St Aidan's

Location: St Aidan's, Leeds

Duration: 2-3 hours

A day at St Aidan's where something special isn't spotted is a rarity in itself at this truly unique and extraordinary site. Slovenian, Black Necked and Great Crested grebe, Spoonbill, garganey and short-eared owl are just a few rarities spotted at various times of the year while little owls, bearded tits, bitter, a host of warblers and waders are found to varying degrees throughout the year. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of birds, deer and hare can also often be seen in the early mornings here. This RSPB protected land punches well above its weight and offers great wildlife watching 365 days of the year.

Winter Highlights: Goldeneye, big numbers of Winter Waders, Short Eared Owl, Kingfisher, rare migrating birds

Spring Highlights: Grebes (Slovenian, Black Necked), Great Crested Grebe Mating ritual, Warblers including Sedge, Cetti's, Reed, Chiffchaff, Willow, Whitethroat, Drinking Swallows, swifts and Martins

Year-round highlights: Bearded Tits, Bittern, Little Owl, Kestrel, Peregrine Waders, Wildfowl like Shovelers, Wigeon, Pink-footed goose

On the Moor with Moorland Wildlife

Location: Burley Moor, Ilkley

Duration: 3-4 hours

Explore one of the world's rarest habitats at its most active. Meander through a patchwork of grasses, mosses, heather and wetland environments, just as the wildlife starts to pass through, breed and nest. 

Possible sightings: Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Snipe and Cuckoo (if lucky!), Curlew, Red Grouse, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, Oyster Catcher, Red Kite, Kestrel, Merlin, Short Eared Owl, Barn Owl, little owl Brown Hare & much more! 

The River & Moor, One Dayer Tour 

Location: Ilkley

Duration: 8 hours

A special day exploring a variety of habitats at one of the busiest times for British Wildlife. The River & Moors tour takes in some of the most diverse and rich habitats in the local area, and on a good day can offer some truly exciting experiences.

As always, we'll focus on responsible and positive ways to watch and experience nature. Sharing in-the-field techniques that will help you to continue enjoyable and ethical wildlife encounters in the future.  

For possible sightings, please see Kingfisher & Moorland birds descriptions. 

Magnificent Malham

Location: Malham Village 

Duration: 3 hours (approx)

Put simply, Malham is one of my favourite places on this planet!

With a small group, we'll explore an ancient habitat, rich and diverse in wildlife.

This particular walk is timed to catch the nature and wildlife at its most active.

Not only are there the stunning migrant species like redstart, wheatear and spotted flycatcher but residents like the the green woodpecker and dipper offer great viewing opportunities too.

The iconic peregrines that nest on the cove should be very active too as their will have recently fledged or be very close to fledging, turning the cove area into an amphitheatre of drama!

Butterflies, wildflower fields and orchids all add to the breathtaking beauty of this stunning and unforgettable walk with nature.

As always sensitive and responsible fieldcraft will be at the heart of this unique and memorable event.

Please note: This walk includes some steep inclines and potentially tricky terrain.