I started leading this group back in October 2018, and have run monthly walks ever since. During COVID, when we were allowed to meet in small groups. I took groups of 6 out, and repeated the same walk three times to allow members to attend. Since then, I have allowed the group size to be any number who wishes to attend, although I prefer to keep the group size to a maximum of about 15. The walk on the 27^th March 2025 was my 100^th walk and to mark the occasion the weather responded and it was a lovely sunny morning, with some haze to start which soon burnt off.

The walk was round EWT Thameside Nature Discovery Park near Stanford-le-Hope. As we were assembling in the car park a couple of Linnets perched in a bush to give us a good view. There were other sightings of note, including a Red Kite that flew over, a pair of Stonechats and a Reed Bunting. We also spotted a single Avocet flying across the bay, but as it was high tide there were hardly any waders to be seen. About 10 Curlew were seen sitting on a promontory together with some Shelduck.

We finished the walk in the visitor centre, which has a lovely café with views over the Thames estuary and some of the reserve.

Details of future meeting dates and contact details are to be found on the Upminster u3a website at Walking with Wildlife group