Have a go at... a seasonal return visit with Verdant Wildlife

From a rare jacksnipe hiding in the reeds to wild short eared owls playfully teasing the twitchers, we joined Verdant Wildlife once again for a seasonal snapshot of wildlife in Notts. Winter has swept quickly across the county this year, and the cold snap looks set to stay, but this doesn’t mean wildlife watching draws to a close. Tours with Verdant Wildlife run throughout the year, plenty of chance to capture the splendour of each season; with winter no exception. Winter wildlife watching offers the perfect opportunity to see migratory birds visiting Nottinghamshire from Scandinavia and Northern Europe. A Winter Wildfowl tour with Verdant Wildlife includes a round trip of both nature reserves and locations off the beaten track into the wilds of North Nottinghamshire, with expert Andrew on hand to guide you. Provided with a packed lunch of hearty homemade Parsnip soup (everything provided is locally sourced where possible) , useful equipment including crib sheets and binoculars, and transported via the comfort of a private vehicle, wildlife watching can be enjoyed even in the bracing winter months. Stops at Daneshill and Idle Valley nature reserves proved fruitful during our winter expedition, as we were lucky enough to witness a whole manner of waterfowl, including goosander (pictured), and the rare jacksnipe; a secretive bird notorious for its ability to camouflage well amongst the reeds. The beauty of these tours is the spontaneity. Nothing is guaranteed, but Andrew has such a great knowledge of the area (and the seasons), that he will tailor the day to include places where he knows visitors are likely to witness the best seasonal flora and fauna. Following a successful visit to the nature reserves, we were treated to a natural display from a group of playful short eared owls. Andrew keeps abreast of all local twitcher information, and will often head to unfrequented areas, allowing you to enjoy the call of the wild. Tours with Verdant Wildlife can be tailored to suit you, and e-vouchers can be purchased right up until Christmas Eve. Purchase a full-day voucher in December, and your packed lunch will be upgraded for FREE with the added bonus of luxury sandwich fillings, extra snacks and sparkling wine, beer or cider. Treat your twitchers to a tour with Verdant Wildlife and try a new take on exploring the outdoors in Nottinghamshire. Which season will you choose? Read about our Autumn adventures with Verdant Wildlife, here. [Photo Credit: Short eared owl by Christine Booth; photograph taken during a bird watching course with Verdant Wildlife]