Indie nature expert at Gardens of Easton Lodge

The Indie’s Nature Notes correspondent Jono Forgham will be sharing his wildlife knowledge with visitors to the Gardens of Easton.

On Sunday, June 27, our resident flora and fauna expert will be leading walks for children and adults, including hunting for bugs and identifying birdsong and butterflies.

Naturalist Jono also plans to bring along some owl pellet for dissection and his MOTD (moths of the day) to identify and release.

The gardens are a larder for many species of butterflies, moths and dragon and damselflies. The hummingbird hawk-moth is a regular summer visitor.

Seven species of bats have been identified at the tourist attraction and the Essex Bat Group will also be at the event with Norbert, a rescued noctule called Norbert, to teach visitors about the value of these winged mammals. In addition, the RSPB, Essex Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust will be represented.

A spokeswoman for the trust which manages the landmark said: “In June the gardens still look lush, with the philadelphus providing heady scent in various corners.

“The Italian garden is bright with flowers and the walled kitchen garden is filling out with fruit and vegetables. We hope the first fresh produce will be available for sale and there will also be plant and jam stalls and a local woodturner.

“Our volunteers will provide hot bacon, cheese or hummus rolls and a wide selection of homemade cakes, as well as tea, coffee and cold drinks.”

The Grade II gardens were created by the Countess of Warwick who commissioned Harold Peto to redesign the ground of Easto Lodge in 1902.

Peto’s work includes a sunken Italian garden and its 100-ft long pool with water lilies as well as a treehouse and a glade with Japanese rill and other features which leads down to a trout lake.

The attraction is open from 11am to 5pm on June 27, with the last entry at 4pm. Tickets cost £5.50 each for adults and must be purchased in advance from www.eastonlodge.co.uk