Events
Throughout the year we organise a variety of events including guided walks, workshops and group activities. Whilst we endeavour to run our events as planned, we occasionally have to cancel or rearrange them.
Booking maybe required for our events so we can keep the numbers to manageable levels. You can always contact us beforehand or check our facebook page for the latest information.
Wildlife walks and events
Walks start on Otley Road at the Public Footpath, opposite the lay by near St James Church. The walks are led by the warden and the duration is about two hours unless otherwise stated.
April 2026
Local Patching
Saturday 11th April 10am-noon
One great pleasure of birdwatching is having your own Local patch. This is an excellent way for learning the birds in your own area. This morning session will be talking about having your local patch. Whether it is your back garden or a big nature reserve. We will be showing the thrill of you being able to record all the birds and other wildlife and even perhaps the odd rarity.
Meet, Education centre - Directions to education centre. From opposite layby next to St Jame church on Otley Road. Walkdown the tarmac path towards river. When you reach the first gate on the right follow this on a short dirt path turn right and follow this until you come out onto a grassed area the Education centre will be straight ahead of you.
A Spring walk
Saturday 18th April 10am-noon
Join the warden for a gentle walk around the reserve where we will be looking for signs of spring.
Meet, Opposite layby by St James church, On Otley Road
May 2026
Dawn Chorus
Saturday 2nd May 4.30am
One for the early birds. Join us for our annual Dawn chorus. Where we will be enjoying the joyful enjoyment of bird song.
Meet, Opposite layby by St James church, On Otley Road
Butterflies and damselflies
Saturday 16th May 10am- noon
We will start by looking at what was caught in the moth trap the previous night then we will explore the reserve looking for some of our many species of butterflies that have been recorded. We will also be looking for damselflies and there may be the odd early dragonfly.
Meet, Education centre - Directions to education centre. From opposite layby next to St Jame church on Otley Road. Walkdown the tarmac path towards river. When you reach the first gate on the right follow this on a short dirt path turn right and follow this until you come out onto a grassed area the Education centre will be straight ahead of you.
June 2026
Celebration Day
Saturday 13th June 1pm – 4pm
Come and join us for our Annual Celebration Day. There will be various stalls from local wildlife groups. There will also be children’s activities, pond dipping and Ukeleles adding to the enjoyment for the day. Bring on the sun!
Meet, Education centre - Directions to education centre. From opposite layby next to St Jame church on Otley Road. Walkdown the tarmac path towards river. When you reach the first gate on the right follow this on a short dirt path turn right and follow this until you come out onto a grassed area the Education centre will be straight ahead of you.
A Solstice Walk
Saturday 20th June 4am
Come and join the warden to celebrate the longest day of the year. The Summer Solstice. We will walk the reserve and watch the sun rise.
Meet, Opposite layby by St James Church on Otley Road
National Insect week
Tuesday 23rd June 10am -noon
Join us to celebrate National Insect Week. The activities during the week will include Bug hunts, pond dipping, checking the moth trap. THIS IS A BOOKING ONLY EVENT
Meet, Education centre
National Insect week
Wednesday 24th June 10am -noon
Join us to celebrate National Insect Week. The activities during the week will include Bug hunts, pond dipping, checking the moth trap. THIS IS A BOOKING ONLY EVENT
Meet, Education centre
National Insect week
Thursday 25th June 10am -noon
Join us to celebrate National Insect Week. The activities during the week will include Bug hunts, pond dipping, checking the moth trap. THIS IS A BOOKING ONLY EVENT
Meet, Education centre
National Insect week
Friday 26th June 10am -noon
Join us to celebrate National Insect Week. The activities during the week will include Bug hunts, pond dipping, checking the moth trap. THIS IS A BOOKING ONLY EVENT
Meet, Education centre
July 2026
National Read a story Celebration
Saturday 11th July 10am - noon
Come and join us to celebrate reading stories. Bring your favourite stories, your favourite book. There will be readings of stories of all kinds.
Meet, Education centre
National Moth Night
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th July 9pm
As part of the Nation Moth Night scheme will be looking at what moths, we catch in our moth trap and look around the reserve for any flying moths. The moth trap will be emptied on the following Sunday morning (19th) at 8am.
Meet, Education centre
August 2026
A silent walk
Saturday 15th August 10am
Having a quiet stroll is one of the best ways to relieve stress and to bring calmness to yourself. Come and join the warden where we will be having a quiet stroll and sit on the benches to sit walk and listen and to un-wind. We will end at the education centre for tea and biscuits
Meet, Education centre
What we use
Saturday 22nd August 10am
When you walk around the reserve and you see the work being done have you ever wondered what equipment we use. We may be surprised to know we use mainly handheld equipment. This event we will look at the history and use of some of the equipment that we use and show the benefits it has to wildlife and to people alike.
Meet, Education centre
September 2026
A History of Denso Marston Nature reserve
Saturday 12th September 10am
Andrew Clark was one of the early pioneers in the construction of our rather special nature reserve. Andrew will be talking about the history and other amazing facts to be shared with all who come
Meet, Education centre
Vismig
Saturday 19th September 7.30am
September can be a good time for Visible Migration (Vis-mig) this is the time oof year when our summer visitors fly south to warmer climes and northern species come to our shores. We will be looking to the skies looking at what will be passing over then a walk around the reserve to see what birds have come in.
Meet, Opposite layby by St James Church on Otley Road
October 2026
National Poetry Day
Thursday 1st October 10am
A wonderful day in the year poetry everywhere does it make you feel dread or joy?! It can be like Marmite you either love it or hate it. Come down give it a try and have a listen or even read or tell a poem of your won or your favourite poems come on give it a try you might well be amazed!
Meet, Education centre
Vis-mig
Saturday 17th October 7.30am
As the migration season continues usually October i9s the most exciting time. Join the warden to look at the skies and see what flies over or becomes land bound.
Meet, Opposite layby by St James Church on Otley Road
November 2026
Reindeer making
Saturday 7th November 1pm-3pm
ALL SESSIONS ARE BOOKING ONLY - LIMITED PLACES - Following last year’s excellent reindeer making sessions this year we are dedicating 3 weekends to Reindeer making. All equipment is provide including drinks and biscuits! It can be a messy affair to dress for the occasion. The sessions are free though donations will be most welcomed
Meet, Education centre
Reindeer making
Saturday 14th November 10am-noon
ALL SESSIONS ARE BOOKING ONLY - LIMITED PLACES - Following last year’s excellent reindeer making sessions this year we are dedicating 3 weekends to Reindeer making. All equipment is provide including drinks and biscuits! It can be a messy affair to dress for the occasion. The sessions are free though donations will be most welcomed
Meet, Education centre
Reindeer making
Saturday 21st November 10am-noon
ALL SESSIONS ARE BOOKING ONLY - LIMITED PLACES - Following last year’s excellent reindeer making sessions this year we are dedicating 3 weekends to Reindeer making. All equipment is provide including drinks and biscuits! It can be a messy affair to dress for the occasion. The sessions are free though donations will be most welcomed
Meet, Education centre
December 2026
A look at trees
Thursday 3rd December 10am
As part of National tree week, we will be looking at some of the 44 species of trees that we have on the reserve.
Meet, Education centre
Yuletide Preserve
Saturday 12th December 1pm
come and join us Celebrating the Yuletide with stories and music and of course the humble mince pie!
Meet, Education centre
Workshops
Workshops are held at the Education Centre and have limited places. To book a place or for more information contact the Warden. All the workshops are free though donations would be gratefully received.
Group activities
On site guided walks and offsite talks have been given to a variety of groups including local schools and other children’s organisations taking enthusiastic advantage of the facility.
Adult group visits have included naturalist groups, church groups, women’s organisations, photographic and history groups, some returning more than once.