Wilder Kent Experiences: Nightingales at Burnt Oak Woods

The song of the nightingale is iconic, often considered to be the most beautiful that can be heard here in the UK. For many, hearing the first nightingale of the year is a much-anticipated sign of the arrival of spring, and this dusk experience will give you a good chance a hearing it for yourself.

The area around Burnt Oak Woods has one of the highest densities of nightingale in the country, and Area Manager Ian knows the best spots to find them, as well as exactly how to identify the song of such an elusive species.

Setting off at dusk, Ian will give you exclusive access to Burnt Oak Woods, which is usually inaccessible to visitors, and guide you through the beautiful woodland listening for signs of activity. He’ll share his knowledge of this much-loved species, why these woods attract such a large population, and give you tips how to identify the call of the nightingale amongst those of the other songbirds that fill the woods with music on spring and summer evenings.

During the evening, we’ll take some time to light a small campfire and make some tea. As we enjoy a refreshing drink, we’ll sit quietly to soak up the nightingales’ charming performance and the atmospheric sights as the sun sets on the woodland.

The walk will be mostly flat, and cover around 1mile over the evening. You won't be following footpaths, so there will be some ditches, uneven ground and long vegetation to negotiate to reach the nightingales. Ensure you wear sturdy footwear (during periods of wet weather waterproof footwear is advisable) and clothing suitable for the weather conditions.

Please note there are no toilet facilities at the reserve, and no refreshments are available to purchase on site. Campfire drinks will be provided and you are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks with you. A bottle of water is recommended.

Our reserves team are used to working outdoors in all weathers, so we aim to go ahead with these experiences wherever possible. On occasion the warden may decide conditions are extreme enough to cancel the planned date, either because they'll be unable to deliver the event to a high enough quality or because it is unsafe to go ahead. If this is the case you will be offered an alternative date or refund. Unfortunately, we cannot refund tickets if the event takes place but you choose not to attend.

Please give us 30 days notice wherever possible if you are no longer able to attend. The small group sizes on these experiences mean cancellations have a large impact on the viability of the event, and it can be difficult to fill places at short notice or after an event has initially reached capacity. Thank you.