Introduction to Tracking Course - September 2026

Introduction to Tracking Course

Learn about the world of animal tracks & signs with this educational and engaging two day course led by experienced naturalist and tracker Richard Thompson.

Hidden wonders found

At a glance

• A two-day course providing an in-depth introduction to animal tracks & signs
• Arrive on day 1 for a 10am start, finishing around 5pm with lunch included. Day 2 is 9am till 4pm
• Educational presentations, workshops and guided tracking walks
• Some uneven ground and variable weather conditions may apply!

Detailed Itinerary (subject to change due to weather)

Thursday 10th September 

10:00 - welcome presentation with tea and coffee

10:30 to 12:45 - Tracking basics, Mammal Tracks Presentation & Footprint trap workshop

12:45 to 13:15 – lunch (included)

13:15 to 14:00 - Mammal droppings and feedings signs 

14:00 to 17:00 – Tracks & Signs foray across the estate including tracking exercises and tips

Friday 11th September 

09:15 to 09:30 – Catch up and review with tea and coffee

09:30 to 11:00 – Bird Tracks & Signs, and other animals, including presentation & feathers workshop

11:00am to 12:30 - Bird feeding signs and guided owl pellet dissection

12:00 to 13:00 – lunch (included)

13:00 to 13:45 - Bones & Skulls workshop 

13:00 to 16:00 – Tracks & Signs foray across the estate

16:00 to 16:30 – Review and farewell

Owl pellet dissection

What’s Included?

Our base for the course will be at our bothy, where you will enjoy presentations, demonstrations & refreshments. Toilet facilities are located here too and available throughout the two days. The presentations & workshops will allow you to identify a wealth of mammal, bird and other animal tracks & signs, as well as how to keep a record of them through processes such as ink traps. Sessions exploring the estate will allow you to put new skills to the test and identify tracks & signs out in the field. Lunch is included on both days.

Presentations in our guest space

Leader

Richard is Hepple Wild’s professional naturalist; extremely passionate about all kinds of nature and wildlife. Richard has been back working as an ecologist in his native Northumberland for over four years after working in the Scottish Highlands as a wildlife guide. During this time Richard has acquired a number of qualifications in subjects such as wildlife tracking, professional botany, navigation and leading groups in upland environments. Richard has undertaken two UK track & sign assessments under the Cybertracker system with expert John Rhyder. At Hepple Richard has taken the lead on curating and organising our bespoke wildlife and nature experiences and is always thrilled to share the wild wonders of Hepple with new people.

Richard in action

Additional Information

Some reading material and workshop tools will be provided by the estate but you may wish to bring a notebook for your own notes.

Please note that this event includes periods of rough walking. Please come prepared.

We would strongly encourage bringing:

• Sturdy boots or comfortable wellies
• Binoculars
• Backpack with water bottle
• A warm/waterproof coat or jacket
• Waterproof trousers if it's forecast for rain

If you can leave them in the car so much the better! The weather in the Upper Coquet valley can be very changeable so please come prepared for anything. While we will aim to head out whatever the weather, if the forecast ahead of the event does look especially awful or hazardous, we will contact you to offer a full refund or a booking on an alternative date.

If you need to cancel your booking we can offer a full refund/rebooking to guests up to two weeks before the event. After this time we may not be able to offer you a refund but will aim to do so if we can resell your ticket. If Hepple Wilds need to cancel the event for any reason, we will offer a full refund or reschedule the event.

Unfortunately this event is not currently accessible for wheelchair users or those with physical disabilities that may prevent them from prolonged walking in the outdoors over rough terrain. As we progress with our nature engagement plans, we aim to be able to host more accessible experiences.

In addition, this event is not dog friendly. We may be able to host pooches on our private/bespoke days, with prior arrangement.

On booking you should be asked about your dietary requirements and any special interests you might have. Please get in touch if you think we need to know anything else.

We look forward to welcoming you to our home and to the beautiful Hepple Wilds.

2025 guests crowded round a stoat poo