Bison Ranger Experiences: A Morning at West Blean

About

Spend a morning on a guided wildlife experience in Kent with one of the Bison Ranger team, discovering the Wilder Blean rewilding project and tracking the Wilder Blean herd.

Working alongside West Blean's resident European bison and Iron Age pigs on a daily basis, the Bison Rangers are the custodians of the pioneering Wilder Blean herd.

Bison Ranger Experiences give you the opportunity to meet the people who know the project the best, and they offer the most in-depth access to the Wilder Blean project yet.

The Bison Ranger Experience

Your visit will begin at the Heather Corrie Ranger Station, where you'll be introduced to the Wilder Blean project by one of the Bison Rangers. They'll explain the theory behind wilding landscapes and the progress of the project so far, talk you through the characteristics of each of the Blean bison herd, and share stories of their experiences as one of the UK's only Bison Rangers. You'll also have the chance to see the technology the rangers have on hand to support them in their work, and find how they track the animals in such a vast area. 

Despite the technology you'll see, it's often the rangers' well-honed instincts that lead them to the herd, so we'll then set off for a walk through to woodland to see if we can track down any of the animals. There won't be a set walking route; the rangers will be flexible and, if you're in luck and the bison are near the fenceline, they'll lead you straight to the best spots to try and get a sighting. This in-depth wildlife and conservation experiences in Kent is a not to miss experience and offers one of the best opportunities to see wild European Bison in the UK.

Please be aware that the bison do roam freely and there's every chance they could be deep within the woodland for the duration of the event, making a sighting impossible. This event will give you best opportunity of sightings, but please understand that we can't guarantee the behaviour of wild animals!

Bison Ranger Details

This experience will last approximately 4 hours and most of this time will be spent walking or standing. We may leave surfaced paths for the best chance of seeing the herd, so sturdy footwear (during periods of wet weather waterproof footwear is advisable) suitable for uneven ground is essential. Due to the natural environment, you may come across muddy areas, exposed tree roots, overhanging branches etc. Please dress appropriately and be prepared for this.

There is a toilet available for event attendees at the Heather Corrie Ranger Station (near the car park) but no other facilities on the reserve. A hot drink is included when you arrive at the Ranger Station, but no additional refreshments are available to purchase on site. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink with you and a bottle of water is recommended.

Parking charges apply at the West Blean & Thornden Woods car park but this is included with your Bison Ranger Experience ticket if you book at least 72 hours in advance. To receive free parking you must email the correct number plate of the car you will be using to parkingcharges@kentwildlife.org.uk at least 72 hours before the event start time. Please include the date of the event you have booked and the name the booking was made in as part of your email. If you are booking within 72 hours of the event, or do not confirm your number plate by this time, you will need to pay for parking on the day.

Bison Ranger Experiences are extremely popular, but it is hard to fill spaces at short notice. For this reason, we are unable to refund tickets once they have been booked. If you request a date transfer we will try to accommodate this but unfortunately it cannot be guaranteed.

The Wilder Blean project is one of the UK’s most pioneering rewilding initiatives, introducing European bison to help restore ancient woodland ecosystems.