WELCOME TO DISCOVER THE WILD - Foraging and Nature Events in North Wales and Manchester
Discover the Wild is a nature and foraging business based in North Wales, working across the whole of North Wales, Manchester, Cheshire and beyond. Founded by David Winnard, it brings together years of field experience into one place — a growing hub of species guides for North Wales, events covering all aspects of nature and foraging, immersive Walks and Wildlife videos, and practical, responsible foraging information. Whether you’re here to sharpen your identification skills, learn all about how to forage, explore new landscapes, or deepen your connection with the natural world, Discover the Wild is your starting point for looking closer and finding more. You can read more about what we do and offer below.
Meet the Team
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Discover the Wild was founded by David Winnard, whose journey into wildlife began at just five years old. His Grandma would send him into the woodlands around his native Rochdale on mushroom “treasure hunts” — 1p for a common species, 2p for an uncommon one, and 5p if it was rare. Those early adventures sparked a lifelong passion for identification, ecology and foraging, teaching him not just how to recognise species, but how to truly look.
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David went on to achieve a First Class Honours degree in Wildlife Photography, combining fieldcraft with visual storytelling. He created Discover the Wild to share that passion more widely — through nature and foraging events across Manchester & North Wales, creating Walks and Wildlife videos, and helping people engage with wildlife they may never have known even existed.
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Today, David is recognised as one of the North’s most respected foragers and all-round naturalists. He has worked with organisations including the BBC, RSPB, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, City of Trees, Groundwork and Brockholes, alongside numerous local councils and community groups. He also collaborates with artisan gin producers, helping them responsibly incorporate wild plants and fungi into their spirits — always with sustainability and ecological knowledge at the forefront.
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David is often helped by his wife Lauren Hough, who is not only an avid bird fan but also one the best mushroom hunters around.
David doing what he loves most, checking out logs with fungi on them.
In the Media
David has appeared on Autumnwatch on the BBC, discussing mushrooms and fungi, and has featured regularly on regional television including That's TV Manchester and Channel M. He is also a familiar voice on local radio, contributing to BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio Lancashire, where he shares seasonal wildlife insights and foraging knowledge.
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As a writer, David has contributed nature and foraging features to Home Farmer, Lancashire Walks & Wildlife and Yorkshire Walks & Wildlife, and his work has appeared in publications including BBC Countryfile Magazine, Birdwatching, Birdwatch, BBC Wildlife Magazine, The Times, The Guardian, Daily Express and Outdoor Photography. He even helped consult on the 'How to Find' series of children's book designed to inspire the next generation of naturalists.
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David’s natural history photography is represented by leading stock libraries, with his images published across six continents in more than 50 countries.
If you would like David to write an article on foraging, birdwatching or nature, or to contribute expert commentary for media projects, please get in touch.
Our Mission and the Snipe
Discover the Wild has been leading foraging events and nature experiences for over 20 years. Our seasonal foraging workshops are designed to help you explore the plants, fungi, and wildlife right on your doorstep — learning how to identify species safely, understand which are edible, medicinal, or poisonous, and appreciate how they fit into the wider ecosystem. We take a hands-on approach, so you can expect to taste some of the wild foods we discover along the way.
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Guided by David Winnard, our aim is to open people’s eyes to the wonders of the natural world. We want to help you get closer to wildlife, appreciate the intricate connections between species, and experience the countryside in a meaningful, memorable way.
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At Discover the Wild, we also believe that by working with nature, we can inspire a generation who understand that looking after our local wildlife benefits not just the environment, but us too — from providing food and drink, to supporting habitat management, flood defence, and even our own physical and mental wellbeing. Through education, exploration, and hands-on experience, we hope to foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world around them.
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Why is the snipe on our logo? For me, it perfectly represents what we do at Discover the Wild — seeking out elusive wildlife and creating unforgettable, up-close experiences for the people we guide. The Snipe is a difficult bird to see, cryptic in its habits and habitat, and yes, a little bit quirky — which only adds to its charm. It’s one of my personal favourites, and over the years it has given countless participants the chance to witness and photograph it in the wild, often for the first time.
A Snipe on a fencepost from a trip with guests
Recording Wildlife
At Discover the Wild, recording wildlife is at the core of everything we do. Every week we encounter hundreds of species—from fungi and plants to moths, birds, and mammals—and carefully document each observation. All sightings are entered into our Discover the Wild database, which now holds tens of thousands of records, creating a valuable resource for research, conservation, and education.
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Our database allows us to:
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Identify seasonal peaks – By analysing our records, we can pinpoint the best times for fungi and plants to emerge, ensuring that our foraging events and wildlife walks showcase the very best of the local environment.
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Support conservation efforts – We share our data with key organisations to protect species and habitats. We work closely with Cofnod, the North Wales biodiversity recording centre, as well as the Greater Manchester Local Record Centre (GMLRC). Our records help assess the ecological importance of sites and support the conservation of species in decline.
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Ensure accurate verification – As the Cofnod verifier for fungi in North East Wales (Flintshire and Denbighshire), I personally review and validate fungal records before they are submitted. I also verify fungal records for the same area on iRecord and iNaturalist, ensuring data quality and reliability across multiple platforms.
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Promote responsible practice – Recording wildlife is simply good practice. By knowing which species are present and whether they need help, we can make informed decisions to protect and nurture our local environment.
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Through meticulous recording and verification, we not only deepen our understanding of local wildlife but also contribute meaningful data to the wider conservation community.