Go on, we dare you. Can you hold a wriggly worm, or a blinking toad, or a massive moth?
Not everyone is brave enough. But if you've got a curious and courageous kid like Jordan (below), then a magical moment with a bug or a bat could win them a cuddly puffin.
Parents and carers are being asked to take photos of their youngsters getting close to things that and crawl, slither and slide, hop and croak ...if they can bear it.
The snap can then be emailed to the Bempton Cliffs office and the best image chosen by the team will win the prize.
So where do the tiny monsters come from? Well, the moths are trapped overnight, identified first thing in the morning, displayed during the day and then released again at dusk. The toads and other amphibians, like Great Crested Newts, are discovered during the monitoring process that's part of our new visitor centre development.
And it's definitely not a case of 'look but don't touch'. We are positively encouraging kids to stroke, hold, and even snuggle up to the kind of wildlife that isn't generally thought to be cute or cuddly. And we hope that getting a little closer to these fascinating creatures will make some youngsters (and their adults) change their minds.
_
Of course, some kids like George (above) still aren't sure about the hands on approach. But for those that are, this is the perfect time to find our what a toad's skin feels like (and no, it's not slimy) - and win a prize to boot.
Big Birds and Mini Beasts activities continue every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until the end of August when the reserve closes as construction work on the new visitor centre begins.
Email your 'Best Beastie' pics to: Bempton.Cliffs@rspb.org.uk
Publish