5. Pond Dipping
Grab a tray and net from the visitor centre and see what you can find living in our pond. Snails and bloodworms, water boatmen and whirligig beetles are just a few of the minibeasts you’re likely to come across.
Our frogspawn is newly hatched, which makes it the perfect time of year to spend and afternoon hung over the water watching as they spend the coming weeks making their strange transition into fully grown frogs.
Pond dipping runs everyday 11am – 3pm, subject to availability. £2 per net, free to members.
Buzzard Bench, taken by Sally Granger
4. Buzzard Watching
Take a stroll across the top meadow to the valley viewpoint, or climb up buzzard bank to rest a while on one of our beautiful carved benches. High up on the side of the valley relax and watch as buzzards wheel in the sky around and above you.
These large birds of prey hold their wings in a shallow ‘V’ shape as they glide and hover and are distinguishable by their rounded wings with ‘fingered’ ends. Listen out for their distinctive mewing ‘peee-uu’ call throughout the year.
3. Den Building
The plantation area of the young woodland loop is a great place to run and play hide and seek throughout the year, make sure to keep an eye out for our den building area.
There are always a few of the mightiest structures still standing from previous explorers. Why not add one of your own? There are plenty of materials lying around to fashion into a shelter and even some logs to furnish your new dwelling.
Den Building, taken by Steve Brown
2. Pooh Sticks
At the bottom of the main track, just by the brook you’ll come to a huge oak tree, look out for the Fairy Queen in the branches above the bridge. That clearing is like an amphitheatre and at the height of nesting season it’s a great place to try and catch a fleeting glimpse of a pied flycatcher come May.
There are plenty of sticks around on the ground so pick your weapon and take your place on the bridge, this is serious business. Make sure your stick is distinctive because we want no funny business in deciding the winner. Facing up stream drop your stick and dash to the other side to see whose emerges first.
The Fairy Queen has seen a few games of Pooh Sticks in its time so make yours a good’un.
Fairy Oak , taken by Aimee Burrows
1. Chasing Butterflies
Very soon the meadows in Coombes valley will burst back into life and fill with wildflowers, grasses and insects. Lie yourself down in the grass (watch out for cow pats!) or take a seat at the valley viewpoint and watch for butterflies and hungry birds.
There is nothing like spending a sunny afternoon in a field buzzing with life. Chase some butterflies, soak up some sun and catch a few crickets. Perfect.