Are you looking for something to do over half term??? We have plenty going on.. fun, affordable and outdoors, and lots of chances to get close to nature! Please share with friends and family and come along and join in!
SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER - SMALL MAMMAL SURVEYING
Come along and meet some of the tinier creatures on the reserve that you might not usually see. Surveying traps will be set up the night before and come along this morning as we empty them and hopefully find a variety of small mammals! Results to be submitted to the RSPB’s wildlife database.
10 am - 12 pm. Members £4, non members £8. Booking required. Photo: Dormouse by Steve Knell
MONDAY 26 OCTOBER - MINIBEAST MONDAY
The return of our holiday minibeasting sessions! Drop in any time during one of the two sessions and join our education team out amongst the log piles and grass as they search for interesting creepy crawlies. Suitable for all the family.
10 am - 12 pm and 2 - 4 pm. Members £3, non members £5, no charge for accompanying adults. Drop in. Photo: Stag beetle by Ben Andrew
TUESDAY 27 AND THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER - BIRD SAFARI AND STORYTIME
Come along and learn all about feathery friends during one of our special bird safari sessions. We will be going out looking at which birds have arrived on the reserve today and learning to identify them using our binoculars. Once back inside it’s all about DIY and creating bird boxes and homes for the winter for birds in our own gardens. Finally there will be time to sit down in the classroom with a drink and listen to a story. This day is aimed at children but open to all the family.
You need to be here for a whole session either 10 – 12 or 2 – 4, on either Tuesday or Thursday. Members £6, non members £10. Booking essential. Photo: Messy Welly Club by Debs Allbrook
WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER - WILD WEDNESDAYS!
Join our half term club for children aged 6-12, go wild, learn about nature and make new friends! We will be talking about science and nature today, and how weather feeds our wetland nature reserves and makes it perfect for all the animals that live here. We will investigate creatures that live in our rivers and streams, make a lovely cocktail of smelly plants too, and even fit in some games! Children will be under the care of our qualified Education team for the day so remember their packed lunch. Sessions must be booked and paid for in advance.
9.30 am - 3.30 pm. Members £20, non members £25. Booking essential. Photo: Child in woodland by David Tipling
FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER - AUTUMN HIKE
Join us for a proper stretch of the legs as we explore a bit more of the local area on foot. Autumn is a lovely time of year to get out and about and we hope to see plenty of wildlife. Bear in mind we will be walking (approximately) 8 miles so you need a reasonable level of fitness and sensible attire. Bring a packed lunch and there will be warm drinks and some well-earned snacks waiting for us back at the centre!
11 am - 4 pm. Members £3, non members £4. Booking required. Photo: Guided walk by Ben Hall
SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER - HALLOWEEN FUN DAY!
Our autumn fun day returns today with fun for all the family! Drop in throughout the day to take part in: Pumpkin carving competition, messy wildlife feeders, games, spider crafts, swamp dipping, scary face painting and our autumn trail. Plus, if you are brave, stay behind after dark to wander round the reserve on Halloween night! Make sure you bring a torch!
Booking essential if you’d like a pumpkin
11 am - 4 pm (Night walk: 5 - 7 pm). Members £6, non members £10 - includes all activities. Drop in - but booking essential for a pumpkin. Photo: Pumpkin carvers by Debs Allbrook
For more information about any of events listed above, please contact the reserve on 01992 708381, or email debs.allbrook@rspb.org.uk.
Photo: Night time on Halloween by Eleanor Bentall