We’re now into our spring season here at Sandwell Valley. The sun is shining and the sky is dotted with ladybird-book style marshmallow clouds. Flowers are coming into bloom, and the trees are beginning to bud as we prepare to bring back our exciting seasonal activities.

Yesterday we had some wonderful groups of school children come to the visitor centre all ready and rearing to go and get close to nature. With our pond dipping and minibeast hunting kits they were able to explore the reserve and discovered all sorts of land and water creatures living on site. They even found a teeny tiny little toad!

For more information on the activities and sessions run at RSPB Sandwell for schools, please see here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/kids-and-schools/kids-at-school/schools-visits-to-reserves/sandwell_valley.aspx

There are plans for the work party to create a new net cleaning area for our pond dipping equipment and all of our gear to save and recycle our water supply. More recently, the work party has finished work on the car park and there are now new spaces for our visitors to fill. We’ll also soon be moving the big container out of the way to create more space.

If you’re enjoying the spring sunshine and are looking to spend more time out of doors, why not come down and hire out your own pond dipping kit? Starting next weekend, our pond dipping and minibeast hunting kits will be available to hire for the public. Both these activities are great for families, and particularly fun for the intrepid explorer no matter their age.

(Photo credit: Aaron Bhambra)