Wildlife Activities in August
Our Wildlife Activity event that took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, proved a little quieter this month as inevitably, families were making the most of the dry weather and last school summer holiday weekend, before the big return to school. We did not manage to start off our preparations as planned, with both gazebos failing to work. This meant we were unable to hang our beautifully painted butterflies and some newly ‘hatched’ caterpillar images from the gazebo framework, so the nearby trees displayed all sorts of new colourful species. Sitting below them were plenty of young children all producing their own images of butterflies, using symmetrical patterns, copying from information provided, or creating their own, including some brightly coloured “ Very Hungry” looking Caterpillars. It was wonderful to watch a table crammed with both girls and boys happily working alongside each other, giving their parents a break whilst out in the park!
As per usual, the deer antlers drew much attention, offering the opportunity for visitors to appreciate their weight, feel the various textures and learn that these antlers fall off each year and what happens as the antlers grow. Most adults are amazed at the information we pass on.
And once again, being able to offer the park’s own peat free compost to either sow seeds or plant bulbs, our young visitors proudly left us clutching a newly planted crocus bulb in a sustainable pot that can be planted directly into their gardens, or within a more decorative pot on a balcony or kitchen window. Plus they also took away a copy of our Bingo Nature Trail hunt, providing them with an exciting activity when they next visit the park, seeking all that is on the sheet to be found.
One little girl was terribly excited at finding a small snail upon her mother’s mobile phone and proudly showed everyone attending our event. I am not too sure the snail remained at The Wildlife Centre; there was no way she wanted to say goodbye to it!
All being well, our gazebos will be repaired and we aim to hold our September event on Saturday 25th September 1pm – 4pm.