Top 10 to try during Easter holiday weekend
Our tips on things to try during your family visit this April.
Spring is an exciting time to discover the wonder of wetlands. Warmer weather and brighter days bring new life bursting forth in a green landscape. Wildlife awakens and hatches out. It’s a memory-making day out for everyone. Here are some suggestions to get the most from your family day out at Arundel Wetland Centre this April.
Follow the Easter Duck Trail
Come and have a quacking time and crack the clues to find the dozen bright yellow, cheeky ducks that are hiding around our wetlands.Pick up a free trail card when you arrived, then look high and low for the ducky dozen When you've quacked the case collect a sticker from the admission desk!
Search for New Life
Look out for newly hatched greylag geese goslings, mallard ducklings and coot chicks around the pathways and ditches around the centre in April. Birds are nesting this month too! Find a nest box around the reserve to watch for a while – can you see birds going inside with nesting material or food for chicks? Grass snakes are on the move as well; sometimes you can spot them swimming in the water!
Coot and chicks on the nest
Try a Pond Dip
Join our Learning Team at the Raised Pond to uncover incredible underwater life with a net and tray. Family dipping sessions for up to six people run in the morning and afternoon each day. Book at the admissions desk - a £3 donation per family to help us cover costs would be gratefully appreciated.
Pop into Pelican Cove
Say hello to our incredible Dalmatian Pelicans – the largest pelicans in the world with a 10 foot wingspan! Meet one of our friendly Keepers at Pelican Cove each day a 2 pm. They will answer your questions about Nebula, Rogue, Storm and Valkyrie - our four female Pelicans and any of the other amazing birds from the living collection at Arundel Wetland Centre.
Keeper Ben calls pelicans for fish
Discover a kingfisher family
This newly refurbished Discovery hide for families offers a lovely view of kingfishers using the nesting bank on the Arun Riverlife Lagoon. This is the third year a pair of kingfishers are nesting in this spot! Look out for these beautiful blue and orange birds on the perches over the water or coming and going from a nest hole near the bottom of the bank.
Kingfisher taking fish to feed young. Photo: Mike Jerome
Selfie Spot
Get you brood together in our giant nest for an Easter selfie! Normally the nest is used in term time school sessions with our Generation Wild program https://www.wwt.org.uk/our-work/projects/generation-wild/ . It is located opposite the Coastal Creek aviary.
All aboard a Boat Safari
The best way to experience wetlands is by boat. See nature at its most tranquil with a wildlife guide. What will you spot on this specially guided wetlands trail through the reedbed? The boats are accessible to manual wheelchairs. Book your trip at the Admission Desk for £3 per person on the day of your visit.
Create a Crackin’ Easter Craft
Drop into the Outlook In building to make a wibbly caterpillar, a lovey Easter basket or crackin’ card. Plus there’s lots to cut and colour. Our friendly Learning Team are on hand to help. Hours vary so check the What’s On board in centre for times each day.
Say hello to some fine feathered friends
Our wetlands are home to so many different, beautiful ducks. They are extra flamboyant at this time of year, as the male ducks show off their bright breeding feathers. Some will be sitting on nest in green wooden nest boxes, along pathways or wild in the water (coots & moorhens). Take the time to look closely, be in the moment and marvel at our feathered friends to make the most of your spring visit and lift your mood.
Wood duck
Play!
We all need an outdoor adventure every now and then. Embrace the joy of playing outside in our wonderful wild wetlands! We have put little suggestions around to immerse your family in wetland nature – look up, look down, look at clouds, listen for birds, touch a tree!
Explore wetlands with a ramble in the Meadow Maze to visit the honey bee’s bug hotel. Wander the twists and turns of the Reedbed boardwalk surrounded by towering reeds. Go wild in our new Pond Skater play area on wonderful wooden walkways, scramble nets, bird houses and seesaws.
The new Pond skaters play area
A visit to Arundel Wetland Centre is a full, fun, family day out. Bring a picnic for outdoor eating or try the Water’s Edge Café. The WWT gift shop has books, bird care and sustainable gifts with seasonal themes.
Ready to visit? If you've been inspired to explore Arundel Wetland Centre, find out more and book your visit online.
