Top 5 for Families to Try 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.

With wildlife awaking and hatching 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.

1. Become a Duck Detective

Can you Quack the Clues to solve the case? Pick up a FREE Case File at the admission desk to follow the trail. As avian investigators, families need to track down the missing bird by finding feathery clues and footprints, then logging evidence in their Duck Detectives Case File!

2. 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 with her chicks on the nest

3. Take 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.

Book a family pond dipping session for up to six people at our admissions desk when you visit.

4. Pop into Pelican Cove

Say hello to our incredible Dalmatian Pelicans – the largest pelicans in the world with a 10 foot wingspan! See how do you measure up on the pelican wings sign. Meet one of our friendly Keepers at Pelican Cove each day a 2 pm. While feeding the birds they will talk all thing pelican and answer your questions about any of the amazing birds in the living collection at Arundel Wetland Centre.

Making a splash very graceful when trying to catch fish - photo by Tony Siddorn

5. Hands on Touch Table

Children are fascinated with close up views of nature. This April our Nature Touch Table features a variety of real bird’s nests, egg models, wings, feathers and more. Our friendly Learning Team shares their knowledge on all things spring! Plus stop at the craft table to create a crackin’ craft! Both activities are located in the Outlook building from 10 am-12:30 pm and 1-3:30 pm each day of the Easter holidays.

Close up views of real nests at the touch table with our Learning Team.

Bonus: Explore the Reedbed Willow Sphere

Surround yourself with wetland nature in the new Reedbed Willow Sphere. Everywhere you look you will see more in this beautiful work, woven by local environmental artist Mark Anthony Hayden Ford of Two Circles design. Enter the artwork and surround yourself with wildlife! Woven from willow, a traditional wetland material, this work has hidden harriers, lapwing, sand martins, herons and dragonflies. Can you find them all?

NEW: Wetland nature in the round - the Reedbed Willow Sphere

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 with children's sandwich boxes or sausage hot dogs. Browse gorgeous gifts, books, toys and bird care in our WWT gift shop.

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