Top 5 things to do this October half term

Visiting our wetlands in autumn can be truly amazing. But it's great to have an idea when visiting with family and friends of the best things to do while you're here.

With this in mind, we wanted to share our TOP 5 things to do this half term week!

1. Visit our feeding stations

As the colder weather sets in, Hawthorn wood hide and The Lookout burst with life as many woodland birds come to rely on these areas for food. Enjoy close up action from our busy feeding stations as colourful bullfinch, feisty robin, charismatic nuthatch, seasonal siskin and many MANY more birds enjoy flitting and feeding.

TOP TIP: Hawthorn wood hide guarantees great views of many birds and is the perfect place to begin bird watching with children. Be sure to pick up a hide guide to encourage everyone to spot and ID different birds!

2. Heighten your senses in Top Meadow

During autumn, many birds can be seen and heard enjoying the array of berries around Top Meadow and Spring Gill. Stand for a few minutes and absorb the wonderful sounds of nature. Redwing begin to arrive around this time, hungry jay search for acorns and flocks of long-tailed tit are often noisily moving along the treeline!

3. eek! Week interactive trail

A must-do for families, our eek! Week interactive trail is fun for all ages. Get absorbed into the weird and wonderful side of wetland nature and enjoy listening, smelling and feeling your way around our site. This just-for-fun activity takes you on a journey around our inner circle, so for those with younger children, it's a great incentive to urge them to take a few extra steps!

4. Go on a fungi hunt!

Fungi thrives on damp deadwood and this time of year is a great time to search for an array of different species. King Alfred's cakes, candlesnuff, turkeytail, scarlet elf cup and many more adorn our woodlands and Hollowood is a great place to start!

TOP TIP: Look around tree bases and tree stumps, and among fallen leaves for fungi as these are particular favourite spots!

4. Pond dipping (Mon, Tues and Wed 24-26 October)

Grab a net and explore the world underwater with our education team. These family-friendly pond dipping sessions are on from 1pm to 2.30pm as part of eek! Week. Visit the interactive Pondzone during these times and search for water snails, great diving beetles and their formidable larvae. A great activity sure to engage children and adults alike!

*BONUS TIP*

You simply MUST try some of our handmade cakes. Mini but mighty Victoria sponge cakes, doorstop brownies and flapjacks and various other tasty treats await and go perfectly with a cuppa, if we do say so ourselves. You won't be disappointed!

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