Really wild half-term at the Nature Discovery Centre

 

Really wild half-term at the Nature Discovery Centre for hundreds of families

Families from across West Berkshire flocked to the Nature Discovery Centre at Thatcham for really wild experiences with crocodiles, dinosaurs and lots of birds during half-term.

More than 1,800 people, almost a thousand of them children, visited the centre, which is now managed by the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust on behalf of West Berkshire Council. Senior Centre Ranger Angela Moore said: “February half- term is always a very busy time when the first signs of spring encourage victors to come out of hibernation!”

Among the really wild attractions were caiman, crocodiles and alligators, carefully handled by Terry Miles from Crocodiles of the World, who explained where these ancient creatures live, what they eat and how they are looked after at the zoo in Oxfordshire.

See photo attached of Martin Joyce (11) meeting a young alligator for the first time on 19 February!Martin Joyce (11) meets a young alligator at the Nature Discovery Centre. Pic: Becky O’Melia

Around 200 people joined in the Family Wildlife Day on 20 February with hands-on activities for children of all ages including a special wildlife tracking trail around the visitor centre, and bird masks to colour in. See main caption picture: Whooo’s behind the owl mask? A young visitor at the Family Wildlife Day. Pic: Becky O’Melia.

Many visitors went home with bird feeders, bird boxes and badges they had made. A giant bird mural was created with coloured ‘feathers’ carrying everyone’s hopes and wishes for spring: sunshine, butterflies and flowers were the most popular ‘spring wishes.

Crocodiles outlived dinosaurs, as visitors found out at the Dinodiscovery event on 22 February. Children followed a specially-laid trail around the lake to discover the answers to ‘dino-questions’. Back at the Nature Discovery Centre they found ‘dino-bones’ in the earth, which they fitted together to create a dinosaur shape they could colour in.

Find out more about what’s going on at the Nature Discovery Centre, visit www.bbowt.org.uk/whats-on

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is one of 47 Wildlife Trusts across the UK working to achieve the shared aim of securing a better future for wildlife. BBOWT’s vision is to create a region rich in wildlife and appreciated by all. BBOWT manages 85 nature reserves across the three counties, works with other agencies and individuals to help safeguard the wider countryside, and aims to inspire people to take action for wildlife. BBOWT has over 54,000 members. Find out more at www.bbowt.org.uk