Winter family weekend activities

Find out how our wetland wildlife will be spending the winter. Some animals migrate, some hibernate, but there's still plenty to see around the reserve, like this colourful shoveler.

Listen to a hibernation story, look for migrating birds and see what's living beneath the surface of the pond.

You'll also have the chance to make your own paper, adding seeds and natural materials.

Family weekend activities
10.30am - 11am Storytelling: Hibernation
At this time of year some of our British mammals will be hiding away, resting until warmer weather returns and food is more readily available. Listen to our hibernation story and make a hibernating hedgehog to take home. Suitable for children under 7. Voluntary donation to cover cost of materials. Tower.

11.15am - 12.15pm Crafts: Papermaking
Paper has a historical connection with wetlands dating back to ancient Egypt. The word "paper" is derived from "Papyrus", a wetland sedge whose pith was used to produce a writing material. Nowadays paper is made from trees, and one way to help the environment by cutting down fewer trees is to recycle paper. Join us to make your own real recycled paper by hand, adding seeds and other natural materials found in the wetlands. Suitable for children aged 7 and over. £1 to cover cost of materials. Tower.

12.30pm - 1pm Pond dipping
Even in winter there's plenty going on beneath the surface of the pond. Use a net to find out what animals live under the water. Pond zone.

2pm Migration Walk
Come on our special walk to look for winter birds and find out why some birds don't stay in one place all year round. This is a fun look at migration: why birds migrate, where they go, and how do they do it? Suitable for any age but best for those aged over 7. Free with admission to the Centre. Courtyard.

3.30pm - 4pm Pond dipping
As above.

Image: Shoveler - Tom Hines