After the dawn chorus on 17 May, the Gravesend RSPB group ran a family oriented ‘scavenger’ hunt activity at Northward Hill. Julie Peeling, our very own education field officer, was in her element and, together with her husband Chris (aka “the Sherpa” and chief plaster of Paris maker), the children (and adults) explored the environs around Bromhey Farm looking at the wildlife that makes its home there.
It was great fun! I particularly liked making the plaster of Paris casts of some footprints we found in a muddy section and, having left them to dry, they were surprisingly successful when we came to dig them out. Below are some photos of a few of the things we found and made.
At the end of the activity the children were given a leaflet on how to make nature a home in their garden, a bird id book and could choose a wildlife pin badge, as well as keep their pots and the things they had made and found. (The wildlife of course we had already released back to their individual homes.)
The session was well received and we hope to run more of these in our future programmes.
Paul.
Soldier beetle in a pot
Spider
Making tracks
Marsh Frog
What’s that?