Families can discover the UK’s greatest winter wildlife like never before this February half term by joining WWT Welney’s The Big Hideout.
This half term the bird hides have become hideouts with activities available to take part in and the enthusiastic team at Welney on hand to help you discover the joy of birdwatching. All the family can enjoy spotting birds from hides and viewpoints, taking inspiration from birds and getting creative as well as having fun making things to look after your birds at home. Experts on wetland nature will be on hand to help you discover many of the birds that flock to the centre from around the world in the colder months.
Families will be able to borrow binoculars and telescopes to see wildlife up close from the comfort of a bird hide from Sat 11-Sun 19 February. Families with young children can collect an explorer backpack complete with binoculars, winter birds spotter sheet and id chart to introduce the hobby of birdwatching. Parents, adults and older children can collect a winter bird spotter sheet which has more detail on the species, and hire binoculars from the gift shop.
As well as The Big Hideout there’s lots of other wild and wonderful activities for the whole family to discover this winter such as our at the commentated feeds – lookout for swans and diving ducks – trails to find out more about winter wildlife, relax to the soothing sights of flocks of waders and the opportunity to warm up with a hot drink.
Commentated swan feeds are at 12noon and 3.30pm daily with additional 6.30pm floodlit feeds on Saturdays and Sundays. The Big Hideout activities are available everyday of half term with some special activities taking place on specific days. These are:
Mon 13 Feb – Truck tours at 11am & 2pm
Tues 14 Feb – Paint a bird box at 10.30am & 1.30pm
Wed 15 Feb – Be part of the weekly bird log with the reserve team
Sat 18 Feb – Storytelling and book signing by Rachel Lawston, author of Mia Makes a Meadow and Finn’s Garden Friends
Emma Brand at WWT Welney said, ‘Welney is the perfect place to discover incredible winter wetland wildlife and it’s amazing what you can see when you hide in the right place. We’ve turned our bird hides into Hideouts for February half term to welcome families and help them experience the joy of bird watching, get away from screens and soak up the wild this winter. Take a peek at birdlife like you’re never seen it and enjoy the awe-inspiring spectacle of thousands of winter birds or have fun in our pond room with creative ways to share your love of birds with building bird feeders, planting sunflowers and more. Whatever you choose to do, it’s a great way to discover something new, have fun and make memories.’
Families can share their adventures by using #WWTBigHideOut to show off their best photos and experiences.
To find out more about what’s happening at WWT Welney this February half term visit the website here.
