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Learning Sessions

Our learning sessions have been updated for 2012.  Please scroll down to see what's on offer.  If you have any questions please email or call us - 01453 891223

Pond dipping

What lives in a pond?

Dip with nets in our wildlife ponds and explore the amazing animals you catch up-close and in detail using our digital microscope and ID guides. What do the animals look like and what do they do?

How do animals live in a pond?

Dip with nets and catch animals adapted to life underwater. Use our digital microscope to investigate their adaptations in detail and work out what the animals need and what they provide.

How does a wetland ecosystem work?

Find the plants and animals that live in our ponds, work out what they do, how they're connected and how they affect the pond.  Explore what would happen if key plants and animals were removed or introduced.  How would the ecosystem change?  

Feeding birds

What do birds eat?

Meet unique and unforgettable birds from around the world - spot ones you've never seen before.  Get up-close to feed them by hand and work out what they're eating.

How do birds find food?

Meet birds up-close and personally and feed them by hand. Discover what the birds are eating and observe their beaks in action. How and why are their beaks adapted for feeding?

Looking for birds

What are the differences between birds and me?

Meet real ducks - where will you find them?  Through storytelling and song discover what ducks like doing.  What do you and ducks have in common?

How do birds live in wetlands?

Find birds that live in wetlands.  Observe them first-hand in their natural habitats and investigate how they're perfectly adapted. What will you see them doing and why?

How do birds fly?

Handle real wings and feathers, watch birds in motion and find out what it takes to fly. Investigate how forces, shape and size make a difference. What will you discover?

Looking for wetland life

What lives in a wetland?

Meet real frogs - where will you find them?  Through storytelling and song explore the stages in a frog's lifecycle.  What happens first and where?

How do mammals live in wetlands?

See where real beavers live and meet otters in action. Watch how they behave and spot their adaptations.  How do these mammals use wetland habitats? What do they need and how can we help them?

Listening for wetland life

What does a wetland sound like?

Launch a sound enquiry outdoors.  Use your ears and our equipment including microphones and hydrophones to discover and capture live sounds above and below water.  What will you hear, what's making that sound and why?

Surveying habitats

What lives in this habitat?

Become a scientist and carry out a real-life survey. Using quadrats and transects identify and record the plants you find. How will you present your results, what do they show and do they confirm your predictions?

Exploring conservation

How can we get close to wildlife and look after it?

Become a wetland animal and investigate through role-play what it takes to protect you. Find out about our conservation work to help look after wetlands and wildlife and experience first-hand the techniques we use to bring people and wildlife together.  How and why do we do it and does it work?

How can we help migratory birds?

Spot migratory birds in their natural habitat. Watch what they're doing and explore why they've travelled thousands of miles to our centre. Uncover the challenges they face on their incredible journeys and how we can help to protect them.

Exploring sustainability

Where does my water come from and how can I look after it?

Experience real wetlands to discover where our freshwater comes from.   Explore the water cycle, what we do that affects it and how we can save water.  What can you do at home and at school and who and what will benefit?