10 naturally-fun things to enjoy this Spring

If you go down to the Old West River this springtime, you will see signs of the new season. From marsh marigolds to cherry blossom, frogspawn, mad march hares and cuckoos.

Our nature experts from the New Life on the Old West team have chosen 10 wonderful activities for children and adults of all ages to enjoy. Tell us all about what you do and see on social media using the hashtag #NewLifeOldWest – we’d love to hear from you!

 

1. Make your garden wildlife friendly: Here are 3 tips to make your own green space a safe haven for wildlife.

Go native: Include native species in your garden. Plant bee and insect-friendly seeds now ready for late spring/summer

Be wild:  Don’t tidy up! What some people call weeds, wildlife calls dinner

Add water:  A pond is great but even a shallow bowl on the floor will help a hedgehog, or make a birdbath.

 

2. Go bird watching at Ouse Fen: For a real adventure, head around the six mile Reedbed Trail at Ouse Fen. This was once a working quarry which is now a haven for birdlife. See great crested grebes perform courtship displays, hear bitterns booming and skylarks singing. You may even spot sky-dancing marsh harriers high above Britain’s biggest reedbed.

 

3. Join a toad patrol!

Toads will wake up from their winter sleep in March and migrate to their favourite breeding pond – even risking their lives crossing roads. For a few weeks, some people patrol roads where amphibians are known to cross and help them cross the road safely using buckets. Read more here or join in a local toad patrol by contacting Froglife.

 

4. Look out for mad March hares. You’re most likely to spot them on grassy or arable fields, near to woodland fringes or hedgerows where they can seek shelter. Get up early and you might spot two hares boxing – females instigate this to fend off amorous males!

 

5. Anglesey Abbey is full of adventures waiting to happen, whether you want to enjoy the Woodland Play Area, build a den in the woods, or climb the treehouse. This year there’s an Easter Trail to enjoy too. Pre-booking is essential.

 

6. Challenge yourself to see how many yellow flowers you can spot. Primroses, coltsfoot, lesser celandine, marsh marigolds, dandelions, daffodils, groundsel and cowslips can all be spotted flowering at this time of year.

 

7. Whether out and about or closer to home, capture wildlife in action or an image that perfectly sums up springtime for you. Share with us using the hashtag #newlifeoldwest or email to us at info@newlifeoldwest.org.uk. Our photo competition is launching soon so watch out for more details!

 

8. Keep your eyes peeled at your local pond for frog or toad mating balls and the ensuing frog/toad spawn. Can you draw pictures, or carefully photograph them from above or underwater using a waterproof housing over your camera?

 

9. Explore a world full of tiny creatures – the minibeasts! Can you spot a wolf (spider), dragon (fly) or tiger (moth) in your green patch? From beautiful butterflies and dainty ladybirds to slimy slugs and impressive shield bugs, look under logs and rocks, beneath pots, on leaves, in the grass and on walls to find them.

Teachers: here’s a lesson plan to help  and here’s a guide to creating a bug hotel.

 

10. Become a nature volunteer. No matter what your age, we need your help to tell us what wildlife is living near you. Once a month spending a few minutes reviewing plants and animals. Training provided. If you can help, please email Olivia at info@newlifeoldwest.org.uk

 

 

New Life on the Old West (NLOW) is a Heritage Lottery-funded programme delivering small-scale habitat improvements across the Cambridgeshire Fens. If you’d like to become a volunteer doing something as simple as counting wildlife spotted on a monthly walk or supporting community activities, do get in touch via info@newlifeoldwest.org.uk     

 

Choose to get outside and enjoy our wonderful Fens this Spring – there really is lots to discover and do.