Nature reserves are great days out for the whole family, whether you've got little legs that need a stretch, pent up energy that needs to be let out, or a desire for a nice day out in the fresh air away from the school run, cooking tea and sorting out gym kits!
Here are just a few suggestions of where to go for a wildlife treat with the RSPB this easter but with over 200 reserves around the UK, there is bound to one on your doortsep and for a full list visit www.rspb.org.uk
Titchwell Marsh is one of the RSPB’s most visited reserves and has something for everyone whether they have little legs or are a seasoned birdwatcher!
A short walk from the visitor centre down to a sandy beach takes you past reedbeds and shallow lagoons, teeming with wildlife. After marvelling at the sounds and colours of birds from swallows to sedge warblers and other wildlife from the adorable water vole to the regal dragonflies you can tuck into your sandwiches and pop open your flask as the waves lap at the water’s edge.
Entry to this site is £4 per car and the visitor centre opens daily from 9.30am to 5pm. Tel: 01485 210779
Newport Wetlands is just ten minutes from the centre of Newport, Wales, offering a real haven for wildlife on the edge of the city but is a great place for people too with a new RSPB visitor centre, cafe, shop and children’s play area. Guided walks and children’s activities are available on the reserve, and when legs get weary and tummies start rumbling a drink and bite to eat can be enjoyed with lovely views across the reed beds. The outdoor children’s activity area has a 4m high simulation of the East Usk lighthouse for those budding seamen!
Enjoy great views of star species like the recognisable tuft of the lapwing and and unmistakable scream of the swift and grass snakes soaking up the sun as the weather improves. This weekend, you’ll be spoiled for choice with views of waders and if it gets a bit chilly, a slice of victoria sponge and a hot chocolate will be the perfect winter warmer!
Newport Wetlands is free to get in and free to get in and the coffee shop opens from 10am daily.
Bempton Cliffs is a real family favourite oop north and easily the best place in England to see, hear and smell seabirds! April to August is the best time to vist Bempton and as you arrive for an easter trip more than 200,000 seabirds will be a arriving to bring the cliffs to life, with adults bringing food to nests or young chicks making their first faltering flights.
Entry is free for RSPB members and £3.50 per car, £6 per minibus and £8 per coach.
The star of the show at Bempton is the puffin, the clown of the skies, and its beautiful colourings and funny behaviour can be enjoyed on special ‘puffin cruises’ by the whole family. These must be booked in advance as they are extremely popular.
Dungeness
Nothing can quite prepare you for this landscape – mile after mile of shingle, very wild and weird. Its a great place to let off steam and inhale endless fresh air! The reserve’s position, jutting into the English Channel, makes it a great place for wathcing migrant birds coming and going. This place is stunning with great nature trails and wildlife. Despite being in such a remote location its very child friendly and a great place to be a ‘wildlife explorer.’
Entry is free to RSPB members, £3 per adult otherwise, £2 for concessions and under 16s £1. The visitor centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Loch Garten Anyone wanting to head North of the border should go to Abernethy. When ospreys returned to breed in Scotland they chose this site and it is now world famous. Children are msmerized by the majestic and enormous frame of the osprey, especially when they hear how they were previously extinct. The reserve has some excellent walks, with the chance to see red squirrels, dragonflies and crested tits. In spring, the Capercaillie Watch is spectacular and the grouse’s courtship displays can be highly comical!
Entry is £3 per adult, £2 per concession and under 16s 50p.
Locah Garten is open daily from 10am-6pm from April to end of August. Last entry to the reserve is 5pm. The centre is also open daily for ‘caper-watch’ from 5.30am to 8am. This year it runs daily from 1 April to 21 May.
Rainham Marshes There aren’t many ancient landscapes left in London but this is one of them. These medieval marshes were closed to the public for over 100 years and used as a military firing range and even now the firing butts are still there and bullet shells are found from time to time. Its steeped in history and brilliant for wildlife and families. The eurostar whooshes past in the background and is exciting to see but bizarrely you can barely hear it and it has no impact on the birds at all. Its a true urban oasis and home of one of the largest colonies of ‘ratty’ the water vole.
Rainham has a new, innovative and sustainable Environment and Education centre and a great playground so you combine learning and playing all day long!
Entry to Rainham is £2.50 for non RSPB members and £1 per child. £7 per family.
Gemma Rodgers is the media officer for the RSPB and a supporter of the Hot Women Campaign, which raises awareness of global climate issues.
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