Out & About July 2017

65 / 68

65
Get into the
Wildlife Zone
The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust is buzzing
with activities in August says WENDY TOBITT
for events throughout August
Pictures: Emma Bradshaw, Wendy Tobitt
If you’ve been to our Nature Discovery Centre at
Thatcham you’ll know that BBOWT looks after
our local wildlife and helps visitors have a great
time taking part in activities.
And that’s what we’re doing, on a bigger scale,
from August 3 to 6 in the Wildlife Zone at BBC
Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace.
BBOWT’s Wildlife Zone will be buzzing with
hints, tips and hands-on help for anyone who
wants to learn about or care for the wildlife
on their doorstep.
We’ve got bees, reptiles, storytelling, a
composting zone, scything demonstration and
kids can get their hands dirty making seed bombs
to take home.
Meet our pop-up experts on the Garden Stage
with their favourite animals. This is your chance
to ask lots of questions at the ‘show and tell’,
with snakes and other reptiles, amphibians and
spiders. Find out why a slow worm isn’t really a
worm and all about creepy crawlies.
Our fantastic partners in the Wildlife Zone have
lots of activities too.
The British Beekeepers Association will be
demonstrating how honey makes it out of the hive
and into the jar.
The British Trust for Ornithology will be giving
bird-ringing demonstrations. Thanks to this skilful
task we know so much more about how far birds
travel and how long they live. Come and see birds
closer than ever before and find out more about
their remarkable lives.
It isn’t summer without enjoying the sight of
butterflies flitting past. Upper Thames Butterfly
Conservation will be in the Wildlife Zone to show
you how you can help butterflies, while Buglife will
be discovering the rare and unusual beetles and
other bugs that live in the parkland at Blenheim
Palace.
BBC Countryfile Live is a full-on experience with
live arena shows, hands-on activities, animal
displays, debates, food, drink and shopping.
Book your tickets using the promotional code
BBOWT at
After the razzmatazz of that event you can get
even closer to your local wildlife at the Fantastic
Wildlife Friday sessions at the Nature Discovery
Centre on August 18 to make bug hotels, and on
August 25, to make bird feeders for your garden.
If you love bats, then book a walk with expert Dave
Endacott on August 18 or September 1 to stroll
around the lake at the Nature Discovery Centre
using bat detectors to tune into the squeaks,
splats and squirts of the different species as they
hunt for food.
BBOWT’s wildlife garden in the BBC Countryfile
Live Wildlife Zone
Tune in to bats
The Nature Discovery Centre’s
Becky O’Melia at BBC
Countryfile Live last summer
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL
WILDLIFE EVENTS
Wherever you are this summer, go wild with your local wildlife trust
OA outdoors