peterborough wildlife festival

Events Programme 23 - 30 May 2015

Welcome to the Wildlife Festival Peterborough’s first Wildlife Festival has a packed programme of events

and activities throughout the week at various locations across the city.

Come along to discover the wonderful wildlife that is on our doorstep and the

amazing conservation work that local organisations do in order to protect and

preserve the homes of these animals, birds and plants.

Free events are happening throughout the week so keep an eye out for this logo on the event listings

Please note that many of the organisations are registered charities and receive little or no government

funding. If you would like to make a donation to help towards to the costs of running the event then

please do. All donations are gratefully received! Keep up to date with the latest information...

#pbwildlifefest on Twitter for all the latest news and information about

Peterborough’s first ever Wildlife Festival!

Free Event

All this week at Ferry Meadows Country Park No need to book just turn up to enjoy ...

Captains’ Folly Boat Ride

Take a boat ride around

Overton Lake to discover the

wildlife that lives in and around

the water of Ferry Meadows

Country Park. Spotter Sheets

available.

(£2.50 for children up to 16

years, £5.00 for adults)

Visitor Centre

Pop into our Visitor Centre to

view the sightings board and

watch live camera feeds from

our tern islands on the lake or

our nest boxes within the park.

This is also your one stop shop

for wildlife related gifts for all

ages.

(Open 10am - 5pm throughout

half term)

Wildlife Detective Trail

Collect a trail sheet from the

Visitor Centre then hunt for

clues as you walk around Ferry

Meadows. Return to the Visitor

Centre to claim your prize.

(50p trail sheet)

Ferry Meadows Miniature

Railway

Enjoy a short miniature train

ride across Ferry Meadows to

see how much wildlife you can

spot.

(£1.50 adult/child single, £2.00

child return, £2.50 adult return)

Ferry Meadows Café and

Lakeside Kitchen and Bar

After all the fun activities you

have joined in you’ll be ready

for some refreshments, so

head down to one of the park

cafes for a selection of hot and

cold drinks and refreshments,

some have a wildlife theme!

Lakeside @ Ferry Meadows

Why not hire a boat yourself

and get out onto the lake to see

what wildlife you can spot?

(Please call 01733 230291 for

more information, availability

and prices)

Notcutts Garden Centre

Pop into the Garden Centre at

the entrance to the Country

Park to join in a free search for

wildlife, follow clues and claim

your prize. Staff will be happy

to answer questions about

plants good for wildlife and you

can stock up on bird food,

nest boxes and other ways to

encourage wildlife at home.

Saturday 23 May

Events throughout the week...

Peterborough Rivercare

Group

10:00am - 4:00pm

Join some volunteers from

Peterborough Rivercare Group for

an introduction and demonstration of

some of the work they do along the

River Nene. You will also get the

opportunity to volunteer with the

group and see first-hand how the

work carried out has a positive

impact on local wildlife

Suitable: Aged 18 years and above

Meeting point: Peterborough

Embankment

Easy access: Yes

Booking required: Yes

Please call 07738061408 or email

[email protected]

Free Event

Sunday 24 May Monday 25 May

Peterborough Bird Club

11:00am - 12:30pm

Join Peterborough Bird Club for

a walk around Ferry Meadows

identifying birds that visit

Suitable: All ages & all bird

watching abilities welcome

Meeting point: Visitor Centre,

Ferry Meadows Country Park

Easy access: Yes

Booking required: Booking not

required, limited places, arrive

early to avoid disappointment

Free Event

Hawk & Owl Trust

11:00am - 4:00pm

Find out more about conservation

work for these beautiful birds

Suitable: All ages



Easy access: Yes

Booking required: No

Free Event

Nature Tots

10:00am - 11:30am

A nature themed session which

includes a craft activity, outdoor

session and story and song

time.

Suitable: 2years - 4years

Meeting point: Discovery Den,


Easy access: Yes


Book early to avoid

disappointment!

Events throughout the week... Monday 25 May

Froglife Guided Walk

7:00pm - 9:00pm

A behind the scenes walk at

nationally important Hampton

Nature Reserve managed by

Froglife. We will ramble in the

wilderness, hunt for reptiles and

amphibians and enjoy the

wonderful outdoors

Suitable: 8 years +

Meeting point: Junction between

Hargate Way and Nature’s Way

Easy access: No

Advisory information: Rough

terrain, wear sturdy footwear

Booking required: Please call

01733 602102 or email

[email protected]

Tuesday 26 May

Tree Climbing

11:00am - 3:00pm

Join Nene Park Trust

Rangers and have a go at

climbing an ancient Elm tree

Suitable: Children aged

3years+. Children must be able

to fit into the harness to be able

to join in the activity



Easy access: No

Booking required: Limited

availability, timed slots on

arrival

Free Event

RSPB

11:00am - 4:00pm

Pop in to see RSPB and find out

more about giving nature a home

Suitable: All ages



Easy access: Yes


Free Event

Free Event

Ferry Meadows

Bird Race

8.30am - 11:30am

Come down to Ferry Meadows

and see how many different

species of birds you can spot .

This is a great chance to

improve your bird identification

skills and have some fun !

Suitable: All ages



Easy access: Yes

Free Event

Tuesday 26 May


Kingsdyke Trust Open Day

12:00 noon - 8:00pm

Come down and enjoy a fun-filled

day exploring the wildlife on your

doorstep! Activities include snake

handling, fossil hunting, bird

watching, pond dipping and many

more

Suitable: All ages. Children must

be accompanied by an adult

Meeting point: Events Marquee,

Kingsdyke Nature Reserve

Easy access: Restrictions for

some activities and areas of the

reserve. Please call 01553

630842 for more information


Free Event

Look out for further events at

Kingsdyke Nature Reserve.

Special Events to be announced!

Please call 01553 630842 for

further information

Bat Walk

9:00pm - 10:30pm

Join Nene Park Trust’s

Conservation Officer and

Peterborough City Council’s

Wildlife Officer on a night time bat

walk around Ferry Meadows

Country Park


be accompanied by an adult.



Easy access: Yes


Please call 01733 453543 or email

[email protected]

An Evening with Froglife

and Buglife

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Ever wondered how bugs talk to

each other or just what our

amphibians and reptiles are up to

at this time of year? A light hearted

evening of talks by Buglife and

Froglife





Easy access: Yes


Please call 01733 201210 or email

[email protected]

Free Event

Free Event

Bug Hunt

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Join the charity Buglife for a bug

hunt around Ferry Meadows

Suitable: All ages



Easy access: Yes

Booking required: No, drop in

event

Free Event

Wednesday 27


Bird Watching for

Beginners

12:00 noon- 1:00pm

Matthew Merrit from Bird

Watching Magazine will be

hosting an introduction to

identifying birds by sight and

sound

Suitable: All ages



Easy access: Not suitable for

buggies or dogs

Booking required: Booking not

required, limited places, arrive

early to avoid disappointment

Free Event

Wildlife Trust

9:30am - 4:00pm

Join the Wildlife Trust in Ferry

Meadows to find out more

about the work they do and

how you could help

Suitable: All ages



Easy access: Yes


Free Event

Wild Wednesday

10:00am - 2:00pm

Children and adults are

welcome to join in some

seasonal and wild crafts

Suitable: All ages. Children

must be accompanied by an

adult

Meeting point: Discovery Den,


Easy access: Yes

Booking required: No, drop-in

event

Free Event

Swaddywell Geology Tour

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Join the Langdyke Trust for a

tour of Swaddywell Pit, a nature

reserve that was formally a

limestone quarry from Roman

times until 1970s

Suitable: All ages

Meeting point: Main car park,

situated between Marholm and

Ufford, via Stamford Stone

entrance

Easy access: Not suitable for

buggies or wheelchairs.

Advisory information: Some of

the tour will be over uneven

ground, please wear suitable

footwear. Dogs must be kept on

a lead

Cost to participants: £3 per

person


Meeting Magical

Mammals

10:00am - 11:30am

A short walk discovering small

mammals that live in the park

Suitable: All ages



Easy access: Yes

Booking required: Yes please

call 01733 234193

Free Event

Thursday 28 May


Discovering Dragonflies

11:00 am - 12.:30pm

Join the British Dragonfly

Society on a gentle walk

looking for these remarkable

creatures

Suitable: All ages



Easy access: Yes

Booking required: No, limited

places, please arrive early to

avoid disappointment

Free Event

Kingsdyke Trust Open Day

12:00noon - 8:00pm

Come down and enjoy a fun-filled

day exploring the wildlife on your

doorstep! Activities include snake

handling, fossil hunting, bird

watching, pond dipping and many

more!



Meeting point: Events Marquee,

Kingsdyke Nature Reserve

Easy access: Restrictions for

some activities and areas of the

reserve. Please call 01553

630842 for more information.


Look out for further events at

Kingsdyke Nature Reserve.

Special Events to be announced!


further information.

Discover Wild Food

6:00pm - 7:15pm

Get tips on collecting and

identifying wild food on this

guided walk with Nene Park

Trust’s Visitor Services Officer,

David Radley

Suitable: 12 years +



Easy access: Yes



more information and to book a

space.

Free event

Hogweeds Trail

10.00 am

A trail of wildlife discovery and

fun for children and their families

at Ferry Meadows. Come along

to discover all kinds of fascinat-

ing facts and have lots of fun!

Suitable: 8—12 year olds with

parents, sorry no dogs



Advisory information: Please wear outdoor clothes which can get a little muddy!

Booking required: Yes Please

call 01733 687515 or email

Amanda.brookes

@wildlifebcn.org

Free Event

Free Event

Friday 29 May


Walk with a Ranger

10:00am - 12 noon

A 'behind the scenes' walk, looking at work carried out in the park recently to encourage wildlife and make the park an even better place for all our visitors. Led by Deputy Head Ranger, Andrew MacDermott

Suitable: All ages



Easy access: Yes


Please call 01733 234193 to

reserve a place

Free Event

Moth Trapping

8:30pm - late

Join Buglife in exploring the

amazing moths that flourish at

Ferry Meadows during the night.

We’ll use a light trap to attract

the moths from the nearby trees

and fields, then use picture

guides to help identify the

different species.

Suitable: All ages



Easy access: Yes

Booking required: Yes, please

call 01733 201210 or email

[email protected]

Free Event

Guided Wildlife Walk at

Castor Hanglands

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Experience the sights and sounds

of wonderful wildlife and hear

more from the Reserves Manager

about the important nature

conservation work carried out by

Natural England

Suitable: All ages

Meeting point: Southey Woods

car park at TF111023, Upton

Road.

Easy access: May not be suitable

for all, please call for details

Advisory information: Please

wear suitable footwear and

clothing. Binoculars and cameras

are encouraged.


Please call 0300 060 4954 or

email

[email protected]

Free Event

Southey Woods Car Park (Forestry Commission) at TF 111 023 on the Upton Road. 7pm start

Grand Finale… Saturday 30 May 11am - 4pm Make your way to Ferry Meadows for a whole day full of wildlife fun!

Nene Park Trust

Tours of the wildlife garden, by

Trust Gardener, Gareth Lorman

looking at recent improvements

and offering gardening tips and

advice. Tours at 11am, 1pm,

2pm and 3pm.

Buglife

Bug Hunts will be happening

throughout the day,

run by the

invertebrate charity

Buglife. Drop in to

their info stand

anytime in the day

Peterborough

Environment City Trust

Join PECT for a one hour guided

walk looking at some of the trees

that can be found within Nene

Park. Meet at the Visitor Centre

at 12 noon

Kings Dyke Nature

Reserve

Information stand with activities

for adults and children alike

including; owl pellet dissections,

quizzes with prizes and wildlife

crafts.

The Wildlife Trust

Make your own

bird feeder and

paint plaster cast

insects and flowers

at the Wildlife

Trust’s stall

Bird Watching Magazine

Information about

the magazine and

it’s activities. Editor

Matt Merritt will be

on hand to offer

advice on birds,

birdwatching and

optics.

Hawk & Owl Trust

Information stand with a

selection of small birds of prey

items for sale.

Ferry Meadows Miniature

Railway

All aboard the Ferry Meadows

Railway! Take a short miniature

train ride across Ferry Meadows

to see how much different

wildlife you can spot.

(£1.50 adult/child single, £2.00

child return, £2.50 adult return)

The Captain’s Folly

Take a boat ride around Overton

Lake to spot the different wildlife

that lives in and around the

water within Ferry Meadows

Country Park. Spotter Sheets

available.

(£2.50 for children up to 16

years, £5.00 for adults)

Free Event

Free Event

Free Event

Free Event Free Event

Free Event

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter...

#pbwildlifefest


Have a go looking through some

binoculars over the

lake to see what

birds you can spot

and have a chat

with members of


Get Hooked on Fishing

Have a go sessions for beginners

and returners, including top tips

from existing anglers. Pop along

any time between

10:30am - 4:00pm

at Orton Pond.

£1 per 30 minute

session

GeoPeterborough

Have you got any rocks or

fossils that you’d like identifying?

Bring them along to the

GeoPeterborough stand for

information and advice

Natural England

Chat to specialist staff who can

offer an insight to the work that

Natural England carries out to

benefit wildlife

and people in and

around

Peterborough

RSPB

RSPB will be providing

information and a

display of the work

that they do, giving

nature a home

Froglife

Come along and see a section of

the Nene Dragon

Finder ‘Mapestry’

and help to

complete it by

drawing and

cutting out fabric

Great Fen

Project

Discover more about this exciting

project & a chance to make fat

balls for birds or painting bugs

Free Event

Free Event

Free Event

Free Event

Free Event

Free Event

The Wildlife Festival Group The Festival is brought to you by a group of local organisations. They are all

charities and welcome your involvement and support in caring for and enjoying

our local wildlife

Nene Park Trust

Nene Park Trust is a local charity

that manages over 1,700 acres

of land to the west of

Peterborough at no cost to the

taxpayer, including the 500 acre

Ferry Meadows Country Park.

Buglife

A British based nature

conservation charity

headquartered in Peterborough.

Saving the small things that run

the planet.

The Wildlife

Trust

Bringing people together to take

action for wildlife is the Trust's

mission. The local Wildlife Trust

for Bedfordshire,

Cambridgeshire and

Northamptonshire cares for

reserves and offers local

activities.

Thank you

To all the organisations and

individuals who have contributed

to the first Peterborough Wildlife

Festival.

Thank you also to all those who

have come along to events, we

hope it has inspired you to enjoy

wildlife and get more involved

locally.

Photo credits

Thanks to Chris Porsz, Paul

Gallagher, Chris Park and

Ashley Wheal for use of their

photographs.

Froglife

Froglife is a national wildlife charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles – frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards – and saving the habitats they depend on

Also happening in

Peterborough

The Green Festival run by the independent charity Peterborough Environment City Trust, is also happening from 23 –31 May with a programme of wider sustainability topics and activities.

Financial Support

We are especially grateful to the

Big Lottery Fund for their

financial support for

Peterborough Wildlife Festival

peterborough wildlife festival

Documents