That’ll Do Icely!
We had worked up quite a sweat clambering up the steep winding paths around Surprise view. So the site of an ice-cream van at the start of the second part of our expedition was most welcome! Armed with our mint choc chip and double choc cones, we headed off into the woodland.
We paused on a bridge over a babbling brook to finish our ice-creams and check our woodland logs to see what we had found so far.You can download your own copy of the Nature Detectives woodland log at http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/download/booklet_woodlandlog.htm. It lists a whole host of things to look out for on your woodland adventure.
One of the children asked if we would see any goats in the woodland. I asked why she thought that might see a goat. She talked to me about how when she was in the countryside in Pakistan, she saw lots of goats. I explained that although we do see goats in the countryside in the UK, they were a farm rather than a woodland animal. This provoked a discussion among the children about different animals and their habitats.
A little further along the path, we spotted what looked like a den hiding amongst the pine and oak trees. We decided to scramble down the banking to investigate. It turned out to be a rather impressive teepee style den fashioned from pine branches SS made it to the den first She shouted to the rest of the group "Look, it's been made from pine trees, you can tell because it's got pine cones on it". SS posed for a photo inside the den before we continued on our way. As yet, we had not managed to to track down any woodland mammals but there was certainly evidence of their presence. SS spotted some pine cones that had been nibbled by squirrels. We even found a tree stump that looked like it had been used as a squirrel’s dining table. Next we noticed some large animal prints in the boggy soil. The print had five toes and a kidney shaped pad mark. So may have been that of a badger?
We Found a Cracking Swing
As we looked up towards the canopy of the woodland we spotted a rope swing hanging from the bough of a tree. It was close to our time to return to school, but we couldn’t resist having a quick swing before we left. SS could just about reach the swing at full stretch and proved to be a champion rope swinger. Unfortunately, the other children didn’t get chance to have a swing as someone managed to break the stick in two that was threaded through the rope! I have never seen NK giggle so much, at the sight of me flat out on the forest floor! I am sure someone switched the stick for a thinner one when I wasn’t looking! Unfortunately, the camera had run out of batteries by this time, so my ‘You Tube’ moment wasn’t captured for all eternity (thank goodness).
On our way back to the car, we spotted a swathe of bluebells, but time had beaten us, so will have to save that adventure for next time.
We had worked up quite a sweat clambering up the steep winding paths around Surprise view. So the site of an ice-cream van at the start of the second part of our expedition was most welcome! Armed with our mint choc chip and double choc cones, we headed off into the woodland.
We paused on a bridge over a babbling brook to finish our ice-creams and check our woodland logs to see what we had found so far.You can download your own copy of the Nature Detectives woodland log at http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/download/booklet_woodlandlog.htm. It lists a whole host of things to look out for on your woodland adventure.
One of the children asked if we would see any goats in the woodland. I asked why she thought that might see a goat. She talked to me about how when she was in the countryside in Pakistan, she saw lots of goats. I explained that although we do see goats in the countryside in the UK, they were a farm rather than a woodland animal. This provoked a discussion among the children about different animals and their habitats.
A little further along the path, we spotted what looked like a den hiding amongst the pine and oak trees. We decided to scramble down the banking to investigate. It turned out to be a rather impressive teepee style den fashioned from pine branches SS made it to the den first She shouted to the rest of the group "Look, it's been made from pine trees, you can tell because it's got pine cones on it". SS posed for a photo inside the den before we continued on our way. As yet, we had not managed to to track down any woodland mammals but there was certainly evidence of their presence. SS spotted some pine cones that had been nibbled by squirrels. We even found a tree stump that looked like it had been used as a squirrel’s dining table. Next we noticed some large animal prints in the boggy soil. The print had five toes and a kidney shaped pad mark. So may have been that of a badger?
We Found a Cracking Swing
As we looked up towards the canopy of the woodland we spotted a rope swing hanging from the bough of a tree. It was close to our time to return to school, but we couldn’t resist having a quick swing before we left. SS could just about reach the swing at full stretch and proved to be a champion rope swinger. Unfortunately, the other children didn’t get chance to have a swing as someone managed to break the stick in two that was threaded through the rope! I have never seen NK giggle so much, at the sight of me flat out on the forest floor! I am sure someone switched the stick for a thinner one when I wasn’t looking! Unfortunately, the camera had run out of batteries by this time, so my ‘You Tube’ moment wasn’t captured for all eternity (thank goodness).
On our way back to the car, we spotted a swathe of bluebells, but time had beaten us, so will have to save that adventure for next time.
Another fantastic instalment of nature discovery.
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