RSPB Wildlife Explorers

See the foot of the page for some of our previous fun activities...

2024 Programme

Here is the remaining programme of events for the Sandwich Bay RSPB Wildlife Explorers and RSPB Phoenix Groups for 2024.

Before we detail what is planned for each month, we wanted to take the opportunity to provide a bit of info that may be of use:

• We do intend at some stage in the future to run separate Wildlife Explorer (WEX) and Phoenix (older young people) groups. This will enable us to invite in more children to join our WEX group and also to provide our Phoenix Group with more challenging and wider ranging activities. The limiting factor on this is adult volunteers – so if you are interested or know anyone who might be please do encourage them to contact Angela at the email address at the foot of the programme. Absolutely no expertise is needed – just an enthusiasm for spending 4-5 hours a month helping young people enjoy nature.
• We will venture outside in every session. REGARDLESS of weather! So please make sure your young person is supplied with coats, waterproofs, wellies, sun hats, sun creams etc. We usually eat lunch while out so a lunch box and drink in, ideally, a rucksack is perfect (and allows hands free for binoculars and cameras!).
• These RSPB WEX/Phoenix sessions are based at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory and most of the leaders and assistant leaders are involved with the Obs and have been for some time. The Bird Observatory has some great events ongoing all year – for both adults, families, and young people

Angela, Simon, Maisie, Ivan

July 27^th, 2024

@Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory

Butterflies (and other insects) – how many butterfly species can we record?

*************************

August 25^th, 2024

@Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory

More details to follow – a likely Sunday date to coincide with other events going on at the Bird Observatory!

*************************

September 28^th, 2024

@Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory

Fungi with a Fun Guy!

*************************

October 26^th, 2024

@Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve. From A256 CT12 5JB

More details to follow but we plan to be joining Birdwise Team East Kent in a battle to identify more bird species than our bitter rivals in North Kent.

*************************

November 30^th, 2024

@Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory

Wildlife preparing for winter survival.

*************************

December – no meeting!!

Our group of nature loving, wildlife watching, budding birders and keen conservationists, is one of the many RSPB youth groups who work together to connect young people to nature. All our sessions provide exciting first hand experiences of nature, games and craft activities. We meet the last Saturday of the month. every month (except at Christmas!) at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Field Centre.

The sessions, suitable for 8 to 12 year olds, start at 10am, finish at 2pm and only cost £3. Members need to bring their own lunch, a change of clothes for wet weather and sturdy walking shoes.

We track animals in the fields and woods, go scavenging on the beach and use our great binoculars to identify some of the many species of birds at Sandwich Bay. If you enjoy walking, bug hunting, pond dipping, exploring and learning about wildlife and creating with arts and crafts, you will love Wildlife Explorers.

The Saturday RSPB Wildlife Explorers and Phoenix Crew has a great session out at the Bay on the last Saturday of July where the focus was on insects. They used sweep nets and pooters (suction devices to temporarily catch and examine insects) and found and identified a wide range of insects including about 6 species of ladybird (one of which was a 22 spotted), a wide range of butterflies, some fascinating shield bugs and a cool pink form of meadow grasshopper.