This coming Sunday, July 30, the Waters’ Edge Visitor Centre and Country Park is giving everyone the opportunity to get out and enjoy their local countryside while learning about the wildlife that calls it home.  The park will be hosting its biggest event of the year; a family focused, activity filled Wildlife Day. To get involved and support local wildlife, just pop along to the Waters’ Edge in Barton between 10am and 5pm on Sunday. Most events are free and it’s a great day out.

Special events will be taking place throughout the day, all over the country park and the centre itself for children and adults alike. See noble birds of prey in all their airborne glory, watch really wild drama courtesy of Rhubarb Theatre, go bug hunting, make pottery snails and garden plaques in the Activity Zone and learn about bees, woodlands, flowers and natural medicines during a range of walks and talks throughout the day.

The highlight of the day is the Willow Falconry grand finale at 3.45pm, giving visitors the chance to watch in awe as magnificent birds of prey swoop through the sky above the park. Of course, the falconry area will give visitors the chance to get close and learn about these majestic creatures throughout the day. A number of different nature trails will help visitors get to grips with different aspects of the country park while enjoying breath-taking views that surround it.

There’s loads to get involved with in the activity and exhibition zones, from crafts to education to all out fun. A range of charities and trusts will be on site with exhibition displays for you to learn about, talk about and perhaps even support. Meanwhile, activities like bug hunting and pond dipping will help explorers young and old to get up close to the animals and plants that live in the park’s many habitats and find out more about them. There’s something for everyone and most activities are free.

An outdoor food and craft market will give visitors the chance to taste, touch and buy products from the area’s finest environmentally friendly producers. The Honeypot Cafe will also be serving home-made meals and the sundeck overlooking the pond outside is open to picnickers.

Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for Community Wellbeing, said: “Wildlife Day at Waters’ Edge in Barton is set to be a fantastic free day out for all the family.  Activities will be happening throughout the day for children to get involved in, including getting hands on with a range of animals and discovering the local wildlife.

“Last year, Wildlife Day was a huge success so we are expecting this year to be just as popular if not more.  Make sure you arrive early on the day to get booked on all the activities available to you and your family.”

To find out more, pick up the full programme of activities by visiting the Waters’ Edge Facebook page at www.facebook.com/watersedgebarton or by calling into the visitor centre.  Alternatively call 01652 631500 and a programme will be emailed out.

Some activities will require booking on the day so please arrive early to avoid disappointment as places are limited. Most of the activities are free but some may require a small donation.