This week saw the Reception children brave thunder and torrential rain to visit the wonderful Arundel Wetland Centre.
The sun was still shining when we arrived and our first activity was a boat ride around the wetlands. We glided through reed beds, past water lilies and under overhanging willow and aspen, spotting ducks, small fish and damselflies.
Back on dry land, we walked around the lakes, looking at pelicans, ducks and goslings and talked about how their bills are different shapes depending on what they eat. After a brief stop for a picnic lunch, the heavens opened and we sheltered under the trees, exploring the wetlands through our senses.
Finally, we thought about the smallest inhabitants of the wetlands. After hunting for minibeasts with pots and spoons (and finding a wide array of wildlife, from a spider with an egg sac to woodlice), a highlight of the day was a pond-dipping activity. Armed with nets, trays and spotter guides, the children carefully swirled their nets in the water, bringing up weed and water which they carefully deposited in their tray. When the weed had been removed, the remaining larvae, snails, worms and water boatmen were carefully transferred into pots for observation and identification using the spotter guides.
What a fabulous day out!
Mrs Harris
