Day 33 Is it a frog, is it a toad ........

It's the last weekend of the holidays so why don't you make the most of it and go outside, run around, feel the wind in your hair, the rain or sun on your face (you never know which it will be these days!), cartwheel on the grass and jump around!

If you're looking for somewhere to go, you could try Stockwood Open Space, with it's open grassland, woodland, hedges and ponds, it's a haven for wildlife and a playground for young adventurers. Look out for frogs, toads and newts around the ponds, particularly if it's wet when you go. Not sure how to identify a frog from a toad? Then use Froglife's identification guide to help you. Pondering over what type of newt you have found? Then check out the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation group's website to help clarify your smooth newt from your palmate newt.

If you explore the woodlands then keep your eyes open for tawny owl pellets. Owls, like other birds of prey, cannot digest all of their food so they compress the feathers, fur and bones of their prey in their gullet and regurgitate it as a pellet. Tawny owls, who like to live in the woods, produce grey, loosely packed pellets about the size of a thumb and these can be found below feeding spots such as a tree stump or fence post. If you do find one, soak it in a little water and prize it apart with a cocktail stick or toothpick. You can then be a detective and discover the bones of whatever little creature has been the owls last meal. It could be a vole or mouse, maybe a shrew or even a bat. A good guide to dissecting owl pellets can be found here, see how many animals your owl had for his tea. Did you know...that when tawny owls make their twit twoo sound, it's actually a male and female calling to each other?

Finally, why not take some photos or draw some pictures whilst your out and about, you could take them into school when you go back and tell your class all about your adventures. Hope you had a great holiday!

Day 11 : Wildflower and Butterfly walk at Dolebury Warren

Walk through the rolling meadows of Dolebury Warren near Churchill taking in the stunning views across the Mendips. To discover all the best bits about this reserve in summertime download this walk which will make sure you don't miss any of the highlights which include an iron age hill fort, a medieval rabbit warren, prime viewpoints and meadows brimming with unusual wildflowers and rare butterflies.

You can help butterflies by stopping off along the way to do the Big Butterfly Count survey - just download this easy butterfly spotting sheet and find a spot to relax, you'll be amazed at how many butterflies pass you by in just 15 minutes! (don't forget to submit your butterfly count online later).

It's also worth keeping an look out for buzzards which are often seen soaing over the slopes of Dolebury Warren and the surrounding Mendips.

For directions and details about this special Avon Wildlife Trust nature reserve click here.

Day 10 - WildAbout play scheme

If you're aged 8-12 don't forget to book a place on next week's forest school play scheme in association with Bristol Zoo, so that you can properly get out into the wilds and have some fun. WildAbout hosts summer holiday activities in a beautiful, secluded, private woodland on the outskirts of Bristol. Get creative with nature and make clay creatures, musical instruments and dream catchers. Learn woodland skills such as firecraft and spoon whittling, build a den and then cook your lunch over an open fire.

The play scheme runs all week, starting from August 13 and booking is essential. For more info email Jackie Roby or call 0117 974 7354.

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Day 6 : Explore Brandon Hill nature park

Time to take it easy and enjoy one of Bristol's best city centre wildlife havens - so pack a picnic, take the bus and spend the afternoon in the peaceful wildflower meadows of Brandon Hill nature park. Click here for directions.

1. Climb to the top of Cabot Tower to be rewarded with breathtaking views across the city. This is also a great spot to look out for peregrines which like to perch just across the way on the Wills Memorial Building. There's so much to see from up there that you'll be glad of having taken a pair of binoculars!
2. Then when you get back down to earth look for dragonflies in the pond - download this free spotters guide so you can tick off each type that you see! The pond is also home to toads, frogs and newts so tread carefully and avoid disturbing them.
3. Afterwards, treat yourself to some lovely homemade ice cream from the van at the top of the hill - scrumptious!

For an insight into what other wildlife there is on Brandon Hill then check out this wildlife map and photos from the wonderful Brandon Hill Nature Blog

Day 3 : Discover the bats of Browns Folly

Go bat spotting at dusk on Browns Folly nature reserve

Ancient woodland, quarries and wildflower grasslands make Browns Folly a great place to explore and at dusk you can discover some of its more nocturnal inhabitants.Click here to download a walk showing what to look out for - including Bat Caves! 

This extensive website tells you everything about bats and this special Avon wildlife Trust nature reserve. You can listen to bat podcasts and learn how bat detectors work on this site too. There's even a handy guide to building your own bat box for the garden to attract them to your area.

Directions and overview of the reserve can be found here

Day 1 : Den Building at Portbury Wharf

Children love the thrill of making their own little hideout whether its a blanket over upturned chairs in the garden or a secret fort made of mud and sticks in the woods. Portbury Wharf nature reserve is holding a playday all about den building and animal homes on Wednesday the 1st of August

To book click here (pre-booking essential)

To find out more about the wetland habitat and wildlife that Portbury Wharf has to offer check out our guide to the reserve including directions.
And if you just want to brush up on your den building techniques then download these simple structural den making tips from visitwoods.