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Today we went Exploring! We left the Wild Life Garden behind and set off down the river bank in search of wild life - wild birds in particular. The passion of the Rangers (Lynsey and Fiona) was infectious as they helped us spot a variety of different birds. A Robin was one of the first to burst onto the scene, easy to spot with his beautful red breast while Blue Tits were soon buzzing around us in a feeding frenzy at a well placed feeding station! New names appeared to us with the help of our Countryside Ranger Friends as a Dunnock made a play for some seed and later a Coal Tit would make an appearance! Our walk back would see us spotting a Long Tailed Tit and other familiar faces such as Crows as they circled high above. All the while we talked and socialised with the people within the park as they meandered past on their own investigations in nature and the outdoors!

We are constantly learning and today was no different. The previous day had seen weather warnings and the idea of strong winds was being blown about! However luck was on our side as the rain left us and the winds died back to unleash a beautful sunshine filled day! Working with Countryside Ranger Gavin we demonstrated our new found knowledge and experience as 'we showed' Gavin the best way to the river bank where we would gather our materials for the days project. We learned about Safety and the Tools that we would need for the day. Working again with our Support we worked in small teams cutting and dividing the Willow before gathering it and making our way to the Wild Life Garden. Once there we began to plant and fashion a new stretch of Willow as suggested by the Countryside Ranger Team! Learning new skills all the time seems to have become a weekly occurance as we decided that between every two 'branches of willow' was a doorway to a new world!!

The Elderbank Explorers learned all about maps and compass directions with the Family Learning Worker Magnetic compasses were made using magnets, paperclips, bottle tops and a water-filled container. After checking that their compass pointed North, we headed outside to use the real compasses. We played physical games using compass co-ordinates and followed co-ordinates to find some hidden treasure. The young people will extend these activities at home with their own family by using a Compass APP and by making maps of their local area and their Wild Space.

Families from Elderbank Primary School are taking part in the John Muir Family Award. Due to current restrictions some activities are being done within the school with the Family Learning Worker and in addition to this families will be doing activities in their own time. This week the families were asked to explore their chosen Wild Place. R enjoyed a winter walk with his family and identified some moss growing on the trees.

R and his family enjoyed the benefits of the recent rainy weather when they found out that puddles can be a learning experience as well as a lot of fun. Creative and symmetrical reflections were made in the water. R and his family also spotted some of the local wildlife when a curious Magpie came along to see what was going on.

When we were exploring the boundaries of our woodland we also found time to play memory games with natural objects.

To be able to create a map of our woodlands we measure parts of the woodlands in teams.

After discussing biodiversity the class decided they wanted to plant more wild flowers in the wood. So we identified what was a good spot for wild flowers and measured 2 square meters and prepared the ground before sowing.