Nature Quest

This page contains ideas for things to do outside. I realise that there are limited places to go at the moment so these ideas will hopefully be things you can find or do in your garden - or when you venture out for a walk with your household. Happy Nature Questing!

Mrs G

Parseltongue...

We enjoyed our Bank Holiday walk this morning. We spent some time by a local pond and as we moved round the bank, we spotted these gorgeous creatures. They are grass snakes - you can tell by the yellow flash of scales at the back of the head.

We found six snakes which ranged in size from about 30cm (the size of a school ruler) to about 1.5m (which was quite long!). Snakesssss are cold blooded ssssso like to bassssssk in the sssun to warm up. These ones were making the most of the sunshine this morning. 

Grass snakes are non venomous - which means they don't have any poisonous fangs. You are not allowed to handle wild snakes in the UK, it is best to watch them, snap a photo and then leave them alone.

Kate and her family got some caterpillars and watched as they made chrysalises; waited and then watched as the butterflies hatched. 

Have you hatched butterflies? Have you seen any butterflies? We have lots in our garden. My favourites are the orange tips and the brimstones. Check out the butterfly identification chart at the bottom of the page.

We have found all sorts of interesting things on our hour-a-day walk. We found a tree stuffed full of snail shells; a family of lizards basking in the sun; and we watched a grass snake swimming in a pingo - I had never seen one swim before.

What sort of interesting things have you found? Do you collect sticks when you go on a walk? 

We have some gloriously sunny weather at the moment - perfect conditions for butterflies to emerge. I have seen quite a few in our garden including: brimstone, orange tip and large white. I have put on a template for you to draw any you see and a colouring page too. There is also an identification page so you know which ones you find. Please email any photos, drawings or findings for our gallery!

This is my favourite tree - the Oak. The big tree is on our farm and often has a hawk sitting in it. I love collecting the acorns in their cups in the autumn - which we then spray gold for our school acorn rewards. We also have Grandmother Oak who guards the entrance to the wood and whom the children greet on their way in saying "Grandmother Oak, Grandmother oak, how are you today? Grandmother oak, Grandmother oak, can we come and play?"

I love the bark on oak trees - the greyish vertical cracks make the tree seem so old. 

What can you find out about oak trees?

Do you have one in your garden? 

Where is the oldest oak in the UK?

There are lots of uses for oak - how many can you find?

Can you find this flower outside in your garden?

Do you know what it is called?

Can you count the petals?

Can you paint or draw a picture of it?

If you have help from a grown up - can you cut the flower in half to see inside? 

How many can you find in your garden? 

I found a bee asleep on one of ours....