There’s a fun day of free wildlife activities on Saturday, April 8,  from 10am to 3pm in Minehead’s Blenheim Gardens. 

The day will include quizzes, drawing and colouring activities, wildlife challenges (including the perennial favourite – the ‘Whose Poo?’ challenge!), identification and ‘spot it’ sheets to use on-site or take home, bug hunts and mini-beast observation activities. The event will launch a new project, West Somerset Wildways, helping people in West Somerset to observe and record the nature around them using the iNaturalist app and website. There will be opportunities to learn how to use iNaturalist throughout the launch event, as well as fun wildlife activities for all ages, from 3 to 103! 

Following the launch, Elizabeth and her team of volunteers will offer free wildlife sessions to local community and youth groups across West Somerset to get them started with observations. ‘Everyone and anyone can help to keep our wildlife on the map,’ says Elizabeth Atkinson, the project coordinator. ‘All you need is a means of taking digital photos and access to a smartphone or computer. And you don’t need to be a wildlife expert or a technical wizard: just upload your photos and iNaturalist will suggest IDs: you can learn so much with each observation!’ 

For more information about the West Somerset Wildways project or to book a free wildlife session, email Elizabeth at [email protected] or ring 01643 821756. 

The West Somerset Wildways project is on the iNaturalist website.

West Somerset Wildways is a Somerset Wildlife Trust Team Wilder project funded through the HPC Community Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund, and part of the Trust’s wider Wilder Coast programme.