Holiday activities are getting otter down at Martin Mere reserve

Until January 5, you can make bird feeders for your feathered friends. Craneberry crafts cost £1.50 and take place in the Wigeon Room between 11am and 4pm.

You can also explore the Craneberry Fest Trail with a leisurely walk through wetland wildlife – learning about cranberries, cranes and the importance of wetlands as nature’s flood plains.

Come and see the reserve’s family of otters – Ned, Thai, Penny, Flick and Belle – as they are given their daily feeds, so that you can watch them play and eat. You can also listen to a talk about the otters to learn all about Asian short-clawed otters. The talks are at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

See the fantastic sight and hear the haunting noise of up to 2,000 Whooper swans feeding on the Mere. The feeds take place at 3pm at Swan Link Hide and 3.30pm at the heated Raines Observatory. The 3.30pm feed also includes a warden’s talk.

Additional activities include den building and having fun on the adventure play area.

Take time to browse the latest art exhibition at Martin Mere, which includes a selection of original pieces and prints of a smaller size, appealing to all (the general public and those with an interest in wildlife).

There are more than 40 pieces on display, all available to buy via the shop at Martin Mere.

Artists will also offer a number of informal demonstration days during the course of the exhibition, providing a fantastic opportunity to watch them work and ask questions:

Sunday, December 29: Eunice Knott

Friday, January 3: Wendy Corbet

Sunday, January 12: Eunice Knott and Julie Nash

Friday, January 31: Lisa Holmes and Ron Peterson

Saturday, February 8: Wendy Corbet

Tuesday, February 18: Julie Nash