Volunteers have half-term boxed off at Mere

Every day this February Half Term (February 15-23) at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre is offering visitors the opportunity to make nest boxes and give the birds a helping hand.

Sessions take place daily from 11am and 3pm in the pond house and it costs £5 to build a nest box.

Although staff will be on-hand for guidance parents are required to stay and supervise their children.

In addition to building nest boxes there is an opportunity for visitors to buy a range of readymade nest boxes, bird feeders and bird care products from the gift shop.

Marketing Manager Hannah Clifford, said: “At this time of year, most of our garden birds are pairing off and on the lookout for nesting sites so we thought it would be a good idea to give them a helping hand with our nest box building sessions this half term.

“The nest box and bug hotel workshops are just one of the many exciting activities we have planned at Martin Mere for 2014.”

In addition to nest box building visit our family of otters Ned, Thai, Penny, Flick and Belle as they get their daily feeds at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

See the fantastic sight and hear the sound of up to 1000 Whooper swans as they are fed on the Mere at 3pm from Swan Link hide and 3.30pm from the Raines Observatory includes a warden’s talk.

There’s also den building, an adventure play area and the new wetland wildlife exhibit.

Volunteers are being sought to join the boat crew at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre.

Currently more than 150 volunteers play a vital role in the running of services, school visits, grounds and reserve at Martin Mere.

The centre’s award winning canoe safari and guided boat trips begin again on Saturday April 5 and more volunteers are needed to join the team.

They will help with the running of the canoe safari including giving health and safety briefings, fitting buoyancy aids, demonstrations and spending time on the water monitoring visitors.

Boat captains will drive the electric boat taking visitors on a guided tour, providing information about Martin Mere.

Jane Barker, volunteer coordinator at WWT Martin Mere said: “We want to hear from people who are 18 years of age or over, happy to work in a team of staff and volunteers, welcome the opportunity to engage with visitors and enjoy being outdoors in all weathers.

“Of course canoe/boat experience would be useful, but it is not essential as full training will be provided. Some birding knowledge would also be an advantage.”

The canoe safari and boat tours are open to the public every day of the week from April to November and volunteers are needed to cover this period from March.

Email [email protected] or call 01704 891224.