Bird box bonanza at Bristol Zoo Gardens - 07/02/12

Submitted by lking@bristolzo... on Tue, 2012-02-07 17:52

Places are still available on an event which teaches children about our feathered friends next week.

Called Bird Box Bonanza, this day-long children’s event includes a fun morning of games and activities to help children discover more about birds and their nests. In the afternoon, participants will make a nest box to take home and put up in the garden.

Mandy Leivers, Avon Gorge and Downs Biodiversity Education Officer explains: “The Downs is a fantastic place for spotting all sorts of birds, from super speedy peregrine falcons to cheeky jackdaws.

“According to folk-lore, birds are supposed to pick their partners around Valentine’s day and many birds are singing loudly and beginning to build their nests. During this event children have a fun-packed time learning different bird calls, playing bird bingo and they’ll even have a go at making their own nest from natural materials.”

Bird Box Bonanza takes place on Thursday February 16 from 10am until 3.30pm and is suitable for eight to 12-year-olds. The cost is £8.50 per child and participants will need to bring their own packed lunch.

The event is being run by the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project Bristol Zoo Gardens and will be held at Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the nearby Downs.

To book a place, phone on 0117 9030609 or e-mail mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk

ENDS  

Notes to the Editor:

The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project

  • The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is a partnership of Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol City Council, the Downs Committee, Natural England, the Society of Merchant Venturers, the University of Bristol and the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation. We are also working with the National Trust who manage part of Leigh Woods on the North Somerset side of the Gorge.
  • The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is working to secure the outstanding wildlife interest of the Bristol side of the Avon Gorge and Clifton and Durdham Downs and to raise awareness and understanding of this unique location and its importance for people and wildlife.
  • www.avongorge.org.uk

Bristol Zoo Gardens

  • Bristol Zoo is open from 9am every day except Christmas Day. 
  • Bristol Zoo Gardens is a conservation and education charity and relies on income from visitors and supporters to continue its important work. 
  • Bristol Zoo is involved with more than 100 co-ordinated breeding programmes for threatened wildlife species. 
  • Itemploys over 150 full and part-time staff to care for the animals and run a successful visitor attraction to support its conservation and education work. 
  • Bristol Zoo supports – through finance and skill sharing - 15 projects in the UK and abroad that conserveand protectsome of the world’s most endangered species.
  • In 2011 Bristol Zoo celebrated its 175th birthday. Over that past 175 years, the Zoo has brought six generations of Bristolians closer to wildlife, helped save over 175 species from extinction, established over 30 field conservation and research programmes all over the world, showed 40 millionschool-aged children the wonder of nature and given more than 90 million visitors a wonderful day out.
  • In 2010 Bristol Zoo Gardens set up a Conservation Fund to raise vital funds to help care for threatened animals and plants – both in the Zoo and through the conservation work we do in the UK and around the world.
  • Bristol Zoo Gardens is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA represents more than 90 member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.