#677: WWT Welney Reserve and Peter Scott

Another location which will feature in the list of possible places to visit for those schools that choose to offer the new specification and want a fieldtrip or field visit as part of the course, perhaps to draw in some experts, or introduce students to some of the key habitats that the draft subject content has suggested should be the focus for student learning.

Welney was the second reserve created by Sir Peter Scott for the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

The first was at Slimbridge in 1946.

Sir Peter Markham Scott was the son of Antarctic explorer Captain Scott who, in his dying letter, urged Peter’s mother to “make the boy interested in natural history”. He was only two years old when his father died

He also helped found the World Wide Fund for Nature, the logo of which he designed, with its panda.

He was also an Olympic medallist - a varied and successful life well-lived.

Welney Reserve is close to where I work in Ely. I have passed the reserve frequently, but only visited a few times.

#652: Stone Curlew habitats and new housing

This story from the BBC News had a headline which at first glance is the wrong way round surely...

It's since been changed.

Stone curlews are a protected species. I have seen them in the wild in a field which is part of a Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve.

I've visited Weeting Heath and seen the bird in the fields at the reserve. It's eye always draws the eye... it's a beautiful bird.

#475: 'Spirit of Place' in the wetlands

 A cross posting from my Geography in/on Film blog.

A new short film, featuring Mark Rylance 

Written and Directed by Jack Cooper Stimpson 

Produced by Lewis Brierly, Izzy Meikle-Small, Jack Cooper Stimpson 

Executive produced by On the Edge and made in association with the wetland conservation charity WWT (Wildfowl and Wetland Trust).

A brief summary of the plot:

Athel and Edward enjoy visiting the wetlands. Edward likes watching the birds, whilst Athel seems to have a much deeper connection to the landscape. When Athel makes a discovery, she is forced to re-examine what the wetlands mean to her. 

A meditation on identity, nature and wellington boots. 

The story explores human identity, discovery, and the mystery of these under-represented eco-systems.

A note from the director:

“Our wetland habitats were not on my radar prior to this project and it has been fascinating researching them and learning more about their quirks and characteristics, alongside their scientific function. Putting that on screen has been a wonderful challenge.

Now, more than ever, we need stories that will inspire audiences to acknowledge and exist in nature. Not apart from it. On The Edge are a company working at this intersection and I could not have hoped for a better team to have partnered with. I hope this film entertains and inspires audiences, whilst also encouraging them to go and explore their local wetlands.”

#60: School grounds fieldwork: Make a mini pond

If a school is offering the GCSE Natural History, it makes sense for them to take a look at their own grounds to see what the opportunities are for learning about ecosystems. This will be important as there are bound to be quite 'high start up costs' with resourcing and preparing to teach the new specification. I hope to be able to help with that, and this blog is one such resource which I hope people will begin to explore. 

The school where I teach has a small pond area, and a larger pond in the main gardens which are part of a memorial garden to former teachers and students. There are obviously some issues with safety and the need for signage and careful placement.

This article suggests ways to create a mini pond, perhaps on the school site. It's part of Children's Gardening Week.

Ponds are small ecosystems, and students could usefully set them up and explore the trophic relationships which are developing.

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust have also created this useful video on how to make a small pond.