Following on from the success of Coton's inugural CPPF Nature weekend Biobliz in 2023 (read all about it in the Cambridge Independent) OTV & friends are gearing up for another Nature packed day in Coton.

This time it will be on the last weekend in June. We shall once again be taking a ‘snapshot’ of the wildlife in Coton Orchard. The ‘Bioblitz’ is being organised with On the Verge, Cambridge, and the activities and recording will be led by experts from various fields. So do come along and see what we find, and help with identification. ID guides and experts will be on hand, and no prior experience is required. Records from the event will be passed on to national recording schemes and will help to build our knowledge about the biodiversity in the Orchard.

There are various events and activities throughout the two days, but numbers on each are limited so places must be booked in advance. Children are welcome but must be supervised by an adult. Further details and booking are via Eventbrite. Dress for British weather - long trousers to protect from nettles etc for guided walks advisable. Above all have fun and celebrate Nature!

If you haven't signed the CPPF petition to #SaveCotonOrchard, please consider doing so here. Thank you!

* SCHEDULE MAY CHANGE SUBJECT TO WEATHER & EXPERT AVAILABILITY *

New events will also be added. So do keep checking!

FRIDAY 28th June

Expert set-up
Experts from various Trusts to set-up moth traps etc and do final site survey & bat walk in readiness for public events.

SATURDAY 29th June

08:30 - 9:30 Small Mammal ID
Opening mammal traps and identification, with experts from Cambridgeshire Mammal Group

09:30 - 10:30 Moth ID
Opening moth traps and identification, with experts from Cambridgeshire Moth Group

11:00 - 12:00 Invertebrates & Bug hunt
Getting down to ground level for a bug safari

12:00 - 13:00 Bee Walk
A walk through the Orchard looking at bee species, with exeprt from Bumblebee Conservations Trust

13:30 - 14:30 Butterfly Walk
Join a local lepidopterist for a walk through the Orchard looking at butterflies

15:00 - 16:00 Bird Walk [FULLY BOOKED]

Binoculars at the ready and help Paul spot the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker along with dozens of birds found in Coton Orchard.

15:00 - 16:00 Nature Poetry

A workshop by Sauntering poet Debbie Whitton Spriggs

[Also readings from Debbie's new book "Wassail!" details & order here ]

16:00 - 17:00 Owl Pellet Dissection
A hooting time with Ben, perfect for the next generation of Packhams & Attenboroughs

21:00 - 22:00 Bat Walk
Hedegrows in Coton Orchard have 8 recorded species of bats, including the rare Barbastelle, so a wonderful chance to do a bit of bat detecting!

** Weather dependent & access is via Coton Footpath just opposite CPPF Nature reserve entrance NOT garden centre **

[BOOK HERE]

NOTE : GARDEN CENTRE CARPARK LOCKED AT 6:00!