04/09/16 - Open Day

Many thanks to everyone who came along to the LDV open day, making the day such a success with over 100 visitors attending, including many families and young children. Jean gave visitors the opportunity to see a Barn Owl - a species which is so iconic to the Lower Derwent Valley, as well as the chance to meet some of the Mallard ducklings she has reared this summer, along with two of the hedgehogs that she’s currently caring for until they’re ready to be released back into the wild. With the rain not coming until after lunch it didn’t spoil the morning’s bird ringing, which proved popular with 36 birds caught and ringed including several Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and a Willow Warbler, along with a number of Wrens, Robins and a Greenfinch. The pond dipping also proved interesting for many visitors, especially the discovery of several young Smooth Newts. Once the rain set in the arts and crafts took over! So all in all, a great day, which has hopefully sparked an interest in some of the young visitors.