Pensthorpe Natural Park

In Science, Whitebeam have been looking at habitats around the world as well as in our immediate environment. While we don't have the frozen wastes of the Arctic, or the heat and wet of the Amazon, we do have a myriad of different habitats in England. A visit to Pensthorpe gave us some idea of these.

First, a session in the new education room to talk about different habitats in the world and at Pensthorpe.  All the children were thoroughly engaged while Allan, our leader for the day, was very impressed by the knowledge they already possessed and their contribution to the discussions.

Then followed the excitement and wonderment of not only looking at the many different birds outside, but actually feeding them, too. Some would even eat out of our hands! There were two different sorts of food: some for land feeders and some for water feeders.  After doing our best to fatten up both types of birds we moved on looking at various other habitats, including an oak tree, a rotten tree stump and a muddy river bank. All these micro habitats support a very diverse type of wildlife which Allan carefully showed and explained.

Another session in the education room followed looking at adaptations of birds and animals and how they have evolved to suit their environment. The difference between buzzard and owl feathers is really quite dramatic, as is the different shape of beaks for various birds depending on what sort of food they eat.

After lunch (which was spent examining various skulls and feathers) we were back outside to visit the flamingos and red squirrels where we again extended our knowledge of these creatures.

Finally it was time to let off steam in the indoor play area where all the children behaved impeccably while getting thoroughly out of breath!

A great day overall with lovely feedback from the staff at Pensthorpe saying how polite, knowledgable and interested the children were.

On Tuesday 12th February 2019 Whitebeam went to Pensthorpe nature Reserve to look and study their animals. We saw flamingos, red squirrels and other majestic creatures. Our tour guide was Allan and he was very interesting. We learnt new facts.

Mrs Wallbank was our teacher on this big day. I would rate it 10 out of 10. It was a GREAT day!

Report by Joe Kelly