Wirral's Wild 50: September Worksheets

Here are the Wirral's Wild 50 activity sheets for September. Take a look at the autumn leaves, cones, berries, nuts and fruits.

September activities and resources

Things to do in September

● Learn to identify trees from their leaves

● Find out why trees have cones, berries, nuts and fruits like apples

● Find a spider’s web and learn about spider silk

● Discover how bats catch their prey

● Find an acorn and plant it in a pot of soil outdoors

Look for seeds on an autumn walk and made a bat bookmark

Resources

1. nuts & berries

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-07/nuts.jpg

2. berry spotter

https://www.record-lrc.co.uk/Downloads/Berries[21122020].pdf

3. pine cone creatures

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-08/Pine%20cone%20creatures.png

4. video - primary school level - spiders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wux2qqpuyoi

5. craft: nature mandala

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-08/Nature%20mandala.jpg

6. make a spinning dial to identify leaves

https://treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_leaf_idial.pdf

Wirral's Wild 50: August Worksheets

 

Here are the Wirral's Wild 50 activity sheets for August. Enjoy a seashore search, learn about the wildlife that can be found at the coast and discover the importance of sandy and muddy habitats.

August activities and resources

Things To Do In August

● Go to the beach and look for shells and objects on the sand.

Download the Shoreline Detective sheet here:

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-01/Shoreline%20detective_1.jpg

● Visit a heathland and smell the heather.

● Listen for grasshoppers. How do they make their sound?

● Make a nature collage and take a photograph to take into school in September

Take a look at sand and mud habitats and the wildlife found there

Resources

1. Top 10 strandline spots

https://www.record-lrc.co.uk/Downloads/Top%2010%20strandline%20(1)[12062020].pdf

2.  Identify shells

https://record-lrc.co.uk/Downloads/Shell%20identification%20February%202012%20version2%5B18042012%5D.pdf

3.Do a coastal wordsearch 

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-01/coastal%20wordsearch_0.jpg

4. Make a seal mask

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-07/seal-mask.pdf

5. Make an egg carton crab

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-08/Egg%20carton%20creatures.png

6. Spot estuary wildlife

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-07/Estuary.jpg

7. Craft: nature mandala

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-08/Nature%20mandala.jpg

Wirral's Wild 50: July Worksheets

Here are July's Wirral's Wild 50 activity sheets. There is a butterfly and moth theme this month.

July activities and resources

Things to do in July

● Look for butterflies, moths and caterpillars

● Learn about the butterfly life cycle

● Find out about animal camouflage

● Look for moths

● Do the Big Butterfly Count (mid July - mid August)

● Plant a bee and butterfly garden

 

Moth spotting and gardening for bees and butterflies

Resources

1. Is it a moth or a butterfly?

https://www.record-lrc.co.uk/Downloads/Moth%20vs%20butterfly[06052020].pdf

2. Butterfly caterpillar spotter sheet

https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_butterfly_caterpillar_spotter_sheet.pdf

3. Make a butterfly ID dial

https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_butterfly_idial.pdf

4. Make a caterpillar

https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/Make%20a%20Caterpillar.pdf

5. Butterfly race game

https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/Butterfly%20Race%20Game_0.pdf

6. Butterfly wordsearch

https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/Butterfly%20Wordsearch_0.pdf

Wirral's Wild 50: June Worksheets

 

Here are June's Wirral's Wild 50 activity sheets. This month, become a minibeast detective and take a really good look at a tree.

June activities and resources

Things to do in June

● Look for dragonflies, ducklings and lizards

● Learn about reptiles and how they are different to amphibians

● Visit a meadow and look for invertebrates (minibeasts)

● Learn how to identify trees by their leaves

● Investigate a tree in or near your school

My street tree and a leaf ladder puzzle

Resources

1. Dragonfly & damselfly spotter sheet

https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_dragonfly_and_damselfly_spotter_sheet.pdf

2. Meadow explorer sheets

https://record-lrc.co.uk/Downloads/Meadow%20explorer[03072020].pdf

3. Crawling bugs key

https://www.record-lrc.co.uk/Downloads/Crawling%20bugs%20key[23042020].pdf

4. Flying bugs key

https://www.record-lrc.co.uk/Downloads/Flying%20bugs%20key[23042020].pdf

5. Ladybird spotter sheet

https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_ladybird_spotter_sheet.pdf

6. Spot minibeasts (2 sheets)

https://www.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/activities-pdfs/spot-it-minibeasts-1.pdf

https://www.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/activities-pdfs/spot-it-minibeasts-2.pdf

Wirral's Wild 50: May Worksheets

 

Here are the Wirral's Wild 50 activity sheets for May. This is a month for listening to the dawn chorus, taking part in No Mow May and having a go at pond dipping.

May activities

Things to do in May

● Look for bluebells and swifts

● Listen out for bird song and try to identify the bird

● Get up early and listen to the Dawn Chorus 

● Don’t mow your lawn - it’s No Mow May 

● Go pond dipping

Sounds of Spring

Resources

1.  How to go pond dipping

https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_pond_dipping.pdf

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-07/POND-DIPPING.jpg

... and species to spot

https://www.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/kids--schools/teaching-resources/spot-it-ponds.pdf

2. Dragonfly & damselfly spotter sheet

https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_dragonfly_and_damselfly_spotter_sheet.pdf

3. Amphibian spotter sheet

https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_amphibian_spotter_sheet.pdf

4. Sounds of Spring

https://www.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/wildchallenge/activity-sheets-2021/english/327-0546-20-21-wild-challenge_sounds-of-spring.pdf

Wirral's Wild 50: April Worksheets

Here are the Wirral's Wild 50 activity sheets for April. Look for more signs of spring and learn all about bees.

April activities

 

Things to do in April

● Look for swallows returning, young rabbits, wild garlic and bees

● Learn about migration

● Find out which wild plants can be used for food or as medicine

● Learn how to identify 3 different bees

● Find out why bees are an important part of the ecosystem

Do a bumblebee survey

Resources

1.  Migratory bird wordsearch

https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_migratory_bird_wordsearch.pdf

2. Bumblebee Conservation Trust lots of resources

https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/learning-zone/curriculum-resources-for-schools/

3. Bumblebee facts

https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/BBCT_Kids_Activity_7-10_General_v2.pdf

4. Spring bees guide

https://www.record-lrc.co.uk/Downloads/Spring%20bees%20(4)[09042020].pdf

5.How do bees see?

https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/assets/documents/BBCT_Kids_Activity_7-10_how_bees_see.pdf

6. Pollination

https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/02-InsectPollination.1_v2.pdf

7. How bees use static electricity to collect pollen

https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/03-StaticElectricity.1_v2.pdf

8. Do a bumblebee survey

https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/bumbleclub-survey_web-1.pdf

Wirral's Wild 50: March Worksheets

Here are the Wirral's Wild 50 activity sheets for March, a time to spot spring flowers. Take a closer look at the structure, colours and shapes of flowers and try making a newspaper plant pot to grow your own seeds.

March activities

Things to do in March

● Look for snowdrops and crocuses

● Learn about the structure of flowers

● Find out why flowers are different colours and shapes

● Make a newspaper pot and sow seeds of marjoram or a vegetable

Making a flower section and a Shapes and Colours Sorting Sheet

Resources

1. Blossom on trees
http://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_blossoms_and_flowers_spotter_sheet.pdf

2. Make a newspaper seed pot
https://www.edenproject.com/learn/eden-at-home/make-your-own-newspaper-seed-pots

Wirral's Wild 50: February Worksheets

Here are the Wirral's Wild 50 activity sheets for February to help you plan activities for the month ahead. Build a mini wildlife pond, look for some early signs of spring and learn to use a key to identify twigs.

February activities

Things to do in February

● Look out for buds on trees and blackthorn blossom

● Look out for frog spawn

● Learn about amphibian life cycles and metamorphosis

● Build a mini wildlife pond

● Collect some twigs and use a twig key to identify them

● Build a nest box

Learn to use a key to identify twigs

Resources

1. Amphibian spotter sheet

https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_amphibian_spotter_sheet.pdf

2. Make a frog life cycle dial

https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_frog_life_cycle_idial.pdf

3. Make a mini pond

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/Page%205%20MINI-WILDLIFE-POND-2019.jpg

4. Build a nest box

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-07/NEST-BOX_0.jpg

Wirral's Wild 50: January Worksheets

Happy New Year! It may a time for making changes but we hope you will want to carry on with Wirral's Wild 50. In January, become a nature detective by learning to identify birds and spot tracks made by different animals.

January activities

Things to do in January

• Can you find hazel catkins?
• Look in the snow or mud for animal tracks and work out what has made them.
• Learn to identify birds in the garden or school grounds.
• Take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of January.

Common tracks and signs of British wildlife

Resources

1. Garden bird detective
https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-07/gbirds.jpg

2. Craft an owl mask

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-07/owl-mask.jpg

3. Fill in a migratory bird wordsearch
https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_migratory_bird_wordsearch.pdf

4. Identify tracks in the snow
https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/identify-prints-snow

Wirral's Wild 50: December Worksheets

 

Here are this month's Wirral's Wild 50 activity sheets. In December, make your own bird feeder and learn how to identify trees in winter by looking at their twigs.

Download full size instructions and watch a video to help you make the bird feeder:

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/make-bird-feeder

Things to do in December

● Think about how plants and animals survive the winter

● Learn how to identify trees when they have no leaves

● Make a bird feeder

● Look for mistletoe and find out how it survives without roots

● Work out how old a tree is

Resources

1. Make a pine cone feeder

https://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_cheesy_pine_cone_bird_feeders.pdf

2. Make pine cone creatures

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-08/Pine%20cone%20creatures.png

3. Learn to identify winter trees http://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_winter_tree_spotter_sheet.pdf

4. Make a twig identification dial

http://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_twig_idial.pdf

Wirral's Wild 50: November Worksheets

Here is the second worksheet for Wirral's Wild 50. For November we have a hedgehog theme. As well as finding out how you can help hedgehogs, why not try making an insect house or bug hotel.

Make a deluxe hedgehog house and other things to do in November

Download full size instructions for the hedgehog house:

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-10/Make%20a%20deluxe%20hedgehog%20house.jpg

Other things to do in November:

● Learn about hibernation

● Find out why hedgehogs are endangered

● Check for hedgehogs before you light a bonfire

● Make a hedgehog cafe

https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-families/family-wild-challenge/activities/make-a-hedgehog-cafe/

● Build an insect house or bug hotel

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/make-insect-hotel

https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/make-bug-hotel

Play the Hedgehog Survival Challenge

Wirral's Wild 50: October Worksheets

 

Here is the first of our set of worksheets to celebrate Wirral's Wild 50! In October, you will start to see nuts and berries on trees and shrubs. See if you can tick off all the species pictured on the worksheet below.

Find nuts and berries and other things to do in October

Other things to do in October:

● Learn about fungi

What are fungi?

https://growwilduk.com/sites/default/files/media/What%20are%20fungi%20and%20why%20are%20they%20important.pdf

Why are they important?

https://growwilduk.com/sites/default/files/media/Five%20ways%20fungi%20have%20shaped%20the%20world_2020.pdf

Fungi in the woods

https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/application/files/7214/9752/5133/Fungi_in_the_woods.pdf

Identify fungi

https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/application/files/7515/8921/1532/Fungus_Detectives_final.pdf

● Try growing an acorn

● Make a twig tower

Gather and grow your own acorn and make twig towers

Wirral's Wild 50!

Wirral's Wild 50. How many will you discover?

This year it is the 50th anniversary of the creation of Wirral Wildlife as the local group of Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

To mark the occasion we decided to create a monthly educational resource for local schools and called it ‘Wirral’s Wild 50’. We provided a list of 50 species of plants and animals to be found on the Wirral and their habitats. Each month there is a worksheet of things to do, a list of online resources and a relevant activity, game or craft.

This month we are giving you the species list – how many will you be able to find?

5 habitats found on the Wirral and some of the species you will find there

Then each month we will post the sheet on our Blog to reach a wider audience. Please do let us know if you find it useful.