Feathery fun at Holkham nature reserve

Holkham National Nature Reserve held activities for aspiring young ornithologists at the weekend, for a day of delightful family fun.

‘Feathered Friends’ was held at half-term, where families built their very own bird boxes to take home and learned about which birds might use them.

The idyllic coastal spot is home to many rare bird breeds, and aims to preserve their habitat.

The activity was in preparation for National Nest Box Week, which aims to provide homes for as many birds as possible.

Britain’s birds are short of places to live, as our parks and gardens are becoming tidier than ever.

People were given a spotter’s sheet to take outside and a pair of free binoculars, before embarking on a ranger walk to try to spot rare birds such as great white egrets, pink-footed geese and shore larks.

Then things got scientific, as everyone was given the task to dissect an owl pellet, in order to discover what other animals owls eat.