No, our staff have not been drinking. The bears in question are not large mammals, but instead the caterpillars of the garden tiger moth. These are nicknamed 'woolly bears' due to their hairy appearance. They have spent the winter hibernating in crevices and under the soil. Now that warmer weather is with us, they are emerging once more. They will be looking to grab a quick snack before beginning the next step on their way to becomming adult moths. Butterflies too are emerging in the warmer weather, such as the brilliant yellow brimstone and the delicately marked comma.
The last weekend in March is a good time to visit us if you are just starting out in the world of birdwatching. On the Saturday afternoon you can come on the 'Birdwatching for Beginners' course. This will be a gentle introduction to the skills that will help you identify and get better views of birds. The course costs £2 to join and places are limited, please phone to book. On the Sunday there will be a special Optics Day, where friendly RSPB staff and volunteers can guide you through the mysteries of binoculars and telescopes.