Join the RSPB for Easter fun and frolics in and around Exeter

It’s all go for the RSPB in and around Exeter over the Easter Weekend.

On Friday 6 April the wildlife charity is holding a family nature trail with a difference at Darts Farm near Topsham on Friday The trail is based on the well-known nursery rhyme ‘who killed cock robin’ and will encourage participants to think about the different wildlife that can be found around the farm and how it interacts with each other.

Gemma Dunn, RSPB visitor officer says, “We have all heard of the classic nursery rhyme about poor old cock robin. This is a great chance to test your detective skills to see if you can solve our nature murder mystery. Darts Farm is a great place for spotting wildlife with many mammal and bird species present so participants should have a good chance of spotting potential culprits.”

“We will be setting up our ‘love nature’ marquee by the animal corner on the farm, and there will be children’s activities and face painting too. I am really looking forward to welcoming families to this event- it should be a lot of fun!”

Darts Farm is located on Bridge hill, on the outskirts of Topsham. Entrance to the trail is free and the public are invited to drop in anytime between 10.30am and 2.30pm. For further information call Gemma on 01392 824614. And if visitors call into the RSPB shop at Darts Farm they will find an array of offers on bird food and RSPB beauty products.Then on Easter Monday the RSPB is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds to help local children discover more about the wildlife of Exe Estuary by holding a bucket collection at Exeter City Football Club. RSPB staff and volunteers will be collecting before the match against Leyton Orient.

Fran Luke, Community Fundraising Officer for the RSPB said: “This is only the second time we’ve raised money at a football match, and we’re really looking forward to it. The money we raise will go towards our Exe Estuary RSPB Wildlife Explorer Club. This has been set up to help children learn more about the birds and creatures that live in this very special place.

We’re also hoping to raise funds to help develop our nature reserves on the Exe.”

Every year the RSPB raises many thousands of pounds through fundraising in the region and this goes to support a wide range of projects, from looking after our nature reserves to running educational schemes to help children experience the natural world. Fran Luke said: “Alongside the support of our members, the money we raise through collections and the sale of our popular wildlife pin badges is of huge importance to the work we do in the region.”

Fran Luke: “We’re always interested in hearing from other venues that might host collection for us. If there is a wildlife link, even better!"