Three events for Easter are set to be held at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s (SWT) local Montrose Basin Visitor Centre to help local kids have a wild time during their school break this month (April 2010). 

 

Boasting a large viewing window overlooking Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve, a site of particular scientific interest thanks to its importance as a breeding area for many migratory bird species, the Centre’s Easter events programme includes the ‘Sea shells on the sea shore’ on Wednesday 7 April, ‘Tsunami revisited’ on Sunday 11 April, and ‘Bugs and Beasties’ on Wednesday 14 April. 

 

SWT’s Montrose Basin Visitor Centre Manager Caroline Hendry said:  “We hope local kids will agree that they are in for more than just chocolate treats this Easter when they hear about the special events programme we’ve designed to keep them busy over the Easter holidays. After the long winter, these days out are great chances to get out and about, blow away the cobwebs and have some fun while learning more about our amazing environment and history.

 

“Kicking off the fun on Wednesday 7 April with our ‘Sea shells on the sea shore’ day, we are asking kids to ditch their eggs and hunt for seashells instead on the seashore beside Montrose Basin Visitor Centre.  Taking place from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, and under supervision from trained staff, kids will head back to the Visitor Centre’s education centre after the hunt to use arts and crafts to make seashell mementos. 

 

“On Sunday 11 April between 9.30 – 11.30 am, we will meet for ‘Tsunami revisited’ to find out about a Scottish tsunami thought to have hit the eastern coast over 6000 years ago following an earthquake off Norway.  Our guide will deliver a fascinating tour of the mud, transporting participants back in time with evidence of the devastation caused by the massive wave.  Wellies are essential!

 

”Finally on Wednesday 14 April, we will be hosting ‘Bugs and Beasties’, a mini-beast hunt from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm perfect for youngsters who love bugs and beasties and want to find out more about the thousands of creepy-crawlies lurking beneath the undergrowth.”

 

To get as much as possible out of the events, the SWT advises that participants should arrive promptly and remember to dress for the weather. Events are also reasonably priced.  ‘Sea shells on the sea shore’ is £2.00 per child; ‘Tsunami revisited’ is £4.00 per adult, £3.00 per child / concession, and a family pass is £7.50, while this event is free for the SWT members; ‘Bugs and Beasties’ is £2.00 per child. 

 

For more information, please contact the SWT’s Montrose Basin on 01674 676336.

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Notes to Editors

1. Montrose Basin Visitor Centre is open daily from 15 March – 31 October from 10.30am – 5.00pm and from 1 November to 28 February on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only from 10.30am – 4.00pm. Admission: Adults (concessions) £4.00 (£3.00), Family £7.50, SWT members free. For more information, please call 01674 676336.

2. Montrose Basin Visitor Centre can be found on the A92 Montrose to Arbroath road just one mile south of Montrose. Follow the brown signs from the centre of Montrose (OS Sheets 54 – grid ref. NO 700 564). For more information visit www.swt.org.uk.

3. SWT is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 35,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.

4. SWT receives financial assistance and support from Scottish Natural Heritage and the People’s Postcode Lottery.