Wildlife Watch

Two young girls study a wildlife spotting book amidst many bluebells

Children spotting wildlife in bluebells (credit: Tom Marshall)

Wildlife Watch

Wildlife Watch is the junior branch of The Wildlife Trusts and the UK's leading club for children and families interested in nature and wildlife.

Wildlife Watch sessions at Norfolk Wildlife Trust

Taking part in our Wildlife Watch sessions is an exciting way to explore the great outdoors and get closer to the wildlife you share it with.

We run a programme of 12 different Wildlife Watch sessions in Norfolk per year. From bats and butterflies to fantastic fungi, each session investigates a cool wildlife highlight and how we can take action for nature.

Our sessions are mainly based at our wonderful NWT Hickling Broad.

Upcoming Wildlife Watch events

Take a look at our upcoming Wildlife Watch events below, and click through to find out more and to book.

Take a look at our 2024 Wildlife Watch calendar

Wildlife Watch Awards

Are you looking for a new way to explore wildlife and have fun? Get involved with the Wildlife Watch Awards to earn an award as you complete great activities and challenges.

A cartoon hedgehog with the words 'Hedgehog Award'

Wildlife Watch Hedgehog Award (credit: The Wildlife Trusts)

Hedgehog Award

 

The Wildlife Watch Hedgehog Award is a fun way to earn an award while exploring nature. You don't need to be a member of NWT to take part.

Take part by attending Wildlife Watch sessions: Simply collect stickers by taking part in our Wildlife Watch sessions. Family members will receive a Hedgehog Award card in their membership packs and non-members can pick one up at a Wildlife Watch session. Once you have eight stickers on your card, you can apply for your Hedgehog Award Certificate – just hand your completed card in at a Wildlife Watch session or send it to NWT Wildlife Watch, Bewick House, 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY.

Take part from home: You can also complete the Hedgehog Award by taking part in lots of different wildlife and nature-based activities from home.

Earn a Hedgehog Award from home

A cartoon kestrel with the words 'Kestrel Award'

Wildlife Watch Kestrel Award (credit: The Wildlife Trusts)

Kestrel Award

If you are an NWT member and over the age of eight, you can take part in the Kestrel Award (even if you haven't done the Hedgehog award!) The Kestrel Award has four wildlife challenges: Create it!, Do it!, Record it!, and Shout about it! You will need to complete them all to gain the award. Once you have completed the challenges, you will receive a certificate and badge.

To start this award, fill out the application form found in your family membership pack or email membership@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk.

A cartoon pair of binoculars with text 'Nature Ranger Award'

Wildlife Watch Nature Ranger Award (credit: The Wildlife Trusts)

Nature Ranger Award

This is the highest Wildlife Watch award. You can take part in it once you have completed the Kestrel Award. We will send everyone that achieves a Kestrel Award the information on how to begin the Nature Ranger Award. For details, you can email membership@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk.

To complete the Nature Ranger Award, you need to study a UK wildlife or conservation topic of your choice and produce a report for Norfolk Wildlife Trust to assess. Once completed, you will receive a certificate, a badge, a special prize and maybe even a mention in Wildlife Watch magazine!

Three children stand in a row in a wooded area holding wooden bird boxes and smiling

Wildlife Watch February 2023 bird boxes (credit: NWT)

Family membership and Wildlife Watch

As a family member, you will get discounts on Wildlife Watch sessions and other events and an awesome joining pack containing lots of goodies to get you started on your WILDlife journey. You'll also receive four Wildlife Watch magazines over the course of the year.

Find out more about family membership
A young boy and a woman wearing winter coats create a spider using clay and sticks

Wildlife Watch April 2023 spiders (credit: NWT)

Free Wildlife Watch resources

The national Wildlife Watch website is packed with hundreds of free downloadable ideas and resources for children and families to use as they explore and take action for wildlife.

Things to do: quizzes, activities and spotter sheets
Two young girls wearing coats walk hand in hand through a bluebell field

Bluebells Wildlife Watch (credit: WildNet - Tom Marshall)

Wildlife Zone

Check out The Wildlife Trusts' Wildlife Zone, which is packed with species and habitat information.

Visit the Wildlife Zone