OSR Scouts complete the Naturalist Activity Badge with Steve England

Today saw the OSR scouts from Stoke Gifford meet up with Steven England to explore Stoke Park Estate to complete their Naturalist Activity Badge. We learnt about edible and poisonous plants, habitats for animals and birds, fossils 200+ feet above sea level and plants used by the Roman legions inside their sandles to prevent and medicate cuts etc. We saw a kestrel hunting and found barn owl pellets plus how field mice leave ultra violet urine trails that the birds of prey use to catch them. We learnt some history of the local area and had lunch in the sunshine. Then it was into the woods to learn about useful trees (natural soap) and edible leaves plus mushrooms (black not red) good for firelighting and a practical lesson. All the scouts sat around the fire and presented some interesting facts they had learnt during the day. Today was a great experience with us all learning loads. Big TY to Steve.