February Half-Term
Feathered Friends | 14th – 22nd February 2026
Feathered Friends is back for 2026!
Spread your wings this February half-term with an exciting programme of bird-themed events!
Explore the feathery side of Stanwick Lakes in the school holidays, with a lineup of bird-themed activities. Choose from a mix of drop-in and bookable options (see below) designed to celebrate the diverse birdlife at our nature reserve, as well as National Bird Box Week.
From our popular trail, to bird box building, exploring with the rangers for some outdoor feathery fun, or simply enjoying crafts and pottery painting in the Visitor Centre, our activities offer a blend of adventure and education!
February Half Term Trail
Fantastic Feathers!
Trail packs cost £4 and include a prize at the end on completion.
Suitable for all ages, allow around 45 minutes – 1 hour, for a feathery adventure around Solstice Lake, with a clue to solve at each stop.
No booking necessary – just purchase your trail leaflet from the Visitor Centre (during opening hours).
We recommend completing the trail between 9.30am – 3pm (allowing a lap of the lake in shorter daylight hours).
Drop in activities
No need to book, simply come into the Visitor Centre all half term week:
We have three bird-themed activities for to to choose from this February half-term. Available everyday of the school holidays, just ask a member of the team at the welcome desk
Join the flock!
View a flying birds exhibition, created by students from Northampton Academy. Be inspired and make your own origami bird!
Pottery Painting
The perfect activity. Pick some pottery and paint! We’ve added a few birds to our pieces especially for this half term!
From £8
Our February Trail
Take a walk around Solstice Lake and find some Fantastic Feathers from our feathered friends. A lovely family activity.
Drop in £4
Book your place on one of our half term activities…
Throughout the February half term the Visitor Centre is hosting a variety of family activities.
GUIDE IN THE HIDE
Sunday 15th February, 11am – 2pm
Come along and join our Guide in the Hide, Lara Jones, SPA Engagement Officer, for chat about our feathered friends, and a helping hand to improve your bird ID skills – FREE!
Stanwick Lakes is a Special Protection Area (SPA). SPAs are internationally important sites designated under the EU Birds Directive to safeguard rare and vulnerable wild birds and their habitats, and we’re proud that Stanwick Lakes is one of them.
FEATHERY FOREST FUN WITH THE RANGERS
Tuesday 17th February, 10am-11.30am
Come to the woods with the Stanwick Lakes Ranger team for birdy themed forest fun. Families can connect with nature, listen to the birds, create natural birdy crafts and cook marshmallows on the campfire.
Suitable for families with children aged 4-11. All children must be accompanied for the duration of the event.
£6 per child
MIXED MEDIA WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (10 – 18)
Tuesday 17th February, 1pm-2.30pm
Join artist Louise Berrill to create a unique piece artwork of a beautiful bird.
The workshop will combine drawing, painting and collage to produce a mixed media masterpiece.
This workshop has been designed especially for children aged 10 and over, teenagers and young adults, and will take place in the Discovery Zone at Stanwick Lakes. Please note, wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty as you’ll be using paints and glue at this workshop.
BIG BIRDY CRAFT CLUB
Wednesday 18th February
Looking for something creative and cosy to do this half-term? Warm up this February half term with birdy arts and crafts in our cosy visitor centre at Stanwick Lakes. Perfect family fun, whatever the weather!
On Wednesday 18th February, prebook onto one of three crafting sessions (10am, 12 midday or 2pm), at which you’ll have the choice to create lots of brilliant birdy themed crafts!
£10 per 1 hour 45 minute session.
PLUS, stop by the SPA information stand to find out why the Special Protection Area (that Stanwick Lakes is part of) is so special! (11am-2pm).
BUILD A BIRD BOX
Thursday 19th February, 10am-11.30am
Come along and build a wooden bird box at Stanwick Lakes this half term. Then once it’s complete, take it home to provide a nesting place for your garden birds. The Stanwick Lakes Ranger team will guide you, helping you put your box together and use the tools to make it the perfect home for baby birds.
Please note, the building of the bird boxes will take place in our Trading Places Barn which can get a bit chilly, so please wrap up warm!
£15 per nest box
OWL PELLET DISSECTION WORKSHOP
Friday 20th February, 10am-11am
Fancy becoming an owl detective?
Find out what owls have been eating by dissecting their pellets. Will you find a mouse, a vole or maybe a shrew skeleton? This event is perfect for young budding scientists aged 7 and over.
The Nene Valley Mammal Youth Group provides opportunities for young people to discover, learn about and record mammals and is part of the Mammal Society’s Local Group Network
£6 per child
BIRD NEST BOX RECORDING TALK
Friday 20th February, 2pm-3.30pm
Calling all young and seasoned bird-nerds alike! Join local ornithologist Ian Wrisdale, a BTO-licensed nest recorder, for an interesting talk at Stanwick Lakes exploring how nest boxes help us understand and protect bird populations.
Whether you’re a keen birdwatcher, interested in conservation, or simply curious about the wildlife around you, this is a great opportunity to deepen your understanding of how small actions can support birds locally. This is an informative seminar-style talk and due to the length and detail, is recommended for older children and adults with a keen interest, although younger children very welcome!
The talk offers a behind-the-scenes look at nest box recording – why it matters, what data is collected, and how it contributes to long-term bird conservation. Ian will also share practical advice on how to put up, position, and maintain nest boxes, helping you make the most of them in your own garden or green space.
£6 per adult, £3 per child
PLUS, stop by the SPA information stand to find out why the Special Protection Area (that Stanwick Lakes is part of) is so special! (11am-2pm).
More from the Visitor Centre at February Half Term
Cafe...
A delightful assortment of bird-themed treats, freshly baked and ready to sweeten your half-term break at our café!
Gift Shop...
A charming array of bird-themed products, waiting to add a touch of whimsy and wonder to your home – find them in our gift shop!