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Mike Wells has been a Nature Rockz ranger at Haven’s Wild Duck Holiday Park in Norfolk since the programme began in 2014. He explains what Nature Rockz is all about to Pippa Jacks.
What activities do you run?
There are bushcraft activities, which include fire-lighting, water-purification, and building a shelter in the woods. Then there are the wildlife activities, such as pond-dipping, bug-hunting, nature trails and making bird feeders. More recently we have introduced more creative activities too, using natural materials to make bracelets and dreamcatchers. The activities are relevant to the location, so if you visit one of our seaside resorts there’s the chance to go rock-pooling and build sand sculptures.
What do Nature Rockz activities cost?
Lots are free, although some such as making a nest-box cost £4-£8. If it’s a chargeable activity you can pre-book and pay for that online; for the free ones you can book when you arrive at the resort. Normally by 9am on a Saturday, our Nature Rockz activities are booked out for the entire weekend. Our maximum group size is 12 for all activities, and on certain activities like bushcraft you must be 5 years-plus.
What wildlife can guests at Wild Duck expect to see?
You can easily see bats: they use the path that begins in the woods behind safari tents 9 and 10 as a thoroughfare so if you go there after dark with a torch, you’re bound to see them. They also roost in the office above the mini-market! I see buzzards and sparrowhawks every week. There is a fox set at the back of the woods and we sometimes see little muntjac deer. When the buddleia comes out, we have tonnes and tonnes of butterflies.
How many rangers are there?
We started off with eight rangers in 2014, but now every single park has at least one. I’m one of the rangers who works year-round, doing conservation projects during the winter. This winter I dug some reptile and amphibian hibernaculum and did all the willow work in the field near the entrance of the park.
How did you become a Nature Rockz ranger?
I was already working for Haven in head office but when a pilot scheme for Nature Rockz was announced, I couldn’t resist applying. Survival skills and wildlife have been hobbies of mine ever since I got a Ray Mears bushcraft book when I was 14. I’m really passionate about nature and I breed endangered caterpillars at home and all sorts. I feel so lucky to be able to share my passion with our guests!
Wild Duck’s village of 10 safari tents is tucked away at the far end of the park, with its own bathroom block.
My spacious tent has a kitchen/dining area, and two bedrooms with a double bed in one, and bunks and a single bed in the other. I can roll up either just the front door, or the entire front face of the tent, for a true outdoors-indoors feel.
When I visit in mid-May it’s cold at night so I’m glad of the portable radiator. However, the plug socket layout means I can’t have both the portable radiator and the bedside lamp on at the same time in the bedroom (I end up reading by iPhone torch).
With a fridge, a two-hob stove, toaster, microwave, sink and plenty of crockery, it’s easy to self-cater comfortably. Tents have only a cold tap, but there is a washing-up room with hot taps, for those post-fry-up dishes.
It’s lovely to wake up to the sounds of the birds singing in the woods behind my tent in the mornings, and the safari vibe fits in perfectly with the Nature Rockz activities I’m doing this weekend.
With prices from £275 for a three-night break in July for a family of five, these tents are about the same price as a deluxe caravan – but infinitely more fun. They’re available at Haven’s Burnham-on-Sea, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Perran Sands, Seaview and Wild Duck sites.
