Days Out: Follow the Lego brick trail

A young wildlife explorer meets Sam the Short-eared Owl at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

The Lego brick animal trail, the only one of its kind in the UK, is returning to WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre this spring with three new friends, including Sam the Short-eared Owl.

Fourteen 4ft Lego brick sculptures will be returning to the centre in Burscough for six weeks from Wednesday, May 9 to Sunday, June 24, all inspired by real species at WWT Martin Mere.

The trail features a large North American River Otter, an Hawaiian Goose (Nene), the world’s rarest goose, a giant Kingfisher, frog and a flamingo, plus new models that include a white stork, an owl and a water vole.

Oliver Dargie, with Natalie the Nene, at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Lancashire, with the giant Lego brick animals

In total 253,728 LEGO bricks were used to make all 14 wetland characters.

Nick Brooks, Martin Mere general manager, said: “We are very excited to welcome back these amazing brick animals to Martin Mere for the spring.

“The giant wetland characters look fantastic, especially the three new additions. “They’re a really fun way to highlight some of the animals WWT helps to protect, such as the iconic Nene and our otters.”

The brick animal trail is included within the admission ticket.

The site is open from 9.30am everyday, 364 days a year, with seasonal closing times. Visit http://www.wwt.org.uk/martinmere/