Enjoy a spot of wildlife watching with the RSPB in the historic setting of Leeds Castle. The conservation charity is setting up a viewing area overlooking the castle’s main lake for the next two weeks.

Staff and volunteers will be on hand, armed with telescopes and binoculars, ready to answer questions and help people get a closer look at the birds and other wildlife in the grounds.

The RSPB will also be running some hands-on activities for families, including mini-beast identification, which will be supervised by staff and volunteers.

Kate Whitton, RSPB South East events officer, said: “This is an exciting time of year – the weather is getting warmer and all kinds of wildlife are getting a spring in their step.

"It’s amazing to see the variety of birds showing off, starting to nest build and chasing away potential rivals. We will get to look at an array of swans, geese, ducks and herons. There are even kingfishers and birds of prey such as sparrowhawks and buzzards.”

The RSPB's Date with Nature project at Leeds Castle will run daily from Good Friday to Sunday, April 14, between 10am and 4.30pm. It is a free event but visitors will have to pay to enter the castle, which is priced £19.75 for adults, £12.50 for children. Visit www.rspb.org.uk for details.