Kids race on space hoppers in the sunshine at launch of community wildlife project in Hampstead Heath

Space-hopping, making animal masks and dissecting regurgitated owl food made for unusual Sunday afternoon activities at the launch of a community project teaching people about wildlife on Hampstead Heath.

Kids raced against each other on space hoppers to see if they were faster than a hare, while the most popular event by far was the dissection of owl food to find small animal bones and recreate their skeletons.

The free event, called Wild about Hampstead Heath, was held to launch the community project, in partnership with the RSPB, Camden Community Consortium, Heath Hands, English Heritage and the City of London Corporation,

It will provide activities over the next three years to teach people more about nature and wildlife.

A custom-made bicycle, which volunteers will use to tell people more about the Heath, using screens and creative tools while cycling around the park, was unveiled for the first time at the fair.

Project manager Rachel Evans, 29, said: “We were right by the bandstand so there was lots of music and the weather was absolutely baking.

“We want people to learn more about the Heath in a fun and engaging way, especially those who don’t use the Heath very much.”