What to see and do in August
August is a magical time out on our nature reserves, where the height of summer brings beautiful landscapes, abundant wildlife and an array of outdoor activities. Whether you are a seasoned nature enthusiast or looking for a serene escape, our reserves offer something for everyone. Here are some of our top tips for things to see and do this month.
Brockholes Village Fete is back!
Roll up, roll up - we are super excited to announce the return of Brockholes Village Fete this summer!
Back by popular demand and bigger than ever! This August bank holiday weekend join us at Brockholes for three whole days of village fete fun. There will be nature and nostalgia, games, food, crafts, and plenty of nature trails to explore.

Keep an eye out for kingfishers
Summer is the perfect time to spot one of our most vibrant and iconic birds, the kingfisher. Take a stroll alongside one of our rivers and keep your eyes peeled for a flash of blue as they dart along the water in search of food – the sight is worth the wait! Read on to learn more about these special birds and some of our top tips for where to see them around our region.

Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography
Who's ready for some Forest School Family Fun this Summer?
Have you heard of Forest School and want to know what it is all about? Enjoy an afternoon of fun at Brockholes this summer, with this fantastic Forest Schools taster session.
Play, explore and connect with the natural environment. Build dens, embark on a scavenger hunt, make a tree sprit and take part in plenty of natural crafts.

Look out for bees in the warmer weather
We've had mixed fortunes so far this summer when it comes to the weather, but should the sunshine decide to stick around, it's always a good idea to look out for our pollinators in the hotter weather. Many bee species are already in decline, and more frequent hotter, drier spells of weather add to their challenges; so it's important for us all to do what we can to support them. Learn more about some of the steps you can take to help bees in summer.

Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography
Make your own mallet
Come along to Heysham Nature Reserve this August, and spend some time outside crafting your very own hand made mallet. Learn how to work with wood to create your mallet under the supervision of Sam Ansell from the Coppice Co-op.

S Ansell
Get up-close and personal with wildlife this Summer
The theme for August's photography competition is 'Wildlife Close-ups'.
This is your chance to zoom in on nature's details. From dragonflies and butterfly's, to mammals hiding in plain site, or even a singular flower growing within the wildflower meadows, seeing nature close-up is truly a wonderful sight.

Singing wood warbler ©Andy Rouse/2020VISION
Embark on an adventure across the saltmarsh
Join Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Fylde Council for a guided walk out onto the Ribble Estuary to explore one of our most overlooked and undervalued habitats. We’ll take a closer look at the plants and wildlife of the saltmarsh and uncover the vital role it plays in our natural environment.

See what lies beneath the water
Pond dipping is back at Brockholes this summer! We provide all the equipment, you just need to turn up with a wild eye. Explore what lies beneath the surface of the water from tadpoles to fish and even creepy crawlies. Places are limited and filling up quickly!
