July is the first full month of summer, and there are plenty of beautiful sights, sounds and colours on display as nature puts on a show for us. As the school holidays also get underway, there are lots of family-friendly events taking place where the whole family can get closer to nature! Learn all about some of the exciting events we have coming up, and the wildlife spectacles to keep an eye out for, this month.
Have you heard the familiar screams of swifts this summer as they wheel overhead? This beloved species is sadly facing many challenges, with numbers having declined by around 60% since the 1990s.
28th June - 6th July is this year's Swift Awareness Week, designed to raise awareness about this precious but endangered species and the efforts we can all make to help them.
Learn all about these fascinating birds below, and discover some easy steps you can take at home to support them on their annual summer visits to the UK.
Swift leaving its nest box by Peter Smith
We're thrilled to share that The Hive at Moss Bank Park is reopening for the summer on 3rd July! Bring your little ones along for a wild adventure, and allow them to connect with nature in our hands-on outdoor play area including a mud kitchen, water play area, music station, sensory garden and much more.
We recently announced the exciting launch of our Championing Nature project, which centres around helping bring communities in the Wythenshawe area closer to nature.
Join us for this free event where we'll be celebrating with a variety of stalls, family-friendly activities and workshops, including wildlife recording, guided walks, mindfulness sessions and much more!
AELTC/Andrew Baker
July is a wonderful month for spotting beautiful wildflowers in full bloom. Take a look at our blog below to learn about twelve wildflower species you may be able to spot in our region this summer. Our regular wildflower guided walks at Brockholes and along the Fylde Coast are also a great way to learn more about our region's flora, their history and folklore!
Orchids in a meadow © Jim Higham
Speaking of wildflowers, July's theme for our monthly photo competition is colours of summer. Now is the perfect time to capture the colourful blooms on display at our nature reserves - or perhaps verdant woodlands, vibrant butterflies and dragonflies, or the stunning plumage of birds like kingfishers.
Entries close 16th July - we can't wait to see your photos!
If you're looking to learn some new skills, why not come along to Brockholes for our Wildlife Wonders Photography Class? No experience or fancy equipment needed—just bring yourself and a mobile phone or camera!
Meet up for a short presentation with our professional photographer and wildlife lover, Ilse Bogerd. Then head out for a guided walk along the reserve, with Ilse giving you lots of tips and guidance to help you photograph the best nature and wildlife Brockholes has to offer.
Come curious and leave inspired — with memories and photos to match!
Roe deer at Brockholes Credit Steve Liptrot Photography
Summer nights are the perfect opportunity to learn more about the world of moths - in fact, 19th-27th July is National Moth Week! Moth trapping is a great way to get up close with these nocturnal creatures and learn which species live on your doorstep. Despite the name, moth trapping doesn't actually involve trapping them at all; it's simply about taking steps to attract them to your garden using a light source or food source.
Moth trapping by Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION
Join us on 22nd July for the latest in our series of Barn Owl Meet and Greet sessions at Lunt Meadows.
Our passionate barn owl expert will teach you all about barn owls, their development, abilities, and behaviour, plus answer any questions you have about these fascinating birds. At these talks, you will have an opportunity to hold the owl (on a glove).
Dragonfly Week is taking place from 5th-13th July this year, with the sunnier, warmer summer months being the perfect time to spot dragonflies as they hunt for prey.
Dragonflies and damselflies can be seen all over our region, including our wetlands, moorlands and woodlands. Take a look at our dragonfly identification guide to get you inspired - then see which species you can spot at our 'Introduction to Butterflies and Dragonflies' guided walk at Brockholes later this month!
Louise Bolton
Roll up, roll up - we are super excited to announce the return of Brockholes Village Fete this summer! Join us for a weekend of fun, nature and nostalgia, with games, food, crafts, and plenty of nature trails to explore.
Make sure to book your tickets during July for a 30% early bird discount!
Learn more about our nature reserves, our upcoming events calendar and the wildlife you can spot at this time of year...
Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION
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