What to see and do in June

What to see and do in June

The month of June marks the beginning of summer and we cannot wait to get outdoors and explore the nature all around. Here are our top recommendations for things to see and do this June.

The warmer, longer days of June are here providing us with the perfect opportunity to explore the natural world around us. From the trees and wildflowers in full bloom to the abundance of wildlife, our reserves have transformed into beautiful, postcard perfect vistas for all to enjoy.

Below we recommend some of our top picks for what you can see and do in June.

Discover the wonders of wildflowers at Brockholes Nature Reserve

Join us and follow along with our guided walk leaders to discover the wonderful world of wildflowers! 

This guided walk provides a fascinating insight into the flora of Brockholes and how it changes over the year. Alongside this, we will look into the folklore associated with our wildflowers, trees and fungi. 

A Wildflower Year Guided Walk

Wildflowers by Paul Hobson

Take part in 30 Days Wild

The UK's biggest free nature challenge is back! 30 Days Wild is The Wildlife Trusts' annual challenge event, where everyone involved takes on wild activities throughout the month of June, inspiring people of all ages to connect with nature.

Sign up to take part and receive a free tailored pack full of tips and inspiration for your wild activities. Join in with thousands of people taking part across the country and experience all the benefits of spending more time in nature. 

If you haven’t already, there is still time to sign up here 

A fox, overlayed with text 'Go on an adventure with #30DaysWild'

Spot summer arrivals at Mere Sands Wood

Enjoy a delightful walk around the reserve and look out for some amazing seasonal species. See if you can spot common terns readying their nests on our new rafts, spy ospreys soaring overhead and observe butterflies as you walk beside our meadow. Mere Sands Wood is home to an abundance of species, all of which are just waiting to be discovered.

Learn more about Mere Sands Wood 

An osprey flying over a nature reserve against a bright blue sky

Emyr Evans

Join us at Manchester's wildest festival 

Come along to Heaton Park on Saturday 28th June and celebrate Manchester Festival of Nature. 

This year’s festival will be the usual mix of family-friendly arts, crafts and live music introducing visitors to the brilliant wildlife of Manchester. Activities will include natural dyeing, mindfulness, forest bathing, a giant Jenga, wildlife recording, wind spinners, woodland games, willow weaving, seed bombs, scavenger hunts, den building, and much more. 

Discover more here

A man and a girl looking at some plants under a gazebo

Manchester Festival of Nature 2024 - AJ Critch Wildlife

It's a bug's life

Your garden, balcony or yard, no matter how big or small, has the potential to be a haven for wildlife. This month we will be celebrating national insect week. What better way to celebrate this than to share all the incredible ways that you help insects thrive.

If you're just getting started with gardening for wildlife, why not sign up for our My Wild Garden guide to learn more about the steps you can start taking? You'll also be able to receive your very own My Wild Garden award in exchange for a small donation, to celebrate your little nature reserve!

My Wild Garden 

 

A blackbird sits in a lawn surrounded by dandelions

Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

Get snapping

As summer takes hold, we see our nature reserves come alive with insects. 

The theme for June's photography competition is 'It’s a Bugs Life'. This month we want to see your best snaps of all our little bugs, wherever they may be. 

Submit your entry before the 16th June 2026 and be in with a chance of featuring in our 2027 wildlife calendar!

Find out how to enter our photography competition here

Beetle

Louise Monique Dullaghan

Join our Reserve Officers for a guided walk around Mere Sands Wood

Join us for a guided walk through our reserve spotting birds, wildflowers, insects and more! We will stop to look for wildlife at various points. 

We'll be walking on accessible stone paths, though these may be slightly uneven in parts, so please wear sensible shoes or boots for walking, along with appropriate clothing for the weather.

Discover more and book your place

A footpath bordered by wooden fences, winding through a pine woodland full of bracken at Mere Sands Wood nature reserve

Mere Sands Wood by Charlotte Varela

There's still time to get your free tickets to the North West Optics and Outdoors Show!

In partnership with Viking Optical and Infocus. this is your opportunity to try and shop optics from world leading manufacturers including Swarovski, Zeiss, Leica and more 

With outdoor clothing, outdoor equipment and photography stalls, talks from leading conservation experts and the opportunity to explore the wonderful wildlife at Brockholes on one of our guided walks!

There is plenty to keep the kids entertained whilst you shop with our huge adventure playground plus activities and crafts in our welcome centre. 

Discover more and book your place

Aerial shot of Brockholes Nature Reserve

Aerial shot of Brockholes Nature Reserve

A male red-tailed bumblebee flying towards purple lavender flowers

Male red-tailed bumblebee by Rachel Scopes

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