Lapwing Magazine | Spring 2025

Cows for conservation

Senior Trust Officers

Patrons

Edwin Booth

Vice President

Ted Jackson MBE

Honorary Vice President

Baroness Williams of Trafford

Chairman

Chri Davies

Vice Chairs

Deborah Shackleton CBE & Sheila Pankhurst

Treasurer Nicholas Williams

Chief Executive

Tom Burditt

Director of Nature Recovery

Mick Weston

Director of Nature and Wellbeing

Daveen Wallis

Head of Finance

Steve Wood

Editor Jenny Bennion E. jbennion@lancswt.org.uk

Sub Editors

Alan Wright, Lydia German, Kirsty Tyler, Amy Shakeshaft

Trust Headquarters

The Barn, Berkeley Drive, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6BY T. 01772 324129 www.lancswt.org.uk

Design www.nectarcreative.com

Cover photography

Conservation grazing cow at Lunt Meadows - A.J.Critch Wildlife

Lapwing is produced for the Members and Supporters of The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. Views expressed here are not necessarily those of the Trust.

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust is a Registered Charity (No.229325) and a Registered Company (No.731548) dedicated to the protection and promotion of wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying North of the River Mersey.

Exciting times as we head into spring...

Lapwing is always packed full of exciting news and the great thing is that we can share it with you, our members and supporters, first.

To begin with, how about a wasp that has never been recorded before in the United Kingdom? Aphanistes kluggi is a wasp that is so rare that we cannot find a common name for it, except that it is one of a number of Darwin wasps.

, Find out more about our new wasp discovery, Aphanistes klugii, on pages 8-9 - Martin Elkins

It was discovered by our own John Lamb and Ben Hargreaves in Oswaldtwistle, and identifying it was a real-life investigation over a couple of months. Just a few weeks later, another specimen was discovered in Bristol - but we were first in Lancashire (pages 8 and 9). I am also thrilled to announce that our Lunt Meadows Learning Centre is now open, providing a warm welcome to visitors, school groups and volunteers.

Over winter Lunt really proved its purpose as a flood reservoir, protecting vast areas of farmland and the villages around it. Now it can open its doors as a glorious destination for people and wildlife (4-7).

We are proud to have the mighty Mersey within our region and we know many people living around the river in Liverpool and Manchester feel the same pride. So, we are trying to bottle that feeling by asking people to tell us why they love the Mersey.

We want to know all about your experiences, stories and the wildlife you have encountered on this water course that has been so important to the North West for hundreds of years (12-13).

Spring is always exciting as creatures raise their young and plants and flowers begin to show their true colours.

We look closely at bats who will be on the wing as soon as there is enough food for them to catch; they eat an incredible amount of insects just to survive. I love walking out in the town or countryside and spotting bats flittering around as dusk announces the end of another day.

Please share in our excitement for spring and anticipation for summer. Visit our reserves and join our events. Tell us your stories about the wildlife you have seen and, perhaps, we will share some of them in the pages of the next Lapwing.

Tom Burditt, Chief Executive Officer

Spring is springing into life at our nature reserves - Alan Wright

Brown long-eared bat - Tom Marshall

Love letter to Lunt

Nestled within a changing agricultural landscape, Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve in Sefton feels so ancient and wild it seems like it’s always been this way.

As the site reaches its tenth year since officially opening, Molly Toal looks back on a decade of this wetland site, and forward to its exciting future.

Kestrel at Lunt Meadows - Bob Hurrell

I first knew of Lunt Meadows in autumn 2014. I was on a field trip with university to see an example of a nature-based solution to flooding and adapting to climate change that had been created along the River Alt. Lunt Meadows had been farm fields until 2010, used to grow crops, but they kept flooding and so the Environment Agency (EA) had purchased the land to create a flood storage reservoir that would also function as a nature reserve.

As we were walking along the river embankment, looking at the spillway the EA had installed so the water from the Alt could enter the reserve when the river levels were high, hundreds of Canada geese flew right over our heads and glided onto the pools on the reserve, incessantly honking.

"Lunt is now the largest reedbed in Merseyside, and contains a multitude of pools, ditches, and ponds, as well as wet grasslands and wildflower-rich meadows."

More than ten years on from my first visit, and Lunt Meadows is still just as noisy, with all manner of birds quacking, squawking, and twittering away daily. Lunt is now the largest reedbed in Merseyside, and contains a multitude of pools, ditches, and ponds, as well as wet grasslands and wildflower-rich meadows.

It really is a hub for wildlife, and I have had many special encounters. Some memorable ones include seeing barn owls and short-eared owls hunting, spotting hares boxing, hearing a bittern booming and, in summer 2021, watching newly fledged marsh harriers, born in the reedbed, taking their first flights.

Lunt’s brilliant and dedicated conservation volunteers have been integral to the development of the reserve. They have given their time to building and maintaining the bird hide and viewing screens, and helped to develop habitats, both by giving advice based on their amazing wildlife knowledge and by physically doing the hard work. Volunteers also assist with public events, generously sharing their knowledge of the wildlife and the reserve with visitors.

And if the wildlife were not exciting enough, the reserve also contains the remains of Mesolithic Stone Age settlements, dating back to as far as 9,300 years ago.

Archaeologists from the Museum of Liverpool, with the help of volunteers, have unearthed over 18,000 artefacts from excavating the site, giving insight into the lives of the hunter-gatherers who lived here so long ago.

Learning about the Mesolithic and working alongside the archaeology volunteers has been a real favourite of mine. It has been wonderful to be able to facilitate new types of volunteering, learn new skills alongside other people so passionate about archaeology, and to share our new-found knowledge and archaeological skills with the public. A highlight was always on our archaeology open days when visitors were able to sieve through soil and record artefacts themselves. >>>

Volunteers at the bird screen they helped to construct - Pete Olson

Lunt's conservation volunteers cutting and raking channels in the reedbed - Pete Olson

Lunt Meadows in November 2012, this area is now a reedbed - John Lamb

Of course, flooding has been a huge part of Lunt Meadows too, with the site holding excess water from the River Alt numerous times since it became a flood storage reservoir, particularly when there have been named storms. This is a positive scenario - the site is doing what it is designed to do, holding excess water that would otherwise damage communities further along the river.

Looking ahead to the future, the team are excited to continue improving Lunt, for both people and wildlife. There are plans to improve paths and bird screens, making them more accessible particularly when it is flooded, as the current paths can become impassable.

Lunt Meadows is a wonderful place to relax and to learn about nature, climate change and history and we want to continue to share that. Anyone who has visited Lunt Meadows will know that it is a beautiful place with vast open skies, but this openness means you can be at the mercy of the weather.

Check out Lunt’s packed calendar of events in our What’s On section or at lancswt.org.uk/ events

Inside is a cafe area, where visitors can sit and relax, with excellent views across the dry grasslands. We have already seen barn owls, roe deer, grey partridges, stonechats and lapwing, to name just a few, from the windows.

Now, we are delighted to share that new developments are on the way at Lunt, with the opening of a new building - The Learning Centre. This building has been a long time coming and will provide some much-needed shelter for volunteers, visitors and staff.

Off this main space are toilets, an accessible toilet, a volunteer room and an indoor classroom. The classroom will be used as a base for the Lunt team’s events and learning programmes, including wildlife, wellbeing and Stone Age themed workshops. The classroom will be available to book for use by external groups too, for meetings and events.

"The site is doing what it is designed to do, holding excess water that would otherwise damage communities further along the river"

The new Learning Centre at Lunt Meadows - Molly Toal

A lot of careful thought has gone into the Learning Centre’s design, and it is all planned with sustainability at its heart.

From British timber in the building itself and local timber from Mere Sands Wood used in the internal carpentry, to recycled wastewater, and an air source heat pump for some cosy underfloor heating. We've even got the local secondary school involved, with pupils upcycling furniture for their Duke of Edinburgh award.

The Learning Centre is part of a wide programme of works generously supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we're improving Lunt Meadows for wildlife and people.

The Presenting Mesolithic and Modern Life Project aims to give visitors, and the extended community, an understanding of how humans have interacted with the landscape over thousands of years, how landscape changes affect human lives and how these choices influence our future.

Now in its fifth and final year, the project is a partnership between Lancashire Wildlife Trust, the Museum of Liverpool, the Dept. of History and Archaeology, University of Chester, and Soroptimist International Crosby.

By Molly Toal

Lunt Meadows Communications and Engagement Officer

This year's issue of the North Lancashire Wildlife Group's annual magazine is now available.

With 64 A4 pages, 40 reports and articles, and with nearly 300 colour wildlife photographs to illustrate them, Wildlife in North Lancashire 2025 is a wonderful celebration of wildlife in North Lancashire and the surrounding areas. It includes articles by Wildlife Trust officers, reports on taxonomic groups, field reports and a range of other wildlife features.

Find out more and order your copy at nwlg.org.uk

One of the spillways in action, helping to stop flooding downstream - Environment Agency

Greylag geese over Lunt Meadows - Bob Hurrell

Inside the new Learning Centre

One of several barn owls seen daily at Lunt - Graham Roberts

Ossy wasp is a first for the UK

When Ben Hargreaves and John Lamb get together, they are usually working on something very special – like finding a wasp that had never been recorded in the UK!

Invertebrate Projects Officer Ben and Senior Conservation Officer John found the Aphanistes kluggi during a survey of the proposed Brookside Nature Reserve in Oswaldtwistle.

Aphanistes kluggi is a parasitic wasp which has only been recorded a handful of times in Europe, with scattered sightings in southern Sweden, Norway and Denmark and in central and eastern Europe. Identifying them is a real science as there are literally tens of thousands of wasps, bees and ants in the world.

It also ran to the Aphanistes genus, which has a raised ridge between its antennae.”

It took Ben and John three months to identify the insects they had caught. They found records of three Aphanistes in the UK, but the insect did not match the descriptions. Studying French specialist William Penigot and with expert help from Heinz Schee and Tony Hunter, curator of entemology at the World Museum in Liverpool, an uncommon wasp appeared.

"This is a widespread but generally uncommon wasp in Europe and Asia, with just 39 records according to the only online resource available."

The new wasp is a browny red specimen with an elongated abdomen, perfectly evolved to find and plant its eggs into host creatures such as moths.

Ben said: “Many bees, wasps, ants and flies are not readily identifiable in the field, and many require a microscopic study to identify them.

“During our surveys, I swept approximately 60 insects that were not field recognisable, and these were collected for inspection later. One of the parasitic wasps in the sample belonged to the Anomaloniinae sub family which are long-legged wasps with an elongated abdomen and a characteristic sculpture on the body.

Ben continues: “It clearly matched Aphanistes kluggi which had never been recorded in the UK. This is a widespread but generally uncommon wasp in Europe and Asia, with just 39 records according to the only online resource available.”

The appearance of the wasp in Oswaldtwistle did make sense though. Aphanistes kluggi is a specific parasite of the pine hawk-moth. Many parasitic wasps lay their eggs on, or in, host species such as moths (at the larval stage), which eventually kills the host, allowing the eggs to hatch. The pine hawk-moth is common in the south and east of England but has rapidly expanded northwards in recent years, usually attributed to climate change.

Ben said: “Clearly, the host is on the move, with sightings in 2024 in Ainsdale and Southport. It is not unusual for the parasite of a hostspecific species to be hot on the heels of that host.”

Aphanistes kluggi is, like many wasps, a spectacular looking creature. It is a large insect with forewings up to 15mm in length and it can be more than three centimetres from its head to the end of its abdomen. Parasitic wasps like these are often called Darwin wasps, which is slightly easier than the Latin name.

John and Ben surveying for new discoveries

John said: “Finding new or rare species in our patch is always a great pleasure as it helps put Lancashire on the map as a place for people to come to look out for fauna, flora and fungi.

“I remember the broadleaved and pine trees being planted at Brookside in the mid-2000s as part of the East Lancashire woodland project, Elwood. When I can, I will try and arrange for further site surveys to include wildlife other than birds and plants, because we just never know what may turn up, and someone may need to rewrite the books.

“Ben did a great job spotting this parasitic wasp and then getting it identified. As anyone with an interest in natural history knows, wildlife is wonderful and keeps you on your toes”.

Since our wasp was discovered, another UK specimen has been identified by Martin Elkins in Bristol in September 2024, so the increased territory of the pine hawk-moth seems to be having an effect.

By Alan Wright Head of Communications & Campaigns

“Finding new or rare species in our patch is always a great pleasure as it helps put Lancashire on the map as a place for people to come to look out for fauna, flora and fungi ”

Join us as a Non-Executive Director

We are looking for someone to join us a Non-Executive Director of Lancashire Wildlife Enterprises Ltd, the commercial arm of Lancashire Wildlife Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior level manager with a commercial background who wishes to use their skills and knowledge to support and enhance the delivery of our growing commercial services. This is a voluntary position, and we are seeking enthusiastic candidates with the following skillsets:

 Commercial and marketing experience at a senior level, preferably in the tourism or hospitality sector.

 Skills in delivering a highquality welcoming experience for visitors whilst maximising revenue generation.

 Experience in developing strategies to enhance visitor experience, ensuring inclusivity, accessibility and a broad audience reach.

 Experience in marketing, campaigns, sales tools and presentations, particularly in the conference/wedding/events space.

 Experience in nature/wildlife/ outdoors based visitor attractions preferable, although not essential.

Further details, including a role profile and how to apply, can be found on our website.

Aphanistes klugii - Martin Elkins

Our new discovery is parasitic on pine hawk-moths - Margaret Holland

Marine magic : Writing the waves with sea pens

Did you know there’s something lighting up the dark waters of the Irish Sea?

The marine world intrigues us because the sea hides weird, wonderful and other-worldly wildlife in its depths. Sea pens are a fascinating example of this marine magic, particularly the beautifully glowing phosphorescent sea pen.

Delicate and complex, but firm and feisty, this burrowing megafauna is one of the Irish Sea’s most fascinating residents. A sea pen is so-called because of its feathery, branch-like structure. It plumes up from the seabed and sways gently in the current, looking like a traditional quill pen. Growing up to 60cm high, they can live up to 15 years.

Whilst it looks like a plant, it is in fact an animal made up of a society of individual organisms, each with their own function.

Sea pens start life from an anemonelike creature called a polyp, which sheds its tentacles and develops into the central stem of the sea pen. This stem is called a rachis, and is made of calcium, just like the central stem of a bird’s feather. Once formed, it acts as a backbone for the entire structure.

A burrowing organ called a peduncle anchors the stem into the soft seabed, allowing more polyps to multiply and grow out into branches, creating a whole colony of organisms.

Each polyp has its own responsibility, specialising in a role such as being an anchor, providing a defence mechanism, allowing water uptake or supplying food. It’s like its own little village with everyone playing a part.

Polyps specialised for feeding are called autozooids and are self-feeding organisms which also provide food for the rest of the pen. A successful, happy sea pen will root in a gentle water current to collect drifting food like zooplankton and other organic matter which flows past and is grabbed by the feeding tentacles. This behaviour is called suspension or filter feeding.

A young sea pen forming next to an extravagant, established one – Alexander Mustard

Beautiful bioluminescence; phosphorescent sea pens emit a blue glow for communication and defence

" Whilst it looks like a plant, it is in fact an animal made up of a society of individual organisms, each with their own function. "

Sea pens prefer to live in deeper offshore waters to protect them from strong wave motion and the risk of being uprooted. In calmer seas, they can live further inshore and burrow into sand or fine mud. They can also change their mind about where they want to live, uprooting themselves to a new seabed spot for more food or protection.

This ethereal sounding existence is not always that easy though, as species such as the Dover sole loves feasting on sea pens. However, whilst pretty, they are not defenceless.

Their first line of defence is the ability to change colour, thanks to bioluminescent polyps which illuminate the structure into a glowing blue-green spectacle to startle predators, as phosphorescent light pulses eerily throughout the pen.

If this doesn’t work, sea pens can expel water from the central stem and flatten themselves to the sea floor until danger has passed.

Recent research has discovered that if a Dover sole does eat a sea pen, it won’t be in a hurry to do so again due to the narcotic and appetitereducing effects they suffer. Sea stars, sea snails and other molluscs will also try to tackle this magnificent marine animal.

Unfortunately, sea pens and other burrowing megafauna communities are sometimes taken for sale in the aquatic trade and end up with inexperienced owners or in unsuitable tanks. They are featured on the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats and are a Feature of Conservation Importance for which Marine Conservation Zones can be designated.

Whilst this is sad news, it’s important to remember the very real magic that we have dwelling in our marine world - magic that is the stuff of storybooks and should not be written out.

By Amy Shakeshaft Communications and Campaigns Assistant

Sea pen with a scampi emerging in the foreground - Paul Naylor

Phosphorescent sea pen - Paul Naylor A phosphorescent sea pen waving in the current – Polly Whyte

Sounding the alarm on Mersey tidal plans

Plans for a Mersey Tidal Barrage is dividing opinions. As a Wildlife Trust we support green energy but what is the cost to protected habitats and communities?

It’s hard to believe that the general election was just under a year ago. In the run up to voting, one of our main goals was to encourage people to engage with their prospective parliamentary candidates about their views on the biodiversity crisis.

We strongly urged our supporters to write to candidates, sharing why nature matters to them and asking what they would do for the environment if elected.

The goal was to inspire action that would influence government policy, and we were thrilled that 89 per cent of candidates across the country received letters from constituents via The Wildlife Trusts’ e-action, with 72 per cent of those candidates receiving at least two or more nature-related emails.

But the work doesn’t stop there. As we continue to raise our voices on behalf of wildlife, we’re now focusing on planning applications that could have significant environmental consequences. One such issue is the proposed tidal barrage across the River Mersey, which threatens local wildlife and communities.

Both Lancashire and Cheshire Wildlife Trusts are sounding the alarm over this project.

Dunlin at Stanlow Point, Mersey Estuary - Mersey Estuary WeBS

The scheme has been discussed on and off for the last century, but formally began to take shape last autumn when Liverpool City Region Combined Authority voted to scope the construction of a tidal barrage. Initial consultations were launched, spanning from Wirral to Warrington, and the process is now underway.

Mersey

is home to internationally important populations of black-tailed godwit, redshank, teal, dunlin, ringed plover, shelduck and pink- footed geese

Currently the exact design and location of the proposed barrage has yet to be revealed, raising concerns over the potential environmental impacts. We have been warned that the effects could be monumental, and our formal response to the Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report highlights that interference with the tides could disrupt the delicate balance of habitats along the Mersey, an area of global importance for migrating wildfowl and wading birds.

Stay updated through our web page or by scanning the QR code.

While we fully support a transition to renewable energy, we question whether it is wise to risk the destruction of protected habitats and increase the flood risk to local communities in the process. The Mersey Estuary is one of the most legally protected areas in the UK, and advancing this scheme without rigorous surveying and ecological assessment would be reckless.

One particular concern is for our Seaforth nature reserve, located near Bootle on the eastern bank of the Mersey Narrows. As there’s still no specific location for the proposed barrage, our long-term plans for this vital area, home to a wide range of waders, seabirds, ducks, and common terns, are having to be put on hold.

In addition to this, the potential loss of coastal wetland habitats like mudflats could exacerbate flood risks for communities across Merseyside and Warrington.

The combination of heavy rainfall and high tides resulting in more intense river flooding, displacing residents and causing millions of pounds in damage.

Our campaign to address this proposal is only just beginning. We’ve already been sharing ways you can support this critical cause, from writing to councillors and MPs to sharing your favourite wildlife spots around the Mersey.

By Lydia German Senior Communications and Campaigns Officer

" The Mersey Estuary is one of the most legally protected areas in the UK, and advancing this scheme without rigorous surveying and ecological assessment would be reckless. "

The

Estuary

Common tern feeding at Seaforth - A.J.Critch Wildlife

Common terns on their special breeding rafts at Seaforth - A.J.Critch Wildlife

Pink footed geese being moved by the tide - Mersey Estuary WeBS

We ’ re better together

The Bollin to Mersey Nature Recovery Partnership is a fantastic joint project led by Natural England with Manchester City Council and your Wildlife Trust as key partners, with everyone working together to breathe life back into nature.

It seems at first glance that the contrast between the southern part of Greater Manchester and the northern part of its neighbouring county, Cheshire, is massive. Urban versus rural, grey rather than green, nature poor not nature rich, municipal parks in housing estates, versus stately homes in historic parkland. Coronation Street versus the Real Housewives of Cheshire.

But of course, it’s not as simple as this, and that’s just one of the challenges of working on the Bollin to Mersey Nature Recovery Partnership.

This is just one of 12 Nature Recovery Projects across England covering more than 285,000ha –the first round of which was announced in 2022 by Natural England and Defra. These multi-partnership projects are designed to fast-track nature recovery by working collaboratively to create and restore wildlife-rich habitats, corridors and stepping-stones to help wildlife populations to move around freely.

This partnership has seen Natural England working with the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside as well as Manchester City Council – with some fantastic results.

Orchids are blooming in a wet meadow in Chorlton - Dave Barlow, Manchester City Council

Connections along the Mersey

The River Mersey has shaped the low-lying landscape as it flows east to west through the Greater Manchester conurbation of Stockport town centre, through to Irlam Locks where it meets the Manchester Ship Canal. A string of well visited wildlife sites and green spaces follow this stretch of riverside, providing a vital nature corridor between housing, transport and industrial developments.

Many species that you might expect to find only in rural areas live here. The woodlands are home to tawny owls, song thrushes and small numbers of rare, endangered willow tits. The wide pathways between trees provide feeding routes for pipistrelle and Daubenton’s bats; the rough grassland meadows support grasshopper warblers, ringlet butterflies and provide a wealth of insects for swifts to feed on.

With such rich and varied habitats within the city, Manchester’s Mersey Valley needs well informed management. Through the Nature Recovery Partnership, we have been able to work with Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Manchester City Council to better understand the roles that all the sites – plus the wildlife corridor as a whole - play for nature’s recovery. Wildlife Trust staff have carried out a lot of work; soil analysis and plant surveys, collating species records, and assessing how the sites provide ecological connectivity, helping species to thrive and move through the river valley.

Priority ponds

This research shows that prioritising the creation, restoration and maintenance work on wetlands, grassland, fen, reedbed and scrub habitats is critical for biodiversity.

Three ponds have already been restored at Chorlton Ees, a Local Nature Reserve in the heart of Manchester’s Mersey Valley. Overhanging branches and trees were removed to reduce overshading, and reedbeds were managed to promote a diverse structure and reduce encroachment by scrub or invasive species. Silt was dug out and water levels deepened, enhancing the network of ponds and returning them as great habitats for invertebrates, pond plants and amphibians. It’s early days, but the signs are promising as we look out for the first frog spawn of the spring.

Managing meadows

The Mersey Valley’s grasslands require management too. Regular mowing and removal of the cut grasses allows a diverse range of plant species to grow in the meadows, which in turn maximises the number and variety of insects which will thrive. Local Friends group members have been trained in traditional hay cutting practices and use scythes for hay cutting in any small fields. In large fields, more modern technology is embraced and ‘cut and collect’ machinery is used.

Building future nature recovery

We know that a growing national network of expanded, improved, and better-connected wildlife-rich places not only helps nature to recover, but also benefits people for their health, wealth and wellbeing. Improving the quality of habitats, whether they are in rural or urban areas does this. They also play a critical role in contributing to the country’s Nature Recovery Network.

By Hilary Wood

Bollin to Mersey Nature Recovery Partnership Manager at Natural England

Simons Bridge in Didsbury is part of a vital wildlife corridor - Dave Barlow, Manchester City Council

New ponds have been created at Chorlton Ees in Manchester - Dave Barlow, Manchester City Council

Traditional hay meadows are being created at Millgate Fields - Dave Barlow, Manchester City Council

Volunteering

something for everyone!

Trustee Hazel Ryan talks to our visitor centre volunteers and discovers another side to volunteering at your Wildlife Trust.

What does volunteering for your Wildlife Trust mean to you? Digging ditches, planting sphagnum moss and otherwise working outdoors with our conservation teams? Have you also thought it might involve baking cakes, cleaning windows, making sandwiches or welcoming visitors to our reserves?

It was a privilege to visit Mere Sands Wood and Brockholes recently to talk to Mark, Sue and Deidre about a different side to volunteering – being a visitor engagement volunteer. I was keen to hear how they became a volunteer, what their role involves and if they would recommend others to consider that role as a volunteering option.

Sue joined the Mere Sands Wood volunteer team when the new visitor centre opened in 2021 but has been visiting the reserve for 30 years. We laughed as she recalled that the original refreshments consisted of a tea urn in a shed – fortunately things have moved on. For Sue, meeting different people, having long interesting chats with them, and being in a friendly welcoming place are really important. She enjoys seeing the seasons change and making connections with visitors.

Mark & Sue volunteer in the visitor centre at Mere Sands Wood - Hazel Ryan

" Deidre, Sue and Mark all recommended being a volunteer for the sense of purpose it gives, improving wellbeing and getting out into the fresh air. "

Mark is a more recent Mere Sands Wood volunteer but had worked as a membership sales officer, so is familiar with the Trust. For Mark, being a volunteer sits alongside his hobby of photographing and identifying wildlife. He also keeps the noticeboard up to date, explaining recent sightings.

But he is also a dab hand with a broom and brush, and a rolling pin. Mark is one of a team of bakers, who make a sellout tea loaf, shortbread and other delicious cakes, which alongside the brilliant wildlife, are all very good reasons to visit Mere Sands Wood! Mark praised the fact that he has also learnt new skills through his Food Safety courses. For Mark, volunteering is a family affair, as his wife Susan ‘Knits for Nature’ and her cute and quirky creations are on sale in the shop.

Moving over to Brockholes, I met Deidre who has volunteered there since January 2012 and has helped with a variety of activities over the years. She is now based in the Visitor Centre, helping enhance the visitor experience by making sure they know the wildlife sightings of the day, the best places to go, and keeping everyone safe should areas of the reserve be closed. Deirdre explained the satisfaction she gets from knowing that she is passing on knowledge about nature, helping people get involved, and networking with other teams on the reserve to help things run smoothly.

Deidre, Sue and Mark all recommended being a volunteer for the sense of purpose it gives, improving wellbeing and getting out into the fresh air. As Deidre said: “It is a place to be yourself.”

So, even if you don’t think that digging ditches is for you, there are so many different opportunities for volunteering available, all of which are so important and valuable in supporting the work of the Trust. We couldn’t do what we do without our wonderful group of volunteers!

For more information on current volunteering opportunities, go to lancswt.org.uk/ volunteeringopportunities and get in touch

Volunteer Mark bakes amazing shortbread at Mere Sands Wood - Hazel Ryan

Sue volunteers in the cafe at Mere Sands Wood - Hazel Ryan

Deidre volunteers in the visitor centre at Brockholes - Hazel Ryan

Red squirrels have fought back from the brink of extinction in our stronghold in west Lancashire and on the Merseyside coast – and you have helped us make this dream come true.

This area is the furthest south that our native UK squirrel can be found in mainland England, and it still faces threats from squirrel pox and loss of habitat. This much-loved creature badly needs our help – and your response to our recent Big Give fundraising appeal is allowing us to do just that.

Find out more about our red squirrel conservation work at lancswt.org.uk/ our-work/redsquirrelconservation

" Thanks to your generosity, we hit our ambitious target of raising £ 20,000, which was doubled by the Big Give "

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our recent members’ event at Brockholes where you heard about our focus on red squirrels for the Big Give appeal, part of our ongoing Step up for Wildlife fundraising efforts. We were so excited to be able to tell you first about this amazing opportunity to help our red squirrels regain their stronghold in our region, and your reaction was incredible.

There was an eye-opening talk from Molly, our Red Squirrel Officer, all about the Red Squirrel Project. Molly talked about the conservation of red squirrels in our patch, the threats they face, and what we are actively doing to help them, and you were there to support throughout.

The members attending also helped kick off the massive success of our Big Give fundraising appeal. We are thrilled to say that thanks to your generosity, we hit our ambitious target of raising £20,000, which was doubled by the Big Give – bringing our grand total raised during the campaign to an amazing £40,774! To everyone who donated, we truly cannot thank you enough.

Red squirrels are facing many challenges, with their numbers having fallen drastically in recent decades.

This is mainly due to habitat loss, competition from the invasive grey squirrel, and the devastating effects of squirrel pox – a deadly virus carried by grey squirrels. The Sefton Coast in Merseyside is one of the last few remaining strongholds for reds in England, and we are working hard to help them recover in this area.

Your generous donations will help us ramp up our efforts to protect our region’s red squirrels and help their fragile population to recover.

This will include increased monitoring to understand their movement and habitat use, more volunteering and community involvement with the project, more woodland habitat management, more rehabilitating and releasing orphaned reds back into the wild, and the list goes on.

Thanks to your support our Red Squirrel team can ensure there is always a home for the red squirrel in our region.

By Laura Cronin Fundraising & Digital Marketing Officer and David Price Fundraising Officer

Our fundraising team is generously supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund

Helping

memories

live on with our memory trees

Our memory trees are a beautiful way to remember someone who loved wildlife and nature.

Recently, one of our kind supporters, Claire, got in touch to dedicate a leaf to her brother, Craig, who the whole family were devastated to say goodbye to in August 2024. As a family, they wanted to remember Craig with a lifetime leaf at Mere Sands Wood, so that they had a treasured place to come and remember Craig.

On Sunday 17 November 2024, we met to put Craig's leaf on the memory tree at Mere Sands, which would have been Craig’s 38th birthday. Claire described Craig as the “brightest star in the sky”, and he will shine on at Mere Sands Wood forever.

We have memory trees at Brockholes and Mere Sands Wood and summer will see a new tree in place at Lunt Meadows. Find out more at lancswt.org.uk/ support-us/donate/ memory-tree

Red squirrel talk from the members' event - Lucy Coxhead

Molly Frost installs a piece of red squirrel monitoring equipment - Lydia German

Hoofs for habitats : How conservation grazing is boosting biodiversity

Across our region’s wild landscapes, an ancient practice is making a modern comeback. Conservation grazing - using livestock to naturally manage land - is transforming the way we care for our habitats, helping nature thrive while improving soil health and boosting biodiversity.

At Lancashire Wildlife Trust, we’ve been harnessing the power of grazing animals for years, carefully selecting different species to maintain a delicate balance in our wild spaces. But what exactly does biodiversity mean, and why is it so important?

The power of biodiversity

Biodiversity is simply the variety of life on Earth — plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms all working together to create healthy ecosystems. The richer the biodiversity in an area, the more resilient that habitat becomes to environmental pressures such as climate change and pollution.

Conservation grazing plays a vital role in this process. By introducing cattle, sheep and goats, all of which graze differently, we create a dynamic landscape where different plants and wildlife can flourish.

Smaller animals nibble away at finer grasses stopping them from taking over, while heavier cattle trample and disturb the soil, creating bare patches where wildflowers can take root.

Over time, this diversity in plant life attracts insects, which in turn support birds and mammals, leading to a thriving, balanced ecosystem.

" By introducing cattle, sheep and goats, all of which graze differently, we create a dynamic landscape where different plants and wildlife can flourish. "

More cattle, more conservation

Our grazing project has already made a huge difference across our nature reserves, but to expand our reach, we need more hoofed helpers.

That’s where our Big Give campaign comes in. We’re aiming to raise £5,000, every pound of which will be matched by the Big Give, to purchase additional grazing cattle, enabling us to extend this wonderful natural process to even more of our sites across the North West.

With more animals at work, we can increase the amount of land managed sustainably, giving nature more time to recover and helping restore soil health naturally. Healthy soil absorbs more carbon, retains more water, and supports a wider range of plant life, all key factors in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.

Conservation grazing cattle at Lunt Meadows - A.J.Critch Wildlife

" If you can, please donate when the Big Give opens at midday on 22 April! "

Double your impact!

For ONE WEEK ONLY, every penny you donate to our Big Give appeal will be doubled, helping us to increase our conservation grazing herd.

How you can help

By donating to our Big Give campaign, you’ll be directly contributing to the future of our wild spaces. Your support means we can introduce more cattle to key sites, ensuring conservation grazing continues to pave the way for sustainable land management.

Nature needs us now more than ever. With your help, we can let our livestock do what they do best, keep landscapes rich, diverse, and teeming with life.

Find out more at lancswt.org.uk, and if you can, please donate when the Big Give opens at midday on 22 April!

By Jenny Johnson Head of Marketing & Income Generation

In memory of Irene Ridge

It

is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to an exceptional ecologist and one of our greatest supporters.

Irene began her relationship with your Wildlife Trust in 1999 volunteering at Moor Piece nature reserve carrying out practical management – and always keeping an eye out for fungi. In fact, Irene loved Moor Piece so much that she and her husband John went on to buy a plot next door as an extension to the nature reserve.

But Irene’s great love was always fungi, and as an active member of the NW Fungi Group, along with other members, she recorded over 400 species at Moor Piece. She would turn up in her green gilet which had lots of pockets filled with empty pots ready for collecting specimens.

Irene received her LWT longservice volunteering certificate in April 2018. She will be missed, not just for her support to the Wildlife Trust and the Fungi group but also for her patience and kindness in answering our almost constant questions about fungi!

Thank you Irene.

Planning the days' work - Lucy O'Reilly

Showing off those long horns - Lucy O'Reilly

English longhorn cow - Lucy O'Reilly

Our latest calf, Yara - Lucy O'Reilly

Bringing them back

Species reintroductions are one of the very best parts of our work, writes Tom Burditt .

Recently I said that I’d love to see the mighty ancient sturgeon back in the North West’s seas. Since then I’ve been asked what other lost or missing species I would like to see back in our patch.

Harvest mice

Having spent the early part of my life and career in South West England coming across the occasional harvest mouse nest, I was quite surprised when last year I was told that there are no confirmed records of this red list, near-threatened species either in Lancashire, Manchester or North Merseyside.

Naturally I got to thinking what a great reintroduction project these beautiful little sandy-coloured creatures, with their bright eyes, blunt noses, and prehensile tails would make. That was until...

Back in January, four harvest mouse nests were found at our Lunt Meadows nature reserve. As a result of the work our team have done on this previously arable landscape, the site is now a harvest mouse haven with its reedbeds and wet grassy meadows, so I hope the species can continue to thrive and spread out in future.

There's a real possibility that harvest mice are a species that has been under-recorded, so if you do ever find a nest, both we and the Mammal Society would love to hear from you.

Harvestmousenest-MarthaCowell

Harvest mouse - Amy Lewis

Tree frogs

Back in the summer of 2023 I was lucky enough to come across common (European) tree frogs in the wild – on a re-wilding project in the Netherlands. Contrary to what I had expected, they were just sitting on bramble leaves in a damp scrubby cattle-grazed field – in places that looked and felt just like so many of our Wigan nature reserves.

So, I can’t see why they couldn’t thrive on nature reserves in the UK. And seeing them in such normal looking habitats just made me realise how much we take the naturedepleted state of this country for granted. A few hundred years ago tree frogs would have been plentiful, and with their loud burbling dawnchorus (that’s been likened to the sound of a toy motorboat), they could be again as momentum for approved UK releases is growing.

Oysters

We had plentiful oyster beds and reefs off our coast as recently as the 19th century. Although sadly there have been 95 per cent declines nationally since then, thanks partly to overfishing and pollution.

But this is a species that could be reintroduced relatively easily, and there are already Wildlife Trust projects in the Humber and in Belfast to bring them back. They can have economic value, they clean water, store carbon and provide habitat for other species – and can be attached to offshore windfarms and harbours.

Pine martens

We may not have quite the right mountain and forest landscapes for a bespoke pine marten reintroduction like has happened in Wales and the Forest of Dean, but pine martens travel very widely and can survive at low densities. A natural spread either from North Wales or Scotland/ Northumberland isn’t impossible, and there is good scientific evidence that they could have a positive impact on our threatened red squirrel population if they did.

As a largely arboreal (tree dwelling) species, they disproportionately predate the slightly heavier grey squirrels – as the lighter red squirrels can make it out to the thinner branches where the martens can’t get them.

" There ' s a real possibility that harvest mice are a species that has been under - recorded, so if you do ever find a nest, both we and the Mammal Society would love to hear from you. "

White-faced darter dragonfly

Finally, one lost species that might be coming back to Greater Manchester’s peatlands thanks to funding from Mace is the charismatic and stunning white-faced darter dragonfly.

Healthy populations of these dragonflies can be found in both Cumbria and Cheshire, but habitat destruction caused them to become locally extinct. After significant restoration work, we are hoping to have them back as soon as next year.

Let us know about your wildlife sightings by tagging us on social media.

Tree frog in the Netherlands - Fiona Whitfield

White-faced darter dragonfly - Vicky Nall

Pine marten - Mark Hamblin 2020VISION

If these photos have inspired you to get out in the natural world and capture some wildlife shots, why not enter our competition? Explore this month’s theme and find out how to enter at lancswt.org.uk/ photo-comp

A

Last year’s photography competition entries were incredible, and we cannot wait to see what 2025 will bring.

Take a look at some of the wonderful entries from last year to inspire you to submit your own nature moments and be in with a chance of featuring in our wildlife calendar.

The winner of October’s photography competition was Daryl Hopcroft with these fabulous fungi. Our judges loved the way that this photograph captures the richness of the environment, illuminating and creating an almost molten glass sheen to these fabulous fungi.

Another fantastic entry from October’s competition, that came in second place, was this dewdrop bonnet captured by Jamie Fendt . From the closeness of the rich green moss to the contrast of the fantastic dewdrop covered singular bonnet, our judges loved the whole composition of this photograph.

Andrew Bradley was the winner of November’s competition with this little egret. The timing of this image, capturing the egret as it opens its wings for take off, is perfect. We loved how he captured the contrast between the beautiful white plumage of the egret against the orange hues of the trees in the background.

The theme for December was Christmas Card Wildlife. This beautiful long tailed tit taken by Nigel Barnes, truly captured the hearts of our judges and took home first place. We loved the detail captured in this image, from the distinctive colours and the fluffed-up feathers of its plumage to the snow-covered branches surrounding it.

December’s photography competition also brought us this image captured by Carl Abbott This beautiful photograph of buzzard taking home second place. From the bare winter tree standing alone amongst the snow-covered grounds to the buzzard perched high upon its branches, the simple composition of this photograph is just right.

By Alice Wood Marketing Officer

Daryl said:

“I was really thrilled for my photo to be picked as the winner of the Fabulous Fungi competition in the autumn. My eyes were immediately drawn to something vibrantly orange. This was the fungi in the photo concerned. They were extremely fluid in appearance. I had seen waxcaps before, but these were so vividly tangerine they almost didn’t look real! There is something magical about finding an unusual living thing that you have not witnessed before, and it is this that creates the excitement of fungi searches.”

Andrew said:

“The photograph of the little egret was taken on my local patch, Haslam Park, in Preston. We get an occasional egret on the brook, which runs through the park each winter. I saw this one perched aloft a tree, with the lovely autumn colours behind. As I neared the tree, the egret jettisoned some droppings and I thought, ‘it’s going to take off’. I raised my camera just as it leaped into the air.... result! Seeing and photographing nature like this is my happy place. I'm never happier than when I’m outdoors.”

Nigel Said:

“The photo was taken in my back garden. Once in a blue moon, a group of long-tailed tits (a 'vollery' - I had to look that up), will visit. But they never stay long. They'll come and go to the feeders a few times, then they're gone. They are lovely birds, great to see, but difficult to photograph as they're so small and don't keep still! However, I was quick with the camera on this occasion and got a few good photos. One of the great aspects of nature photography is that there is always something to see. Whether it's out on nature reserves or just in your own back garden.”

Daryl Hopcroft – The future is bright, the future is orange

Dewdrop bonnet - Jamie Fendt

Little egret - Andrew Bradley

Long-tailed tit - Nigel Barnes

Ever get the feeling you are not alone?

In my garden on sunny spring and summer days, I get the feeling I am being watched, says Alan Wright .

First of all, I hear a hum from the plants that are part of my wildlife garden. Bees buzz around busilybut another striped insect is also hanging around. With fast-moving wings and large eyes, literally hanging in the air will be a hoverfly, giving me the once over. I see them on plants all through summer, with those eyes and striped pyjamas.

The most common hoverfly we have in Lancashire is the marmalade hoverfly. Its orange and black hooped body is just a wonderful creation of nature. It feeds on flowers such as tansy, ragwort and cow parsley in gardens, hedgerows, parks and woodlands.

visitHoverflies 52% of crops globally

You are likely to see it on flowers and leaves in your garden, but it will hover and observe you as you enjoy all that being outdoors brings. This insect is also great for your garden feeding on lots of aphids. While most of our marmalade hoverflies breed here in the UK, large numbers also migrate from the continent.

Another regular visitor to our gardens is the common banded hoverfly, with a black body covered in yellow bands. They are probably more noticeable by the hum they create with their wings when resting on plants.

Of course, it is a bit of a task telling the difference between the 270 species of hoverfly in the UK, ranging in size from a few millimetres to two centimetres.

The elongated body of the aptly named long hoverfly makes it easier to distinguish from its cousins and, again, you will see it happily pollinating flowers in your garden. It has a yellow face and its body is long and narrow, with yellow and black bands and transparent wings.

Just to make things even more confusing, watch out for the bumblebee mimic hoverfly, which looks like a bee because of its furry body.

Bumblebee mimic hoverfly - Janet Packham

" It is a bit of a task telling the difference between the 270 species of hoverfly in the UK, ranging in size from a few millimetres to two centimetres "

There are a few features that give it away as a hoverfly, including those big eyes, short, stubby antennae and only one pair of wings. A huge number of hoverfy species are mimics, pretending to be bees or wasps to avoid being eaten.

Hoverflies are definitely one of my favourite things about summer, even if I know they are watching my every move.

By Alan Wright Head of Communications & Campaigns

Want to find out more about hoverflies?

The great thing about wildlife in your garden is that once you realise there are more than one species of bee, wasp or slug, you can dig into books and websites to find more information.

I was excited when the latest Wild Guide arrived from Princeton Press, The Hoverflies of Britain and Ireland. In summer you will see and hear hoverflies every day, so it is great to learn more about the varieties –authors Stuart Ball and Roger Morris provide this with fascinating insights into more than 100 varieties of the insect in this book.

It captures the colour and character of hoverflies and offers information about shapes, sizes and characteristics of each subject, giving you an idea where and when in the calendar you are likely to see them.

The book has grown over a number of editions with more than 100,000 records arriving at the Hoverfly Recording Scheme every year. There is a vibrant hoverfly fan club and this book is a good starting point to join in the fun.

If I have one niggle about the book it’s that the authors have pretty much ignored all common names and stick to the Latin titles of each hoverfly. This adds a gravitas to proceedings but could also put off a few new starters into this fascinating world.

Yet, life is about adventure, so you could use this wild guide to identify the hoverflies in your garden and then seek their common names –marmalade, Heineken, long – on ID apps such as iNaturalist to record your sightings later.

Long hoverfly - Alan Wright

The marmalade hoverfly - Alan Wright

Hoverflies are easily identified by their large eyes - Alan Wright

Yellow barred peat hoverfly - Alan Wright

The crossover episode we’ve all been waiting for...

Sphagnum moss can be planted, bounced on and even thrown about in the name of peatland restoration. Now it’s becoming a metaphorical and spongey bridge between our Peatland and Nature & Wellbeing teams.

Just downhill from the majestic West Pennine Moors, where sphagnum moss makes its home, is The Greenhouse Project in Witton Country Park, and work has been going on to get one of the last remaining unrestored glasshouses ready for a new nursery, specifically to grow this mossy marvel.

Our peatland restoration work uses tens of thousands of sphagnum moss plugs per year, which are currently all bought from one supplier. If that supplier has a bad year for growing then our work on the moors will be severely at risk. So, how we could mitigate that risk?

Alex Hubberstey, Lancashire Peat Partnership Coordinator, said: “It was actually Calderdale Council who invited us over to see their sphagnum growing greenhouse back in winter.

"They had secured funding to learn how to grow sphagnum moss in a greenhouse setting with volunteers, and more importantly, share those learnings with other organisations to help establish other moss greenhouses.”

Greenhouse you say? Well, we have a pretty big one of those, so it was off to chat to the Nature and Wellbeing team to see if some collaboration could be done.

The Greenhouse Project is the perfect base of operations for growing sphagnum. It’s right at the foot of the moors, and there was a whole spare glasshouse that hadn’t yet been renovated.

If you’d like to keep up to date with our work at The Greenhouse Project, check out our webpage at lancswt.org.uk/ greenhouseproject

Firstly, just as we had when renovating the the other glasshouses to become a community growing space in 2021, we had to remove the old asbestos staging with some expert help, and thanks to funding from the Environmental Resources Management (ERM) Foundation, install an irrigation system. Some old mushroom crates from the catering team, and all is set and ready to go.

The next step was getting out and actually collecting some sphagnum on the moors (under licence) to start our propagation efforts off.

Alex Hubberstey with representatives from Calderdale Council at The Greenhouse Project - A.J.Critch Wildlife

" The lovely thing about this collaboration isn ’ t just that LWT staff get to work with each other. It ’ s the wellbeing participants too who get to be connected with the Trust in a wider way than they may usually be. "

The lovely thing about this collaboration isn’t just that LWT staff get to work with each other. It’s the wellbeing participants too who get to connect with the Trust in a wider way than they may usually do.

It’s being able to set up relationships for them to do some different types of volunteering in future and maybe continue working with the peatland team. For some, it will be literally introducing them to the moors that are on their doorstep but may have been a stranger until now.

Andy Mather, Senior Project Officer at the Greenhouse Project said: “People in the Blackburn with Darwen area so connected to the moors. Both the community groups who we work with, as well as regular greenhouse volunteers, will gain a lot from interaction with the Peatland team and seeing how their local project fits into the conservation work of the wider Trust.

Learning and enjoyment in both directions will inevitably take place as the Peatlands team spend time with those who have been so pivotal in creating a community garden in the heart of Blackburn.”

By Kirsty Tyler Nature & Wellbeing Communications Officer

Andy Mather connecting the new irrigation system - A.J.Critch Wildlife

A volunteer planting sphagnum moss on Darwen Moor - A.J.Critch Wildlife

Volunteers will help to plant sphagnum moss to restore Darwen Moor - A.J.Critch Wildlife

A bundle of sphagnum moss plugs ready to be planted during a volunteer session on Darwen Moor - A.J.Critch Wildlife

The bats are back in town

After their winter hibernation, bats are back swooping through our skies. Jenny Bennion finds out more about these beautiful creatures of the night.

The bats of Lancashire

17 species of bat breed in the UK and we are lucky enough to have eight of them here in Lancashire.

— Common and soprano pipistrelles zoom through the sky with a jerking and twisting flight whilst they catch insects on the wing. Spot them nesting under the roof shingles at the Brockholes Visitor Village and in the hibernaculum at Mere Sands Wood.

— The UK population of Natterer’s bats is of international importance, but you will be hard pressed to spot one as they tend to fly in amongst trees, catching prey from the foliage, although bat detectors have picked them up at Mere Sands Wood.

— Noctule bats often leave their tree hole roosts before sunset giving you a great chance to spot one at Lunt Meadows.

— Sporting a furry overcoat, you’ll need to cast your eyes down to spot a Brandt’s bat as it catches insects near the woodland floor or above water bodies.

— Daubenton’s bats hunt over water, skimming the surface to gobble up mayflies and caddisflies. Keep your eye out over the River Ribble from Cross Hill Quarry and over Meadow Lake at Brockholes.

Keep your eyes peeled along hedgerow and woodland edges to spot a whiskered bat following their regular path to dinner. Echolocating at a similar frequency to Brandt’s bat, both species can be found at Brockholes and Lunt Meadows.

— Brown long eared bats flit through the woodland canopy to snatch insects from the leaves. They love the dips in the canopy that areas of coppiced woodland at Longworth Clough create.

Brown long-eared bats have sensitiveexceptionally hearing - they can even hear a ladybird walking on a leaf!

What can we do to help bats

Turn your garden into a bat buffet by encouraging lots of invertebrates to take up residence. Including both flowering plants and those that give insects somewhere to shelter such as climbers, or adding a pond, and leaving some messy areas will all really help.

Also consider your outside lighting as the presence of artificial lights can affect bats’ roosting times and behaviours. Turning off decorative lighting when not in use or dimming security lights can all have a positive effect.

Put up a bat box. You can make these easily yourself, just make sure it is placed somewhere high in a sheltered position that gets sun for at least part of the day. And remember never to disturb the bat box once it’s in place, check for droppings below it as a sign of occupancy.

A batty love story

On top of our 17 breeding species of bats there is one other bat that is recorded in the UK, the greater mouse-eared bat. Declared extinct in the 1990’s a single male was recorded hibernating in a disused railway tunnel in Sussex 2002. He would disappear every summer, presumably back to Europe where there is a population, before returning every winter. But as a single gentleman there was little hope that the species could return to the UK. That is until 2023 when a female was discovered hibernating not far away. Now the wait is on to see if they can find love…

What an appetite!

Bats are an indicator species of a healthy insect population. A common pipistrelle can eat over 3,500 midges in just one evening, so anywhere with a healthy bat population shows there are the insects there to sustain them.

Snoozing the winter away

Bats are one of only three species (along with hedgehogs and dormice) in the UK that truly hibernate. Entering hibernation in late autumn their body temperature and metabolic rates drop, and they survive on stored fat until the weather warms up again in spring. In fact, bats’ heart rates can drop to just 4 beats per minute, down from nearly 1,000 when they are flying.

Natterer's bat - Tom Marshall

Common pipistrelle bat - Peter Smith

Brown long-eared bat - Tom Marshall

Noctule bat - Tom Marshall

Whiskered bat - Tom Marshall

Embracing spring at Brockholes Nature Reserve

Stimulate your senses with the sights and sounds of springtime at our flagship nature reserve

As a Reserve Officer at Brockholes, working outside throughout the cold, wet and short days of winter can be challenging, so the sights and sounds of spring are always incredibly uplifting. Early February marks a transition, with snowdrops bursting into flower and bluebell foliage peeking out amongst leaflitter in the woodlands.

Morning bird song greets your arrival, with the unmistakably strident and repetitive calls of the song thrush resounding from the tree tops and with the ‘squeaky bike wheel’ tune of dunnock traceable to the tops of bramble patches and in hedgerows. In late afternoon the barn owls are a beautiful sight, hunting before the light fades to build up energy and a larder in readiness for nesting.

Nightfall then brings the ‘twit’ and ‘twoo’ calls of female and male tawny owls respectively, which are very early nesters.

By March, other resident birds add their vocals to the morning air, with wrens, blackbirds, chaffinches and chiffchaffs all seeking to establish breeding territories with their distinctive calls. And with a little sunshine, an array of flowers burst forth: cherry plum and blackthorn trees become adorned with a confetti of small white blossoms, and the meadows turn yellow with a combination of coltsfoot, dandelions, primroses and then cowslips.

With flowers providing a feast of nectar and pollen, many insects emerge from their winter stasis.

Solitary mining bee larvae metamorphose into adults and leave their burrows in the sandy banks near the Visitor Village, whilst adult butterflies such as peacock and small tortoiseshell emerge from hibernation for a long-awaited feast.

A walk along any of the trails at this time of year will provide sensory delights, always with additional potential to encounter resident roe deer, who enjoy eating fresh spring foliage as much as we enjoy viewing it.

A big change at Brockholes this spring is that our islands are once again suitable for nesting and roosting wading birds, with grant money from Biffa Award having enabled us to restore them.

Roe deer - Leslie Price

What might look like a muddy and pebbly mess to us will be an enticing home for breeding lapwing, oystercatcher, common sandpiper and ringed plover, and provides a great bed and breakfast for migratory flocks of curlew and whimbrel.

With exclusion fencing and floating ropes giving protection from red foxes it will be exciting to see how the birds respond to the ‘home improvements’ we have achieved. A seal of approval will be having the joyous sight and sound of displaying lapwing returning to the reserve.

Brockholes of course hosts many migrant breeding bird species too, mostly traveling from Africa to utilise the habitats that the UK offers.

arrive in March and busy themselves with tidying their nest burrows. In April we then greet whitethroats, reed warblers, black-caps and sedge warblers, which settle into scrub and reeds, generating a cacophony of dawn chorus song on crisp, clear mornings.

Also listen out for grasshopper warblers, with their song closely resembling the sound of the insect after which they are named. Finally, a small colony of common terns arrive and set up territory on floating rafts on No.1 Pit Lake, making themselves known with their raucous calls and graceful, agile flight.

Scan the QR code to read more about our Nurturing Nature habitat restoration project at Brockholes

Spring is in the air and our wildlife can certainly feel it. Our human lives are not governed by daylight hours or food sources in the way that plants, birds, small mammals and insects are, but their activity is certainly a prompt for us to tune-in and to embrace the joy that spring brings.

By Lorna Bennett Brockholes Reserve Officer

Sand martins

Barn owl at Brockholes - Stephen Melling

Lorna putting out floating ropes to exclude predators from the newly 'muddied' islands - Matthew Swift

The newly 'muddied' islands at Brockholes - Lorna Bennett

Sand martin boxes at Brockholes - Chris Mc

Wildflower meadow at Brockholes - Kirsty Tyler

What has happened to our peat ban?

Let’s take you back to 2022, when Defra first announced that the commercial sale of bagged peat compost would be banned by 2024. Fast forward to 1 January 2024, no ban had been implemented and we’re still waiting. So, what has happened?

We’d be lying if we said we had the answer as to exactly why the peat ban hasn’t been followed through with. The government has been dragging its feet, and no legislative vehicle has been created which would allow the ban to be implemented. There have been a number of Ten Minute Bills relating to the peat ban, but these have still gone nowhere. Ten Minute Bills are opportunities for MPs to raise a proposal to the House of Commons about a specific issue.

One that was proposed under the previous Government was scrapped when the election was called. And the latest one which came in under our current Government, we had hoped would be an easy win. It passed the first stage, but disappointingly its second stage reading which should have taken place in January, has now been postponed until July.

There seems to be no end in sight, but this isn’t stopping us from both shouting about the issue and taking practical action to help our precious peatlands.

Since 2024, when the ban should have been put in place, we have been carrying out vital peatland restoration and peat free campaigning across our region.

This is just some of what we’ve been up to:

– The Lancashire Peat Partnership has been restoring degraded blanket bog habitat on Darwen Moor. The work has had a positive impact, and wildlife has already started to return to the area.

– We have been campaigning to raise awareness of the hidden peat that is present in so many unexpected places. We are asking retailers to add clear labelling on products containing peat such as mushrooms and potted plants.

– We bought a new peatland next to Astley Moss and will be restoring the ex-agricultural field to connect it to its boggy neighbour.

– Our team are at the forefront of trialling wetter farming practices on degraded agricultural peat.

– Installed 2,960 peat dams, 594 timber dams, 314 stone dams, and 92 timber/coir composite dams to hold back water and re-wet the peat on Darwen Moor.

– We have planted over 383,000 peatland plants, including 142,000 plants on Darwen Moor, 118,000 plugs of sphagnum moss, 120,000 cotton grass plants and 3,000 fen plant species on Red Moss in Bolton.

– Installed 11.6km of bunding to help re-wet peatlands across our region.

Peatland restoration on Darwen Moor - A.J.Critch Wildlife

Around one million cubic metres of peat are sold just for amateur horticultural use every year in the UK, that's enough to fill the Royal Albert Hall more than 11 times!

How can you help? Make some noise!

You can write to your local MP expressing your concerns, you can contact retailers asking for clear peat labelling, or you can simply spread the word to those around you.

We need more people talking about peatlands and understanding their importance. 95 per cent of those who responded to Defra’s consultation were in favour of a ban on peat, showing that when people know about the issue, they care.

Or maybe you’re better at getting your hands dirty? Then why not volunteer with one of our weekly peatland practical conservation groups on Little Woolden Moss and Astley Moss and help us make a difference.

By Alex Critchley Peatlands Communications Officer

An aerial view of a restored Little Woolden Moss - Lancashire Wildlife Trust

We have planted over 26,000 plugs of sphagnum moss since the start of 2024 - A.J.Critch Wildlife

Members of our peat team looking out over the newly acquire peatland - Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Timber and coir composite dam on Darwen Moor - A.J.Critch Wildlife

Empowering young people through greener school grounds

With green spaces in urban areas of the UK declining by 8 per cent since 2001, find out how Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s School Grounds Team are helping school children lead the charge on urban nature recovery.

In October of 2023, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the Department of Education launched the National Education Nature Park (NENP), a groundbreaking initiative empowering children and young people across England to take action on biodiversity and climate change within their own school grounds.

With each school having access to £10,000 of a sizeable £15million of government funding, schools across the UK were given the chance to develop their school grounds for wildlife and nature’s recovery.

With a quarter of front gardens in the UK now completely paved over and a fifth of people lacking access to green spaces, there’s never been a better time to embrace the RHS’s rallying cry: “Turn grey to green.”

Leading the charge is LWT’s School Grounds Team, who have been hard at work helping schools across the North West transform their outdoor spaces.

With over 300 schools eligible for funding in our area, it’s been a whirlwind year for the team as they’ve helped schools bring their greener visions to life. From ponds in Preston to woodlands in Wavertree and flower beds in Farnworth, the team’s urban nature recovery experts have delivered inspiring projects that make a real difference. As the first year’s cohort of school transformations wraps up, it’s clear these efforts are paving the way for a brighter, greener future.

Focusing on that mission statement, the team has transformed barren, concrete areas into thriving habitats. Ponds, whether manmade or natural, are powerhouses for biodiversity, supporting around two thirds of the UK’s freshwater invertebrates.

Yet, they’ve become increasingly scarce. The 2007 Countryside Survey revealed just 478,000 ponds in the British countryside, a shocking loss of up to 1 million over the last century. Each new pond the team creates is a crucial lifeline for biodiversity.

At a nursery in Burnley the team created a stunning raised wildlife pond and hibernaculum. Secured with a lockable lid to ensure children’s safety, the pond has already become a hotspot for wildlife discovery. From dragonfly and caddisfly larvae to the magnificent great crested newt, the pond brims with life, inspiring young minds while restoring an essential part of Britain’s natural heritage.

It’s a perfect example of how even the smallest projects can make a big impact on wildlife and learning.

" Britain ’ s wildflower meadows - once alive with colour and buzzing with life - have suffered a devastating 97 per cent decline over the past century, and over half of our native plants have been in decline since the 1950s "

For now, funding restrictions have limited the team to improving grey spaces rather than enhancing green ones. But there’s good news on the horizon, the second round of NENP funding will support grassland restoration too. This means the team can tackle the UK’s biodiversity crisis head-on, starting with school playing fields.

These fields, often turfed with fast-growing ryegrass mixes, may look lush and orderly, but they’re ecological deserts. Britain’s wildflower meadows—once alive with colour and buzzing with life—have suffered a devastating 97 per cent decline over the past century, and over half of our native plants have been in decline since the 1950s. >>>

Wildlife pond at a nursery in Burnley - Flynn Murnan

The Grand 'Bugapest' Hotel at Stamford Park Primary School in Manchester Sensory beds at St Cuthberts School in Darwen

Wildlife pond at Larkholme Primary Fleetwood - Flynn Murnan

To help turn the tide, the team plans to transform overlooked corners of school fields, such as embankments and field margins, into thriving pockets of nature.

By sowing native British wildflowers such as knapweed and devil’s-bit scabious, they’ll create vital habitats for pollinators, mammals and invertebrates. These small, vibrant wildflower patches won’t just bring life back to neglected spacesthey’ll give children a chance to connect with the rich, colourful biodiversity that should be a part of their everyday world.

Nature is more than just a backdrop - it's a lifeline. Yet, with a fifth of people in the UK lacking immediate access to green spaces, it highlights a critical need to reconnect communities with the outdoors. That’s where the incredible work of the school grounds team comes in.

Over the past two years, they've completed more than 50 transformative projects through the NENP, helping to connect between 10,000 and 15,000 children with nature. These efforts aren’t just about wildlife; they’re about people too. Nature has been proven to ease the stresses of daily life, offering moments to slow down and breathe.

Yet, those who might need it most - people in areas of high deprivation, with lower incomes, or from minority backgrounds, often face the greatest barriers to access. At LWT, we’re on a mission to change that. We believe everyone deserves the chance to experience the calming, revitalising power of nature, regardless of their socioeconomic background. And thanks to the school grounds team, we’re making that vision a reality, one school at a time.

The School Grounds Team isn’t just limited to NENP funded projects; they’re dedicated to creating greener spaces wherever they’re needed. Beyond the scope of government funding, the team takes on a variety of projects, from transforming neglected school grounds into thriving habitats to creating wildlife ponds, meadows and hibernacula in community spaces.

Whether it’s supporting schools not eligible for NENP funding or partnering with local groups, their mission remains the same, to restore biodiversity, support the creation of Forest Schools, inspire young minds, and bring nature closer to everyone. No patch of land is too small to make a big difference.

By Flynn Murnan School Grounds Team Assistant Project Officer

Log cabin at St Michael's Primary School in Aughton

Bug Resort at Woodfield Nursery in Brierfield

Children from St Peter's CoE School, Hindley, pond dipping - Alan Wright

Raised beds at St Richard's School in Atherton

The smallest area of a school ground can be a haven for nature - Ross Hoddinott 2020VISION

Sensory planting beds at St Joseph's School in Bacup

Mud kitchen at St Peter's Primary School

Wildlife pond Larkholme Primary in Fleetwood - Flynn Murnan

Sensory beds at Northway Primary School in Liverpool

Outdoor learning area at Clevelands Prep School in Bolton

Nurturing green careers

Starting out in a green career may seem daunting but by engaging with schools and universities and focusing on existing transferable skills, we are working to open our doors to anyone with a passion for nature.

Being an advocate for nature and wildlife is both a joy and a challenge, particularly when it comes to pursuing a green career or gaining green skills. Barriers to entry such as cost and accessibility can be a hurdle, with awareness of the huge variety of roles available to all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels not always well-known.

Careers in the conservation sector look very different to how they did even 10 years ago, with many roles now sitting at the forefront of modernity with technology at their core, such as working with Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

Many jobs still involve working outside in nature, such as our conservation teams performing practical work across our nature reserves – but many staff now work inside, sheltered from the elements, yet aligned with ongoing efforts towards restoring nature for both people and planet.

Going into schools and universities to speak directly with students about the roles on offer at the Wildlife Trust has begun to help build awareness and confidence for young people ahead of key decisionmaking when choosing subjects during their education.

LWT are supporting young people to gain voluntary and entry level role experience as well as practical skills to bolster their CVs for job opportunities through a range of activities. Our Youth Council members (aged 13-25) have been empowered to engage the public and attend youth-led events to demonstrate their passion as a group in inspiring others about wildlife and early careers.

However, what if you’re not a young person but still want to get into the environmental sector? Don’t worry, you can often utilise existing transferrable skills from previous job roles and work experience regardless of sector.

" All career roles within wildlife and conservation are taking ‘ action for nature ’ .

So, if you ’ re feeling a buzz of excitement after reading this, why not check out the vacancies and volunteering sections on our website "

The pathway into most jobs is not linear, and that is certainly the case for the conservation and charity sectors. Skills such as great communication, time management, computer literacy, teamwork and adaptability are just some of the many desirable interpersonal attributes alongside empathy and a passion for nature that green employers are looking for, no matter what life stage you're in.

One of our new Entry Level Officers in the West Pennine Moors Landscape Recovery Team, Lee Seymore, did just that: "Ecological work is brand new for me. My career and qualifications are within financial services, with much of my time in senior compliance and audit positions.

Anna-Maria is out and about engaging with our next generation

I must admit that it was a little scary leaving behind a successful career, where I had developed expertise, to become the entry-level officer and effectively start from scratch, but I’m so happy that I have done so!"

At LWT there are lots of different roles to suit people with varied skillsets. Many of us are communicators working across social media, design, marketing, education, fundraising, PR, and management roles - even using video cameras and drone technology.

There are just as many roles working to keep the lights on, events running, and funding alive, such as finance, HR, EDI and wellbeing, as there are practical roles in wellington boots.

All career roles within wildlife and conservation are taking ‘action for nature’. So, if you’re feeling a buzz of excitement after reading this, why not check out the vacancies and volunteering sections on our website to take your first step towards a green career.

By Anna-Maria White Action for Nature Communications Officer

Remembering Ken Hayes

Last August Brockholes sadly lost one of its most regular visitors, Ken Hayes.

Ken was no ordinary visitor; he was almost part of the reserve and a prolific and talented photographer. Ken spent his childhood roaming the Freckleton marshes where his love and knowledge of nature was born. On his retirement, around the time Brockholes opened, Ken was treated to a new camera, and he visited in all weathers, all seasons and took many amazing photos.

There are a lot of good photographers at Brockholes, but not many who don’t just take shots of the ‘stars of the reserve’ but also see the magic in the sometimes overlooked; the slugs, puddles, plants and caterpillars. As a result, Ken has left a whole legacy of photos showing what can be found if you only take the time to look.

He had infinite patience and was often seen on hands and knees with his head in some seemingly uninteresting vegetation, only to emerge with a stunning picture of a dragonfly, bee, butterfly or other prize – including identifying some new species for the reserve such as scarlet pimpernel and blue fleabane.

Thank you Ken, you are missed.

The LWT team talking to our next generation of conservationists

Youth Council member, Tammy, talking to other young people about a future career in conservation - Anna-Maria White

Ken Hayes – captured by Jim Beattie

Youth Council members Tammy, Amy & Euan at a green careers fair - Anna-Maria White

LWT news

There’s always so much going on at your Wildlife Trust – here's just a few of the things we’ve been up to recently...

New outdoor area created in Preesall for Nature & Wellbeing participants

The Bay Wyre team are pleased to unveil the new outdoor shelter and raised beds at Hope Community Care Hub in Preesall. This will be used for our Nature & Wellbeing group and will also provide a great asset for other activities to benefit the community.

Thanks to Wyre Council Circular Economy grant for making this possible and to Lancashire Wildlife Trust School Grounds team for the fantastic installation.

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. #UKSPF

Christmas Tree ‘Planting’ 2025

In February, together with Fylde Council, The Environment Agency, and local volunteering groups, we buried around 2,000 trees along 1km of coastline at St Annes –a remarkable achievement. The trees are placed into the sand at a 45 degree angle facing out to sea. This perfectly positions them to catch wind-blown sand to form new dunes, creating improved wildlife habitats and a vital coastal defence for the town.

With 420 volunteers joining us over the three days, this event was truly a community effort, and we simply couldn’t have done it without all organisations involved! Just three annual tree planting days speeds up nature’s process; what would normally take up to 100 years will be well underway within six months to a year.

Garden improvements at The Greenhouse Project

Our amazing volunteers have been braving the cold to get the outdoor garden ready for spring. A new dry stone wall bed for the planned outdoor kitchen has been constructed using stones repurposed from a site our School Grounds team were working on.

Espalier apple and pear trees have also been planted along the beautiful old brick wall. These are old heritage Lancastrian varieties, sourced from the South Lakes Orchard Group, that we are helping preserve by growing them on our site.

Boggy bulrushes bursting into being

Forgive the alliteration but that's how excited the peat team have been to see our first ever crop of bulrushes growing well at our exciting wetter farming trial in Greater Manchester.

Grown on an area of previously drained lowland agricultural peat that was proving increasingly unprofitable to farm, along with releasing large amounts of CO 2 , we have worked with the farmer to re-wet the land and in spring 2024 used a giant drone to plant bulrush seeds. Not only will this reduce the harmful emissions from the land, it will also keep the land financially viable as the fluffy seed heads will be used by materials science company Ponda ® to create BioPuff ® , a sustainable filling for padded jackets.

Search ‘bulrush wetter farming’ on our website to find out more.

Wet Willow Wildlife project

Exciting things are happening in our Wet Willow Wildlife project which is aiming to restore vital wet woodland habitats for the benefit of willow tits and lots of other species. Our practical volunteers are working hard to improve willow tit habitats.

The Greater Manchester reserve team recently teamed up with the Friends of Seven Acres to create dead hedging at Seven Acres Local Nature Reserve. We’re also engaging with local groups across Chat Moss, preparing a habitat management plan to ensure the wildlife here thrives for years to come.

Willow tit survey volunteers have also attended a training workshop before heading out to conduct two willow tit surveys in March and April to contribute to vital citizen science.

West Pennine Moors Landscape Recovery Scheme

It’s been a busy start to the year for the West Pennine Moors LRS team, as we continue engaging with farmers and landowners across the project area looking for opportunities to restore and create habitats over the next 20 years.

Work has included:

– Gathering baseline info on the current state of the moors, including access, recreational use and anti-social behaviour. This will inform a programme of community engagement over the spring and summer.

– The gargantuan task of taking 5,000 peat cores to map the presence and depth of peat across 5,000 hectares!

Images by Jane Arkwright, Jenny Bennion, Annabelle Brittle, A.J.Critch Wildlife, Sue Jeffries and Kirsty Tyler

Our fantastic corporate supporters

Get the latest news on some of the wonderful businesses that are working with us to give something back to nature.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust celebrates the ‘Wellbeing on the Road’ initiative: Connecting people with nature

In November 2024 we were delighted to participate in The Senator Group’s ‘Wellbeing on the Road’ initiative, which allowed us to bring the benefits of nature and wellbeing directly to The Senator Group’s employees.

The event was called All About You, as the topics were chosen by the employees. This innovative employee event allowed us to present our own mission to connect people with nature, and to improve both personal and environmental health, especially at a time when mental wellbeing is more important than ever.

The Senator Group joined Lancashire Wildlife Trust as a gold corporate member in August 2024.

This British manufacturer of workplace furniture, specialising in designing and producing high-quality office furniture solutions have several sites across Lancashire and employs over a thousand people in the region.

The company is committed to sustainability and incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices throughout its production process. The importance of outdoor spaces in promoting good mental health is welldocumented, and this event offered a wonderful opportunity to promote how people can engage with nature in an accessible and meaningful way.

Nature-based solutions to wellbeing are at the heart of what we do at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, where we champion the idea that spending time in green spaces can reduce stress, boost mood, and enhance overall health. We wholeheartedly support this initiative and are eager to see the positive impact it will have on The Senator Group’s employees.

Don’t Reject, Reuse!

Our Greater Manchester team have been creating barrel pond kits for wildlife lovers in the area to encourage pondlife into Manchester.

We were gifted 400 reject bricks from our partners at Wienerberger to add to these kits. From rejects to very re-useful!

Olivia Broughton & Laurajade Edwards from The Senator Group, joined Megan Kelsall, Anna-Maria White & Matthew Stewart from LWT at the 'Wellbeing on the road' initiative

One of the brand new barrel ponds - give it time! - Lydia German

Our partnerships team is generously supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund

CORPORATE MEMBERS

GOLD

– Beechfields Brands

– Close Brothers

– Eric Wright Group

– Evans Vanodine

– Gresham Office Furniture

– Glasdon

– Little Green Feet – JBI Ltd

– Mace

– OroSurgeon Ltd

– Places for People

– Planet Shine

– Senator Group

We still have so much work to do and so many wildlife homes to restore, if you would like to become a species hero this year please get in touch to learn more

Corporate volunteering

We facilitate corporate volunteering opportunities on several of our reserves across the region through our ‘Welly Workout’ days. A Welly Workout is a fun day including a physical activity with a conservation focus at one of our reserves, a team building exercise or craft.

Welly Workouts foster teamwork, communication, and problemsolving skills while boosting morale and physical wellbeing. It’s an ideal choice for corporate groups looking to strengthen bonds while supporting a good cause.

Participants finish the day feeling accomplished, having made a tangible difference to their local natural spaces while reaping the mental and physical benefits of outdoor exercise.

Also check out our Nature and Wellbeing service's fantastic Wild Wellbeing Days, with a focus on improving your team’s wellbeing in a natural environment.

By Matthew Stewart Partnerships Officer

– Siemens

– Standby Productions

– VP plc

– Victrex

SILVER

– Decordia Ltd

– Dock10

– Fort Vale Engineering Ltd

– Making Energy Greener

– MJ Wilkinson Plant Hire

– Southport FC

BRONZE

– Cavendish Nuclear

– Glasdon Group Ltd

– Ibis Manchester Princess Street

– Stowe Family Law

– Valley Mist

– Weinerberger

LOCAL BUSINESS MEMBERS

– Hoofs & Paws

– Moss Wood Caravan Park

– Wild Woolers

– Worthington Sharpe Ltd

Also special thanks to other businesses that have generated income, taken part in Welly Workouts or given in kind materials and help to projects this last quarter: Siemens, Wildlife Travel, Morgan Sindell Construction, Eric Wright Constuction, VercoGlobal, Laing.

At Lancashire Wildlife Trust we believe that business charity partnerships should be mutually beneficial and based on shared values. Our partnerships are bespoke not “one size fits all” packages. It’s important to us that we get things right at the start to make sustainable long-term relationships.

We believe that your company can benefit greatly from a partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust as we help your business and your staff to connect more with nature and thrive from the health and well being that happens from connecting with their outdoor environment.

Matt and David from the LWT fundraising team at the Senator Group event - Megan Kelsall

Welly workouts can be great fun and help to support our work

What ’s On this spring

Embrace nature’s wonder at one of our fabulous events this spring.

Spring is bursting into life. Our nature reserves are alive with birdsong, blooming with spring flowers and buzzing with the season's first insects. Blow off those winter cobwebs and explore!

Join us on the Fylde Sand Dunes :

Take part in one of our wonderful events and embark on a journey of exploration. Discover enchanting scenes, magnificent wildlife and hidden gems. Throughout the spring months we will have regular events taking place including mud dipping, egg case hunting and guided walks.

Experience our Artisan Markets

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Join us for our fabulous Brockholes Artisan Markets this year! Located on our unique floating Visitor Village, we’ll be bustling with businesses from around the North West. With so many stalls full of gift ideas, delicious food and drink, accessible walking trails and an abundance of wildlife, there’s nowhere else you would rather be.

Prioritise your health and wellbeing

The Bay is a nature and wellbeing programme offering people living in and around Morecambe Bay the opportunity to get outdoors, connect with nature, and take part in fabulous outdoor activities. Along with a referral service for wellbeing sessions, the team also holds a variety of community activities including craft sessions, beach care days, practical conservation, and much more.

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Visit Lunt Meadows for a wild event this spring

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Now you've read all about our fantastic Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve (pages 4-7), why not come for a visit? Join us this spring to visit our new Learning Centre, find out more about the reserve and take part in a whole host of nature-filled events, such as dawn chorus walks, foraging workshops, bat walks and much more.

Wildlife at your fingertips!

Switching to our digital magazine helps us reduce waste, cut costs, and protect more habitats – all whilst giving you instant access to the latest stories, stunning photography, and convenience to read Lapwing wherever you are!

Go digital today and help nature thrive

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