Summertime, and the living isn’t always easy

This has huge benefits as it is literally dragging us outdoors where we can watch amazing nature moments in our gardens, local parks and surrounding countryside. It’s not hard to appreciate the plants and creatures growing up and flying around us when the sun is shining.

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In your garden fledgling sparrows, starling, blue tits and blackbirds will be demanding food from parents, so keep those feeders stocked and make sure you are providing plenty of water (ideally harvested rainwater). I love watching the birds splashing in an area of bare rock hollows in our back yard that we fill with water for them.

A long sunny spell also brings problems and we have seen some fires on the drier areas of the region. We recently had a blaze on the dunes at Lytham and there have been problems in Derbyshire. It brought back terrible memories of 2018 when large fires caused chaos and devastation around Winter Hill and on Darwen Moor, wiping out wildlife that can take many years to recover. You can still find fire-scarred vegetation on Belmont Moor from five years ago.

The majority of moorland fires are caused by arson or carelessness: it’s amazing how many moorland fires have been started by portable barbecues when just a little thought (and some cold sandwiches) would have prevented the blaze from happening.

As we go to press, we are bidding a fond farewell to two valuable, loyal and long-standing friends and colleagues.

Andy Rowett is retiring after 20 years of managing the Lancashire Environment Fund and Vicki McDermott is off to a new job after 15 years in the education team, most recently as Education Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Both will be missed. They have shown huge dedication and added so much to the Trust.

I have recently been told that we have our highest numbers of volunteers and volunteer hours since before Covid. This increase is driven by increases in volunteering at Lunt Meadows, Cutacre, Brockholes and Mere Sands Wood and a doubling of volunteers connected with our wellbeing programmes.

You can find out more about volunteering on pages 14 and 15.

I am always amazed when Lapwing arrives at the range of work we have been doing and colleagues, volunteers, partners and members packed this issue with amazing achievements.

The Peatlands team starred on Countryfile in spring, discussing the pioneering paludiculture trials (4-7), that’s wetter farming to me and you. I get the feeling that this project is now in the national spotlight and that’s no surprise.

Our Ponds Project is also getting a lot of recognition as we create habitats for all kinds of species across Lancashire. Rachel our new ponds officer brings us up to date on pages four and five. And there is exciting news about Lunt Meadows with the new learning centre beginning to take shape. It won’t be long before it is open (26-27).

Make sure you share your copy with friends and family and then they will get an opportunity to join this amazing movement to help us to make wildlife a top priority in people’s lives across the North West and the whole of the United Kingdom.

Tom Burditt, Chief Executive Officer

your details by speaking to our membership team: E: membership@lancswt.org.uk