Spring is now well underway, and with it comes a rush of wonderful sights, sounds and colours as woodland flowers start to bloom, birds build their nests, pollinators emerge and blossom coats our trees.
Why not get out and enjoy the lengthening daylight hours this month - the sun won't set before 7pm again until late September! Here are some of our favourite things to do in April...
Chris Lawrence
One of the most iconic and beautiful signs of spring is the sight of our woodlands carpeted with bluebells. Take a walk in some of our region's ancient woodlands this month and you're likely to see them in full bloom! Learn all about bluebells, and where you can spot them at our reserves, below.
Bluebells (c) Luke Massey/2020VISION
Speaking of bluebells, one of our favourite places to see them is Boilton Wood, right on the doorstep of Brockholes Nature Reserve. Why not incorporate a guided walk into your bluebell-spotting adventures? Join our Guided Walk Leaders on 14th April for a fascinating tour of Brockholes and learn all about our wildlife, history and the conservation work that we do on the reserve.
Matt Swift
Our pollinators are emerging, and you'll be likely to see more bees and butterflies in your garden, local park or nature reserve this month. Why not see how many species you can spot?
Make sure to take your camera with you on your next spring walk and see if you can capture some images of those busy springtime pollinators - April's theme is 'A Bug's Life'!
Buff-tailed BumbleBee © Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography
We're all likely to be busy in our gardens, yards and balconies this month planting seeds, watching our spring bulbs emerge and readying our spaces for summer.
Whilst you're working through your spring gardening to-do list, why not take a couple of extra steps to make some wildlife-friendly adjustments to your garden? Our gardens can be a real lifeline for wildlife, and taking just a few small actions can make a world of difference to the creatures on our doorsteps.
Learn more about what you can do in your garden this month to help wildlife:
Our My Wild Garden award
Celebrate the arrival of spring with us at Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve! Prick up those bunny ears and get ready to welcome in the spring wildlife at Mere Sands Wood. Learn about baby animals on our trail, discover whose egg is whose, make your own seed bomb and create your own springtime wreath.
Wild Spring Adventure at Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve - 3rd April
Tom Marshall
Many more migrant birds continue to reach our shores throughout April from their wintering grounds in Africa, with several beloved species including swallows, swifts, house martins and more starting to arrive here from April onwards.
Look out for house martins returning to their mud nests in the eaves of houses, swallows perched on wires, and swifts whirling around in groups above rooftops.
Which spring and summer migrant birds can you see in our region?
© Alan Price/Gatehouse Studio
Join us this month as we celebrate the re-opening of The Hive!
Especially aimed at pre-school children, our free family event is packed full of exciting activities including water play, a mud kitchen, planting, natural crafts, marshmallow toasting around the campfire and more.
The Hive is a fantastic safe space, where your little ones can be free and let their imaginations run wild through natural play. Come and see what The Hive has to offer - it’s going to be buzzing!
Calling all mini palaeontologists!
Join us this Easter for a prehistoric adventure exploring the amazing lives of dinosaurs at Brockholes and Mere Sands Wood nature reserves! Discover herbivores, carnivores, who lived where and who ate who. Help us with our Dino fossil dig, and search for the velociraptor's lost eggs.
Kathryn Phillips
Ramadan Mubarak! Each Sunday throughout Ramadan, we've been holding an Iftar celebration at The Greenhouse Project in Blackburn. We'd love for you to join us for the next edition on 7th April.
We'll be going on a short woodland walk, followed by prayer and breaking fast in this beautiful serene space. Don't forget your prayer mat, and bring some food to share!
Embark on a journey of exploration and discovery with our guided walks across the Fylde Sand Dunes.
Led by passionate volunteers of the Fylde Sand Dunes Project, these guided walks offer a unique opportunity to delve into the wonders of our local dune ecosystem. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or simply curious about the natural world, these walks offer an enriching experience for all ages.
Come along and be part of our mission to enhance nature conservation, public appreciation, and enjoyment of the dunes.
