December brings a unique charm to our reserves, transforming them into serene, frosty landscapes teeming with winter wildlife. Though temperatures have dropped, the beauty of frost covered habitats and seasonal wildlife make it an ideal time to visit. Read our blog to learn more about what you can see and do throughout the month of December.
Brockholes Winter Fayre is back for another year! With a full evening of entertainment in wild wintry surroundings, our Winter Fayre is in its second year and is a festive feel-good outing for the whole family. Join us for a magical evening complete with live music, festive food, traditional fairground games, fun crafting activities, magic shows, artisan markets, a Christmas lights switch on, and even the chance to meet Santa!
At this chilly time of year we might not spend as much time in our gardens, but there are still plenty of important gardening tasks we can tick off to give wildlife a helping hand through the winter months! From providing essential food for garden birds, to providing safe and cosy spots for minibeasts to spend the winter, there’s lots of ways you can help wildlife at home in the run up to the coldest months.
Brian Parry
What could be more Christmassy than eating breakfast with Santa himself? Breakfast with Santa returns to Brockholes this year. Secure your spot and enjoy a magical morning with the whole family in superb natural surroundings. This event includes a full English breakfast, the chance to see Santa and a gift for every child. Book now to avoid disappointment - tickets are selling fast!
You can do something amazing for our region’s red squirrels this month! These much-loved but endangered mammals are sadly at risk of extinction in the UK; however we are working extremely hard to ensure this doesn’t happen, keeping our region’s population going strong in Lancashire and Merseyside. We’re very excited to share that Between 3rd December and 10th December only, all donations up to £20,000 via our Big Give page below will be doubled, meaning your donation will go twice as far for red squirrels!
Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
Wrap up warm and explore our nature reserves this winter! Meander around the frost covered landscapes as crisp leaves and the ground crunches beneath your feet. Listen to your surroundings and hear the robin’s song as you enjoy the incredible wildlife wonders that can be found at this time of year. What could be more perfect?
Group Staff Walk - Darwen Moor
From Roe Deer hiding amongst the frosted grass to foxes playing in the snow, wildlife throughout December is picture perfect. December’s photography competition theme is ’Christmas Card Wildlife’ so why not enter and be in with a chance of winning an incredible prize.
Peter Smith
Now is the perfect time to wrap up extra warm and head out in search of some breathtaking wildlife spectacles! The shorter days and colder weather might be here, but there is no shortage of wildlife sights to be enjoyed at our nature reserves and beyond. Enjoy mesmerising starling murmurations, watch owls hunting, head to the coast in search of winter waders, and much more.
Murmuration over Brockholes by A.J.Critch Wildlife
Our annual festive nature challenge is back! Could you do one wild thing a day from 25th December to 5th January? In those quiet days between Christmas and New Year, winter wildlife is just waiting to be explored! Your wild acts could include little things to help nature, like recycling your Christmas tree or feeding the garden birds – or things to help you connect to the natural world, like taking in a peaceful morning walk, or enjoying the calm of stargazing on a clear night. Signup for this year’s 12 days wild opens on 27th November – watch this space!
