Children get a close up view of wildife

The sun shone and the wind blew away the threatening rain clouds for Heysham Nature Reserve’s Springtastic Open Day.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th May 2015, 17:57 BST
Katie Thornley catching bugs at Heysham nature reserve.Katie Thornley catching bugs at Heysham nature reserve.
Katie Thornley catching bugs at Heysham nature reserve.

More than 20 families, including about 50 children, turned up to tour the reserve and to take part in a bug hunt, a butterfly walk and pond dipping.

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust Connecting to Nature Project Officer Emma Garston organised the day and said: “It’s an opportunity for children and parents to get close to wildlife at this wonderful reserve close to their home.”

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Emma had recruited local naturalists to take part in the walks.

Isla finally cracks a smile thanks to sister Maia Estill at Heysham nature reserve.Isla finally cracks a smile thanks to sister Maia Estill at Heysham nature reserve.
Isla finally cracks a smile thanks to sister Maia Estill at Heysham nature reserve.

The bug walk was led by Linda Renshaw, with Nicola Estill and Kate Harbinson overseeing the pond dipping and Hilary Smith and Barbara Crooks on the butterfly walk.

Emma has organised indoor events at the nature reserve’s classroom.

Linda said: “Everybody who came out with us found an interesting bug or two and it was great to see the common blue butterfly.”

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One visitor had made quite a journey, Carolyn Thornley was over from Australia to see her family and took granddaughters Beth and Katie to the reserve.

Heysham Nature Reserve is one of more than 30 nature reserves belonging to The Lancashire Wildlife Trust.

The public can get access to most of these reserves and spring is a brilliant time to pay them a visit.