You don’t need specialist knowledge or expensive equipment to take part in 30 Days Wild – connecting with nature can be as simple as listening to the tide or watching the skies at dusk. Stephen Dunstan shares ten simple ways to connect with wildlife on the Fylde Coast this June.
Nature can often feel like something that belongs elsewhere but one of the ideas behind 30 Days Wild is that meaningful encounters with the natural world can happen almost anywhere, including here on the Fylde Coast. Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre offer countless opportunities to slow down and notice what is happening around us, whether that means recording birds in your local park, searching for sea glass on the tideline or watching bats emerge at dusk.
Record the birds in your local greenspace
The British Trust for Ornithology is running a national project until the end of June encouraging people to record birds in parks and greenspaces. Even a short visit can reveal more species than you might expect, and your observations can contribute to valuable conservation data. You can record them here.
Go forest bathing
This Japanese practice involves spending time mindfully among trees and nature, taking in your surroundings through all your senses. Potential local sites include Stanley Park, Salisbury Gardens, Pheasants Wood and Lytham’s Witch Wood.
Listen to the dawn chorus
An early start is required, but the experience can be well worth it. Marton Mere, approached from Staining Nook, is particularly recommended, with woodland birdsong at the Nook segueing into the sounds of reedbed species at the Mere itself.
Follow the changing flowers
Choose a patch of ground and revisit it throughout the month to see how it changes. One good place to try this is the old football fields opposite Tesco on Clifton Road, where LeftCoast’s Field of Dreams project has created a new wildflower meadow.
Conduct your own mini bioblitz
See how many different species you can identify in your garden or local green space. If you’re not sure what you’ve found, websites and apps such as iRecord and ObsIdentify can be invaluable.
Go beachcombing
Sea glass is often the prize find but there is much more to discover along the tideline. Shells, shark egg cases and all manner of natural curiosities wash ashore on Fylde Coast beaches.
Record breeding birds
June is an excellent month to observe birds raising young. Wildfowl on parks and canals are often the easiest species to watch and record, making them ideal for beginners. Sightings can be submitted through platforms such as eBird and BirdTrack.
Go wildswimming
If you’re heading into the sea, always check tide times beforehand and use the Safer Seas & Rivers Service app to check water quality and pollution alerts. Calm days are best, and a little planning goes a long way. For a more controlled experience head to Wild Shore off Mythop Road – you can reward yourself after at the lakeside bar too!
Look for bats at dusk
As evening falls, bats emerge to feed. A detector can help identify different species, but even without one it is possible to watch them hunting overhead. Warm, still evenings tend to be best.
Watch the tide come in
Living by the sea can make it easy to take it for granted. Spending time watching the tide advance and listening to the waves is surprisingly relaxing and there is always some wildlife to be seen – even if it’s only the ubiquitous Feral Pigeons and Herring Gulls that share our coastline.
