These events are supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) as part of the Saving Marshlands Wetland Heritage and Wildlife Project which aims to connect more people to the fantastic area in and around the reserve.

Charlotte Cullen, Visitor Experience Officer at Blacktoft, said: “Thanks to the funding we’ve received from HLF, we are able to put on these fantastic events that are led by our amazing volunteers. There are morning Wader Walks, which are always popular, especially when the volunteers can lend a hand at some tricky identification. There’s also an evening walk to join, which will be a real treat, as Blacktoft is very beautiful in the evening light.”

[quote=Charlotte Cullen, Visitor Experience Officer]"We’re hoping to encourage more people to come here, connect with nature and help to protect this precious landscape."[/quote]

The wonderful Wader Walk series kicks off on Wednesday 26 August which an event running from 9 - 11am. This walk will be run by Pat Crofton, a volunteer at Blacktoft and a knowledgeable birder. 

The next walk is on Sunday 13 September and will run from 10am - 12pm. This walk will be led by the fantastic birder Ian Traynor.

The third and final guided walk is extra special, taking place on Tuesday 15 September, and running from 6 – 8 pm in the evening. This walk will be led by Pat, who’ll be showing off the beauty of Blacktoft as the sun is setting.

All walks costs £4 per person and walks during the day include a hot drink.

The HLF grant has meant the reserve can cope with a larger volunteer work force who are very keen to get involved with the Saving Marshlands Project and connect more people to the wonderful area surrounding the reserve.

Charlotte said: “Now that we can deliver more activities and events at the reserve, we’re hoping to encourage more people to come here, connect with nature and help to protect this precious landscape”.

Spaces on the walk are limited, so to book a place please call RSPB Blacktoft Sands on 01405 704665 or email blacktoft.sands@rspb.org.uk.

Notes to editors

The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. RSPB play a leading role in BirdLife International, a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.

Further information

Emily Wise, Regional Communications Manager, 01484 868 419 or emily.wise@rspb.org.uk or Peter Short, Blacktoft Sands Reserve Manager, 01724 798 915 or pete.short@rspb.org.uk.