Springwatch holidays
Post categories: In depth
| 19:23 UK time, Monday, 25 May 2009
Summer is just around the corner and this year nearly 5 million of us will consider taking a holiday at home this year instead of abroad. This being Springwatch we think a holiday in the UK wouldn't be complete without taking in some wildlife along the way.
We've got a few ideas to get you started below, but here's some specific ways we can all get a bit of nature into our holidays:
- ideas from your Local BBC team
- at the beach
- in the woods
- going camping
And there's more to come over the coming weeks.
If you've had an experience you'd like to share about holidaying at the beach. Or if you are planning a trip and need some advice, tell us right here.
Getting Started
Not only is the UK a fantastic place to have a holiday, it's also packed with amazing wildlife. There's so much to see and get involved with. It doesn't cost the earth, it's really accessible and great fun.
You don't have to be an intrepid explorer, kitted out with complicated and expensive equipment to enjoy our fantastic wildlife. There are hundreds of wildlife laden places all around the UK for a day out with the family whether you're hitting the beach, off camping, heading inland to our woodlands and rivers or just spending time in your own back garden. From incredible wildlife spectacles to quick and simple things to make and do with the kids, UK wildlife can really spice up your summer holiday.
Great Days Out
How about a great day out, where you can escape the hustle and bustle to get closer to nature and our resident wildlife? If you like birds, There are over 150 RSPB nature reserves, or try the Wildlife Trusts for locating reserves in your area.There are plenty of well trodden wildlife walks throughout the UK as suggested by the National Trust and The Woodland Trust can help you locate your nearest accessible wood.
Don't forget our stunning coast, peppered with fantastic beaches or why not spend a day at a one of the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust's wetland centres or explore the countryside with the help of Natural England. These are all great places to see wildlife in some of the most beautiful parts of the country.
Family fun
If you've got a family, then chances are you'll be looking for quick and easy things to do with the kids wherever you are. Here are some suggestions that are cheap, easy and will keep the little ones entertained for hours:
- The Wildlife Trusts: Wildlife Watch (for children)
- The Woodland Trust Nature Detectives (for children)
- RSPB kids
- Buglife Bug Buddies
- Butterfly Conservation activity sheets
- Forestry Commission factsheets
- The National Trust Wild Child
Staying at home
You don't even need to travel far to find great wildlife. If you have a garden or a local green space then there's plenty to see and do, if you just know where to look.
Garden Wildlife
The RSPB have some good advice on wildlife gardening
Or if you really want to get involved and transform your garden into a wildlife garden... try this.
There's lots more out there...
Try some of these:
- National Trust: Top places to visit for wildlife
- National Trust: Ten great wildlife walks
- National Trust: Days out and visits
- RSPB reserves
- Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
- The Woodland Trust: Directory of Woodland Trust woods
- Forestry Commission: The UK's forests
- Natural England: Information on English nature reserves
- Countryside Council for Wales: Which species are special in Wales
- Scottish Natural Heritage: Scotland's national nature reserves
- Northern Ireland Environment Agency: Northern Ireland's nature reserves
- National Trust: Top tips for wildlife-spotting
- Marine Conservation Society Good beach Guide
- Birdwatch: Where to watch guides
- The Wildlife Trusts' nature reserves
- Natural England - getting involved
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~34~RS~)
Comments
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is a lapwing the same bird as a norfolk plover
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Please make sure that whilst you're encouraging people to enjoy our beautiful countryside on holiday you tell them how to respect it too.
Follow the countryside code - and that includes beaches too.
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I agree with you kittyfreek that it is important to follow seashore codes and safety. There is some info on the "BBC Breathing Places, Pocket Guide - Explore the Seashore". In a nut/sea shell here are a few tips for a safe trip to the beach for both you and the rocpool inhabitants.
Check tides and ask for local knowledge of tides, currents etc - allow plenty of time for incoming tides.If possible use a reputable guide for initial trips.
Wash your hands after going rockpooling.
Take only photos leave only footprints. Ensure that your presence leaves no long lasting damage.
When turning a rock - replace it as you found it.
If you do want to take a close look at a crab/starfish etc - use a bucket with some water for a closer look. Return them ASAP - you know what they say about dogs in cars - the same is true of rockpool animals in buckets of water left in the sun!
If you find anything you are unsure of your best bet is to leave it alone.
Take care of the animals and ensure their safety as much as your own.
If you follow these basic rules you can hopefully ensure a safe and enjoyable rockpooling session!
Have fun!
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I had a great time at the beach this weakend and seen lots of wildlife.
Sean
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In the past I have enjoyed rock-pooling on the East coast and in Wales. Bird watching from Puffins etc at Dunnet Head, Terns on the Farne Islands and Northumberland coast, to Hoopoe in the French Alps and Vultures in the Tarn Gorge.
But now my mobility is restricted, I can walk short distances and climb a few steps but need either a wheelchair or mobility scooter for distances.
I am looking for accessible places to continue investigating and and discovering more about the countryside and the wildlife all around.
Anybody with any ideas?
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On Holiday in South Devon try a Devon Pasty
MayPlas is absolutely right about not disturbing too much however it is most likely that many creatures will decide to move pools after a few unwanted visits from inquisitive eyes to less accessible ones.
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Great start to the new series - but please calm down!! all the silly giggling etc is most distracting and most unprofessional, it was particularly bad on the post broadcast session last night.
Look forward to the forthcoming episodes.
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A good way to really get the 'feel' of a wild place is to go wild swimming. So often on holiday we dabble in rockpools, or walk beside a river, but how often do we actually go in the water? Obviously it is advisable to check out local knowledge and be safe (always swim with someone else etc.), but once you're in (and have got over the cold!) it's great fun and also you can get nose-to-nose with wildlife which would be disturbed by your presence on land.
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To Janet5049 - lots of RSPB reserves have disbaled access I know, for example hides which can accomodate wheelchairs etc.
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Heard one on a walk with the dogs 3rd of May, Ryton Pool, Coventry.
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I have gotta say - we travel all over Wales (and occasionally head across the border to England and Scotland) and the Forestry areas are amazing;. We go off every couple of weeks for an overnight camping in our van and bless the Forestry commission - there is always somewhere we can stop for the night and amazing places to watch nature. Special places are Coed-y-Brenin, Brechfa forest, Crychan forest, Hafren forest, Newborough forest (Ynys mon), to name just a few. These are amazing areas to explore and it is so nice to go to places that are so unspoiled. Its also nice to see so much Broadleaf forest again
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Just been to Islay for the Whisky Festival - perfect match of good whisky and wildlife watching - oyster catchers, lapwing, corncrake, skylark, hares, seals, golden eagles to name but a few - and the beaches are beautiful soft golden sand... Simon had it dead right when he came over the other year....
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I have gotta say - returning to my comment about forestry commission areas. Hafren Forest in Wales is where the source of the River Severn is, it is a stunning area with some amazing wildlife and they have put down these wonderful walkways which make it an ideal place for disability access. Incredible area.
In coed-y-brenin - we also saw deer when we camped for the night.
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I am a very keen bird watcher, having been a member of RSPB for many years, and now do a regular bird count for BTO, and so looked forward to tonight's Springwatch programme - Holidays with Martin Hughes-Games. Woodlands, seaside, canals, camping all excellent. BUT wildlife along motorways - look out for kestrels etc., but and I quote 'keep one eye on the road' How totally, utterly stupid - both eyes, all wits and total concentration are required when driving - even more so on motorways. What a way to spoil an otherwise excellent programme.
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