For once we seem to have sorted ourselves out and got together our events listings for 2019! We will advertise them as they occur but for anyone interested and who wants to plan ahead then here is the full listing to September. 

To book please contact the Blacktoft office on 01405 704665 or e-mail the Blacktoft inbox blacktoft.sands@rspb.org.uk.

Please note the office is open 9 till 5 Monday to Friday but we can be busy so best to if you can use e-mail. 

Blacktoft Sands Events listing 2019

 Saturday 20th April - Who’s that singing? 8am -10am

A guided walk aimed at those learning the joys of bird song. Why not accompany one of our bird song experts who will lead you on a walk of exploration around the Reserve helping you to learn the difference between a singing dunnock and a wren, sedge and reed warbler and much more.

Booking essential. Cost: RSPB members £5 (Children £2) non-members £6 (Children £3) 

 

Sunday 5th May – Evening Chorus Walk 7pm – 9pm

Come and join one of our Wardens on a gentle evening stroll around the reserve to enjoy the bustle of the  breeding birds and cacophony of the reedbed as the wetland birds sing before the hush of night falls , hopefully we’ll get to hear reeling grasshopper warbler, booming bittern and get close views of breeding avocets and marsh harriers.

Booking essential. Cost: RSPB members £5 (Children £2) non-members £6 (Children £3) 

 

Sunday 16th June – Blacktoft Sands Free Open Day – birds, flowers and insects 10am – 4pm

Everyone’s welcome at our annual FREE summer Open Day here at RSPB Blacktoft Sands near Ousefleet! This year we will be celebrating the reserves wonderful diversity of birds, wild flowers and insects when staff will be on hand to show you what is so special about the reserve and explain what work we have to do to keep it that way.

Delicious refreshments available on the day including cakes from the local village hall group. Guided walks, RSPB Wardens on hand to show you the beautiful birds, wild flowers and insects, and children’s wildlife activities.

Event Free for all – guided walks around the hides at 10am, 11am, 12 mid-day, 1pm and 2pm. Wildflower meadow walks at 11am and 1pm.

 

Thursday 4th July – Magnificent Moths Morning 8am – 10am

This time of year can be an excellent time for the variety and number of moths that use the reserve here at Blacktoft Sands particularly some of the reedbed specialists such as twin-spotted and brown veined wainscots. There will also be colourful and large species such as poplar hawk and garden tiger moths plus many more of these fascinating insects. So why not join our moth Specialist Mike on a morning to see what exciting moths the traps reveal and then after the event have a look around the reserve for some of our wetland birds for an hour or two to end the morning.  

Booking essential. Cost: RSPB members £5 non-members £6  - Children free 

 

 Saturday 6th July and Saturday the 13th July – Bearded tit walks – 8am – 10am

A morning walk in search this little reedbed sprite the bearded tit, come and join one of the Wardens who will take you around the hides in search of bearded tits and some of our other fantastic birds that will be using the lagoons at this time of year.

If we you don’t see any bearded tits then you’ll get your money back!

Booking essential. Cost: RSPB members £5 (Children £2) non-members £6 (Children £3) 

 

Thursday 1st August - Walk with the Warden 9am - 12am 

Why not join our highly experienced RSPB Humber Reserves Warden Mike Pilsworth for a behind the scenes walk to learn about how and why we manage our reserves for the wetland birds, wild flowers, mammals and insects, If you’ve ever wondered what makes Blacktoft tick then this is a great opportunity to get an insight into the fascinating working life of an RSPB reserve.

Wellington boots or strong walking boots essential for this event, and don’t forget your binoculars and a packed lunch. Mikes an excellent birder and all round naturalist so you never know what he may find!

Booking essential. Cost: RSPB members £10 non-members £12 – children half price

  

Saturday 3rd August - Birding for beginners 8am – 10am

If you are new to birdwatching and want to learn how to sort your sandpipers from your godwits and reed buntings from your bearded tits then why not come along and join one of our friendly RSPB bird experts on a gentle guided walk where they will help you learn a bit more about how to find and identify birds. August can be a great time to see a wide variety of wetland birds on site so bring your binoculars (if you have some), a notebook and camera and prepare to see some great birds!  

NB – If you don’t own any binoculars or yours aren’t so good spare pairs will be available for you to use on the day, please let us know beforehand when booking if they will be required.

Booking essential. Cost: RSPB members £5 (Children £2) non-members £6 (Children £3)  

 

Sat 7th September – Creatures and Sounds of the Night Guided walk 6.30 till dark (about 8.45pm)

Come and join us for a late evening stroll around the reserve to experience a different side to the Humber’s marshland. The evening and dusk here at Blacktoft can be a very special but eerie time when owls and bats emerge and harriers return to site to roost deep within the reedbed while maybe a fox or roe deer will run across in front of you. The sounds can be very different too and add a whole new dimension to the feeling of the reserve as water rails squeal and waders call across the marsh.  As dusk approaches the landscape can often be spectacular as the sun sets and the mist lies across the marsh while the myriads of stars start to appear, if hopefully it is a clear night. An evening for enjoying the experience!

Please make sure you bring a jacket as it can sometimes turn a little cool on an evening.

Booking essential. Cost: RSPB members £5 (Children £2) non-members £6 (Children £3)