Take a break and discover some of the best summer wildlife.
August is a great time for nature. And a great time for a break. Long, warm days make it the perfect time to relax, take your time and watch wildlife.
Lazy, hazy summer days
Enjoy summer meadows buzzing with butterflies, bees and other insects. Marvel at huge swirls of waterbirds gathering and feeding on coastal estuaries. Look out for lizards basking in heather-topped heathland, or listen out for the summer songs of migrant warblers.
We’ve got lots of reserves to explore, all with different habitats and wildlife, but here’s a selection of our best picks for this month.
Coastal charm
Titchwell Marsh on the North Norfolk coast has long been a favourite – it’s one of our most visited reserves. Enjoying a prime position on the coast, easily accessible paths and close encounters with wildlife, it’s a wonderful place to enjoy nature.
At this time of year take a look at the wading birds – before they head back to their winter homes. Nature’s Home editor, Mark Ward, has written a blog post about waders to see this month. Have a read to find out about the birds you can spot.
Head to the coast and you may see lots of waders, like these knot.
And there’s plenty more to explore nearby. With its long coastline of clean sandy beaches, rural countryside, heathland and forests, it’s easy to see why North Norfolk is an ideal holiday destination. Take a look at UK Nature Breaks cottages and Lodges nearby.
Purple haze
Alternatively, try Arne in Dorset. This is an unusual and special landscape with a vast expanse of open heathland that’s a lovely deep purple in summer. As well as Dartford warblers and nightjars, Arne is home to all six UK reptiles. Keep your eyes peeled!
The heathland at RSPB Arne is a riot of colour in August.
Make sure you have time to discover the surrounding countryside. Why not check out some nearby cottages and lodges? This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has a timeless charm, with many pretty villages, country lanes and the fabulous stretch of 200 million year-old coastline known as The Jurassic Coast thanks to the many fossils found there.
Here be dragons
Nestled on the banks of the Conwy Estuary, RSPB Conwy is a haven for wildlife at any time of the year. The scenery is stunning and you can get up close with plenty of wildlife, from butterflies and dragonflies to flocks of migrating waders. Set in the shadow of Conwy Castle and with Snowdonia nearby, this part of North Wales is perfect for those that love the outdoors, as well as those looking for a seaside holiday that’s fun for all the family.
A lodge is a great place to explore nature, RSPB reserves and the surrounding area from. Find one nearby from UK Nature Breaks, or how about a cottage?
Firm favourite for ospreys
Loch Lomond is rightly well-known on the Scottish tourist trail, but did you know the RSPB has a nature reserve there too? It’s on the south-east shore and has a great mix of habitats that attract a wealth of wildlife, including magnificent ospreys that fish in the lochs. The Loch Lomond region has been a favourite with holidaymakers for years and with so much beautiful countryside and breathtaking wildlife long will it continue to be so.
A family exploring Loch Lomond from UK Nature Breaks lodges. Why not find one for yourself? Or perhaps cottages are more your thing?
Take a break and help the RSPB
With so much to see, you won’t want to rush a reserve visit, so why not a book a short-stay nearby? www.uknaturebreaks.co.uk has cottages, lodges and even boats close to RSPB nature reserves.
And the best bit is that with every booking made through the UK Nature Breaks website they will donate 10% to the RSPB. Not only will your break get you closer to nature, but you’ll be helping nature too.
Summer really can be a time to explore new horizons. We hope we’ve given you some inspiration but for plenty more beautiful places to explore and watch wildlife, take a look at www.uknaturebreaks.co.uk
For more on our science, check out the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science web pages.