Wild time at Lancs holiday park’s hands-on nature day

Pond-dipping and ways to turn gardens into wildlife wonderlands were on offer at a nature discovery day this August at a Lancaster holiday park.

The well-attended event at Moss Wood in Cockerham was aimed at youngsters and grown-ups wanting to learn more about rural Lancashire’s abundant flora and fauna.

It was declared open by Rufus Bellamy who is the national advisor on conservation and the countryside to members of BH&HPA, the holiday park industry’s association.

Rufus’s father, the television botanist David Bellamy, organises an environmental awards scheme for tourism businesses which help to protect the natural world.

Moss Wood has been presented with the award at its top gold level for twenty consecutive years, recognising its raft of conservation initiatives.

Many of these were on view at the discovery day, including a 1.5km nature discovery trail and a 3000 square-foot wild flower wilderness attracting honey bees and butterflies.

There is also a spring-fed lake at Moss Wood which acts as a magnet for birdlife, dragonflies, water fowl and a host of other different aquatic species.

It was here that an afternoon of expert-led pond-dipping sessions was held, and children taking part were delighted at what their nets yielded with every trawl.

Youngsters also had the chance to help construct bird boxes, learn how to build a bug hotel, create their own toy bumble bees, and take part in fun competitions.

Information from bodies such as the RSPB and the Wildlife Trust was available to explain how people can identify and help protect the county’s native animals, birds and plant-life.

Visit Lancashire also supplied advice on where families can go to and enjoy the region’s rich natural heritage, both inland and along the coast.

Moss Wood has been owned by the Wild family for over 40 years, and business founder Syd Wild said that the discovery day intentionally had a strong hands-on theme:

“For children especially, taking part in activities such as pond dipping is a fantastic way to become inspired by nature and to share in its wonderful secrets.

“I know many of our holiday guests replicate aspects of our conservation work in their own gardens, and I hope some of our weekend visitors will also return home to take up the challenge,” said Syd.

Moss Wood provides holiday homes to buy as well as pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes. There is more information about the park at www.mosswood.co.uk