Summer Safari: Bugs, Birds and Beyond

This interactive and educational walk and talk will draw attention to the vast, and ever-growing assemblage of summer life on site, as well as delving into how rewilding is bringing summer nature back to the site. Nick's presentation and workshop will detail the complex, dynamic and evolving habitats at Heal Somerset and the fantastic wildlife they play host to. From breeding birds to thriving insects and a web of wonderful wildflowers, this educational session will give you a tantalising insight into what you might see at Heal Somerset. 

After a talk, Nick will take you on a tour around the site, pointing out how each of the incredible habitats you've learned about play such a key role in the wider ecosystems, as well as hopefully showcasing a few of the special wildlife that call Heal home during the summer months.

What you might see: Stonechat, tree pipit, hobby, marbled white, ringlet, burnet moth, 4-spotted chaser, brown hawker, common darter, beautiful demoiselle, azure damselfly, peacock caterpillars, small skipper, orange tip caterpillar, cardinal beetle, meadow vetchling, great willowherb, hemlock water dropwort.

Photo credit Nick Patel

About your guide, Nick Patel:

Nick is a tour guide, conservationist, naturalist and birder and is passionate about helping to protect, create and maintain British wildlife. A lifelong Birdwatcher, and former Nature reserve Warden, Nick has devoted his life to shouting about how amazing our native biodiversity is and just why we should care for it.

Nick says "Having led tours here at Heal Somerset for two years now, I’ve witnessed first-hand the speed at which nature has already made a comeback. I’m super passionate about showing everyone who visits the site the wealth of wildlife bouncing back, including some really beautiful species and fabulous rewilding habitats."

TOUR LOCATION

Heal Somerset is in a very rural location, a few miles from Bruton, Frome, the A303 and the Wiltshire border, at Lower West Barn Farm, Bindon Lane, Witham Friary, BA11 5HH. Directions will be sent in a confirmation email.

TIMINGS

Arrive: 9.55am

Event starts: 10.00am 

Event ends: 12.00pm

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CLOTHING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

We recommend you bring binoculars if you have them for the walking part of the workshop.

We recommend that you wear wellington boots as thanks to our wild-living beavers, it is likely to be wet underfoot. If the forecast is wet, bring a waterproof jacket and a hat.

ACCESSIBILITY

The site is not yet wheelchair-accessible, but we do have one all-terrain mobility scooter available. If you would like to use this, please let us know ahead of the event.

If you use an assistance dog, your dog will be welcome.

If you have any additional questions about accessibility please email events@healrewilding.org.uk.

OTHER THINGS

Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel this event and either refund you or book you into an alternative date. This would be due to a very poor weather forecast or illness and will be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Please note, tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.

Children and babies

Children are welcome at this event as are babies in slings (the site is not pushchair-friendly in a lot of areas). Please contact events@healrewilding.org.uk for more information about bringing children.

Dogs

We welcome assistance dogs but you can't bring a pet dog or any other pets to the site.

Supporting Heal

Please note, up to 50% of your ticket price will go towards supporting the work of Heal.

You'll also have the chance to become a Friend of Heal and to donate to support our work.

Special ticketing

If you are unwaged, a student or living on a very low income and the cost of attending is prohibitive, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk as we may be able to support your attendance. Please note this may not always be possible.

Local accommodation

We can't offer accommodation yet at Heal Somerset. There are lots of places to stay in and around Frome and Bruton.

Transport

The remote rural location means that travelling here by car is the most practical option and there will be car parking available for all tour participants.