About the event

Since buying Dropping Well Farm, next to The Devil's Spittleful, in 2021 we've been managing it for wildlife, beginning the process restoring heathland. In time, this will create the largest block of heathland in the county, sitting amongst 600acres of mixed habitat.

We're keen to see what impact this is having on local wildlife and we need your help at The Great Heath Count to find and identify as many species as possible in one day with the aim of finding (at least) 200 different species. 

Whether you drop in for 10 minutes or join one of our guided activities, come along to learn something new and to contribute to our understanding of the site and the wildlife that lives there.

The hub for the event will be the two large barns on Dropping Well Farm - follow signs from Blackstone picnic place car park, Burlish Top and The Devil's Spittleful.

All day activities

Family bug hunting – great fun for the whole family, enjoy exploring the insects of the heathland with special field equipment, discovering fascinating bugs and learning about their ecology.

Talk to the wildlife experts – want to learn more about wildlife on your doorstep? Chat to the experts and local wildlife recorders during the day to find out more about the wildlife you can find in heathlands and in your local area; they'll be there to answer any questions you might have!

Guided activities

11am-12noon – Guided bird walk and bird count. Enjoy a guided bird walk around Dropping Well Farm where you will learn about different heathland and farm bird species that call the area home. Improve your identification skills and enjoy the sights and sounds of the heathland. Help collect important records for the site.

1pm-2pm- Sweep netting session. Learn how to use sweep nets to see what insects can be found within a heathland while learning about their ecology and contribute to target of recording 200 species. It’s a great way to get up close to the miniature world of insects that you otherwise wouldn’t see.

2pm-3.10pm - Reptile mat check/walk. An opportunity to see and learn about the hidden reptiles of your local heathland and collect new records for the nature reserve as part of the monitoring scheme.

3.30pm - What makes heathland insects special? Learn about the specialist insects that call heathland their home and why they are so important. Discover unique insects only found in heathlands and learn about their specialised habitat.