The event runs from 10am until 4pm and entry is absolutely free, thanks to a grant of £45,100 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).  Visitors who come along can enjoy guided walks, on which they might see some of the reserves star species - perhaps spotting an awe-inspiring marsh harrier in the air, or an elegant little egret wading through the sites reed beds.

Charlotte Cullen, Visitor Experience Officer at the reserve, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to offer a fantastic day out for local people of all ages to enjoy. There will also be a range of activities for youngsters to get involved in on the day, including face-mask making, and colouring with the natural world as a theme. Ladies from the local church will be making cakes as a sweet treat for visitors to snack on, and artist Ian Appleyard will be displaying paintings of the reserve and its wildlife.”

Thanks to an HLF grant for the Saving Marshlands Wetlands Heritage and Wildlife Project, friendly and knowledgeable volunteers and staff will be on hand throughout the day, running activities and teaching those who join in about the natural heritage and wildlife of the Marshlands area.

[quote=Charlotte Cullen, Visitor Experience Officer]"We’re hoping to encourage more local people to become interested in protecting this beautiful site."[/quote]

The HLF grant has meant the reserve has been able to create a larger work force of volunteers onsite and this has directly affected the sites capabilities.

Charlotte said: “Now we are able to deliver more activities and events at the reserve, we’re hoping to encourage more local people to become interested in protecting this beautiful site, which is still home to good numbers of breeding marsh harriers, bearded tits, sedge warblers, reed buntings and avocets. We’re very excited about the future of the reserve.”

Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF, Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This summer event is a fantastic opportunity to see how National Lottery players are helping support a wide range of projects which protect our natural heritage. The volunteers from the Saving Marshlands Wetlands Heritage and Wildlife Project have been developing new skills and we pleased to see their hard work protecting RSPB Blacktoft Sands for future generations.”