TWO free events at a nature area in Cam are due to take place soon. 

Cam Parish Council in collaboration with Stroud Valleys Project are offering family-friendly sessions at Rackleaze Nature Area, located off the High Street.

The first event is a mini beasts event known as BioBlitz on Thursday, August 8.

Families will have fun hunting for minibeasts and then identifying them at the nature site, which is accessed along the footpath at the side of Cam Memorial Hall. 

The site is an important feeding area for insects, birds and bats as well as plant life around the ponds and boardwalk.  

There will be three, one-hour long sessions for young critter hunters, with a maximum of 10 people on each one. 

These will be held at 10am, 11am and 12pm. Booking is required.

Meanwhile, the second event includes the return of the popular bat walk at the nature area on Saturday, August 24. 

Attendees are invited to meet at Cam Parish Council offices at 7.45pm

Organisers say the group will then head to the nature area to hopefully hear and even see different bat species on their nocturnal activities. 

People attending must wear warm clothing and footwear and take a torch. 

Children aged under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leads. 

Both the events are free-of-charge and have been organised as part of Cam Parish Council’s on-going aim to raise environmental awareness. 

Spaces are limited with booking via the Cam Parish Council website or by calling 01453 548884.

Jon Fulcher, vice chair of Cam Parish Council and a volunteer at Rackleaze Nature Area, said: “These events are great opportunities both for citizen science and to get to know the nearest thing we have to a nature reserve in Cam a little bit better! 

“So join our guides for an exploration of nature through a bioblitz and enrol on a bat walk to find out what comes out after dark.”