Northumberland Wildlife Trust is pushing on through the summer with the opening of a special meadow which will celebrate nature in Newcastle and accompany advice on how to help wildlife during the extreme heat. Oh, and there will be some cycling Shakespearean actors as well…
A special meadow
At Hauxley Nature Reserve, the gates have been opened to the meadow ready for Northumberland Wildlife Trust to welcome visitors.
The meadow will be open for the second year over the summer season, having been planted with over £3000 worth of seeds last year.
The idea is that visitors to be able to watch this new habitat for wildflowers come alive during the next ten years.
Twelve different types of wildflowers, including common vetch; oxeye daisy; viper’s bugloss; lady’s bedstraw; and meadow cranesbill, are already doing well. People can spot them more easily with the help of twelve new signs.
Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Druridge Bay Landscapes Manager, Alex Lister commented: “The Biodiversity Boost project gave a wonderful £750,000 boost for work, both large and small, on all our Druridge Bay reserves.
“The seed planting is a great example of a small action by volunteers which will really enhance the beauty of the reserve which over the summer months attracts at least 20,000 visits to the reserve by people from all over the world”.
The Handlebards
The HandleBards are peddling back for a ninth year and Northumberland Wildlife Trust wants you to enjoy the warmer weather by taking advantage of a special date with William Shakespeare on Saturday 8 August.
The HandleBards, the Peddling Cycle Theatre Company, are heading back to Northumbria to entertain theatre-lovers for the ninth year running. On Saturday 8 August, between 6 pm and 8 pm, the cycling troupe will park their bikes and perform a hilarious version of As You Like It, as the lady of the north watches on…
Northumberland Wildlife Trust Community Events Office, Frances Smiles commented:“The HandleBards are back for a ninth year, and we’re absolutely delighted they’ve put Northumberlandia on their cycle route.
“So, why not indulge yourself and celebrate the summer with an evening of outdoor theatre? Bring your fizz – alcoholic or non-alcoholic, low-level table and chairs and marvel at the beautiful surroundings – you won’t be disappointed.”
For more information and to book a seat visit here to avoid missing out what promises to be a very funny night’s entertainment.
Doors open at 5:00pm.
Celebrating nature in Newcastle
Northumberland Wildlife Trust is hosting bushcraft and survival skills activities, a nature-based craft session and mini beast hunts on Saturday 4 July between 10.30 am and 3.30 pm at Jesmond Dene in Newcastle.
People can also observe the birds and animals at Pets Corner and take a stroll through the beautiful, leafy valley of Jesmond Dene.
For more information on the day, which is part of the charity’s Championing Nature Project, please see here www.nwt.org.uk/events .
Northumberland Wildlife Trust Community Engagement Officer, Aelfi Hackney, commented:
“What a great way to start the countdown to the school holidays as well as finding out more about the work of our Championing Nature programme. There’s so much to get involved with and better still it’s all free!”
More information about Championing Nature can be found here .
Protecting wildlife in hot weather
With extreme heat forecast for the UK this week, Northumberland Wildlife Trust is asking members of the public to think about wildlife.
Unsurprisingly, the most important thing wildlife needs in this kind of weather is water. Water helps mammals and birds to remove dirt from their feathers. If you can, you should put a bird bath in your garden, which might just mean a shallow dish or bowl. A saucer might be better for smaller birds. Blackbirds will take dog or cat food to feed their chicks, while cooked pasta, boiled potatoes and unsalted bacon might also be suitable for birds. You can get inexpensive bird feeders from supermarkets, while bird houses should be in shaded locations.
Please regularly water your plants, as they are a lifeline for bees and butterflies, while sugary water in a saucer is also perfect for bees and butterflies in hot weather.
Be careful when using lawn mowers and strimmers, and try to prevent wildlife getting caught in it during use.
Northumberland Wildlife Trust Director of Conservation Officer Duncan Hutt commented:
“Don’t forget wildlife when the weather turns hot. As humans, we tend to look after ourselves first reaching for water, ice lollies, sun cream, and shaded areas and forget that birds, animals, and insects need a helping hand as well.”
