Roebuck 154 - Summer 2021

The member magazine for Northumberland Wildlife Trust Summer 2021 | 154 Roebuck Raise your voice Actor Cel Spellman on why we should all be champions for nature Slow worms Six spots to see these secretive reptiles Farming Growing wild Helping wildlife thrive on farmland

Welcome 6 Get back out there and make some noise We are in that ‘post pandemic phase’, which we’ve looked forward to since last year, when things would be done differently and not just a return to any so-called ‘normality’. That is starting to be the case across the wildlife movement with greater awareness and pledges, funding from Government, concerned donors and members of the public. Bigger scale collective action is starting to bring more to bear on nature’s recovery which is wonderful news. There is a much louder collective noise around our Trust’s mission and we are being supported as we try and make more of a difference. People love nature and want to give more back, rewilding their own lives, as well as their environment. This is the case locally with farmers and the corporate sector, as well as agencies and local authorities. Work with groups such as the Peat Partnership, Great Northumberland Forest and the Local Nature Strategy are encouraging signs, as are the impressive ambitions of Northumbrian farming clusters. We are at the centre of very exciting times ahead, aimed at bringing wildlife back and are looking forward to the future. Chief Executive Northumberland Wildlife Trust Follow me on twitter @Mike_Pratt_NWT Mike Pratt: Jacky Seery. Roe deer: Mark Hamblin/2 Northumberland Wildlife Trust Get in touch Roebuck is the membership magazine for Northumberland Wildlife Trust is a member of the Roebuck Magazine Team Northumberland Wildlife Trust UK’s largest voluntary organisation concerned with Editor Fiona Dryden Email [email protected] all aspects of wildlife protection - The Wildlife Trusts. Designer Richard Clark Telephone (0191) 284 6884 Consultant Editor Sophie Stafford Address Garden House, St Nicholas Park, Gosforth, For The Wildlife Trusts Consultant Designer Tina Smith Hobson Editor Tom Hibbert Designer Ben Cook Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. Roebuck is printed on Registered charity number 221819 Cover: Brown hare © Jamie Hall Registered company number 717813 Website nwt.org.uk facebook.com/northumberlandwt twitter.com/northwildlife instagram.com/northwildlife 2 Roebuck | Summer 2021

7 20 Contents 22 4 Your wild summer 2020VISION. shield bug: geoff dobbins. Kielder stone: ian jackson. green influencers: Charlotte Darby. The best of the season’s wildlife and where to enjoy it on your local patch 10 Wild reserves Why summer is the best time of year to visit these Wildlife Trust reserves 13 Wild thoughts Actor and presenter, Cel Spellman, on speaking up for wildlife 16 Wild news The latest regional and national news from The Wildlife Trusts 23 Gift of a lifetime Including a donation in your Will can have a massive impact 24 Farming with nature Farmland has huge potential, to benefit our struggling wildlife, but there’s more to do 28 Night riders A shadowy flight into the twilight world of bats 30 Kielder very much wild and alive An update on the Kielder ospreys and other Kielder projects 32 Nature in the landscape How Revitalising Redesdale works with landowners to better protect wildlife 34 Gardening for wildlife Come together with your community to make more space for nature 6 ways to get involved with Northumberland Wildlife Trust Membership Help us protect Volunteer Could you donate your Local groups Join one of our the wildlife and countryside you love... and skills and time to look after wildlife? A network of local groups and enjoy learning discover the incredible natural world, on wide range of indoor and outdoor tasks about wildlife. your doorstep nwt.org.uk/membership need doing nwt.org.uk/volunteer nwt.org.uk/local-groups Donate to an appeal From Campaigning You can play Leave a legacy If you’ve had purchasing land to protecting species, a vital role in raising awareness and a lifetime’s pleasure from nature, help exciting projects near you need your lobbying, on local and national issues. ensure its future by leaving us a gift in support. nwt.org.uk/donate nwt.org.uk/campaigns your Will. nwt.org.uk/legacy Roebuck | Summer 2021 3

Your wild summer The best of the season’s wildlife and where to enjoy it Autumn gentian 4 Roebuck | Summer 2021

Thank you onfChauooocrrTwnindththgoayawcnonbtautku.Ctsoscihoitarnonrgnei.sabsugtlsolekientxtshteeioneds.O/vfipisbon’[email protected]. summer SPECTACLE autumn gentian: naomi waite Gorgeous gentians Over the years, the gentian range of plants has developed considerably and there are now sky blue, pale blue, white, bicoloured and indigo varieties. It is a cosmopolitan plant, occurring in alpine habitats in regions of Asia, Europe and the Americas. They are annual, biennial, and perennial plants. Some are evergreen, whilst others are not. Many gentians are difficult to cultivate and in some cases reluctant to flower. However, Gentiana sino- ornata is one of the easiest and most reliable flowering with its fabulous vivid blue trumpet-shaped flowers. They are popular in rock gardens Gentian plants look their best between July and mid- autumn, protruding on very short stalks. Some species of gentian are harvested for the manufacture of apéritifs, liqueurs, and tonics and its root is a common beverage flavouring for bitters. Great yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) is used in herbal medicine for digestive problems, fever, hypertension, muscle spasms, wounds, cancer, sinusitis and malaria. SEE THEM THIS summer † East Crindledykes Quarry Bardon Mill, Northumberland NE47 7AE. † Whitelee Moor Carter Bar, Northumberland NE19 1TZ. Roebuck | Summer 2021 5

Your wild summer Roe deer The roe deer is this country’s most common native deer, living in mixed countryside that includes woodland, farmland, grassland and heathland. They can be seen throughout the year but tend to be solitary in summer, however, they do form small, loose groups in winter. A slender, medium-sized deer, the roe deer has short antlers and no tail. It is mostly brown in colour, turning reddish in the summer and darker grey in the winter. It has a pale buff patch around its rump They are protected in the UK under the Deer Act 1991. SEE them THIS summer † Priestclose Wood Prudhoe, Northumberland NE42 5FW. † Ford Moss Ford, Northumberland TD15 2QA. † Fencerhill Wood Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 5LU. Roe deertawny owl: Bertie Gregory/2020viion Tawny owl roe deer: Mark Hamblin/2020VISIONurban fieldcraftfeathers. Their wings have a fine fringe that help to reduce the noise 6 Roebuck | Summer 2021 What a hoot from them when flying, enabling them to approach their prey as Tawny owls are one of the most quietly as possible. When hunting, common owls in Britain. However, they rely heavily upon their sight because they are nocturnal, they and hearing. are rarely seen, but rather heard, thanks to their familiar deep ‘tu- In the breeding season, urban woo’ or ‘kee-wick’ sound. tawny owls nest in deep tree cavities in old trees, abandoned Living in urban areas, they use crows’ nests and disused buildings, large trees, roofs and telegraph laying two or three large, white, poles as vantage points to hunt round eggs in late February or sparrows, blackbirds, thrushes, March, which they incubate for starlings and mice. They are 28-30 days. extremely territorial and patrol their area constantly. They are 37 - 39cm long, with a rounded head, body and wings, large brown eyes and velvety

SEE THIS DO THIS Marvel at the bright colours of summer - from birds Visit the seaside this summer and listen to the and butterflies to flowers, fruits and trees. crashing waves or crunch of the sand as you walk along the beach. species spotlight Top tips Bugs 3 species to spot Forest bug True bugs are one of the A big bug and very major groups of insects commonly found on a in the UK with over 2,000 range of trees and shrubs, species. All species possess particularly oak, in forests, a piercing, needle-like, beak woodlands, orchards and for sucking juices from gardens. plants or animal prey. Black and red Foxglove: Katrina Martin/2020VISION. bugs: geoff dobbins Many are serious crop pests, Birch shield bug froghopper bugs damaging the plants and Found in open woods and transmitting diseases. However, The shield bugs are named for their grasslands. Its larvae feed they also provide a huge food distinctive shape; in the USA they are known communally on roots in a resource for some of our most as stink bugs because, when threatened, they protective layer of solidified cherished wildlife - the clutches exude a pungent fluid that can last for days. foam. of swifts, swallows, tits and other small birds are fattened up on a The forest bug (also known as the red- Cinnamon bug diet rich in aphids. legged shieldbug, Pentatoma rufipes) is a A very colourful scentless common species found on a range of trees plant bug often found on Several common hoverfly species, among and shrubs, particularly oak. With shoulder plants in the daisy family our most important crop and wildflower pads that would make any 80’s diva jealous, and which is extending pollinators, also munch through vast this is a big bug to look out for at reserves north. Commonly confused numbers of aphids annually. The bugs are such as Fencerhill Wood, Arnold Memorial with the firebug. a hugely varied group, those loud cicadas, and Priestclose Wood. which many may have heard on holidays in warmer countries, belong to the group. The deliciously named cinnamon bug (Corizus hyoscyami) is a very colourful Ponds and slow moving streams team with plant bug that is fond of sandy habitats. a rich variety such as the pond skaters, water The species range has been extending north crickets, backswimmers, water scorpion and recently and can now be found in our area; water boatmen - all predators and prey in a Annstead Dunes is one of its new homes. tangled web of life. SEE THEM THIS SUMMER Several froghopper species are familiar † Juliet’s Wood Slaley Village, residents of grasslands and woodlands, adults jumping off at great speed when Northumberland NE47 0DF. disturbed. The larvae utilise plant sap to † Priestclose Wood Prudhoe, encase themselves in a protective cocoon of ‘cuckoo spit’ (bubbles are forced into the Northumberland NE42 5FW. sap as it is excreted from the anus), the foam † Arnold Memorial Craster, deters predators and regulates temperature and moisture. Northumberland NE66 3TW. The black and red froghopper (Cercopis To find out more please visit our vulnerata) is a distinctive species of open website nwt.org.uk/wildlife-explorer woods and grasslands. The larvae feed communally on underground roots in a protective layer of solidified foam. The adults can be found at Juliet’s Wood and Tony’s Patch from April to August. Roebuck | Summer 2021 7

HEAR THIS FORAGE FOR THIS Listen out for woodpigeons taking off from trees Nasturtiums are very colourful and everywhere at this and large bushes this summer. Their large wings flap time of year. Their peppery flowers and leaves add variety loudly, but once in the air they are strong fliers. to salads. Even the seedpods can be pickled and eaten. not just for kids Seven wild activities for summer Reignite your love of nature with these really wild things to do Woodpigeon: amy lewis. Hauxley: Holly Hauxley. birdbath: pixabay.com. Illustrations: Corinne Welch. at Northumberlandia 2 Become a coastal crusader 1 May the Bard be with you Grab a group of friends and Join The HandleBard’s 2021 Summer Tour for a unique head to the beach for a spot of open-air performance of the Shakespeare classic ‘Macbeth’ litter picking. It will help the at Northumberlandia on Friday 13th August. For more details environment and keep animals and to book a place visit nwt.org.uk/events. safe by clearing up rubbish that they could get trapped in or eat. 4 Natural beauty Hauxley Wildlife Escape to one of our Discovery Centre reserves this summer and immerse yourself in the tranquil setting. Entry to our reserves is free and both Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre and Northumberlandia have drinks, snacks and ice creams available to make your experience even better. 3 What a stink 5 Create your own Pack a picnic, grab a deckchair junk music festival and join Heartbreak Productions With music festivals once again cancelled, on Saturday 21st August for David why not create your own? Make your Walliams’ best-seller Mr Stink on own music festival with home-made junk the outdoor stage. Packed with musical instruments including flutes made fun, humour and a heart-warming from straws, maracas out of lentils in glass message, this touching tale provides bottles and drums from tubes and tins the perfect family entertainment. glued together. For more visit: nwt.org.uk/events. 8 Roebuck | Summer 2021

Your wild Summer 6 Water all round 10 upcoming events During a hot summer, water is essential for Take your pick from this selection of some of the birds. During prolonged best seasonal activities and events close to you periods of dry weather, fresh drinking water is 1 Shelter building 6 Bird box construction harder for birds to find. If 27th Jul & 31st Aug 10th Aug you don’t have a pond or Hauxley, NE65 0JR Hauxley, NE65 0JR purpose-built birdbath, Learn how to build a Make a nest box for a garden any shallow dish or shelter and see how many bird to take home with you. container will be fine. challenges you can complete. 7 Minibeast safari 7 Make your own binoculars 2 Walking Stories 17th & 31st Aug Go wildlife detecting with your own binoculars! 31st Jul, 28th Aug & 4th Sep Hauxley, NE65 0JR Northumberlandia, NE23 8AU A special safari to find the You will need Ncraatfutre Join Storyteller Jim for a bugs and insects that make † Two cardboard tubes one-hour story walk around Hauxley reserve their home. the grounds. (you can use toilet roll tubes) 8 Insect home construction † String 3 Brilliant birds 24th Aug † Paper 3rd Aug Hauxley, NE65 0JR † Scissors Hauxley, NE65 0JR Make an insect home to † Glue Find out more about the take with you and help the † Rubber band wonderful life of birds. minibeasts in your garden. † Hole punch or pen † Felt tip pens (optional) 4 Animal tracks and signs 9 Family bat walk 3rd & 17th Aug 1st Sep Hauxley, NE65 0JR East Chevington, NE61 5BG Learn about the clues left Listen and look out for the by animals and spot signs of dark knights flying around wildlife around the reserve. the reserve. How to make 5 Weekend wildlife walk 10 Starling watch † Cut your paper to size, then cover your tubes with 7th Aug 9th Nov East Chevington, NE61 5BG East Chevington, NE61 5BG glue and wrap the paper around them. † Using a pen or hole punch, insert a hole at the side of Join Catch My Drift for a Watch the beautiful starling each tube, about a third of the way down. walk around the reserve and murmurations as the sun † Glue the two tubes together so that the holes are to watch the wildlife. sets over the reserve. facing the outside. † Insert string into one of the holes from the outside Discover more on these and all forthcoming events, visit our website nwt.org.uk/events of the tube. Bring it through the tube and tie a chunky knot. Gently pull the string back from the Starling murmuration Starling murmuration: Danny Green/2020VISION outside. Repeat on the other side. † Place a rubber band around the tubes to help the glue set. Leave to dry over night. † Remove the rubber band, decorate with pens and then go wildlife detecting! Roebuck | Summer 2021 9

Druridge Pools: the most sparkling jewel Druridge Pools is the When writing about Druridge Pools the original hide that overlooked the fields jewel in the centre of it’s impossible to separate it from the - the ‘Budge Hide’ which was provided by the crown that is the neighbouring ‘Druridge Links’ nature the mining company R.J. Budge. string of nature reserves reserve, a kilometre of beach, sand dunes, behind the eight-mile grasslands and coppiced wet woodland The marsh is managed by grazing sweep of Druridge Bay. owned and managed by The National for breeding lowland waders such as Created from a restored Trust. Indeed, the only way to get access to snipe, lapwing, redshank and more opencast coal mine in Druridge Pools is from Druridge Links. recently avocet. In winter, the marsh the 1980s, the site has fills with water and is an important site matured into one of the Druridge Pools is only 24 hectares in for overwintering wildfowl, attracting best nature reserves in size. It can be divided neatly into two large numbers of wigeon and teal as the region. distinct habitats; to the south, a wet well as wintering flocks of waders like grazing marsh and to the north, a large 10 Roebuck | Summer 2021 deep pool. The two areas are bisected by Druridge Bay from Druridge Links a path leading to hides which is one of the best places to watch invertebrates on the Northumberland coast. The bunds on either side of the path provide shelter and nectar-rich flowers. Butterflies, including dark-green fritillary, small copper and wall brown, bask on the south-facing bund. It’s also a great place to watch hoverflies, solitary bees, wasps and a host of beetles and bugs. The grazing marsh is known locally as the ‘Budge Fields’, the name coming from

Thank you our best summer reserves hFdooiadfrm£et6shna,aegw7te9dtH1.toooahnrufagaoxst.liuueobrkyneo/.sedSfntoooodnufraoarerntwpeaaaitltideroldttihfa.ele now you do it Drudrige Pools Visit Druridge Pools Know before you go Location: Cresswell, Morpeth NE61 5EH. OS Map Reference NZ 275 963. How to get there: The reserve lies to the southern boundary of Druridge Bay Country Park. Parking is along the roadside in the adjacent National Trust Druridge Links. Opening times: All day, every day. Access: The reserve is easy to access from a minor road running alongside Druridge Links and through a wide gap onto a level grass path. A further entrance gives access to a viewing area on another grass path, 400m south, alongside the same minor road. top WILDLIFE TO SPOT A deep lake to the north supports large flocks of wintering wildfowl such as wigeon, teal, swans and goldeneye. Two wet fields to the south are very good feeding sites especially for snipe, redshank and teal. There are also shallow pools on the site. lapwing, curlew and golden plover. Along between the dunes and the pools is Small copper butterfly Druridge ppols, druridge bay & butterfly: Iain robson the western boundary is a coniferous managed by The National Trust. In shelterbelt that holds a good-sized heronry summer, it is home to up to eight species THINGS TO DO and was also the first breeding site of little of breeding warblers with sedge warbler, † Grab a pair of binoculars and look egret in Northumberland. The ‘Budge whitethroat, blackcap and willow warbler fields’ are overlooked by two hides. being the most common. Grasshopper skywards. warblers can be heard ‘reeling’ on calm † Sit in one of the two viewing hides - one ‘Druridge Pool’ to the north of the main spring days. path is also a legacy of opencast coal with level access and one accessed by mining, a lack of material to fill the void Together the two reserves are a magnet four steps. created this large pool which is rumoured for birds and birdwatchers, which isn’t † Follow the walking trail that leads to a to be over 30ft deep. Due to its depth, surprising given that over 270 species have screen overlooking the southern fields Druridge Pool rarely freezes entirely and been recorded over the years. Allow a good and along the public right of way when all of the other ponds and pools on half-day to fully explore both reserves through the centre of the site. The terrain the ‘Bay’ are frozen, wildfowl congregate and take in a walk along the beach or to is level and flat, but paths can be wet and here. the scheduled ancient monument of Low muddy. Chibburn Preceptory, which remarkably, The pool attracts small numbers of survived opencast coal mining that wintering wildfowl, otters are sometimes completely surrounded it. n seen on calm days and in summer, breeding great-crested grebes are a delight Iain Robson is the author to observe. The small reedbeds at either of the ‘Druridge Diary’ - a end are now home to several pairs of blog dedicated to the two reed warblers each summer. The pool can reserves. be viewed from the ‘Oddie Hide’ on the druridgediary.com southern shore. The wet coppiced woodland strip Roebuck | Summer 2021 11

our best summer reserves More Northumberland Wildlife Trust nature reserves for a great summer day out Berwick upon Tweed 3 Alnwick Newsham Pond 1 Druridge Pools Why now? At this time of year, the reserve is a haven Kielder for many species of birds including moorhen and mallard. Dragonflies dart Morpeth 3 around the pond and flowers such as yellow 2 flag iris and bitter sweet add splashes of colour around the site. Know before you go Location: Next to the railway line at South Newsham Northumberland. The main entrance is from Blagdon Drive, NE24 3NA, just off the A1061 in Blyth. Access is also available from Sandringham Drive NE24 3XA, in the local housing estate. Open: All day, every day. Wildlife to spot: Water fowl and small mammals. Hexham Newcastle upon Tyne 2 East Cramlington Pond Mute swan at Newsham Pond east cramlington pond: duncan hutt. Swan: steven morris. Why now? Know before you go This is a great time of year to spot birds such Location: Between East Cramlington and The lowdown a moorhen, mallard, goldfinch and bullfinch Seaton Delaval on the B1326, NE23 6XS. Formerly a reservoir, the reserve is now a on the reserve. The pond has an abundance Parking is available in a layby at the reserve’s partially infilled pond making up an area of wildlife and the small meadow is awash entrance. of a little over one ha, comprising pond, with colour from flowers such as birdsfoot Open: All day, every day. grassland and scrub. trefoil and adder’s-tongues fern. Wildlife to spot: Dragonflies such as the common and ruddy darters and azure The pond is set in a steep-sided hollow, damselflies are very common. The scrub crossed from north-west to southeast by a woodland has developed over the past few large bore pipe, now broken in two places years providing a home for many birds such to leave an island. Most of the west, north as chiffchaff and grasshopper warbler. and east banks are thickly covered in willow. The main northeast section is around two East Cramlington Pond The lowdown metres deep in places. A dipping platform This small reserve is on part of a former has been provided on the southern edge brickworks site. Now it’s a haven of tranquillity of pond. for many wetland creatures, aquatic flora and fauna and grassland. Water birds such as Plan your next great day out moorhen utilise the secluded areas of rush from all our nature reserves at: and reed. There are boardwalks around parts nwt.org.uk/nature-reserves of the reserve. 12 Roebuck | Summer 2021

WILD THOUGHTS Cel Spellman @celspellman Raise your voice illustration: Dawn Cooper. photo: great crested newt © shutterstock I’m proud to be part of an But marches aren’t the only way to make shout for wildlife organisation with a rich history our voices heard. Signing petitions, sharing Join over 100,000 of driving change. As a supporter something we see online, having those people speaking up of The Wildlife Trusts, I know difficult, important conversations with with The Wildlife Trusts I’m part of a community that stands up and friends, or writing to our MP or a business on everything from uses its collective voice for nature. Together, can also have a huge impact. 10-year-old Skye better laws for wildlife we’ve achieved huge and crucial changes, from Gwynedd is a huge inspiration to me; to banning the sale of from reintroducing wildlife like the beaver, to she campaigned for magazines to stop giving peat compost. Together protecting our seas — a huge carbon store — away disposable plastic toys. In response, our voices can make a with the Marine Act. All of this plays a massive Waitrose said they’ll no longer sell children’s difference. You can sign part in turning the tide against nature’s loss magazines containing disposable plastic toys, up to our campaigns and climate change and would not have been a move single-handedly inspired by Skye, and mailing list to be the possible without people coming together and I’ve no doubt other businesses will follow suit. first to hear when new speaking up. That is the power of our voice. campaigns are launching However, a question that often seems to so that you can take your present itself is, ‘Does protesting actually We can also protest with our wallets. Money stand for nature’s recovery. work?’. For me, the answer is simple – a talks, and by choosing where we spend ours, To register, visit resounding yes! But there are numerous ways who we invest in, who we bank with, we can wildlifetrusts.org/ to do this. We tend to think of protests as big express our beliefs and support businesses or campaigns rallies and marches, which is often the case individuals that share them. and can absolutely work. I was privileged to be Cel Spellman is an actor and involved with the Time is Now march in 2019 It’s about putting pressure on those that presenter, an ambassador for for urgent climate change action; the hope and need the pressure applying. However this is The Wildlife Trusts, and an ardent positivity in the air was palpable. It’s moments done, you really can make a difference for the advocate for nature, wildlife and like these that help you feel like you’re not environment, for nature, for our wonderful the need to address the climate alone and that change can and will come. wildlife and in turn, for ourselves and our crisis. The School Climate Strikes also provides a future. I’ve no doubt that together we can and shining example. Young people making their will change the world. voices, thoughts and feelings clear. For me, these strikes have been one of the biggest To quote Charlie Chaplin in the Great reasons we’ve seen a shift in mindset and Dictator, ‘You, the people, have the conversation around climate over the last few power to make this life free and years. Young people’s voices are some of the beautiful, to make this life a most powerful and they never cease to blow wonderful adventure…’ me away with how aware they are, and the absolute drive they have for making the world To tackle the climate and nature emergency a better, fairer, greener place. we face, our natural world needs advocates on its side. Find out about the big issues at wildlifetrusts.org/emergency Roebuck | Summer 2021 13

slow worm © Nick Upton 6 places to see slow worms 14 Roebuck | Summer 2021

T his confusing reptile is called a worm and looks 1 like a snake, but is actually a legless lizard! They have a shiny appearance and come in various See the spectacle 2 shades of brown, from greyish-brown to coppery. 3 Their snakish appearance is betrayed by their lizard-like for yourself head, which seems to merge seamlessly into their body, 4 and their eyelids, which snakes lack. Slow worms are 6 found throughout Britain, but have never been found in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. 5 Slow worms enjoy a variety of habitats, from heaths to 1 Harbottle Crags, Northumberland Wildlife Trust grasslands and woodland edges, and can often be found This area of beautiful open moorland is a mosaic of habitats, with in large gardens or allotments. You can make your garden large swathes of heather, a sphagnum-filled peat bog, and patches of more appealing for them with log piles, areas of long grass woodland. Adders, common lizards, and slow worms all make their and a compost heap. If you lay down some cover, like a home amongst the heather. corrugated sheet or piece of old dark carpet, you may find Where: Harbottle, NE65 7BB slow worms or other reptiles sheltering underneath it. 2 Earl’s and Pontesford Hill, Shropshire Wildlife Trust Reptiles are best looked for on sunny days, but slow Created by a volcano around 650 million years ago, Earl’s Hill became worms spend less time basking in the open than other Shropshire Wildlife Trust’s very first nature reserve in 1964. Whilst reptiles and can be tricky to spot, so don’t be disheartened looking out for slow worms in the grasslands and meadows, keep an eye if you don’t find one! Your search could also reveal common out for green woodpeckers feeding on anthills. lizards, grass snakes or even adders. Where: Pontesbury, SY5 0UH Slow worms are often 3 Blow’s Downs, mistaken for snakes The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants The slopes of these steep chalk hills are covered in wildflowers, from the frothy white of great pignut to the purple hues of scabious and knapweed, with patches of scrub to shelter wildlife. Regular monitoring confirms a thriving population of slow worms. Where: Dunstable, LU5 4AE 4 Chobham Common, Surrey Wildlife Trust One of the finest examples of lowland heath in the UK, Chobham Common National Nature Reserve is home to many reptiles. As well as slow worms, there are adders, grass snakes, common lizards and the extremely rare sand lizard. Where: Chobham, KT16 0ED 5 Bouldnor Forest Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust When you’ve finished searching for slow worms along the heaths of this scenic reserve, you can look for red squirrels leaping between the trees, or head down to the beach and hunt for fossils amongst the pebbles. Where: Yarmouth, PO41 0AB 6 Bovey Heathfield, Devon Wildlife Trust Once scarred by off-road vehicles and burned-out-cars, Bovey Heathfield is now a tranquil nature reserve. Follow the network of paths to explore this beautiful landscape of gorse and heather, home to slow worms, common lizards, grass snakes and adders. Where: Bovey Tracey, TQ12 6TU Did you discover any slow worms ? When spotting slow worms, please be sure to follow Government guidance on social distancing and stay local. And remember to tweet us your best photos! @wildlifetrusts

wild news £9,144 All the latest regional and national news from The Wildlife Trusts Donated to the Greener Futures Fund, via The Big Give Green Match Fund, Northumberland Estates and a private donation. Couple enjoying the outdoors regional Your Natural Health Service is here for you! Albert Einstein once said: “Look deep into flowing like taking a walk in nature. such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) nature, and then you will understand Did you know that it can improve your or arts and creative therapies. everything better.” We couldn’t agree more! memory and increase creativity? Research Now more than ever, nature has come to has also found that time spent in nature With nature and wildlife at its peak in the fore and has played a crucial part in reduces anxiety, stress and depression. the summer time, now seems the perfect our journey during these unique times. opportunity to explore the wildlife on our Exploring the forests is an excellent wonderful reserves. With such a diverse It’s almost as if nature has ‘voiced’ its form of mindfulness as it activates all range of habitats to choose from coastal, ever present existence as we are all now of the senses and allows us to accept wetland, upland, river, woodland, stream taking it in more than ever with birdsong, ourselves in the present moment and urban and a new reserves guide to recognizing the need to protect green regardless of the thoughts running select from, there has never been a better spaces and sightings of unique wildlife in through our heads at that time. Gardening time to stay in this county and explore our own areas, all shouting: “Look at me - I or conservation work are also activities what’s on your own doorstep. am here to see, listen to me - I am here to that are of huge benefit to individuals. hear!” awakening all our senses. You may have taken part in the 30 Days People can use nature as a professional Wild Challenge in June, but if you didn’t, This link between nature and wellbeing type of mental health treatment. This don’t worry, make a note to sign up next is evident with the Mental Health is known as eco therapy: a range of year. In the meantime, enjoy your Natural Foundation reporting that connecting interventions that take place outdoors, Health service which is always here for you! with nature has been peoples’ most with emphasis on the activity rather favoured activity during lockdown. than the person’s own health. A therapist Amaan Haq is Membership or trained professional can be present Assistant for Northumberland Time spent wandering around in to provide support and lead the activity. Wildlife Trust and engaging in the great outdoors has Other types of mental health treatment numerous physical and mental health may also be used alongside eco therapy benefits. Nothing gets the brain ‘juice’ 16 Roebuck | Summer 2021

News The Co-op team at East Gifts in Wills Chevington reseve Together we’re stronger regional with gifts in Wills Blooming marvellous at The Trust is delighted to have East Chevington been named as a beneficiary in the following legacy: James D Parrack - £33,077 This selfless generosity is hugely appreciated and will enable us to continue our vital conservation work. Despite various government lockdown months from seed and compost packs, Otter Couple: Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION. Co-op: catch my drift. Angus lunn: elaine more. Otter: Luke Massey/2020VISION. restrictions throughout 2020 and 2021, which were assembled and distributed the Catch My Drift project team, based at by project trainee, Chloe Cook. In 2015, a substantial legacy from East Chevington, has continued its work Berwick resident and Trust member on the 185-hectare reserve. By May, there was an array of plants, Vera Wainwright had the proviso which the volunteers were able to plant attached to it that it had to be used for Last October, 160kg of locally sourced in the wonderful weather, and, which conservation work for otters. seed from Kevin Wharf Farming in everybody agreed should be an annual Thropton, was sown by hand onto eight event to help accelerate the development As a wildlife organisation, we hectares of improved grassland on the of the meadows for wildlife and visitors are always at the forefront of otter site, as part of the 22-hectare plan for the to enjoy. conservation in the region and indeed wildflower meadow’s restoration. the Trust was the forerunner of, and set Also in May, staff and their families the blueprint for, otter projects across At the end of last year (2020), Catch from the Co-op food stores and funeral the country throughout the 1980s My Drift volunteers decided to give the care homes in Morpeth, Amble, Hadston and 1990s. Thanks to this invaluable meadow a further boost in spring 2021 by and Belford descended on the reserve support, our conservation team was planting out plug plants of cornflowers, to plant 500 English bluebells as part of able to conduct a countywide otter oxeye daisy and wild red clover, all of the project’s plan to restore the reserve’s survey - the first since 2002 - that which they grew at home over the winter woodland habitats. formed an up to date baseline for what we now know about otter distribution. regional Northumberland Wildlife Trust Vice President If you are inspired by the legacy He’s got the power Angus Lunn supporting our otter survey and, because of coronavirus, have thought Congratulations to Angus Lunn, Trust Vice more about making a new Will and President, who was included in The Sunday leaving a legacy to a charity, please Times 2021 Green Power List of the UK’s top would you consider leaving a gift to 20 environmentalists. ensure our work continues? Angus, who has been involved with the For more information on legacy Trust from the very beginning, is described support, visit nwt.org.uk/legacy or by his friends as the archetypal “boots on alternatively contact Dan Venner, Trust the ground” nature conservationist. Director of Finance and Business on (0191) 284 6884 or email daniel. He is credited with the restoration of [email protected]. an entire ecosystem in Northumberland, having realised the importance of the Border Mires while mapping vegetation in the late 1950s. Roebuck | Summer 2021 17

uk news Turbines harness wind for renewable energy, but what UK UPDATE is the cost to our wildlife? The trouble with wind We are facing two inextricably habitats where fish, such as sandeel, live, Now is the time for balance — solutions linked crises — nature’s which fuel the food web for other fish, to climate change cannot make the loss and climate change. We birds, porpoises, whales and dolphins. The ecological crisis worse. We must consider cannot solve one without blades of turbines also pose a collision how we can reduce our energy demands so that less offshore wind is required. tackling the other and therefore, our efforts risk to many bird species. As a result of The Wildlife Trusts supports the to make progress must recognise and these impacts, we are already seeing the sustainable development of marine renewable energy and is working closely reflect their connection, including in our decline of wildlife in some of our precious with Government and industry to find solutions to achieve net zero by 2050 and seas. Healthy seas are critical to tackling Marine Protected Areas. enable nature’s recovery. However, this can only be done by everyone working both climate change and achieving The scale of ambition for the together to find creative and innovative solutions — this may mean that more nature’s recovery. development of new offshore wind farms research and development work is needed by industry to find new ways of building It is widely supported that dramatically by 2050 is staggering, with up to 140GW of offshore wind farms that benefit marine ecosystems. If we can put man on the reducing our carbon emissions, offshore wind power currently projected: moon, there is certainly hope that we can find sustainable solutions to offshore particularly from burning fossil fuels, is an incredible 14-fold increase on the 10GW wind farm development. a critical step to tackle climate change. of offshore wind we have in place today. Find out more about The Wildlife Trusts’ work on offshore development at Transitioning to alternative energy While The Wildlife Trusts recognise that wildlifetrusts.org/development-sea offshore turbine © andy rouse/2020vision sources, including marine renewables offshore wind will contribute to the UK (renewable energy sources based in achieving net zero carbon emissions by our seas), will be part of this package. 2050, the blinkers must come off if we are to Offshore wind farms are avoid industrialisation of our seas at the often put forward as the expense of the marine environment. best solution. hpdaruerubvrfsieoneninneuogUdtgrisiisnpninepmodsggetrepecaapronilrwoelereasitaasrtasatseioneutferntcrdhocmaans The marine environment However, in reality has been impacted by human activities for decades. Given offshore wind farm a chance to recover, it can development cannot and will play a leading role be considered truly in tackling climate change; green, as it does have a absorbing and locking away damaging impact on the huge amounts of carbon from the environment. It can cause loss of important marine atmosphere for centuries and beyond. 18 Roebuck | Summer 2021

News UK UPDATE uk highlights Flying start to 30 by 30 Discover how The Wildlife Trusts We’ve already raised almost £8 million ponds in Norfolk, transforming a 42-acre are helping 2 towards our 30 by 30 ambition to kickstart former Carlisle golf course into an urban wildlife across 3 nature’s recovery across 30% of our land bee and butterfly oasis, and quadrupling the UK and seas by 2030. These vital funds will a Wiltshire nature reserve to help the support projects to make new homes for rare marsh fritillary butterfly thrive. 1 wildlife, join up wild places and promote 1 Help for kelp natural solutions to the climate crisis. Of the £8 million total raised so far, over £900,000 has been given by A new byelaw now makes it illegal This spring, we unveiled to trawl with bottom-towed fishing ten new projects that will members of the public. gear within an area off the Sussex help nature fight back. Thank you to everyone coast. This landmark decision will give The new who has already supported Sussex’s important kelp forests the projects our campaign to bring chance to recover, providing a home for include nature back. a wide range of wildlife. Find out more reviving at wtru.st/help-kelp ice-age Find out more and support the campaign at wildlifetrusts.org/30-30-30 water vole © terry whittaker/2020vision, peat extraction © matthew roberts; marsh fritillary © vaughn matthews 2 Fishing friends Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is working with anglers in the Colne Valley to improve wetlands for wildlife, including the rare water vole. Fisheries look after many lakes and rivers, and by offering training and support, the Wildlife Trust and their partner, the Colne Valley Fisheries Consultative, are helping them further enhance these habitats for wildlife as well as people. For more info go to wtru.st/hmwt-angling Peat extraction is devastating peatlands across the world, yet many retailers are continuing to sell peat-based products Promise for Peat recent Wildlife Trust survey revealed that 3 Seagrass saviours only one of 20 leading garden retailers The Government has announced plans to contacted planned to eliminate peat A new partnership launched by phase out the use of peat in horticulture, from its shelves this year. Whilst the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust including a consultation on banning Government’s announcement is welcome aims to restore the Solent’s seagrass the sale of peat and peat containing news, it must be backed by action and beds. As well as providing a home for products in the amateur sector by the lead to a ban of peat sales. wildlife, seagrass protects coasts from end of this Parliament. erosion and absorbs carbon up to 35 See the announcement in full at times faster than tropical rainforests. Ten years ago, the Government set wtru.st/gov-speech See more at wtru.st/solent-seagrass a voluntary target for the horticulture sector to end sales to gardeners by 2020. This deadline was missed, and a Roebuck | Summer 2021 19

Kielder stone Ian Jackson regional Northumberland’s real rock stars In May, Ian Jackson, geologist and NWT back into the past, everybody taking part role in the landscape, wildlife and history trustee launched the Northumberland will become time-travellers for a day. of the region - just think, without the once Rock Festival as part of the Trust’s 50th molten rocks of our world famous Whin Anniversary celebrations. So many areas of everyday life allude Sill Crags, Emperor Hadrian wouldn’t have to geology, even if people don’t realise had anywhere to build his Wall. During the anniversary year, people it, especially politics with references to will be able to learn more about 50 seismic shifts in policy, landslide victories There are hard-to-find places where you extraordinary rock stars via the Trust’s and how many times have we heard it said can see the fossils of animals that lived in website as Ian reveals the real life secrets that somebody or something is “between a tropical coral seas 330 million years ago of a number of sites around the region rock and a hard place?” and nature reserves where solid rocks have with images, anecdotes and information. been bent and folded by earthquakes. It’s a great way for people to rediscover the This region is blessed with outstanding great outdoors as lockdown restrictions rocks and landscape - they are the equal of Actor Kevin Costner, in his role as Robin continue to ease, and, for those who are the best in Britain but many may wonder Hood: Prince of Thieves, made good use of unable to travel to Ian’s top places, at least what rocks have to do with a Wildlife a piece of geology. He filmed at Sycamore 10 of them will have a virtual video tour. Trust. However, if you study ecology, it Gap in 1990/19991, but did you know that becomes clear that the major influence when a kilometer high glacier melted Each month, there will be a on which plants grow where is mostly 15,000 years ago? The torrent of water downloadable walking trail so people will determined by rocks - whether it’s the ripped out the Gap and several other be able to visit places where they can see heather moors on sandstone at Simonside, valleys along the Whin Sill ridge. where earthquakes have bent solid rock, or the rare grasslands on our Whin Sill, or visit a 400 million year old volcano, walk peat on the Border Mires in badly drained Even though it’s not as obvious anymore, over a bog that started when the last glacial clay. we all owe a lot to our rocks. Coal and lead glacier left 15000 years ago, and even hunt mining used to provide the jobs for many the fossils of animals that lived 300 million Geodiversity is key to our biodiversity northeastern families. Most of our towns years ago in a warm coral sea. and if we want to understand and protect and villages would not now exist without our wildlife we need to understand our them and all our lives would be very Later in the year, there is the possibility rocks too. Looking at past landscapes and different. of activities for children, so forget Walking wildlife helps us to conserve better and with Dinosaurs, there’ll be chalking with plan. Get involved! dinosaurs and, because rocks let you look Go to: nwt.org.uk/rock-festival Rocks and geology play a very special 20 Roebuck | Summer 2021

News Site managers, Corporate Sue and Phil Humphreys Membership regional We offer three levels of corporate membership which are designed Herding Hill Farm to enhance your Corporate Social Responsibility commitments, provide At a time when many organisations are Ever mindful of its location in an area year-round benefits to your business kielder stone: Ian jackson. Sue and phil: herding hill farm. shop front: deli at number 4. facing uncertainty and withdrawing of beautiful natural heritage, careful and support your staff development, their charitable support, we are delighted consideration has been given to the PR and marketing strategies. You that camping and glamping site Herding location of all amenities, their materials choose the level that you feel reflects Hill Farm is a Trust Silver Category and impact on the local environment. your company’s commitment to the corporate supporter for a second year local environment. There is an experience to suit all Herding Hill, one mile from Hadrian’s budgets, from large serviced gravel To find out more about becoming Wall, re-opened mid-April after a pitches, spacious grass tent pitches to a corporate member contact our pandemic closure which saw the site wooden wigwam cabins, some with Marketing Officer, Elizabeth Lovatt, renovated, re-painted and deep cleaned private outdoor hot tubs, as well as a via email at elizabeth.lovatt@ ready for visitors returning. An indoor luxury lodge. Seven new luxury pods are northwt.org.uk. campers’ kitchen and information room scheduled to open in winter 2021. and additional serviced touring pitches Gold were added. The site is perfect for families, dogs, walkers and cyclists, so, at a time when Aaron Optometrists Rated five-star by Visit England and more people are considering staycations, Northumbrian Water Ltd recognised as AA COVID-19 confident, it a visit to Herding Hill Farm is well worth Ringtons offers stylish camping and glamping and considering a visit. Tarmac is Dark Sky Friendly. herdinghillfarm.co.uk Thermofisher Scientific regional Deli at Number 4 in silver Hexham Deli-lightful support Harlow Printing Ltd Herding Hill Farm Deli at Number 4, is donating all 10p carrier Historic Property Restoration Ltd bag sales to the Trust, following the recent Karpet Mills change in Government policy on single- Potts Printers Ltd use carrier bags, which was extended to all Riverside Leisure businesses in England from 21 May. bronze The deli, which prides itself on selling local produce, is situated across from Bell Ingram Hexham Abbey on Beaumont Street. It Blyth Harbour Commission stocks a wide range of fine foods including Cottages in Northumberland cheeses, unusual crackers, sandwiches, EcoCabs desserts and hot drinks made with Holidaycottages.co.uk Northumbrian Pedigree Milk. Howick Hall Gardens deliatnumber4.co.uk Northern Experience Wildlife Tours Northumberland County Council Northumberland Estates Ord House Country Park Poltross Enterprises Shepherds Retreats The First and Last Brewery Verdant Leisure Wardell Armstrong Roebuck | Summer 2021 21

We bet you didn’t know... y o u!TThhaannkk you Both male and female bumblebees very often have a quick nap either under or inside flowers. In autumn, young queens preparing £100 themselves for winter can be seen using flowers for a bed. Haydon Bridge Parish Council, which Green Mentor Demmi enabled us to build and install 10 new Robinson (second right) with bird boxes at Tony’s Patch. members of Marden High School Green Team regional £215 Calling all young activists Riverside Leisure Park and Heather View Leisure Park. Each season staff Young people in our region are being to spring up across the region working kindly ask their holiday hire customers bee; Chris Gomersall/2020VISION. green influencers: Charlotte Darby. Harvest mouse: Joel Ireland. inspired to follow in environmental under the guidance of Demmi Robinson, to make a voluntary donation of £1. activist Greta Thunberg’s footsteps our very first Green Mentor who has thanks to funding from The Ernest been visiting schools and youth clubs to £7,731 Cook Trust national educational charity help young people turn their words and which is piloting the UK based Green ideas into actions and, most importantly, Ventient Sisters North Steads Windfarm Influencers Scheme. to lead them. Community Benefit Fund has enabled the Catch My Drift project team to buy The scheme aims to encourage Any schools, youth clubs, community young people to support nature and centres or community projects interested trees, a new chainsaw and relevant wildlife and protect the environment in joining the Green Influencers Scheme, training for staff. - all of which have been a lifeline to at no cost to themselves, should contact communities during the pandemic. Demmi at demmi.robinson@northwt. £2,365 org.uk. Teams of Green Influencers aged Co-op Local Community Fund via from 10 to 14-years-old are now starting shoppers at Bellingham Co-op. There’s regional still time to support by visiting coop.co.uk/membership. New Nature Reserves Guide now available £440 The Trust has updated its Nature Reserves Guide Waitrose intu Eldon Square shoppers, which has been redesigned with the aim of inspiring via the Community Matters Scheme. everybody to head out and discover the region’s wildlife gems. £2,018 The 68-page publication contains useful information The Ray Wind Farm Community Fund, on what wildlife to look out for on many of our allowing children from six schools in reserves, stunning full-colour photographs, together Northumberland to become nature with advice on access and parking. detectives with Restoring Ratty. Priced at £5 (plus £1.50 postage) the guide is available from our online shop nwt.org.uk/shop. Donations, whatever the amount, are always welcome by the Trust and never more so as we continue to recover from the effects of coronavirus. To find out how you can help us visit: nwt.org.uk/support-us 22 Roebuck | Summer 2021

Harvest mouse Give the gift that lasts a lifetime Are you keen to support the work we do at Northumberland Wildlife Trust? Have you been meaning to tick-off writing a Will from your to-do list? We’ve got just the solution for you through our new partnership with Guardian Angel the online Will writers. We’re so lucky to have such wonderful Is a Will made online legal? Step 3: Get it checked over by our team of wildlife and wild places across Absolutely, and like with any Will, you’ll legal experts Northumberland, Newcastle and North need to sign it in front of two witnesses Step 4: Get it signed, sealed and delivered Tyneside. A gift in your Will, no matter to make it legally binding. how large or small, means that the Writing a Will Over the Phone: wildlife and landscapes that inspire you How much will it cost? Or, if you’d rather, you can call up 0800 today can be enjoyed and experienced by It’s free and if you want to include a gift 773 4014 and someone will walk you future generations forever. And it costs to NWT, even better. through the process. you nothing during your lifetime. How do I know what to include in my Will? Choosing to support NWT in your Will writing can often be expensive, Their simple online form makes sure you Will allows you to make a lasting time-consuming and, all-round, a bit of don’t miss anything important and you commitment to the wildlife and places a headache. We want to take the stress can ask for support from their team at that we all love. A gift in your Will out of it for you to make it as pain-free as any point in the process. can mean the difference between possible. saving a haven for wildlife and losing Is it checked by a legal expert? it forever. Gifts in Wills have helped Guardian Angel offers FREE Wills All online Wills are checked by legal us to provide vital protection for local online along with bereavement experts. wildlife, landscapes and endangered support. Their online service is safe, species, manage our nature reserves, run secure and fully endorsed by legal How long will it take me? events to educate and inspire schools, professionals, and can be done from the It’s easy and simple to use, which means communities and individuals to care for comfort of your own home. The process you can be done and dusted in as little as their environment and engage volunteers is simple and jargon-free. 15 minutes. in helping conserve local areas. Variety is the spice of life, so we’ve give How do I do it? you the option of writing your will in the Step 1: Go to www.gawill.uk/northwt way that works best for you. Here are Step 2: Enter all your details in around two FREE options for you: 15 minutes. You can choose to leave a 1. Online Will Writing, checked by legal fixed sum, or a percentage of your estate experts to Northumberland Wildlife Trust, to 2. Over the phone, one-to-one support further support the work we do.

Farming with Farmland has huge potential to benefit our struggling wildlife, but as Ellie Brodie reveals, there’s a lot of work to be done. yellow wagtail © chris gomersall/2020vision Yellow wagtails feast on farmland insects, but have declined by 68% since the 1970s 24 Roebuck | Summer 2021

Farming with Nature Ellie is a passionate Let me paint a picture of a farming landscape Farming at scale advocate of nature- that makes space for nature. Wildflowers Farmland makes up the vast majority — around fill the farms with colour, covering upland friendly farming hay meadows and lowland field margins, three quarters — of land use in the UK. Given its and has been blooming in hedgerows and verges. This profusion scale, it makes sense that what happens in the farmed of pollen and nectar supports a dazzling and buzzing environment has a huge impact on wildlife. leading The Wildlife array of butterflies, bees and other wild pollinators. Trusts’national land New greenery encourages all sorts of beetles, bugs, In today’s farming, vast swathes of the countryside management policy flies and caterpillars, opening up a buffet for birds, are given over to doing one thing at scale: from from sweet-singing skylarks to wading birds like growing maize, sugar beet, or Sitka spruce to battery and influencing lapwings. chicken farming or factory-scale dairy farming. With work since 2016 scale and efficiency comes doing one thing, and Small mammals like wood mice and field voles also one thing only. This generally means a high level of gorge themselves on insects, as well as hedgerow inputs from synthetic fertilisers, lethal insecticides, berries and nuts, occupying an important mid-way toxic weedkillers or the routine use of antibiotics in point in the food chain, in turn prey for badgers and livestock. It also means uniformity and monoculture buzzards. Ponds, ditches and dykes provide spawning — be this conifer plantations, drained upland bogs or areas for frogs, toads and newts, and homes for effectively a green desert of a single arable crop and darting dragon- and damselflies. nothing else. If you’re lucky, by day you might spot a water vole Farming on this industrial scale impacts on nature nibbling stems along a grassy bank or a brown hare and on the climate. Agricultural chemicals and bounding across a field. By night you may see the slurry leech into waterways, harming fish, insects, dark shadows of bats swooping across the sky, or the amphibians and mammals like water voles and otters. spectral shape of a barn owl quartering a field. Insecticides kill the flying, crawling and wiggling insects that other creatures higher up the food chain This is a landscape full of life, busy with birdsong depend on — including us humans, who rely on and bees. Now trade the variety and complexity of pollinators for around a third of the world’s food crop this picture with one of monoculture and monotony. production. Nitrogen-based fertilisers ruin soil health This, sadly, is the more realistic and commonplace and contribute to climate change. version of farmland that exists today. Roebuck | Summer 2021 25

Farming wfoirthnaNtautruere Brown hares are at home on grassland and arable fields Bee © gillian day; brown hare © andrew parkinson/2020vision Habitat destruction, from the loss of Policy (CAP). In November 2020, the first schemes that provided environmental both upland and lowland hay meadows domestic Agriculture Act was passed benefit. Around £2.4 billion was distributed to the removal of features, which provide since 1947, moving us into a a period of in this way across the four UK countries. corridors for wildlife — the hedgerows, transition towards post-EU agriculture ditches, and strips of woodland — to create policies. This means what farmers are The Westminster Government has larger and simpler areas to crop or graze has paid for and the rules they have to follow committed to maintaining the agricultural caused the plummeting fortunes of a wide will change; and as agricultural policy is budget until the next general election — range of wildlife; from dormice, water voles devolved, this will vary across the four UK expected in 2024. In England and Wales, and bats to breeding waders like snipe and countries. governments are refocusing the agricultural rare wildflowers, grasses and shrubs. spend away from area-based payments Under the CAP the majority of funding and towards specific activities that farmers Driven by policy for farmers (88%) was made through can do to tackle environmental issues, Agriculture policy has incentivised this area-based payments schemes. Farmers including wildlife loss, climate change and were paid to comply with a basic set of water pollution. Scotland is continuing and model of farming for decades. But now is a rules and in return received a payment improving the CAP until 2024. time of change, as the UK has left the EU based on how much land they owned. and therefore the Common Agricultural The remaining 12% of the budget was for Farmland makes up the vast majority, Wildflower margins are about three quarters, great for pollinators like of land use in the UK bees and butterflies Whilst refocusing spend towards environmental activities is positive, a research report The Wildlife Trusts released with the RSPB and National Trust in 2019 found that much more is needed: the entire agricultural budget if spent on the environment would not be enough to recover nature on farmland in its current state.

The Wildlife Trusts’ long-standing partnership farming for nature untrimmed hedges © matthew roberts, lower smite farm © wendy carter with Jordans Cereals helps the farmers who grow oats for Jordans to farm in harmony Many Wildlife Trusts own or manage farmland with nature. Every farmer in the Jordans Farm for nature. In 2001, Worcestershire Wildlife partnership is committed to managing at least 10% Trust purchased the 65 hectare Lower of their farmed land for wildlife and works closely Smite Farm to demonstrate how sensitive farming with a farm advisor from their local Wildlife Trust, techniques can improve the quality of the agricultural protecting wildlife from barn owls to butterflies. landscape for wildlife. This working arable farm is Collectively, they manage more than 4,000 now a haven for wildlife, with management strategies hectares for wildlife, including: focussing on soil health, „„ 475 ha field margins connectivity and year- „„ 94 ponds round food supplies for „„ 717 km of hedgerows wildlife. With the help of „„ 136 km of waterways volunteers, they’ve planted „„ 692 ha of woodland woodlands, hedgerows and wildflowers. Every spring, Find out more at skylark song tumbles from the sky; in summer wildlifetrusts.org/jordans up to 15 different species of dragonfly dart above the ponds; and in winter, charms of finches flock to the supplemental wild bird seed mix. Departing from the EU means the rules advising them on how to minimise their other flying insects; create wildlife friendly will change. At The Wildlife Trusts we use of chemicals in Shropshire. We’re habitat where you’re able, and plant a continue to press for high environmental providing advice to farmers supplying oats wildflower window box or make a pond in standards. This includes pushing for to Jordans Cereal on how to provide for your garden; support local nature friendly new legislation, as with the Environment nature on their land, whilst demonstrating farmers, and go organic where possible; Bill currently making its way through how farming and nature can go hand in and visit local farms and find out what Parliament and through new regulations. hand through our own working farms they are doing — Open Farm Sunday is Wildlife Trusts Wales, for example, was from Cumbria down to Dorset. And in a great opportunity for this. instrumental in influencing the Welsh Yorkshire, we’re providing traineeships in Government earlier this year to introduce livestock management and grazing. Find out more about The Wildlife new regulations for water pollution from Trusts’ work for farmland wildlife at agriculture. Regulations need enforcing, You can help farmland wildlife from and in England, deep cuts to regulators like home by supporting your Wildlife Trust wildlifetrusts.org/farming the Environment Agency limit its ability to and by taking action for nature: stop using enforce regulations like chemicals, and use natural flea repellents Farming Rules for Water. on your dogs and cats rather than ones with neonicotinoids that kill bees and Nature-friendly farming in action Untrimmed hedges and wildflower wildflower verges & Harvester © jordans cereals Besides our work influencing policy and verges at the sides of agricultural fields create corridors for wildlife legislation, Wildlife Trusts across the UK are working to help farmland wildlife, both on land we own and through advice we give others. We are restoring hay meadows in Lancashire and rewetting fenland in Cambridgeshire. We’re reintroducing and supporting threatened species — from dormice in Nottinghamshire to water voles in Essex. We’re helping farmers work together to join up their land to provide highways for bees in Worcestershire and

Pipistrelle bat: Laurie campbell/naturepl.com Summer nights may be shorter, but they’re alive with activity as a host of nocturnal creatures make the most of the hours of darkness. Tawny owls listen for rodents rustling across woodland floors, moths flicker around night-scented flowers, and bats swoop through the air, hunting the insects that swarm in the night. There are 17 species of bat that breed in the UK, from Natterer’s bats that snatch spiders from their webs, to Daubenton’s bats that fish insects from the surface of lakes and rivers. The most widespread and frequently seen are the common and soprano pipistrelles, zigzagging through the air as they feast on up to 3,000 insects a night. Their nocturnal nature can make bats a challenge to watch, but there are few moments as magical as seeing these shadowy silhouettes sweep across a darkening sky. 28 Roebuck | Summer 2021

Night Riders Use a bat detector The easiest way to find and identify bats is with the help of a bat detector. This device picks up the high-pitched echolocation calls of bats and makes them audible to humans. Different species echolocate at different frequencies, so we can work out which bat we’re hearing. Bat detectors come in a range of prices and complexities and may take a bit of practice to use. Watch the weather Study the flight It’s harder for bats to hunt on damp Bats have different flight patterns, which can give you or windy nights, so choose a an idea of the species you’re watching. Pipistrelles dry, still evening for your fly erratically, noctules have a direct flight bat watching expedition. with sudden swoops, and brown long- A sheltered spot will eared bats have a slow, hovering flight. attract bats if there is a bit of wind. Arrive before sunset Bats are easiest to spot around dusk, Bring the bats to you! when they emerge to feed and there’s Water features are the best bat still enough light to see them. Our attractors, but also fill your garden with largest bat, the noctule, is often the a variety of insect-tempting flowers to first to emerge, sometimes before create a banquet for bats. Pale and night- the sun has set. Children and scented flowers are particularly popular some adults can often hear these without a detector! with nocturnal pollinators. Bat boxes high on walls or trees can offer a safe space to roost. Wait by water Just like other animals, bats need to Go where the insects are drink, so they’re often found around Bats are found in a range of habitats, waterways. Stretches of sheltered, from farmland to forests to still or slow-moving water also attract gardens. They can often be clouds of insects that they can hunt. seen hunting around features You may even see a Daubenton’s bat that attract insects, like trees, hunting low across the water. hedges and woodland edges. Discover bats on a Wildlife Trust reserve near you at wildlifetrusts.org/bat-spots Roebuck | Summer 2021 29

Kielder very much wild and alive Bolting island sections together We all know that habitat Schedule 1 species, they are afforded Forestry England rose to the challenge restoration is crucial to the highest level of protection and it is with a location opposite Tower Knowe the recovery of nature, an offence to intentionally or recklessly Visitor Centre. but sometimes we have to disturb them at or near an active nest. take a step further and use an artificial Of course, once you put up a pole, medium to boost those efforts. Factors such as the osprey’s need for a there’s no guarantee that the birds will panoramic view around them to look out agree with the assessment that this is In Kielder Forest, Forestry England for any danger, forestry plans, proximity a perfect nesting site, but thankfully it made the decision in to actively try to of infrastructure like roads, footpaths took no time at all for a new pair to set attract ospreys to nest, having seen them or other features all influence the sites up home last year (2020) bringing much passing through on their migration to chosen, with a need to provide a safe needed cheer during the first Covid-19 and from Scottish nesting sites. This buffer zone around the nest to keep the lockdown. approach certainly paid off in 2009 birds safe. when the first osprey chicks hatched in Build it and they will come! Of course, Northumberland for the first time in In recent years, the Kielder Osprey this success gave the partnership team 200 years. Since then, the population has Partnership - Northumbrian Water, the opportunity to reassess Osprey grown from strength to strength, and Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Forestry Watch, which has for many years been this year (2021) there are six active nests. England, Kielder Water & Forest Park located at Kielder Waterside with distant Development Trust and Calvert Kielder views to Nest 1A. Thanks to funding from The decision of where to place artificial - has been discussing the need to find Northumbrian Water, a new viewpoint nests is not as simple as it may appear a nest site that provides better public and cabin is currently being constructed from the outside. As ospreys are a viewing opportunities, and the team at at Tower Knowe, with a live feed from 30 Roebuck | Summer 2021

Kielder: very much wild and alive Nest 7 osprey with eggs New cabin at Island and cabin: katy barke. Osprey: Kielder Water & Forest Park Tower Knowe this new nest, known as Nest 7. facemasks and the need to sterilise stainless steel units with a coir substrate, The new cabin will be fitted with brand equipment each time it was used. was assembled from a number of modules, which were planted up on the new interpretation including a recreation However, don’t be downhearted. bankside and then floated and joined of an osprey nest, and will also have The Visit Kielder Facebook page has together, on the water by the highly a fully accessible fixed scope to allow more information on this exciting new trained Biomatrix team. everyone a chance to see the action with development and to keep up to date with their own eyes. all of the Kielder ospreys, read the blog at The planting on the island included kielderospreys.wordpress.com. yellow flag iris, marsh marigold, purple A huge advantage of the Tower Knowe loosestrife, water mint and brooklime. location is that the nest is much closer In another example of our partnership Situated near the hide, the island will with great views possible through with Northumbrian Water, our NWL provide new habitat and opportunities binoculars. Team members have seen Partnership Estates Officer, Dan for a range of species. The team is looking osprey passing overhead on nearly every Chapman, recently worked with forward to seeing how this develops over visit to the site, so it’s obviously been a Biomatrix Water to install a floating the next couple of years. good decision. island ecosystem at Whittle Dene Reservoir. You may have seen their work Katy Barke is Unfortunately, the partnership decided featured recently on Countryfile as Living Landscapes not to run Osprey Watch for the second they worked to restore biodiversity to a Projects Manager for year running, due to all the uncertainties London canal. Northumberland Wildlife around the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions Trust such as the safety of the volunteers The floating island, a structure running Osprey Watch, social distancing, constructed from a series of interlocking Roebuck | Summer 2021 31

Nature in the Landscape Linden beside recent repairs to a rapidly eroding bank on her Burn The Wildlife Trusts are working to Partnership Scheme, funded by The grassland, moorland and blanket bog. secure 30% of land and sea for National Lottery Heritage Fund. Historic features abound, with ridge and nature by 2030, but we can’t do furrow field systems, an old mill and the it alone! We must work with others on As Revitalising Redesdale, we work on standing walls of a ruined bastle. There a landscape scale to expand, improve land owned by the partner organisations, are also wildflower meadows, woodland and connect habitats. Northumberland but also with individual landowners. and a tributary of the River Rede. When Wildlife Trust, together with 16 partner Linden Craven spent much of her youth she bought the farm, Shittleheugh was organisations, are doing this in the in the North Tyne and Redesdale area. starting to fall into disrepair. ‘I will be catchment of the River Rede through She returned, buying Shittleheugh rebuilding drystone walls until I die!’ the Revitalising Redesdale Landscape Farm 15 years ago. Shittleheugh covers she exclaims. Managing, regenerating 500 acres, much of it upland, with 32 Roebuck | Summer 2021

Nature in the Landscape and caring for the land, Linden tells riverbank, moor and areas of woodland. summarises. They’ve liked meeting me, is her personal passion. The land is in Stewardship and stocked by a local They farm sheep and Highland cattle. experts with new ideas and seeing farmer under an annual grazing licence. Her main business is making jewellery. Rattenraw is currently managed as a people from different organisations I first worked with Linden back in 2018, productive farm with space for wildlife, working together to achieve positive when we held Revitalising Redesdale’s first annual bioblitz at Shittleheugh. We but Dennis tells me his perspective was results. ‘We’ve learnt a lot and it’s made did this as a ‘traditional’ bioblitz, with 24 hours of wildlife recording (motion different 10 years ago. Then, his focus us appreciate what we’ve got,’ Dennis activated cameras did the nightshift), generating 436 new species records which was on setting up to make the farm says. They enjoyed meeting volunteers were submitted to the Environmental Records Information Centre North East. productive and manageable and on and having the opportunity to speak The discovery, and subsequent filming, of otters in her Burn particularly delighted improving fencing and gates. ‘We didn’t with a diverse range of people. As well Linden! appreciate the different flowers,’ Susan as environmental projects, volunteers Since then, Revitalising Redesdale’s work at Shittleheugh has included adds. helped with archaeological digs on fencing off areas of the streambank to prevent poaching from cattle, creating As part of their Higher Level their land, resulting in a number of a new pond and installing drinking troughs away from the watercourse. Stewardship Scheme, one of their exciting finds, including 2000-year- There’s been tree planting, to create new areas of woodland, meadows was seeded to help restore old glass beads! Dennis and Susan and enhancement of the meadows, adding wildflowers species-rich grassland. Dennis and hope the archaeologists can return. At typical of a Northumbrian meadow that were missing, Susan were so pleased with the result Shittleheugh, Linden also praised the including meadow vetchling, great burnet and wood that they paid to restore two more. volunteers and their help in enhancing cranesbill. When Revitalising Redesdale started, habitats, ‘It’s been hugely beneficial! The work we did fits well with Linden’s vision for her we enhanced their meadows further, There’s just not enough hours in the day!’ farm as a place where nature thrives. Following a difficult year planting additional wildflowers, as Revitalising Redesdale will continue during the Covid-19 pandemic, she is now diversifying further, at Shittleheugh. Nowadays, their working with landowners until the setting up Shittleheugh as an Airbnb. She hopes this will attract people perspective is changed: ‘We just needed a scheme ends in 2022. Beyond then who enjoy the rugged landscape and appreciate the abundant wildlife: roe push in the right direction,’ Dennis says. Dennis and Susan are confident that the deer visiting the farmhouse garden, barn owls in the evening and walking all day work will be ongoing. They see in the beautiful landscape and seeing no one. As we speak, a steady flow of birds the projects done by Revitalising visits her feeders: siskins, tits and a great- spotted woodpecker. Redesdale and through their However, for many landowners, Stewardship as something for farming is their main business and here nature must find space among, often them to build and improve upon, tight, profit margins. Across the river from Shittleheugh is Rattenraw Farm, the start of a process. where through Revitalising Redesdale we are working with the landowners, Dennis Linden agrees that the and Susan Salt. They bought Rattenraw Farm 15 years ago to increase the amount benefits will continue: ‘The work of land they farmed. The 520 acres of Rattenraw are varied, with meadows, Revitalising Redesdale have done is mutually beneficial’ Highland she explains, ‘The new fencing cattle at is protecting river habitat in the long term and it’s not only Rattenraw keeping cattle out of the river, it’s also preventing me losing them in the wood!’ Revitalising Redesdale brought a team ‘People are going to have to adapt to of experts to Rattenraw to design natural look after the environment. That’s the flood management interventions to way farming has to go,’ says Linden. As reduce the large amounts of sediment they look towards future Stewardship washing into the River Rede, due to Schemes, likely to change away severe erosion, primarily caused by from ‘payment for income forgone’ old inappropriate drains. Skilled local towards ‘payment for environmental contractors reprofiled sides of eroding outcomes’, Dennis and Susan agree: gullies, added leaky dams to hold water ‘Hill farming will need to be geared up back on the fell, creating ponds and to conservation. It makes sense.’ This rewetting shallow peat. This reduced highlights the holistic approach needed, erosion and promoted the growth of from individual landowners to national peat-forming sphagnum mosses. It has policies, to achieve 30% of land and sea worked well and now provides a case for nature by 2030. Images: jennifer care study for how similar solutions could work elsewhere. Jennifer Care is Farming How do landowners find the process and Wildlife Officer for of working with Revitalising Redesdale? Revitalising Redesdale ‘It’s been a good experience and has completed some useful projects,’ Dennis Roebuck | Summer 2021 33

Community Gardening Come together with your community to make more space for nature. Add bird boxes and bee hotels Help wildlife find move into your shared garden, by providing homes! Find that DIY expert in your community and get building. Set up a community compost heap These work really well, helping to reduce waste sent to landfill as well as provide a home for wildlife and compost for mulching. Plant native trees Many parks and shared spaces have room for a few trees and people love planting them. Set up a crowdfunder to buy a few and plant them together with your neighbours. Make a small pond Grow plants for bees A source of water is really important for Everyone knows bees are in trouble and wildlife, for drinking and bathing. People will wants to help them. Grow herbs like be drawn there too if you pop in a bench. lavender, oregano, rosemary and chives. 34 Roebuck | Summer 2021

Illustration: katy frost. Kate bradbury: Sarah Cuttle. Twice a year, I meet up with other members of my or focus on wildlife gardening there’s plenty of Kate Bradbury local community to plant up and tidy the planters on reward to reap from your efforts. You’ll learn more is passionate my local high street. While we work we chat, discuss about planting for nature, and can then pass this planting methods and the best plants for bees. Some knowledge on to other members of your community, about wildlife- of us take clippings home to compost. Many of us end young and old. As a result, you’ll bring more nature to up in the pub afterwards. It’s a lovely thing to do, both your and others’ doorsteps. friendly gardening for the community, the local wildlife and ourselves. Thanks to Covid we missed a session last year, but we If you want to start gardening with your local and the author of have a date in the diary for summer and I’m looking community then start with your local park. There Wildlife Gardening forward to getting back to work. may already be a ‘Friends of’ group set up that you for Everyone and can join, but if there isn’t then set one up yourself Everything in Community gardens and gardening help bring — other ‘Friends of’ groups should be able to help communities together. They can be on virtually any you. You’ll be amazed how many people in your association with patch of land, from large planters on a main road community want to come out and help improve the like the ones I tend, to a park or church grounds area, and you’ll make new friends, too! The Wildlife Trusts. (or a section of them) — I’ve even seen community gardens set up in raised beds on a little corner of For more tips on how to make green spaces wilder, visit: pavement. The space doesn’t matter, it’s what you do with it that counts. Whether you grow veg, flowers wildlifetrusts.org/take-action-insects Grow vegetables Many people want to grow veg but lack the confidence. Start with courgettes, beans and strawberries. Teach people how to sow seeds and raise crops themselves. Garden organically Use a combination of companion planting and wildlife gardening to move away from using chemicals, helping your community to learn how to garden in a wildlife-friendly way. Create mini habitats Make log, leaf and stick piles for wildlife to live in, and leave seedheads and long grass over winter. Children will love making (and exploring!) homes for wildlife. Roebuck | Summer 2021 35

Thank you to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for supporting our wonderful green spaces, which are so important for our health and wellbeing, for the past 13 years! As life starts to return to normal, players of People’s Postcode Lottery have been helping our volunteers get back to what they do best... preserving our nature reserves around the region. Photo: The Gosforth Wildlife Gardening Group by Fiona Dryden • People’s Postcode Lottery manages lotteries on behalf of 20 Postcode Trusts. People play with their chosen postcodes for a chance to win cash prizes. A minimum of 33% from each subscription goes directly to charities and good causes in Britain and internationally. Players have raised more than £700 million so far. For details of the charities and good causes which are promoting and benefitting from the lottery draws, please visit www. postcodelottery.co.uk/good-causes/draw-calendar • It costs £10 a month to play and winning postcodes are announced every day. The maximum amount a single ticket can win is 10% of the draw proceeds. For details, please visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk/prizes • New players can sign up to pay using direct debit by calling 0808 10 9 8 7 6 5. New players who sign up online at www.postcodelottery.co.uk can pay using direct debit, debit card or PayPal • Postcode Lottery Limited is regulated by the Gambling Commission under licence numbers: 000-000829-N-102511 and 000-000829-R-102513. Registered office: 2nd Floor, 31 Chertsey Street, Guildford, Surrey, England, GU1 4HD • Follow us @PPLComms