Roebuck 160 - Summer 2023

RoebuckThe member magazine for Northumberland Wildlife TrustSummer 2023 | 160 MYTHIC MINIBEASTS SKINNY-DIPPING SLUGS Discover what puts the nude in nudibranch BOUNCING BACK Iolo Williams shares his views on reintroducing wildlife Six of our best sites for seeing damselflies and dragonflies

Welcome 6 Rewilding the Dutch way Popping gorse I was recently involved in a Wildlife Trust tour of the southern Netherlands and saw the well-established and rewilded lands. To call it inspiring is an understatement. It’s amazing the scale and the simple purity of the Dutch approach that, over decades, has created areas up to 25,000 ha in size, entirely with nature and flood prevention in mind. Whole ecosystems and natural processes have been restored. The extent of large herbivore grazing is reminiscent of prehistoric days, fragments of which were once a northern European Serengeti with European bison grazing alongside many old breeds of ponies and pigs. It’s not just scale that is apparent but biodiversity and sheer abundance of wildlife, most in areas which were not in a wild state even 30 years ago. It shows that if we adopt the right ways and are bold enough, much can be achieved. We are in the first stage of this in the UK. Furthermore, in this region, there is the opportunity to help develop biodiversity by joining up, extending and enhancing the quality of big protected areas - all on a par with the Netherlands. My Dutch trip showed me what is possible if we set our minds to bringing back and making space for nature. It’s up to us to help realise a new vision for nature for future generations to embrace and with your continued support you are helping to make it happen. Mike Pratt - Chief Executive Northumberland Wildlife Trust Follow me on twitter @Mike_Pratt_NWT MIKE PRATT © TRAI ANFIELD. YELLOWHAMMER © AMY LEWIS. CONFERENCE 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: Male broad-bodied chaser © Ross Hoddinott, Registered company number 00717813 naturepl.com Website nwt.org.uk facebook.com/northumberlandwt twitter.com/northwildlife instagram.com/northwildlife 2 Roebuck | Summer 2023

16 23 Contents Wilding conference Adopt an 4 Your wild summer a huge success animal The best of the season’s wildlife and 31 where to enjoy it on your local patch Whittle Dene 10 Wild reserves Dream Why summer is the best time of year to visit these Wildlife Trust reserves 13 Wild thoughts Presenter and conservationist Iolo Williams on bringing species back from the brink 16 Wild news The latest regional and national news from The Wildlife Trusts 23 Focus on: Adopt an animal Help protect two of our national treasures 24 Tales from the Western Woods The British Lichen Society’s April Windle explores a precious, long overlooked habitat 28 Yellow slug-marine Sea slugs add a spectacular splash of colour to our rockpools 30 Kielder Wild, alive and very busy 31 Whittle Dene dream Help us secure rare ancient woodland 32 Kielderhead Wildwood Wildness reseeded and restored 34 Gardening for wildlife Grow a garden full of food that both you and your wild neighbours can enjoy © FIONA DRYDEN. HEDGEHOG © JON HAWKINS - SURREY HILLS PHOTOGRAPHY. WHITTLE DENE © DUNCAN HUTT. 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 2023 3

Your wild summer The best of the season’s wildlife and where to enjoy it Common pipistrelle bat 4 Roebuck | Summer 2023

Thank you To the Fawdon and Coxlodge Together Group for its £1,800 donation for interpretation panels and colourful signage to brighten up St Nicholas Park in Gosforth. SUMMER SPECTACLE BAT © TOM MARSHALL The dark knights The UK is lucky enough to have 17 breeding species of bat, however, populations have seriously declined during the past century due to loss of habitat, food, roosts and pollution. They are the only true flying mammal in the world, usually have one baby a year and can live up to 30 years. Using echolocation to navigate and hunt for insects in the dark, they are active from late April until November when they mate and build up fat reserves in preparation for winter hibernation. Over 70% of all bat species feed on insects and they therefore play an important role in controlling insect numbers. Across the world, over 500 plant species rely on bats to pollinate their flowers including mangos, bananas, guava and agave - the last two are used to make tequila. SEE THEM THIS SUMMER † St Nicholas Park, Jubilee Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT. † East Chevington, near Red Row, Druridge Bay, Northumberland, NE61 5BG. † Williamston, 1km south of Slaggyford, Northumberland, CA8 7NJ. Roebuck | Summer 2023 5

YOUR WILD SUMMER Popping gorse Common gorse can be seen from woodland and coastal grasslands to town parks and gardens. A large, spiky, extremely hardy shrub, it provides shelter and food for many insects and birds including linnets and yellowhammers. It is also a very good nitrogen fixer storing special bacteria in its root nodules. The yellow, coconut scented flowers bloom from January to June which over the summer turn into 2cm long purple-brown pods. Each pod contains 2 - 3 small black seeds and if you listen closely during hot weather, you will be able to hear them pop as they split open and the seeds disperse SEE THEM THIS SUMMER † Hauxley, Low Hauxley, Amble, Northumberland, NE65 0JR. † Northumberlandia, Blagdon Lane, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 8AU. † Weetslade Country Park, Wideopen, junction B1319 /A189, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE23 7LZ. Yellowhammer on gorseMOTH © GEOFF DOBBINS YELLOWHAMMER ON GORSE © AMY LEWIS Cinnabar moth URBAN FIELDCRAFT 6 Roebuck | Summer 2023 Gardening for moths Gardens are important places for moths, harmful to moths or the plants on which especially as intensive agriculture is their caterpillars feed. Organic gardening limiting the number of suitable habitats is very beneficial for them and all other in the countryside. wildlife, but if you can’t go completely organic, just cutting down on the use of Even a small urban back garden can chemicals as much as possible will help. easily support over a hundred species of moth, so the way they are managed can Having a variety of plants in the garden really help moth conservation. will make it suitable for a wider range of moth species. Try to have a mixture of One of the easiest ways to make your large and small flowering plants plus a garden moth friendly is to stop working few shrubs, and a small tree if you have so hard! Moths and their caterpillars need room. Your choice of plants can also make fallen leaves, old stems and other plant a big difference. Flowers with plenty of debris to help them hide from predators, nectar will provide a good source of food and especially to provide suitable places for adult moths, while certain plants can to spend the winter. provide the necessary food for caterpillars. Pesticides and herbicides can be

DO THIS SEE THIS Litter pick in your local area or join a litter picking Recently fledged birds being fed by their parents while group. It’s a great way to meet new people. they learn how to find food and survive on their own. SPECIES SPOTLIGHT 3 species to spot LITTER PICKING © JON HAWKINS – SURREY HILLS PHOTOGRAPHY. BILBERRY © RICHARD BURKMAR. CRANBERRY © GEOFF DOBBINS. BUTTERWORT © DUNCAN HUTT. Bog plants Bilberry woody shrub, with green ridged stems (Vaccinium myrtillus) and oval, shiny green leaves. It has Peat bogs are fascinating small, pale pink-green bell-like flowers habitats! The European blueberry, also called that become edible dark blue berries in bilberry, blaeberry in Scotland and autumn. The waterlogged conditions whortleberry in south west England, and a bog’s acidity prevent the is common on peaty habitat. It is a The plant itself is very tasty to plants from fully decaying when grazing animals, so quite often it is they die. This partially decayed nibbled off and short, but can grow up vegetation accumulates to form to one metre tall. peat at a very slow rate and can sometimes be metres deep. Bilberry can grow on slightly drier ground and is more tolerant of grazing To walk on a peat bog is to tread than heather, so may survive on over- on thousands of years of natural grazed areas. history. If you are standing on an active peat bog, you can be sure it The berries have been used in the did not develop in your lifetime, past as a treatment for diarrhoea. yet it can be destroyed with the swipe of a digger bucket. Cranberry An unmistakable evergreen plant (Vaccinium oxycoccos) with its small leaves and thin, wiry Some may find peat bogs a stems, which creep over hummocks of bleak wilderness, but if you wrap sphagnum. The berry that follows the up and hunker down you will find clusters of tiny pink flowers is edible a myriad of interesting and often like bilberry. On drier, damaged bogs it rare species, particularly plants. may not flower or fruit. See them Similar to American cranberry, this summer the European cranberry is high in antioxidants and has antibacterial and † Whitelee Moor antifungal properties. Carter Bar (near Byrness), Northumberland, TD8 6PT. Common Butterwort look out for the starfish-shaped rosette (Pinguicula vulgaris) of sticky yellow-green leaves and † Benshaw Moor the deep purple flowers. It can often between the A696 and This carnivorous plant has leaves that be found on slightly less vegetated the Winter’s Gibbet Road, excrete a sticky substance that tempts peat and calcareous flushes within Northumberland, NE19 1BP. and traps unsuspecting invertebrates, peatlands. which are then digested. † Falstone Moss There are a few different folklore 300m west of Kielder Dam, Butterwort are harder to spot, but tales about butterwort involving Tower Knowe, Kielder, charms against witchcraft, causing Northumberland, NE48 1BE. ailments in livestock, or even saving cows that ate it from elfish arrows! It To find out more please visit was also used as a substitute for rennet our website nwt.org.uk/ in cheese making. wildlife-explorer Other bog plants to look out for include lesser twayblade, bog asphodel and cloudberry. Roebuck | Summer 2023 7

HEAR THIS FORAGE FOR THIS Visit a meadow and listen to the chirruping of the The smooth leaves of garlic mustard aka ‘Jack-by-the- crickets and grasshoppers. There are 23 species of hedge’ are regularly used in salads, or as a flavouring cricket and 11 species of grasshopper in the UK. for fish or meat. Look out for it at the ends of the stems. GARLIC MUSTARD © LIZZIE WILBERFORCE. MEADOW AND CRESSWELL © STEVEN MORRIS. BEE © VICKY NALL. SCONES © NWT. DAISYS © FRAUKE RIETHER FROM PIXABAY NOT JUST FOR KIDS Seven wild activities for summer Reignite your love of nature with these really wild things to do Meadow at South Close Field 1 STOP AND SMELL 2 NEIGHBOURHOOD THE FLOWERS WATCH During the warmer months our Head to your local green space reserves are filled with a kaleidoscope and watch the wildlife. The of colour and fragrances as wildflowers hazy days of summer are sway in the warm breeze. So, as well as filled with the buzzing of bees, admiring the flowers, don’t forget to bevvies of butterflies fluttering stoop down and smell them. among the flowers and shrubs, and beetles and ladybirds 4 HAVE AN busying about. Don’t forget to EVENTFUL TIME keep an eye out for moths in Our Northumberlandia and the evening as well. Hauxley reserves are hosting some wonderful events this summer Scones from Hauxley’s and throughout the rest of the Lookout Café year, so why not give them a try? Cresswell Foreshore Alternatively, you may prefer to just walk around and take in 3 OH I DO LIKE TO BE the sights and sounds. If you do, BESIDE THE SEASIDE don’t forget to visit the café before This region is home to some of the you leave and sample one of the most breathtaking beaches in the amazing home-made scones. country. Why not head out to one with your bucket and spade this summer 5 NATURE’S JEWELS and try your hand at sand sculpting? Remember the childhood hymn Daisies are our silver, buttercups our gold? Who needs expensive jewellery when the grass is covered in daisies and buttercups which can be threaded into bracelets, necklaces and head pieces? What a great way to engage with nature - sitting in the grass, getting creative and watching all the insects going about their daily lives. 8 Roebuck | Summer 2023

YOUR WILD SUMMER 6 BE WATERLY AMAZING 10 upcoming events Summer can be a challenging time for garden Take your pick from this selection of some of the wildlife as dehydration and best seasonal activities and events close to you heat exhaustion can be deadly. Garden birds, small 1 Wild wings trail 6 Mystical autumn stories mammals and butterflies can 22 July - 25 August 21 October really struggle so ensure they Northumberlandia, NE23 8AU Northumberlandia, NE23 8AU have access to fresh, clean, Learn about birds that visit Join local storyteller Jim drinking and bathing water Northumberlandia and Grant for mystical tales. by topping up bird baths or by beyond. putting water in a shallow dish 7 Halloween trails or washing up bowl. 2 Fantastical Cramlington 28-31 October woodland trail Northumberlandia, NE23 8AU 7 MAKE AN EGG CARTON CREATURE 26 August - 3 September Join us for spooky fun and How to make an egg carton crab Northumberlandia, NE23 8AU learn more about the local A family-friendy interactive wildlife. You will need † Double Ncaratuftre audio trail created by Hive † One section of egg box sided sticky Storytellers. 8 Christmas Card Making (already cut out) tape 1 November BLUE TIT © RALPH FROM PIXABAY. ILLUSTRATIONS © CORINNE WELCH. SKY © EVGENI TCHERKASSKI FROM PIXABAY. † Four pipe cleaners † Scissors 3 Peatland in Redesdale Hauxley, NE65 0JR (orange is a great crab † Pencil 16 September Get organised early this year colour!) † Felt pen Elsdon, NE19 1AA and join us for a Christmas † Two googly eyes Find out why bogs and peat card making workshop. † Paints and brushes are so important. 9 Family den building How to make 4 Cresswell Curiosities 1 November † Paint the egg box section inside and out to make the 20 September St Nicholas Park, NE3 3XT crab’s body. Leave to dry for a few minutes. Hauxley, NE65 0JR Half-term fun building † Cut eight pipe cleaner legs (all the same size) plus Talk by archaeologist and shelters using natural three longer pieces. local legend Barry Mead. materials and tarpaulin. † Make two holes for eye stalks with a pencil and poke one long 5 Dark Skies workshop 10 Stories with Santa pipe cleaner through to make 14 October 3 December two eye stalks. Stick the googly eyes onto Hauxley, NE65 0JR Northumberlandia, NE23 8AU the tips of the eye stalks. Dr Adrian Jannetta guides Join our elves for festive † Twist the other two us through the night skies crafts and meet Santa for a long pipe cleaners of Northumberland. magical story time. together, make two holes in the front of the body and poke the twisted pipe Discover more on these and all forthcoming events cleaner through to make claws. † Stick four leg pipe cleaners onto double sided tape (including prices and booking), by visiting our website and then stick them under the body to poke out. nwt.org.uk/events Repeat on the other side with the other four pipe cleaners. Join the Northumberland † Draw on a smiley mouth! Dark Skies Workshop this October You can make other creatures too... think about caterpillars and ladybirds, use pom poms for heads! Roebuck | Summer 2023 9

Big Waters: the Trust’s first reserve Northumberland Well known in the region as a great bird tree and shrub planting around the site Wildlife Trust (or watching spot, with over 230 species and adjacent Big Waters Country Park. Northumberland & recorded each year, the reserve situated Durham Naturalists’ just past Brunswick Village has so much Despite this experimental planting, the Trust as it was more wildlife to offer. woods add to the complex mix of habitats previously known) that are a wonderful home for wildlife, has been managing The pond began to form around 100 including one of the largest tree sparrow Big Waters, the largest years ago, when subsidence of old mine colonies in the region, which first formed subsidence pond in shafts expanded the Hartley and Seaton in 1990. the region, as a nature Burns. reserve since 1964. Tree sparrow Little Waters is part of the same mine 10 Roebuck | Summer 2023 shafts subsidence with the area between Big and Little Waters having largely been infilled with levelled colliery spoil, and separated by the construction of the Wideopen bypass in the late 1960s, later re-designated as the A1. In the late 1960s, it was not known which species of trees and plants would thrive on the colliery shale that dominated the eastern part of the site. Therefore, early restoration by the National Coal Board and Newcastle University involved an experimental mix of native and non-native

OUR BEST SUMMER RESERVES Thank you NOW YOU DO IT To The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Visit Big Waters Trust for its £3,000 donation for KNOW BEFORE YOU GO hands-on nature activities for Location: Just past Brunswick Village, young people. Newcastle upon Tyne. Nearest postcode: NE13 7BD. Map reference: NZ 227 734. Big Waters In 1973, the Big Waters Angling Club was Opening times: All day, every day. BIG WATERS © NWT. TREE SPARROW © AMY LEWIS. OTTER © LUKE MASSEY/2020VISION. NORTHERN MARSH ORCHID © AMY LEWIS. Nature Reserve granted the fishing rights to fish from the Access: 300m west of the car park through banks of the adjacent Big Waters Country two single-latch gates on a level path. Interesting birds Park. Access around the reserve is mainly on Species of birds visiting Big Waters include: raised boardwalk which is suitable for barnacle geese from Spitsbergen, black-tailed Catches include common, mirror and wheelchair and pushchair users. godwits and whooper swans from Iceland, crucian carp, roach and perch with otters TOP WILDLIFE TO SPOT pochards and sedge warblers from France, spotted occasionally munching a prized A great place to spot birds such as bittern, reed bunting from Norway and black-headed fish! Twenty five species of mammal, blue tit, chaffinch, coot, goldeneye, gulls from Denmark, the Netherlands, including otter, have been recorded on the great crested grebe, great tit, grey Norway, Germany, Poland and Croatia. reserve. heron, kingfisher, mallard, moorhen, Common gulls from Norway; Mediterranean mute swan, pochard, shoveler, teal, tree gulls from the Netherlands, Germany and All the reserve’s ponds, including the sparrow, tufted duck, water rail, wigeon Poland are also visitors to the site. small dipping pond, attract a variety of and willow tit. You may also see great diving beetles, whirligig beetles, pond- crested newt, azure damselfly, large red Birds ringed skaters, backswimmers and water damselfly, common hawker and otter. Birds ringed at Big Waters on route to scorpions. A healthy range of dragonflies other countries include movements of and damselflies hatch from the ponds and Otter greenfinches to Norway, lapwings to Spain, hunt in the surrounding habitats whilst common redpoll to Belgium, redshank great-crested newts, toads and frogs feed THINGS TO DO to the Netherlands, sedge warblers to on the abundance of pond life. † Walk around the large lake. France, siskin to Belgium, common snipe to † Stand on the pond dipping platform and Northern Ireland, swallows to the Republic The grasslands contain great burnet, of Ireland, France, Algeria and South early purple, northern marsh and common peer into the water below. Africa, swifts to Morocco and whitethroat spotted orchids with sneezewort, meadow † Watch the willow tits and tree sparrow at to Portugal. vetchling and lady’s smock providing food for the 22 species of butterflies recorded on the feeding station. the site with the most recent additions to the list being speckled wood in 2004 and Northern holly blue in 2019. marsh orchid Due to its proximity to built-up residential areas, Big Waters has on occasion been targeted by vandals with earlier wooden viewing hides lost to arson. There are now only two hides on the site. The smaller hide looks out over an artificial island where a lesser black-backed gull ringed in Portugal in January 2016, has returned every year since July 2017. The larger hide offers views over the pond towards reed-beds and woods. Big Waters is testament to the power of volunteering. From the Trust’s earliest involvement with the reserve, volunteers have been at the centre of habitat management, warden patrols, infrastructure design and surveying, not to mention, one of the longest running ‘constant effort’ bird ringing surveys. Roebuck | Summer 2023 11

OUR BEST SUMMER RESERVES More Northumberland Wildlife Trust nature reserves for a great summer day out Berwick upon Tweed Alnwick Cresswell Pond Kielder Why now? At this time of year, the reserve is a wonderful Morpeth Newcastle upon Tyne place to watch birds such as greylag geese, Big Waters tree sparrows, mallards, tufted ducks, oyster Hexham catchers, black headed gulls and if you’re lucky, a few avocets. The blooms of aster around the small areas of saltmarsh provide a splash of colour in late summer. Know before you go Location: 1km north of Cresswell Village, Creswell, Northumberland, NE61 5EH. Open: All day, every day. Wildlife to spot: Large numbers of waterfowl often roost there, with small numbers of greylag and pink-footed geese visiting. Plants include common reed, beaked tasselweed and saltmarsh flora including sea milkwork, sea arrowgrass and common saltmarsh grass. The invertebrate community is a mixture of both fresh water species such as Jenkins’ spire snail and salt water species, notably sandworms. BUTTERBURN © DUNCAN HUTT. CRESSWELL © STEVEN MORRIS. Butterburn Flow Know before you go Cresswell Pond Location: 12km north of Gilsland on the Why now? Cumbria/Northumberland border, Gilsland, The lowdown At this time of year, bog asphodel will be in Northumberland, CA8 7BB. Created as a result of subsidence from flower until the end of the summer and lots of Open: All day, every day. old collapsed mine works, the pond’s dragonflies, such as black darter and common Wildlife to spot: At this time of year, close proximity and connection to the sea hawker, will be flying around. dragonflies will be active around the means the water is a mix of fresh and salt standing water on the reserve and greater (brackish) and is an excellent feeding place Butterburn Flow and round leafed sundew will be on the for wading birds. Due to the brackish nature reserve. Overhead, skylarks, meadow pipits of the pond, it is a rare habitat type within and ravens will be flying. Northumberland. The majority of the site is a lagoon but there are areas of reed beds, two The lowdown smaller ponds, a path and boardwalk leading This remote site is the largest of the Border down towards a bird hide. Mires at 450 hectares. The very wet core of the site is particularly good quality mire with Plan your next great day out many interesting sphagnum moss species. It from all our nature reserves at: is an excellent site to see curlews, dunlins and nwt.org.uk/nature-reserves peregrines and cuckoos in the spring. Please keep dogs under close control and enjoy views from the edge of the reserve. 12 Roebuck | Summer 2023

WILD THOUGHTS Iolo Williams @IoloWilliams2 From beyond the brink ILLUSTRATION © KIRSTY “CROWARTIST”YEOMANS Reintroduction is a hot topic in enclosures. I was privileged enough to be TRIED AND TRUSTED in conservation. It’s essentially there when they arrived. It was an amazing bringing a species back to an area feeling to be a small part of this event, but The Wildlife Trusts have from which it has been lost. In my opinion, imagine how much better it would be to see been invovled in many reintroduction should be a last resort. We them in the wild. successful reintroduction should be working hard to hold on to what projects across the UK, we’ve got without letting it get to that stage. I’ve been quite shocked at the opposition including the return of We should have a government doing an awful to reintroducing beavers. I think a lot of it beavers. We’ve also helped lot more to stop wildlife from being lost, and to comes from a lack of understanding of beaver bring back water voles, help threatened species recover. behaviour, and how many benefits they bring. pine martens, dragonflies, But our wildlife is in a sorry state. It’s Yes, there may be one or two areas of conflict, and butterflies to parts of been said many times that we are one of but there are plenty of measures to mitigate the UK from which they’ve the most nature depleted countries in the this. It’s already been done successfully in been lost. world – when I look around now and think countries across Europe, where people now about what we’ve lost since I was a young live happily alongside beavers. Any mention Iolo Williams is a Welsh lad walking the fields of mid Wales, I can of reintroducing lynx raises even more ornithologist, conservationist, believe it. Curlews, lapwings, yellowhammers, opposition in some places, but I also think and popular wildlife presenter, linnets; pools full of frogs, toads, and newts there’s a place for lynx in the UK. We have big known for programmes – so many have now disappeared. It’s not too problems with overgrazing as a result of high including BBC’s Springwatch late to save these species, but for others, last deer populations, and lynx could help with and Wild Wales. He has been resorts are all we have left. that. I’d be very interested to see them return supportive of the Wildlife Where species have gone extinct from and what effect they would have. Trusts for a long time and in an area because of human activity, I think 2021 took on the role of vice reintroducing them is very much justified. I’m obviously concerned about wildlife president of The Wildlife Trusts. Especially so when species have a hugely across the whole of the UK, but as a positive impact on the environment, bringing Welshman what I would really love to see benefits for a whole host of other plants and is the reintroduction of both beavers and animals. Take beavers, for example. They create golden eagles to Wales. We had an escaped and maintain incredible wetland habitats, golden eagle set up home here for over 10 providing ideal conditions for many species, years and it had a fantastic reception from from water plants to amphibians to fish. This the local community, including farmers. habitat creation is more important than ever Some were overawed by the beauty and the as hot, dry summers become more frequent. sheer size of her. It would be fantastic to see Thanks to reintroductions, there are now golden eagles back in Wales for good. wild beavers back in Scotland, with a few in England too. But Wales is lagging behind. Find out all about Wildlife Trust Beavers are back in Wales, but legally only reintroduction projects: wildlifetrusts.org/reintroductions Roebuck | Summer 2023 13

FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER © ROSS HODDINOTT/2020VISION 6 places to see dragonflies & damselflies 14 Roebuck | Summer 2023

Thank you See the spectacle To the Trust’s Coquetdale Group for yourself for donating £500 for repairs to the Hauxley dipping platform. 1 Weetslade Country Park, Northumberland Wildlife Trust ragonflies and damselflies are some of our A former colliery site, the reserve has been extensively most enchanting insects. They’re large, landscaped to create a wildlife haven on the edge of the city often colourful, and have a fascinating, benefitting from a number of diverse habitats. You can see flickering flight. They dart above the water, starting four-spotted chaser and southern hawker dragonflies and and stopping like little clockwork toys as they large red, azure, common blue and emerald damselflies. hunt or patrol their territory. Both dragonflies and Where: Wideopen, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE23 7LZ damselflies belong to an order of insects called Odonata, which means ‘toothed jaw’ – named for 2 Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria Wildlife Trust their serrated mandibles. Damselflies are generally This stunning wetland has been restored for wildlife over slender, with their eyes on either side of the head, recent decades and is now home to many dragonflies and never touching. Dragonflies are usually bigger, damselflies. You could see emerald damselflies, emperor bulkier and have much larger eyes that normally dragonflies, or even the rare white-faced darter – they touch each other. were reintroduced in 2010 and are now thriving. You can find them on all kinds of wetlands, from Where: Near Witherslack, LA11 6SN garden ponds to canals, chalk streams to bogs – and sometimes far from any water. They’re best looked 3 Carlton Marshes, Suffolk Wildlife Trust for on still, sunny days in spring and summer, when This nature reserve is a mosaic of marshes, meadows, pools they’re warm enough to fly. Here are six of our and scrub. An impressive 28 species of dragonfly have favourite nature reserves for spotting them… been recorded here, more than anywhere else in the UK. This includes the Norfolk hawker – a dazzling dragonfly with emerald eyes. Where: Lowestoft, NR33 8HU 4 Magor Marsh, Gwent Wildlife Trust This beautiful area of fenland in the Gwent Levels is ideal for dragonflies and damselflies, including four-spotted chasers and hairy dragonflies. It’s also home to banded demoiselles and ruddy darters, who share the waterways with water voles. Where: Magor, NP26 3DN 5 Higher Hyde Heath, Dorset Wildlife Trust Exploring the ponds, woodland and heathland can reward with a variety of species, including downy emeralds and golden-ringed dragonflies – females of which are the longest dragonfly in the UK. Where: Wareham, BH20 7NY 6 Windmill Farm, Cornwall Wildlife Trust The ponds of this scenic nature reserve are great for dragonflies and damselflies, including red-veined darters, migrants from continental Europe. Windmill Farm also has a good reputation for attracting rarer migrant visitors, like the lesser emperor. Where: The Lizard, TR12 7LH Did you spot any dragons or damsels? We’d love to know how your search went. Please tweet us your best photos! @wildlifetrusts

WILD NEWS Thank you All the latest regional and national news from The Wildlife Trusts To David Cook and Ella McKendrick for their £1,000 donation to the Kielderhead Wildwood Project raised from sales of their publication, This Is Northumberland 2022. Anne Reece from the Reece Foundation presenting at the conference REGIONAL Wilding conference a huge success The Trust’s first rewilding conference speakers highlighting topics and projects The second day of the conference was took place in March and was hailed a such as farming practices on estates in a visit to our West Chevington site at resounding success. the region, climate change, plus projects at Druridge Bay, Hadrian’s Wall and Wallington reserve. Spurred on by the need to act against Sitting atop a former opencast coalmine, climate change and for greater efforts to Trust Director of Conservation, like a number of the Trust’s other reserves protect the environment, we gathered Duncan Hutt, detailed the rewilding in the area, West Chevington is already together over 100 academics, farmers, plans for our West Chevington site and showcasing how nature can recover in businesses, ecologists and conservationists provided an update on current rewilding a manufactured landscape and was the at our Wilding Networks for the North projects at Kielder and Benshaw Moor in inspiration for the two day event. Conference. Northumberland. The 327-hectare piece of land was Sponsored by the Reece Foundation The conference also offered the audience purchased at the end of 2021 thanks to and chaired by BBC Look North’s Adrian the opportunity to ask questions at a £2million donation from the Reece Pitches, the conference was held over two three question and answer sessions and Foundation. There are big plans for the site days at The Common Room of the Great a BBC Question Time style panel debate including the installation of new ponds, North in the centre of Newcastle and our which broached diverse topics as the conservation grazing of farmland, the West Chevington site at Druridge Bay. reintroduction of beavers and lynx to the new technique of drone mapping and the region and government farming regulations. possible reintroduction of beavers, water As a venue, The Common Room has voles and harvest mice a unique heritage that celebrates the Everybody in attendance was united in region’s engineering and is a building how inspirational and thought provoking Find out more about the where ground-breaking discoveries were all the speakers were and recognised project and watch a video of discussed, so it was only fitting that the that there was, not only so much to do the conference: nwt.org.uk/ first day of the conference discussing the to protect wildlife and stop the march of wilding-west-chevington environmental future of the region was climate change, but how far the region has held there. come from the days when coal when king - a nod to the historic conference venue. The first day of the conference saw eight 16 Roebuck | Summer 2023

NEWS REGIONAL in our region are amongst the least likely Gifts in Wills ANNE REECE © FIONA DRYDEN. GIRL © EVIE AND TOM PHOTOGRAPHY. to spend time with nature or experience Thank you for the benefits of nature in their school and Together we’re stronger supporting local home lives. Your support will now enable with legacy support young people our Wild City Team to form long-term partnerships with schools in Gosforth, The Trust is delighted to have We wanted to say a massive ‘thank you’ Wallsend, Amble and Mickley and tailor- been named as a beneficiary in to everybody for supporting our Wilder make educational programmes that will the following legacies: Ways to Wellbeing project appeal in April help improve pupils’ health, wellbeing via The Big Give Green Match Fund. and learning. Christopher Harrison - £500 Margaret Browne - £5,000 As a charity we rely on donations to We will also be providing 22 free school Sona Kalindjian - £406 continue the essential work we do. We holiday sessions to help local families Robert McKittrick - £9,000 were completely overwhelmed by the connect with local green spaces. level of support that was shown to us by For more information visit nwt.org. members and wildlife supporters. If you would like to find out more uk/legacy or alternatively contact Dan about how you can raise funds to support Venner, Trust Director of Finance and Our original target was £24,000 and in a our conservation work, please contact Business on (0191) 284 6994 or email little under seven days we raised £24,629, Catherine Kirkham, Trust Fundraising [email protected]. which with Gift Aid came to a brilliant Manager on: 0191 284 6884 or via email: £27,100! [email protected]. Donations in memory of loved ones: According to Natural England, children From Robert Woods in memory of his REGIONAL parents who loved Northumberland - £100 Where there’s a Will, there’s wildlife From Leslie, Pauline and Kevin Pearcy Write your Will from the comfort of your own home with our partners at Guardian Angels, on behalf of their husband/father - who are offering free Wills for supporters of Northumberland Wildlife Trust.   £200 The company’s online Will service is safe, secure and fully endorsed by legal professionals. From David Robinson on behalf of his Start your will journey today either online at gawill.uk/northwt or call Guardian Angels sister Vikki Robinson - £1,182 free on 0800 773 4014. Don’t forget to enter NORTHWT-FREE in the promotional code or quote it during your Raised by a collection from the joint telephone consultation to claim your free Will. funeral of the parents of Rachel Andrew - £60 Donation on behalf of keen environmentalist Colin Parks made by friend Donatella Kemp - £30 Donation from Anthony Pusey following a bereavement - £20 Donation to the Kielder Osprey Project from Sarah Vince-Cain in memory of her friend Janet Crute - £200 A boost for RSNE from Noel Harris in memory of his friend Beryl Mcgargle of Loughborough who never lost her love for the north east - £30 Roebuck | Summer 2023 17

UK NEWS Nature reserves along the route of HS2, like Calvert UK UPDATE Jubilee in Buckinghamshire, have been destroyed. CALVERT JUBILEE © MARK VALANCE On the wrong track ore than 100,000 people Our new report, HS2 double jeopardy, was on nature is untested, out of date and have signed The Wildlife the result of an almost year-long audit of fundamentally flawed. Trusts’ open letter to the HS2’s official nature loss calculations. The UK Government about HS2, report revealed a number of errors and Construction on HS2 has already after our latest report into the project causes for concern, including inconsistent caused irreparable damage to precious highlighted major errors in HS2 Ltd’s mapping and modelling, wild spaces and wildlife sites; it’s vital that HS2 Ltd and calculations – meaning more nature will habitats being undervalued, and huge the Government listen to our concerns be lost along the line than was agreed numbers of trees entirely missing from and act accordingly. Now is the time to by the Government, and attempts to the calculations. reflect on the failings of the scheme so repair the damage the scheme is causing far and rethink the next steps, to prevent will be inadequate. The letter urges HS2 Ltd promised that nature would not further excessive damage to our natural the Government to oblige HS2 Ltd to lose out when much-loved natural areas world. The Government needs to learn accurately recalculate its figures, providing and important habitats were destroyed to from HS2 to ensure that future ‘green’ a more realistic picture of the scale of the make way for construction of the high- infrastructure truly can support nature’s damage. speed rail line. Our report found that HS2 recovery rather than exacerbating its loss. Ltd’s ‘accounting tool’ for assessing impacts Find out more at wildlifetrusts.org/hs2 Our open letter called for HS2 to: Recalculate the Change the scheme’s design and delivery to limit the adverse impacts total impacts to and enhance biodiversity in a way that is commensurate with the scale Re-map existing nature, by using an of the damage i.e. by achieving a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain habitats along Phases Immediately pause all up to date and proven for replaceable habitats for each phase of the scheme. Once impacts 1 and 2a, correcting construction and enabling methodology, such as have first been avoided, limited and compensated for, Biodiversity Net mapping errors, works and halt the passage one directly comparable Gain is an approach to leave the natural environment in a measurably applying the correct of the Phase 2b Hybrid to the government’s current better state than it was before the development took place by ‘delivering nature values to Bill while these latest Biodiversity Metric 3.1. If more for nature than is lost’. habitats and ensuring audit findings are changes to the methodology no habitats are assessed by the are made these should be excluded. Government. transparent and evidence based. It is critical that HS2 Ltd ensure all data is made publicly available at the point the figures are released to facilitate transparency and enable independent scrutiny. 18 Roebuck | Summer 2023

UK NEWS UK UPDATE UK HIGHLIGHTS Wild Isles on location Discover how with Wildlife Trusts The Wildlife Trusts are helping This spring, viewers were captivated by Sir from the air with wildlife across BUTTERSCOTCH WAXCAP © LIZ CHARTER/ISLE OF MAN FUNGI GROUP; SWETTENHAM MEADOWS © ALISON HITCHENS David Attenborough’s latest documentary, lightning reflexes, the UK Wild Isles. The show celebrated the wildlife whilst at Lackford Lakes in Suffolk of the British Isles, demonstrating to an they revealed rabbits being hunted by Birds not birdies audience of millions that the UK is home buzzards. Flowers featured strongly to incredible animals, dramatic battles for as well, from buzzing meadows to the The Scottish Wildlife Trust is part of survival and internationally important fly-fooling lords-and-ladies, with visits to a coalition of seven environmental wild places. Many of the spectacular Avon’s Prior’s Wood and Hutton Woods, organisations fighting to save rare coastal scenes shown in the documentary were Gloucestershire’s Lower Woods, and dunes from the construction of a golf captured on Wildlife Trust nature reserves. Wiltshire’s Clattinger Meadows. course. Proposals to develop Coul Links in East Sutherland threaten irreparable The cameras revealed the incredible Sir David himself travelled to Skomer harm to a vital and protected habitat. The lifecycle of the large blue butterfly at Island in Pembrokeshire, to marvel at proposals come just three years after a Daneway Banks in Gloucestershire, Manx shearwaters and sit amongst the previous application was turned down where caterpillars trick ants into puffins as he reflected on the threats due to the damage it would cause nature. accepting them into their nest. At facing our wild isles. The show didn’t wtru.st/coul-links-proposal Wiltshire’s Langford Lakes, they filmed shy away from discussing the worrying hobbies hawking for dragonflies, snatching declines in our wildlife or the actions that Fungi find them have led to them. An incredibly rare fungus has been discovered in a survey by Manx Wildlife Trust and the Isle of Man Fungus Group, working with Manx farmers. The butterscotch waxcap, Gliophorus europerplexus, had never been recorded on the island before, with only 70 specimens of the species recorded worldwide. wtru.st/new-waxcap Wildflower meadows are Healing nature essential habitats for pollinators Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has launched Long may they bloom a new 10-week nature-based-therapy programme for veterans and service This year marks the tenth anniversary also took on custodianship of some of the leavers living with mental health of Coronation Meadows, a restoration new meadows, helping wildlife flourish. issues. Wild Transitions will take place project launched in 2013 to celebrate 60 A new audit has revealed the success at the Trust’s Green Lane Wood nature years since the coronation of Elizabeth of the project, with 101 new wildflower reserve, providing a space for veterans II. As part of the project, many Wildlife meadows created or restored over the to connect with nature and learn Trusts provided seeds from their own last decade. skills to help them transition into new meadows to create or restore meadows in employment or volunteer roles. other parts of their region. Wildlife Trusts wtru.st/WildTransitions Roebuck | Summer 2023 19

REGIONAL Great news for reds as new scheme is launched Red Squirrels Northern England (RSNE) is benefits to new members. There are three membership options: very excited to announce the launch of its A bronze membership would purchase Gold, Silver and Bronze with an annual fee new corporate membership scheme. of £1,000, £500 and £250 + VAT respectively. 200kg of squirrel feed, whilst a silver would Bespoke opportunities for £2,000+ The scheme is open to all companies and purchase 25 squirrel feeders and a gold sponsorship are available on request groups wishing to invest in red squirrel £1,000 membership would buy 10 Wildlife conservation, and provides a package of monitoring cameras. Member benefits Bronze Silver Gold £250 +VAT £500 +VAT £1,000 +VAT Welcome pack and membership certificate that can be displayed to demonstrate support for one of the UK’s most beloved and endangered species. A digital welcome pack option is available. Two e-newsletters or printed newsletters per year to keep members up to date with RSNE’s work. *Members listing on the RSNE website as a supporter with logo, link and contact details for one year. *Publicity of sponsorship printed in RSNE e-newsletter. Digital access to our partner organisation Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s membership magazine Roebuck x three times per year. 25% discount on hire of Tynan Room at Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre. *One x promotional post on RSNE social media regarding sponsorship. Permission to use the Friends of the Red Squirrel and Red Squirrels Northern England project logos in member promotional material to publicise support. Logo placement to be agreed by RSNE Manager prior to use. 10% discount opportunity for members and their employees to get involved in Wildlife Work Days including conservation work and woodland squirrel surveys. 20% discount opportunity for members and their employees to get involved in corporate volunteering days including conservation work and woodland squirrel surveys. Press release publicising member support produced for member’s regional press. *Three promotional posts on RSNE social media throughout sponsorship. One x 1/2 day complimentary hire of Tynan Room at Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre. *One editorial piece on your company in our partner organisation Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s magazine, Roebuck. Opportunity for promotion/stand at one RSNE Community event. Invitation to RSNE/NWT special occasions. 10% discount on FORS membership for employees of Gold Corporate Members. *Optional 20 Roebuck | Summer 2023

NEWS Left to Right: CMoermpboerrastheip Henry Lethbridge, Archie Sladen, We offer three levels of corporate Alex Lethbridge, membership, you choose the Alex Symes level that you feel reflects your company’s commitment to the local REGIONAL environment. Lethbridge London says: Become a corporate member, ‘Come on you reds’ contact Elizabeth Lovatt, via email at [email protected]. The RSNE team is delighted to welcome and with a company logo featuring a its first corporate member. red squirrel, Alex Lethbridge jumped at GOLD the chance to become the first corporate Lethbridge London is exceptionally silver member. Aaron Optometrists passionate about the conservation of Andrew Poplett Ltd red squirrels and the improvement of For more details on RSNE’s corporate EGGER (UK) Ltd existing populations in England. membership scheme, visit: rsne.org/ Northumbrian Water Ltd corporate-membership. Ringtons A member of RSNE’s Friend of The Tarmac Red Squirrel scheme for over 15 years Thermofisher Scientific Thompsons of Prudhoe REGIONAL Vattenfall LETHBRIDGE LONDON © NICHOLE CHAN. A family affair SILVER We are delighted to welcome award winning Stowe Cabosse Family Law as our latest bronze category corporate Harlow Printing Ltd supporter. Herding Hill Farm Historic Property Restoration Ltd The only national law firm dedicated to family Karpet Mills matters, Stowe Family Law has offices in cities Northumberland 250 and towns across England and Wales including Potts Printers Ltd Newcastle and North Shields. Northumberland Pumphrey’s Coffee Wildlife Trust has five reserves in close proximity to Riverside Leisure the North Shields and Newcastle Offices. BRONZE With a commitment to the environment, the firm is working to become members of all the Wildlife Bell Ingram Trusts that are nearest to its 69 offices. Blyth Harbour Commission Canine Cottages Cottages in Northumberland EcoCabs Holidaycottages.co.uk Howick Hall Gardens Northern Experience Wildlife Tours Northumberland County Council Northumberland Estates Ord House Country Park Poltross Enterprises Propology Boutique Properties Shepherds Retreats Stowe Family Law Verdant Leisure Wardell Armstrong Roebuck | Summer 2023 21

We bet you didn’t know... Thank Badgers once co-existed in Britain alongside wolves, brown bears and you! wolverines with earliest badger traces dating back 250,000 years. They and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. £329 Alex Lister, Druridge Members of Gosforth Camera Club Bay Landscape Manager selected the Trust as one of the and volunteers Tom charities to support during the Patterson and Brian 2022-23 financial year. Rouse £30 REGIONAL From James Stanton following a visit New Hauxley hide proving popular to Prestwick Carr where snipe drumming cheered him up. A grant from the Ventient Sisters North spot species such as nesting herons, barn BADGER © ANDREW PARKINSON/2020VISION. HAUXLEY © ANTHONY JOHNSTON. Steads Windfarm Community Benefit owls, curlews, kingfishers, reed buntings £100 Fund at the Community Foundation and sedge warblers. enabled us to open a new bird hide on From Northumberland College Zoo our Hauxley reserve at Easter. The new hide is sporting a new who the Trust has worked with recently sign crafted, free of charge, by The hide, situated in the Willow Carr Northumberland resident Amanda out on a harvest mouse project. to the east of the reserve, is now more of a tree from our Briarwood Banks accessible to wheelchair users and reserve. £50 visitors pushing prams and buggies. Prior to this, volunteer Amanda Dr Robert Hockney for On average over 75,000 visitors walk restored a number of chairs which are red squirrel conservation. around the reserve each year and at this now in situ in the Hauxley Wildlife time of year, Hauxley is a great place to Discovery Centre reception area. £100 VENUE DATE & TIME TICKETS From Susan Ingham who had a ’little Northumberlandia, Thursday 10 August 2023 £18 - adult extra spare cash’ in March. Blagdon Lane, Cramlington, £11 - child (under 18) Northumberland, 19:00 - 21:00 Children under 10 free £79 (Doors open 18:00) with paying adults NE23 8AU A percentage for sales of squirrel necklaces sold by annieoak.com. For more info and booking visit: nwt.org.uk/handlebards £10 From Iris Thomas who grew up in Germany and enjoyed seeing red squirrels in the woods so wanted to conserve them for people in the UK to enjoy. Donations, whatever the amount, are always welcome by the Trust and never more so as we continue to cope with the effects of coronavirus and rising costs. To find out how you can help us visit: nwt.org.uk/support-us 22 Roebuck | Summer 2023

FOCUS ON... WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT Adopt an animal Scan to find out more Will you help us protect two of our national treasures? OWL AND HEDGEHOG © JON HAWKINS - SURREY HILLS PHOTOGRAPHY. Wildlife is disappearing at an alarming numbers with a fall of over a third since The adoption pack rate in the UK, but we are committed 2000. to reversing that trend by creating 30% Everybody adopting will receive an more space for nature, which will give Since 2015 it has been added to adoption pack that includes: wildlife more space to call home, recover the Amber List on the BTO Birds of and adapt to climate change. Conservation Concern report after more † A personalised welcome email recent breeding and winter population Our new animal adoption scheme, declines, likely caused by loss of † A certificate of adoption priced at just £20 per animal, celebrates woodland habitat and suitable trees for two iconic UK wildlife species - owls nesting. † Fact sheet on either an owl or and hedgehogs. By adopting either a hedgehog hedgehog or an owl, your money will Adopt a hedgehog support important conservation work Hedgehogs need our help now! Although † A photo of either an owl or such as managing nature reserves, there are hedgehogs on many of our hedgehog creating new habitats and delivering reserves, the UK hedgehog population is educational activities to help more on the decline, with numbers dropping † An e-version of Trust member’s people understand how to protect these by up to 30% in urban areas and 50% in magazine Roebuck three time a year endangered animals. rural areas in the UK since 2000. † Quarterly e-newsletter featuring An adoption makes a great gift for Loss of nesting and foraging habitat news from across the Trust, places to birthdays, religious festivals, weddings, through development (urban) and spot wildlife and guidance on how you engagements, Valentine’s Day...or just hedgerow removal (rural) are causing can help for yourself if you want to help us make hedgehogs to struggle to find somewhere a difference and support our work! to breed, hibernate and to source enough If you’d like to purchase an adoption as food to survive. a gift, click ‘buy as gift’ on your chosen Adopt an owl animal’s page. It’s the perfect eco- The UK’s owls are declining fast! The In addition, 335,000 hedgehogs friendly present for any nature lover in tawny owl, often seen and heard in are estimated to die on British roads your life! our Druridge Bay reserves as well as at annually with thousands taken to rescue Briarwood Banks and Fencerhill Wood, centres each year with garden injuries Adopt your animal today! is just one of the five beloved owl species and dog bites. Because of this, they are nwt.org.uk/adopt-animal in the UK to have seen a sharp drop in now listed as ‘vulnerable’ on Britain’s Red List of animals of concern. Roebuck | Summer 2023 23

Tales from the The British Lichen Society’s April Windle explores a precious habitat that has long been overlooked by many of us – the British Isles’ very own rainforests… 24 Roebuck | Summer 2023

When you hear the word This series of woodlands, from TEMPERATE RAINFOREST © STEVE NICHOLS, NATUREPL rainforest, your mind western Scotland down and through probably wanders to to the south-west of England, is a exotic lands thousands spectrum of forested habitats, where of miles overseas, to places such as the Atlantic woodlands can be categorised Amazon or Borneo, but unbeknown into temperate rainforests and oceanic to most people, we have our very own woodlands. This wooded landscape rainforests right here on our doorstep. is of huge global significance and supports an exceptional diversity of Along the western seaboard of the wildlife, most notably the lichens, British Isles, we have a network of bryophytes and ferns. internationally important woodlands, elegantly termed Atlantic woodlands. These rainforests are a world unto These are typically ancient woods, in themselves and have such a mystical clean-air situations that are strongly and enchanted feel to them. They are influenced by the oceanic (wet and dramatic and prehistoric, with twisted mild) to hyper-oceanic (very wet and and gnarled trees growing amongst mild) climate. Some of these woods the craggy terrain, with rivers that cut are remnants of the ancient wildwood through the ancient treescapes and that started appearing across the broadleaf canopies locking in humidity landscape after the last ice-age, as a result of the high rainfall. The age making them some of the oldest living of the forests and the high rainfall has ecosystems found in the UK. resulted in spectacular habitats which are absolutely teeming with wildlife. Roebuck | Summer 2023 25

SHIFTING SEAS Tumbling kittens (Hypotrachyna taylorensis), a lichen of acid, leached bark in high rainfall situations TUMBLING KITTENS © APRIL WINDLE. TREECREEPER © BEN PORTER; REDSTART © MARK HAMBLIN/2020VISION Lichens are a symbiotic organism composed A rainforest resurgence of a fungus and a photosynthetic partner Temperate rainforest and oceanic (algae and/or cyanobacteria) woodlands more widely are an extraordinary aspect of our British and Lichen the location than they are to plants. Within our Irish countryside, and they are right here What truly defines these rainforests rainforests, lichens can be encountered as on our doorstep waiting to be explored. (alongside the rain of course), are the mosaics of hieroglyphics on the ancient These woodlands are habitats of great lichens, bryophytes and ferns that hazel stems, or as rich, leafy tapestries conservation value, yet are subject to a make these woodlands so special. When covering the twisted oak trunks. variety of threats, ranging from habitat you walk into these woods, the first loss and degradation to tree pests and thing that you notice is every available This lichen diversity is complemented diseases, inappropriate management, surface is covered in life. The rocks are by a medley of plant life. The rocks and climate change to name a few. Over carpeted in mosses and the trees cloaked and trees are laden with a luxuriance the years, there have been concerted in lichens. Many of the species found of mosses and liverworts (collectively efforts from various individuals and here are as rare, if not rarer than the referred to as bryophytes) and ferns. conservation organisations to raise habitat in which they grow. Lichens and Bryophytes are non-vascular plants, the public profile and ensure the bryophytes are fantastic indicators of meaning they lack ‘true’ roots and a conservation of these globally temperate rainforest, because they have vascular system. The bryophyte diversity significant woodlands. a distinct geographic shift from east in temperate rainforests is claimed to to west as a result of the wet and mild rival that found in the cloud forests of The British Lichen Society (BLS) has a climatic conditions. This isn’t necessarily their tropical counterparts. long history of working with charitable witnessed with other groups such as and government organisations, flowering plants, trees or animals. Lichens and bryophytes are a beautiful using the collective of expertise to and important component of these generate evidence-bases that underpin Lichens are among the most wooded ecosystems, where species, management and decision-making. bewildering lifeforms on the planet. communities and climatic conditions Collecting biological information is at Despite their plant-like appearance, bridge our British and Irish rainforests the heart of the Society, with a national lichens sit within the biological kingdom with other temperate rainforest habitats lichen database of over two million fungi, where genetic studies show that across the globe. It is these bespoke records and over a thousand survey fungi are more closely related to humans bioclimatic features that make our reports listed on our literature inventory, rainforests... rainforests. many offering appropriate management 26 Roebuck | Summer 2023

Restoring Britain’s Rainforests in partnership with Aviva Temperate rainforests are The Wildlife Trusts care for a network of Atlantic rainforest nature the perfect habitat for many reserves. These beautiful sites, from the Dart Valley in Devon to Pengelli species, including treecreepers Woods in Pembrokeshire, or Shian Wood near Oban, Scotland, are incredibly important for wildlife, but also for people. We know that the advice. A significant proportion of this simple enjoyment of wonderful greenspace is more than just fun – it has data has been generated in these western a medical value, reducing stress and increasing exercise, in turn reducing woodlands of Britain and Ireland. cost to the NHS. This is an ecosystem service of immense value. Another valuable ecosystem service is carbon, and that’s where The Wildlife Trusts’ In February 2023, the Wildlife new rainforest programme comes in. Trust announced their exciting and ambitious 100-year project to restore Aviva are on a journey to net zero that they hope to achieve in the 2040s. and expand temperate rainforests along They are making great strides to reduce their direct emissions, but also the western seaboard of Britain and want to reduce their indirect emissions within their investment portfolio. Ireland. The BLS would like to thank The They have strong plans but struggle to identify the last part of the journey Wildlife Trusts for taking lead on this – the technical solutions are not quite in place. For this, they aim to insure important initiative and looks forward to themselves by investing in a nature-based way to suck carbon out of collaborating with the Trusts in driving the atmosphere and put it back into nature over the next few decades, forward these important works. counter-balancing any remaining indirect emissions in the 2040s. By donating funds to The Wildlife Trusts to establish new Atlantic rainforest April Windle is a naturalist with a nature reserves in the 2020s, Aviva is investing in both climate solutions particular interest in lichens, especially and the many other benefits of nature reserves. those occupying the temperate rainforest habitats of Britain and Ireland. She also This represents a rachet up of ambition for The Wildlife Trusts as we focus Chairs the Education & Promotions on the intensifying climate and nature emergency before us. We know our Committee for the British Lichen Society. marginal soil farmers are going to struggle as agricultural subsidies reduce and new trading relationships allow importation of lamb and beef that is cheaper to produce elsewhere. Planting new rainforests might be part of the answer as we seek a just transition for farming on the western fringe. If meat production is no longer economic, agro-forestry (very low intensity grazing producing conservation grade meat) tied to nature tourism and carbon payments might provide a better prospect for the next generation of farmers. By working with partners – farmers and other nature conservation bodies, especially Plantlife and the Woodland Trust in this case, we can create a grand alliance to restore the lost rainforests of the west. This April, we announced the first two sites to benefit from this programme. Creg y Cowin on the Isle of Man will see over 70 acres planted with native tree species, with around 20 acres allowed to regenerate naturally. Manx Wildlife Trust anticipates the return of redstarts and other oakwood birds, whilst the rainforest will also increase water purity for a nearby reservoir and help with flood prevention. At Bryn Ifan in Gwynedd, North Wales Wildlife Trust aims to establish over 100 acres of rainforest, through a mix of sympathetic native planting and natural regeneration. @aprilwindle @aprilwindle.nature Find out more about this special habitat at wildlifetrusts.org/rainforest Roebuck | Summer 2023 27

Sea slugs add a spectacular splash of colour to our rockpools. POLYCERA QUADRILENATA © DAN BOLT Delicate, vibrant, enchanting: these might not be Heather Buttivant is a words you normally associate with slugs, but sea Cornwall Wildlife Trust slugs have no respect for normal. There are several volunteer, proud ‘nudi’ groups that you may come across on UK shores and even the most familiar looking of these, the fanatic and author of sea hares, are quirky. These plump brown slugs the award-winning blog, have tall ear-like rhinophores (scent-sensitive cornishrockpools.com. tentacles) and a hidden shell. They lay a tangle of eggs that resemble pink spaghetti and produce a She has published two ‘smoke-screen’ of violet ink if disturbed. The solar books: Rock Pool and powered sea slug, on the other hand, belongs to Beach Explorer. the sap-suckers group. It eats seaweed, retaining the photosynthesising parts – the chloroplasts – in its body, where they supplement the slug’s diet with sugars, like a built-in snack bar. The largest group of sea slugs, the nudibranchs, are the strangest and most visually stunning of all. With dozens of species to be found in our rock pools and shallow seas, they have become my delight and obsession. 28 Roebuck | Summer 2023

YELLOW SLUG-MARINE Gills and frills heads sport two tall cerata the shape of goby eggs, allowing it CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: AEOLIDIA PAPILLOSA © ALEX HYDE, NATUREPL; FACELINA AURICULATA © ALEX MUSTARD/ Nudibranchs, or ‘nudis’, as they are rhinophores sheathed to evade the male goby’s efforts to guard 2020VISION; POLYCERA QUADRILENATA © ALEX MUSTARD, NATUREPL in a wide dish, as its brood. The fish eggs are so efficiently affectionately known by their ever- though they are trying digested that Calma slugs have no anus growing fan club, are shell-less sea to detect alien radio signals. and never poo. slugs. Their name comes from the Latin, Amphorina spp. slugs inflate nudus branchia, meaning ‘naked gill’. and deflate their cerata, Facelina Slug safari Nudibranchs are a flamboyant bunch, spp. have ringed rhinophores like For the best chance of finding sea slugs, so they turn their gills into stylish unicorn horns, while Polycera spp. join an organised event or Shoresearch accessories. slugs’ heads are fringed with colourful survey, where experts will be on hand tentacles. Anything goes when you’re to help you discover more. Look for pale One of our most common rocky a nudibranch. spirals of sea slug spawn on rocks and shore nudibranchs, the sea lemon seaweeds in spring and summer. Sea (Doris pseudoargus), is a case in point. You are what you eat slugs are hermaphrodites, meaning that When underwater, this bumpy yellow If you are used to peaceable garden they are both male and female at once, animal unfurls a glamorous, feathery slugs, it can be unsettling to discover so they all lay eggs. circle of honey-yellow gills on its back. that nudibranchs are devout carnivores. Other nudibranchs, like the bright While each species has a preferred Nudibranchs are often found on their purple Edmundsella pedata, have spiky diet, between them they eat sponges, favourite foods, but even the brightest projections called ‘cerata’, providing a barnacles, hydroids, anemones, slugs can be well camouflaged. If possible, large surface area through which they bryozoans, sea squirts and more. place your nudibranch in water and breathe in oxygen. watch it magically puff up. Be gentle as Some nudibranchs change sea slugs are delicate. Always put the Tiny Doto spp. slugs win my prize for colour. The sea lemon, for nudibranch back where it came from, the craziest body shape. Their white instance, turns into a ‘sea leave everything as you found it and cerata, shaped like orange’ after eating orange watch the tides. towering jelly sponges. Great grey sea moulds adorned slugs (Aeolidia spp.) dive in Finding your first nudibranch is like with cherry-red headfirst to feed among discovering a sparkling gem. Their spots, are so high the treacherous stinging that they wobble tentacles of anemones, exquisite colours and eye-catching precariously. Their their pale grey bodies shapes make them true treasures and cerata often turning of the rock pools. bright pink as they eat. Inside their cerata, great grey slugs retain the anemone’s stinging cells, which fire toxic harpoons at any predator that tries to bite them. Other slugs, like Geitodoris planata, have acid glands that burn attackers. Most incredible of all are the Calma slugs. The vivid blue and yellow Calma glaucoides feeds on clingfish eggs, while its relation, Calma gobioophaga has Magazine Name | Summer 2023 29

Kielder: wild, alive See the Kielder and very busy ospreys on the new osprey live feed at youtube.com/@ KielderOspreys Ospreys quality video link live from Nest 7 with volunteers on hand every Wednesday, 2023 has been a strange year for the Kielder ospreys! Saturday and Sunday to chat to Kielder In 2022, we lost our longest standing breeding male, YA, visitors about these spectacular birds. Why not pay them a visit before who disappeared mid season. He had been breeding in the ospreys head off at the end of Kielder since 2012, and fathered a quarter of all fledged September? chicks. He made an enormous contribution to the recovery of ospreys in England and is a real miss to the project. It was a slow start to this year’s season, with the birds returning a bit later than usual, particularly the males. A number of the established birds did not return from migration which resulted in a chaotic start to the season with new birds trying to win nests and make partnerships. Thankfully, we have a number of nests in action now, with eggs having been laid, chicks hatching, fledging and learning to fly. For regular nest updates visit the Kielder Osprey Project blog at kielderospreys.wordpress. com. Last year we launched our new Osprey Watch cabin at the Tower Knowe Visitor Centre. The cabin has a high KIELDER © ALLAN POTTS. OSPREY © ANDY ROUSE/2020VISION. BOARDWALK © DAN CHAPMAN Local Wildlife Sites habitats of hundreds of designated Local Wildlife Sites in Northumberland to understand them better, as this was last Local Sites are a comprehensive network of sites of nature carried out over ten years ago. conservation importance, designated as either Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) or Local Geological Sites (LGS) according to their On two of these sites in North Tyneside, the team has key features of interest. been carrying out species surveys - an ongoing process as we constantly search for new sites, and update our records The sites provide refuges for wildlife and represent on existing ones. local character and distinctiveness, complementing other designation site networks. Designating an area as a LWS is a Visit nwt.org.uk/local-sites to find out more about Local way to recognise their value and importance. Wildlife Sites. The conservation team has been remapping the Replacement boardwalk at Bakethin Replacing boardwalk at Bakethin Northumbrian Water Partnership Estates Officer, Dan Chapman, has been busy at Bakethin Nature Reserve in Kielder. With the help of volunteers and Team Assistant, Kieran Swain, the old, worn out boardwalk has been replaced and paths upgraded. The new boardwalk, made from recycled plastic, will enable visitors to the site to have a good look around the pond, where water voles can sometimes be spotted. This new infrastructure adds to the suite of installations made during the Living Wild at Kielder project which include a welcome point and interactive activities for families on the Lakeside Way as you head towards the Bakethin Hide. 30 Roebuck | Summer 2023

WHITTLE DENE APPEAL Whittle Dene dream Will you help us secure rare ancient woodland for future generations? ome of you may know that broadleaved woodland to explore. In Northumberland Wildlife Trust Northumberland Wildlife spring, bluebells and wild garlic cover land ownership Trust owns a stretch of the ground and the site is alive with Land available for purchase Whittle Dene, north of birdsong. The Whittle Burn meanders the A69, near Ovingham. However, the through, providing vital resources for A69 southern part of the Dene has, until wildlife. We will protect the ancient now, been privately owned. We have just woodland by removing non native trees, Map data © OpenStreetMap. Ovingham been given the chance to buy a further 42 replanting and encouraging scrub as a Contains Ordnance Survey acres, half of which includes rare ancient buffer habitat around the edges. data © Crown copyright and woodland. This is a great opportunity to database right 2010-19. connect and improve biodiversity on a Biodiversity gains very special piece of land, safeguarding it and community links for public use. The land for sale also includes grassland and farmland, which have potential Rare and unique for restoration to species rich meadow, Whittle Dene is designated as a Local if managed appropriately. There are Wildlife Site for its ancient woodland, also 11 cabins used as 'holiday homes' which is a priority habitat nationally and by the owners, which have historical rare in Northumberland – only 1% of land significance as they date back to the cover in the county is ancient woodland.* early 1900s and served as getaways for A network of footpaths cross the Dene workers from Tyneside's industrial past. and it provides a beautiful stretch of Whittle Dene CIC, a local community group, already operates in the woodland, running training and educational HOW TO SUPPORT events. This fits with our community-led THE WHITTLE approach and they are already having DENE APPEAL great success in connecting the local community with nature. Most of the funding is in place but we need to raise just £30,000 more towards IMAGES © DUNCAN HUTT. † Connecting landscapes for public the land purchase and management. Please could you donate to this access appeal to help secure this land for † Protecting rare, ancient woodland future generations? Find all the † Biodiversity improvement detail at nwt.org.uk/whittle-dene- † Community involvement, acting for appeal or use the QR code. nature * Kerslake, 1998; Pow, 2008 Roebuck | Summer 2023 31

Wildness reseeded and restored at Kielderhead Wildwood After five and half years, 30,000 trees remnants of the Scots pine woodland project ran during covid and its lockdowns. planted and thousands of river crossings, outside of the Highlands of Scotland, 4,500 The Scaup Burn project site is an area the Kielderhead Wildwood Project has years ago. come to an end. where the easiest access is via a river What started as a vision then turned crossing, head high bracken and the However, this is not the end for the into reality thanks to National Lottery potential for every step taken to lead to Wildwood itself as management of the site players via a grant from the National wet boots so their dedication is even more at Scaup Burn on the Scottish Border will Lottery Fund and led to a wonderful humbling. be handed back to Forestry England who partnership between Northumberland will continue to care for, and monitor, the Wildlife Trust and Forestry England. A number of individual volunteers changes over the following decades. are fast approaching accumulating an With the vision, the site and the funding amazing 700 hours on Wildwood alone. So Kielderhead Wildwood started five in place we needed seed collectors, tree a massive thank you to them. years ago as a vision to recreate an upland planters, volunteers and ecological Scots pine and broadleaf woodland in the surveyors for the work to begin. Thirty thousand trees have now been remotest part of England. planted including 500 Scots pines grafted The Kielderhead Wildwood volunteers and seeded from the original eight old A woodland type that had been missing are priceless, however to quantify their pines that make this site so special. from the area for thousands of years, it is worth, their value has exceeded £160,000 a site that contained potentially the only over the five years - no mean feat given the A further 1,500 pines are still to be planted out on site in the next two years 32 Roebuck | Summer 2023

KIELDERHEAD WILDWOOD to create a self-sustaining upland pine our conservation message. If you would like to learn more about woodland. It is not a finished woodland It was our aim to have scientists, that we have planted. This is the NWT the Kielderhead Wildwood project visit team reseeding a site almost devoid of conservationists, artists, writers and nwt.org.uk/wildwood or you can watch trees and letting natural regeneration take historians to talk to each other and to project videos on YouTube at youtube. over to form the Wildwood. anybody keen to listen. With this in mind, com/@northwildlifetrust. we set about working with local film- The project has also established a maker Alan Fentiman and collaborating IMAGE © KATY BARKE. baseline of ecological information which with a team at Northumbria University’s will enable future ecological surveys Humanities Department on a Wildwood to demonstrate how the Kielderhead conferences in 2019, a virtual conference in Wildwood has established itself and how 2020, and a 140 page full colour book. the ecology of the area has changed with a shift to woodland species. Reseeding: Restoring Wildness at Kielderhead Wildwood is available from The Kielderhead Wildwood project area our Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, is not the most accessible but we wanted Northumberlandia Visitor Centre and to tell its story to people who can’t visit the Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s online site or who we don’t necessarily reach with shop nwt.org.uk/shop for £7 plus postage. Roebuck | Summer 2023 33

Gourmet Gardening for wildlife Grow a garden full of food that both you and your wild neighbours can enjoy. ILLUSTRATIONS BY HANNAH BAILEY, PHOTO © SARAH CUTTLE Traditionally, fruit and veg growers view wildlife as in spring. If I cut only half of my herbs such as mint, Kate Bradbury something that should be prevented from eating the oregano, chives and thyme, I can encourage flowers is passionate about food we grow for ourselves. We net berries to protect to grow for bees and butterflies, and if I avoid cutting wildlife-friendly them from birds, remove ‘cabbage white’ caterpillars back the mildewed leaves of my courgettes I provide gardening and from our brassicas. We lay traps for things like earwigs food for 22-spot ladybirds. the author of and expose soil grubs so that birds might feast on Wildlife Gardening them before they can do any damage. Some growers There is a line between providing food for wildlife for Everyone and haven’t got the memo about insect declines and still and having your crop destroyed, and only you can Everything in use harmful bug sprays. decide where that line sits. For me, there’s not really association with a line. I’m happy for other species to enjoy the food The Wildlife Trusts. But what if we learned to share, or even I grow and I go out of my way to provide a little bit deliberately planted crops that could be used by us more for them. I may have a reduced crop, but I never and wildlife? I realise I may be in the minority here, lose a crop – one of the great things about gardening but one of my favourite things about growing food for wildlife is knowing the ecosystem will take care is sharing it. I’m happy to share my soft fruit with of itself. This means there’s always something the birds – my cherry trees produce more than I for everyone. would know what to do with, and there are enough blackberries, raspberries and tayberries to go around. Get more tips for helping nature at home I laugh at the caterpillars eating my brassicas and I from wildlifetrusts.org/gardening always leave some to flower, along with some ‘spare’ parsnips and onions, so there’s food for pollinators

GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE Brassicas Broad beans Varieties like broccoli and kale Avoid removing aphids and will flower after harvesting, you’ll provide food not just for providing food for early spring them but for the ladybirds, mining bees. Many varieties lacewings and hoverfly larva can be sown or planted out that eat them. Sow direct in in summer – plant in rich soil autumn or spring. Stake taller and firm well. varieties. Courgettes Rosemary Buy ready-grown plants and Flowering in spring, rosemary plant into rich soil in early provides nectar and pollen for summer, and keep well queen bumblebees. Plant at watered. 22-spot ladybirds are any time of year in moist but very polite, leaving the fruit well-drained soil. for you and eating only the leaf mildew. Carrots Sow direct in pots or the ground Oregano from spring to late summer. Plant from spring to autumn in Leave some to flower for pots or the ground. Leave some pollinators. unharvested so it flowers for butterflies and bees. Raspberries Buy canes in spring or autumn and plant in rich, moist soil. The blackbirds will leave you some, I promise! Nasturtiums Sow from spring to summer for a crop of fiery leaves and sweet flowers. Leave a crop for ‘cabbage white’ butterflies to feast on – you can move caterpillars from brassicas onto nasturtium leaves to protect them. Roebuck | Summer 2023 35

IMAGE © FIONA DRYDEN Thank you to players of People’s Postcode Lottery Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery has enabled staff and volunteers to improve accessibility on our popular St Nicholas Park urban reserve on the outskirts of Newcastle. A team of eight staff and volunteers spent three days re-laying five paths with 24 tonnes of gravel and stone. Thanks to all the wonderful #PostcodeLotteryPeople for making this possible.