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In the wake of Hector; Bespoke Druridge Bay Safari 15/06/18
I collected Alison and Paul from Amble and we set out for an afternoon and evening exploring Druridge Bay and southeast Northumberland, in search of Otters and Badgers… One Otter site had to be removed from our itinerary after a walk along it on Thursday, following the passing of Storm Hector, had revealed a path…
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Evening activity; Otter mini-Safari 10/08/17
I arrived at Church Point to collect Andy, Teresa and Katharine, and Richard, Belinda and Julia, for an evening around Druridge Bay and southeast Northumberland searching for Otters, under a glorious blue sky with just a gentle breeze. Almost like the summer had arrived… Grey Herons were stalking patiently through the shallows in the shadow…
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The sharp eyes of youth; Otter Safari 11/08/16
We’ve always said that the best thing for spotting wildife is other wildlife, although the sharp eyes of younger humans could probably give them a run for their money… I collected Gill from Alnwick, for her third trip with NEWT, and we headed to Bamburgh to collect Debbie, Roger, Joe and Ben. Our plan for…
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Breathtaking; Bespoke Druridge Bay safari 05/08/2014
I know I may go on a bit about how wonderful Northumberland is but, even after more than 20 years living here, there are days when even I find it hard to believe just how good it can be… I collected Colin and Hazel from the hills above Budle Bay and we headed south along…
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Putting the bite on; Bespoke safari 20/06/2014
Some wildlife is popular with everyone, some isn’t popular with many people at all, and some, despite the best efforts of Springwatch/Autumnwatch/Winterwatch… I met up with Niel and Nicky at Church Point, and we set out on an exploration of Druridge Bay and southeast Northumberland. Despite several incidents involving agitated ducks, indicating that they were…
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Damp, dark woodland; Badger safari 17/05/2014
During Thursday’s Otter Safari, we were chatting about the different mammals that can be encountered in Northumberland and Albert asked whether we had many Badgers in Northumberland. I described their distribution, and how we go about finding and watching them, and before the evening was finished we’d arranged a Badger mini-safari for Saturday. On my…
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Drumming and lekking; North Pennines 05/04/2014
A pre-dawn start heralded a long anticipated day out with Sam and Brian, part of Sam’s prize from last years Natural History Society of Northumbria Photography competition. Sam is part of a generation of young photographer/naturalists in Northumberland, and it was a pleasure to have a day discussing photography, wildlife and ethics with himself and…
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Home from home
During our quieter times of the year, I spend much of each day dealing with NEWT’s admin stuff. I try to get out and enjoy some fresh air every day though… It’s mid-January and it really should be cold; frozen ground, a dusting of snow, hoar frost on leaves and branches. Instead, there’s a distinct…
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Black Grouse Bonanza Day 1; Nothing to grouse about
As I drove to Peth Head Cottage on Thursday afternoon, the rain was hammering against the car windscreen. Friday’s forecast was good though so, after a meal at The Travellers Rest in Slaley, I reminded Derek and Deirdre that we would have an early start the next morning. 19/04/2013 05:00…the incessant ringing of the alarm…