News
A day in the life of a newly emerged dragonfly
Spotting dragonflies just after they've emerged and shed their exoskeleton is a pretty exciting wildlife encounter... Reserve warden Kate recently enjoyed some time with a teneral Southern hawker dragonfly, which was resting on the bramble and blacktho
23 July 2024
Wildlife Sightings - 22/07/2024
Weather - Cloudy / light rainWader Lake SpeciesGraylag Goose - 4 adults + 4 juvenileTeal - 8Black-tailed Godwit - 10Shelduck - 2 adults + 29 juvenileLapwing - 6Sand Martin - 8Black-Headed Gull - 67 Adults + 19 JuvenileCommon Tern - 14 Adults +2 Juvenile +
22 July 2024
Wildlife Sightings 21/07/2024
Weather - Sunny / warmWader Lake SpeciesBlack-tailed Godwit - 4Curlew - 1Green Sandpiper - 1Gadwall - 2Shelduck - 14Sand Martin - 2Pied Wagtail - 2Common Turn - 16Lapwing - 40Redshank - 1Black-Headed Gull - 9coot - 1Hawthorn Wood Bird Feeding StationRobin
21 July 2024
Wildlife Sightings - 20/07/2024
Weather = hot/ overcastWader Lake SpeciesAvocet - 5Black-Headed Gull - 65Common Turn - 35Shelduck - 13Teal - 1Mallard - 5Moorhen - 5coot - 1Black-tailed Godwit - 2Lapwing - 53Hawthorn Wood Bird Feeding StationBlue tit - 4Great tit - 5Coal tit - 2Bullfinch
20 July 2024
Wildlife Sightings 19/07/2024
Weather = Sunny/MuggyWader Lake SpeciesSand Martin - 23Teal - 3 (M)Greylag Goose - 7 + 3 (J)Common Turn - 28Shelduck - 4 + 29 (J)Canada Goose - 7 + 1 (J)Black-Headed Gull - 24 + 13 (J)Shoveler - 1 (M)Lapwing - 18Pied Wagtail - 3Hawthorn Wood Bird Feeding
19 July 2024
Wildlife sightings 18-07-2024
Weather: Sunny / cloudyRiver wear tide level: lowWader lake species:Shelduck - 4 + 23 juvSand martin - 14Common tern - 22Lapwing - 16Black - headed gull - 46 + 21 juv Shoveler - 4Black - tailed godwit - 1Teal - 2Greylag goose - 2Canada goose - 8 Common sa
18 July 2024
Wildlife Sightings - 16/07/2024
17 July 2024
New postcard trail launches for summer
The school summer holidays are almost here and families looking for a fresh adventure to deepen their connection with nature can enjoy a new postcard trail. Giant postcards, designed by children’s illustrator Ella Beech, share personal messages and
16 July 2024
Wildlife Sightings - 15/07/2024
Weather: wet/ sunny River Wear Tide Level: HighWader Lake SpeciesAvocet - 55Little Egret - 1Buzzard - 1Sand Martin - 20Teal - 3Common Tern - 30Black - headed Gull - 150Redshank - 11Lapwing - 25Oystercatcher - 3Grey Heron - 1Swallow - 3Hawthorn Wood Bird F
15 July 2024
Wildlife Sightings - 14/07/2025
Weather: WetRiver Wear Tide Level: HighWader Lake SpeciesTeal - 3Gadwall - 7Avocet - 37 + 1 JuvenileSand Martin - 20Redshank - 9Lapwing - 20Oystercatcher - 2Tufted Duck - 2Common Tern - 30Black - headed Gull - 150Hawthorn Wood Bird Feeding StationChaffinc
14 July 2024
Wildlife Sightings 13/07/2024
Weather: Wet/MuggyRiver Wear Tide Level: HighWader Lake SpeciesSand Martin - 7Avocet - 26Shelduck - ( 3 broods ) - 5 + 23 chicksCommon Tern - 28 +3 juv + 1 chickBlack - headed Gull - 143 + 60 juvLapwing - 3Redshank - 7Oystercatcher - 1Greylag Goose - 3 +
13 July 2024
Wildlife Sightings 12/07/2024
Weather = Overcast/ WarmRiver Wear Tide Level = High Wader Lake SpeciesAvocet - 19Sand Martin - 6Common Tern - 31 + 1 (J) + 1 (Chick)Greylag Goose - 2 + 3 (J)Canada Goose - 4Black-Headed Gull - 172 + 84 (J)Oystercatcher - 2Lapwing - 71Redshank - 10Teal -
12 July 2024
Enhance your summer visit with these top tips
Exploring our wetlands during the summer is exciting at the best of times, but plan your day out alongside some of our fun hands-on activities and make your visit a great one! Here's our top tips for things you can get involved in: Postcard trail
10 July 2024
Wildlife Sightings 10/07/2024
Weather: RainyWader Lake SpeciesCommon Tern - 31 + 1 juv, 1 chickLapwing - 25Black - headed Gull - 104 + 91 juvShoveler - 1 (F)Grey Heron - 4 juvReed bunting - 1Greenfinch - 5Bullfinch - 2
10 July 2024
Wildlife Sightings - 09/07/2024
AMWeather: RainyRiver Wear Tide Level: HighWader Lake SpeciesShelduck - 7 + 19 ChicksSand Martin - 12Reed Warbler - 3Teal - 8Oystercatcher - 2Common Tern - 47 + 1 Chick + 1 Juvenile Mediterranean + Black-headed Gull - 1Avocet - 18Lapwing - 6Black-headed G
9 July 2024