Wildlife Durham: Winter 2023

The member magazine for Durham Wildlife Trust

WWW.DURHAMWT.COM

Winter 2023

News

Legally wild!

Faith in nature

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Reserves

What to see and where over winter

Projects

Stronger Shores Links with Nature

Events

Member events

Campaigning Nature matters

National

Saving water for wildlife 6 places to see terrific trees Wild thoughts Pressing pause Sowing survival UK update

WINTER ISSUE 2023 @durhamwildlife

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@durhamwildlife

@durhamwildlifetrust

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VISITOR CENTRES Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve

D main reason I say that is because the Trust has urham Wildlife Trust has had a good 2023. The

made a good start on reaching the targets it has set itself.

Our new strategy was published in April and has a goal of increasing the land we manage for wildlife from around 2500 acres to 5000 acres by 2030. We have already reached more than 3300, so an excellent start. There are even more challenging targets for getting more people actively involved in what we do and still a lot of work to do on what that actually means in practice, but it feels like progress is being made.

There’s a real sense of optimism across the whole Wildlife Trust movement, not just at Durham. Everyone is up for the challenge, which is good as there are big challenges to face. The latest State of Nature report published in September showed that wildlife in the UK continues to decline and we know from our work locally that species like the water vole continue to be lost from our towns and countryside.

But, we know what needs to be done, we have a plan and we have your support. Durham Wildlife Trust is going to do all it can to bring nature back and in 2023 has done more than ever before.

Chilton Moor, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne & Wear, DH4 6PU. Tel: 0191 584 3112

The Meadows Coffee Shop Angela Watson and Team. Tel: 0191 512 8940

Thank you for being a part of that and I hope you’re ready to go again in 2024!

Low Barns Nature Reserve Witton-le-Wear, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 0AG. Tel: 01388 488 728

Low Barns Coffee Shop Angela Watson and Team. Tel: 01388 488 729

Jim Cokill Director

Charity number: 501038 Paper: FSC accredited, 100% recycled uncoated

Printed by: CustomerKNECT www.customerknect.co.uk

Design: Edmundson Design www.edmundsondesign.com

Cover Image: Red Grouse in snow by John Stephenson

Many thanks to all our corporate members for their ongoing support Gold Members

Silver Members

Bronze Members

Northern Gas Networks

Wienerberger

Simon Berry Optometrists Holidaycottages.co.uk Airedale Forestry Ltd Verdant Leisure

Partners 2

Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

Northumbrian Water

NEWS

Legally wild!

Staff from Swinburne Maddison LLP visited Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve in September for a day’s volunteering, taking part in traditional meadow management as they showed their scything skills at Joe’s Meadow.

Traditional techniques like scything help to maintain the diversity of plants in grassland habitats, and provide a very different work experience, safely guided by our expert Durham Wildlife Trust team.

If you want to step out of the office and into nature, learn more online: durhamwt.com/wild-work-days

Durham Rocks!

Wild runners raise thousands for wildlife T

he Trust would like to thank all the runners who contributed to an impressive £5000 fundraising total generated by our Run Rainton fun run and our Great North Run participants.

In August, around 40 people donned their trainers and took to the paths and tracks of Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve, to complete a challenging 5K trail run. The first male back was Alex Collier and the first female finisher was Ineke van Mourik.

All around us, but especially right beneath our feet, is a very different Durham. It’s free to access and it’s full of secrets and surprises. You just need to unlock it. A new book will give you the key! Durham Rocks, a book published in support of Durham Wildlife Trust, reveals the full history of the country between the Tyne and the Tees. This richly illustrated book is perfect for people who are curious about local landscapes and is the perfect guide for visits and walks.

Buy online or in-store at Low Barns and Rainton Meadows. durhamwt.com/shop

In September, a dedicated team of ten braved the unseasonably warm conditions to take on the biggest half marathon in the world. They were then greeted by torrential rain when they arrived at the finish line in South Shields. A timely reminder of the importance of our work in tackling climate change?

Thank you to all involved. Your support really does make a difference to wildlife in the North East.

Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

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NEWS

Faith in nature

By Jodie Morgan

Durham Wildlife Trust is working with faith groups to explore what the local environment means to these communities. Funding from the Durham Area Action Partnerships has allowed work to begin, transforming local church grounds in two parishes into nature-friendly spaces. ork to date has included listening exercises, where Trust staff and parishioners explored how areas were used, and ideas on how they could be improved. Training was given to help people gain knowledge of why and how these spaces could be important for nature. Finally, the physical work began, creating features like wildflower areas, butterfly gardens and bug hotels.

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Fran Wakefield, from St. Nics Church in Durham City centre said: “It is wonderful to work in collaboration with Durham Wildlife Trust. Through their skills, we are gaining understanding of how we can improve a once neglected space in the heart of the city in a way that benefits wildlife and people. Not only has it helped us to reflect as a church on how we safeguard the integrity of Creation, but it has been hugely rewarding to see how it has drawn together people from the entire community. We are grateful to Jodie for helping us to appreciate the importance of this historic site as a home for wildlife.”

One group this year has focused on restoring a wetland and installing a viewing area. ‘‘Before now, the stream running past the graveyard was an unpleasant site, overloaded with

litter. Thanks to our work with Durham Wildlife Trust and local volunteers, the water now runs clear, revealing fish now benefiting from the habitat improvements. We’re now hoping for a kingfisher, which would be an amazing sight.’’

– Karen Thompson, St. John Boste Green Team.

Project Officer, Jodie Morgan said: ‘‘Many local communities have spaces that can give wildlife a home. Cemeteries and church yards can provide a number of habitats and play an important role in restoring nature.

“A lack of greenspace doesn’t prevent communities from taking action for nature. There are opportunities everywhere from flower planters to bird and bat boxes on buildings.

Faith spaces offer a chance for people to reflect and appreciate the role nature plays in all our lives. We hope to hear from other groups to understand how we can replicate this fantastic project more widely.’’

If you are part of a local community or faith group who are keen to make spaces wilder, we would love to hear from you! Contact: mail@durhamwt.co.uk

Boardwalk reopens at Low Barns e are delighted to announce that the reedbed boardwalk at Low Barns Nature Reserve has now reopened. This popular feature gives visitors the chance to get up close to the wildlife in the wetlands.

Sadly, it has been out of action for a number of months as the structure had become unsafe and needed replacing.

We were very grateful to secure funding through public donations and via the Impetus Environmental Trust, to complete this work. Tim Davis, the Trust’s Southern Reserves Officer, said: “The new boardwalk looks fantastic and opens up this wonderful wildlife area to the public once again. We would like to thank all those whose incredibly generous donations made this possible.”

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Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

NEWS

Exciting sightings at Rainton Meadows The great white egret is a tall, white heron and although once a very rare visitor to the UK, sightings have increased over the last few decades, with a small number of breeding pairs. However, spotting one as far north as the Durham Wildlife Trust patch is unusual, so visitors were excited to see this striking bird at Rainton Meadows over the summer months.

There was also exciting invertebrate news with the confirmed sighting of a female willow emerald damselfly at Joe’s Pond. Hopes are high that a male might also have been present so that a breeding population is established.

County recorder and Durham Wildlife Trust Trustee, Michael Coates, said: “This is fantastic news. With sightings at the same reserve two years in a row, we believe that Joe’s Pond could become the most northerly breeding site in the UK.” Great white egret by Brian Howes

While both sightings have been a cause for excitement, they also illustrate how our climate is changing, allowing species that had a southerly distribution to move northwards, in response to more favourable conditions.

Team Developments The Development and Communications team at Durham Wildlife Trust has a new look. Emily Routledge, previously our Supporter Development Manager, has moved to a new role as Head of Development and Communications.

The Trust also welcomes Katie Armstrong as a Development Officer, and Giselle Greulich-Smith as Supporter Administration Assistant. Together with Kate English, the Trust’s Communications Officer, their collective role is to grow support for the Trust’s work restoring nature from the Tees to Tyne.

Katie Armstrong said: “I grew up on the edge of the Peak District, spending lots of time walking the moors and hills of Derbyshire. I understand how important the natural world is, so jumped at the chance of helping the Trust spread that message.’’

L-R Emily Routledge, Kate English, Giselle Greulich-Smith, Katie Armstrong

Giselle Greulich-Smith said: “My role is to make sure that everyone who supports the Trust, however they do that, has a great experience. If you support the Trust already, and have a question or want to know how to get involved, come and say hello!”

You can contact the Development and Communications Team by emailing support@durhamwt.co.uk or by calling 0191 584 3112.

Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

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RESERVES

What to see and where over winter

Head of Conservation

Barn owl by Hamish Paterson

Welcome to the winter round-up of what to see across the Trust nature reserves and beyond, over winter. Shorter days and colder temperatures trigger changes spring and summer migrant birds have flown with their young to warmer climates, mammals go to earth, and insects take shelter to await the warmer spring days.

But winter wildlife should not be overlooked and the change in season allows us to see nature through a different lens.

By Mark Dinning

Feathered friends!

Redwing by Ian A, Turner

You may have spent the previous months wondering what unseen bird that was you heard singing. Although bird song turns down a notch or two in winter, it is a perfect time to familiarise yourself with a few calls.

Robins sing year-round, and wrens and blackbirds will be heard well into winter. As trees and shrubs lose their leaves, it’s easier to see the bird that is singing.

Winter migrants arrive on our shores, and members of the thrush family, in particular, are one of the highlights of winter. This includes the redwing and fieldfare (listen for its ‘tsak, tsak, tsuk’ call), birds of scrub and farmland, especially with good hedgerows for shelter.

Berry-bearing trees and shrubs are magnets for these birds, and they will often forage in late afternoon around the edges of woodlands before moving deeper into the woods to roost.

Because of their importance for winter wildlife, the Trust manages its hedgerows carefully, cutting branches back only every few years in January or February, which allows for greater spring blossoms and more autumn berries and nuts. The Trust also continues to plant and extend its network of hedges, scrub and woodland across its estate each year.

Many of the Trust’s Gateshead reserves are great places to see overwintering members of the thrush family, as they have hedges, scrub and grasslands, and woodland edges that provide perfect habitat. This year was a great one for hawthorn blossom and berries, so hopefully the thrushes will be plentiful too.

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Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

Otter tracks: Helen McDonald

RESERVES

Winter gatherings

Mammal movements Winter is a good time to keep an eye out for mammal footprints in the mud or snow. It is a while since we have had a prolonged period of snow, but mud is still in plentiful supply. Look for signs of badgers, deer, otters (on the banks of streams and ponds), foxes, mice and voles.

Badgers do not truly hibernate, but may enter a state of torpor during very cold or snowy periods, staying in the sett, metabolising fat reserves, and reducing body temperature by up to 9˚C. Otherwise, they will remain active throughout the winter although their activity becomes unpredictable and sporadic. But as spring approaches, they begin making more of an appearance outside their setts.

If we do get a period of snow cover, it’s great for hunting out the runs of voles and mice, as they remain active under a protective white blanket. But, like long wet periods, it’s not so great for the barn owl, who will struggle to find prey hidden by snow. When this occurs, you may spot barn owls hunting by day over farmland and similar habitat, as at Bishop’s Fen and Low Barns. You may spot other owl species too. The short-eared owl will move from the uplands to the lowlands during winter, as well as winter migrant birds arriving from Northern Europe. They are daytime hunters and, if you are lucky, you may see a short-eared owl hunting across the landscape on a winter afternoon.

Over the last 18 months, the Trust has acquired land across a number of sites, from the North Pennines down to the Tees lowlands, and winter migrations link these sites.

Altitudinal migrants flock from their spring and summer upland locations down to the lowlands in autumn and winter. Records from autumn surveys on the Skerne floodplain sites, including Bishop’s Fen, show large flocks of curlew, lapwing, dunlin and golden plover. With smaller numbers of redshank, greenshank and snipe. Several sightings of great white egret have also been reported.

With the winter influx of fowl including large numbers of geese, a winter ramble across the countryside between Bishop Middleham and Hardwick Park can provide a glimpse of winter wildlife at its best. The work the Trust will undertake in coming years to restore wetland sites around the River Skerne will see the winter bonanza grow even further.

Tips for the trip Want to see more winter wildlife? It might be cold, but consider venturing out soon after sunrise to get good results. Many birds are most active early in the morning, feeding to replenish the energy they lost keeping warm overnight. Late afternoon works too, and Low Barns and Rainton Meadows can sometimes offer the backdrop of amazing sunsets illuminating murmurating starlings preparing to roost.

One final tip… your sightings make a world of difference.

Please ensure you submit your wildlife sightings either to the Trust, a wildlife recording app, or to your local environmental records centre. This information enables the Trust to make the decisions that will help deliver nature’s recovery over the coming years. www.durhamwt.com/sightings

Badger by Nigel Miller

Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

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PROJECTS

By Blair Watson Stronger Shores Engagement Officer

Stronger shores

tronger Shores, led by South Tyneside Council, is taking a new approach to making British coastlines and communities stronger in the face of the impacts of climate change. The project explores how to use the power of nature to restore our ocean’s health while also securing a sustainable future for coastal communities. Through Stronger Shores, the North East of England is trailblazing a path for the UK to be a leader in tackling the climate crisis. Durham Wildlife Trust is proud to be a partner, with our Marine Engagement Officer running events up and down the North East coast to get communities involved in this new and exciting project.

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Stronger Shores is turning to the hidden habitats below the waves – seagrass meadows, kelp forests and oyster reefs – for a solution to the impacts climate change is having along our coastline. These species deliver multiple benefits. Oysters, over time, form solid reef structures, with the young growing on the shells of the old. This creates a rich habitat for many other species as the reefs grow upwards and outwards. The gaps within the reef offer excellent protection for animals to hide from predators, lay their eggs and hunt their prey, creating a diverse ecosystem from the establishment of just one species.

Oysters are also excellent water cleaners, with an adult oyster able to filter up to 200 litres of water in a day!

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Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

Kelp forest by Paul Naylor

As climate change takes hold, our coastlines will be hit by more frequent storms and rising sea levels. Erosion will increase and we will be faced with retreating cliffs, vanishing beaches, and high tides pushing farther inland.

Kelps (various species of large seaweed – types of marine algae, plants) are also incredible ecosystem builders that can create habitats for other species and absorb nutrients, thereby improving water quality. Kelps grow quickly, forming dense forests, and can also be farmed for use in a variety of products, from foods to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, generating economic benefits.

Finally, sea grass, much like oysters and kelp, is important in creating a rich habitat that supports other species. The roots bind the sediment, preventing storms from washing away the substrate where it grows. Through photosynthesis, this marine plant is fantastic for creating well-oxygenated waters, which benefits the surrounding ecosystem.

Oysters by Paul Naylor

PROJECTS Stronger Shores is also recruiting a Seagrass and Seaweed Technician, to be based at Durham Wildlife Trust, to assist the project. The wider team is further strengthened by a new part-time Engagement Officer based at Tees Valley Wildlife Trust. Olivia-Jane Dunn will be working closely with Durham’s Marine Engagement Officer to engage with communities along the coast from Lindisfarne to Skinningrove. Finally, Tees River Trust are working hard to extend their existing seagrass nursery in Hartlepool and working with volunteers to monitor their oyster cages in Hartlepool Marina.

Stronger Shores is funded by Defra as part of the £150 million Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme (FCRIP), which is managed by the Environment Agency. The FCRIP aims to develop and test new approaches to help communities become more resilient to the effects of flooding and climate change.

Marine Engagement Officer Blair headed to the Ocean Road Mela in South Shields to talk about how amazing kelp is.

The knowledge generated by Stronger Shores could transform how the government approaches coastal protection. By establishing how effective, affordable nature-based solutions can be solutions, the project could provide the evidence needed to justify policy change and unlock future funding for marine habitat restoration that will benefit nature, people and the planet.

From November, the Zoological Society of London and Groundwork North East & Cumbria (partners in the Wild Oyster Project) will be joining Stronger Shores. They bring with them their experience in oyster restoration, having recently introduced 10,000 oysters off the coast at Roker, with more oysters in a nearby nursery site.

The project is also welcoming PhD students from the Universities of Newcastle and Plymouth, who will be undertaking scientific and natural capital-based research to fully understand the environmental and economic benefits, and the level of coastal protection that these species can offer us.

Seagrass bed by Paul Naylor

Olivia-Jane Dunn will be assisting Durham Wildlife Trust with our engagement work on Stronger Shores.

Find out more: www.durhamwt.com/stronger-shores If you, or a group you are a part of, would like to be involved with Stronger Shores, then please do get in touch.

You can contact us through the Stronger Shores website (www.strongershores.com) or through our e-mail: strongershores@southtyneside.gov.uk

Seaton Hall beach by Mandy Bell

Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

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PROJECTS

Links with Nature By Anne Gladwin Link Together Project Manager agladwin@durhamwt.co.uk

he development phase of Link Together is now

complete. The stage two application for funding

from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been submitted. It’s a waiting game until a decision in March!

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Link Together, a partnership between Durham Wildlife Trust, Sunderland City Council, and Wear Rivers Trust, will deliver an ambitious programme of work across 13 greenspaces in the Coalfield. Revitalising habitats, creating new areas of woodland and wetland, and breathing new life into local rivers, this exciting £2.2million project will help wildlife recover.

To support delivery of nature recovery, Link Together has also developed green social prescribing opportunities and other ways to engage with the project. Residents will be able to join regular activities: trying out practical conservation; spotting and recording local wildlife and simply enjoying being outdoors in nature, which we can all benefit from.

Look out for a name change – Link Together will be having a rebrand. Currently, the name Link Together refers to the connections people will form with nature or each other, and greenspace connectivity. However, community feedback suggested the name does not reflect the project as there is no mention of wildlife or nature. So, after much deliberation, look out for Links with Nature.

Over the winter and the long wait until spring, I will be keeping in touch with local communities across the Coalfield and preparing the ground for what will hopefully be the start of the delivery phase in summer 2024.

Cuthbert’s Moor Managing Moors project

he Managing Moors project at Cuthbert’s Moor,

funded by ScottishPower Foundation and The

Linder Foundation, is well underway and has been collecting data on the site’s current wildlife, as well as its future potential.

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A recent survey, conducted by ornithologists from the Trust’s ecological consultancy, Durham Wildlife Services, revealed some exciting findings. Curlew, golden plover, meadow pipit, cuckoo, short-eared owl and black grouse are all utilising the site, underscoring the importance of Cuthbert’s Moor for birds.

A botanical survey and habitat condition assessment yielded encouraging results. Various sphagnum mosses, including Sphagnum capillifolium and Sphagnum palustre, were found to be present, together with the rare, pale, forget-me-not (Myosotis stolonifera). The presence of sphagnum – key species in the formation of peat – and a rare flowering plant show the potential for habitat restoration.

The Trust has also partnered with the North Pennines area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) Peatland Partnership, which has conducted a hydrology survey of Cuthbert’s Moor that will guide future restoration plans.

Understanding the moor’s hydrology is vital if re-wetting proposals are to be successfully implemented.

Engaging the community is another important part of the Trust’s work on Cuthbert’s Moor, and, so far, an enthusiastic team of volunteers has been assembled to support work on the site. Public engagement events have also been delivered for those wanting less hands-on opportunities to experience the natural world of Durham’s uplands.

If you’d like to get involved, keep an eye on the Trust’s events page for upcoming activities. For volunteering inquiries, reach out to Rebecca Clark, the Cuthbert’s Managing Moors Officer. Email: rclark@durhamwt.co.uk Rebecca on Cuthbert’s Moor with Linder Foundation

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Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

EVENTS

Member Events Please book our events online at www.durhamwt.com/events or call 0191 584 3112. The events listed below are for members and members’ guests only, and free to attend unless otherwise stated.

For our winter events, we have selected activities at reserves with visitor centre facilities to include a complimentary cup of tea or coffee.

New Members Morning – Low Barns Saturday 16th March, 10am Join Trust staff and volunteers for a guided walk around Low Barns. Find out more about Durham Wildlife Trust, the history of the reserve, and gain an insight into the Trust’s future plans. The walk will begin at 10am and will involve a 45-60 minute circular route. Please wear suitable clothing including sturdy footwear. All members welcome.

Winter Trees – Low Barns Saturday, 13th January, 10am Low Barns is home to a wonderful array of trees – get to know them in their winter form with Trust Reserves Officer and man of woods, Tim. Burn off the last of the mince pies on a guided walk of Low Barns.

Tim will guide you through our trees, uncovering magical tree lore and how to identify trees in winter.

Love Birds – Rainton Meadows Wednesday 14th February, 10am Discover the birds of Rainton Meadows on our Valentine-themed walk of the reserve, ending in the bird hide. Our guide will show you the top spots for birdwatching and share tales of love birds with you. Meeting at the Visitor Centre, 10am.

Stronger Shores Events We have a series of exciting events taking place as part of the Trust’s Stronger Shores project, designed to give people an opportunity to learn more about the fascinating local marine habitats. All the below events are taking place at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve. You can find more details online: durhamwt.com/events

Storytelling

New Members Morning – Rainton Meadows Saturday 6th April, 10am Join Trust staff and volunteers for a guided walk around Rainton Meadows.

Find out more about Durham Wildlife Trust, the history of the reserve, and gain an insight into the Trust’s future plans. The walk will begin at 10am and will involve a 45-60 minute circular route. Please wear suitable clothing including sturdy footwear. All members welcome.

Saturday 9th & 16th December: 10:30am - 11:30am & 2:30pm - 3:30pm on both days.

Scientific Illustration Thursday 11th and Thursday 18th January, 1:30pm - 4:30pm on both days

Become a Climate Scientist Monday 19th and Thursday 22nd February, 10:30am - 11:30am & 2:30pm -3:30pm on both days Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

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CAMPAIGNING

Nature matters

By Emily Routledge Head of Development and Communications

The landmark 2023 State of Nature Report has shown that the UK – already classified as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries – is continuing to allow nature to decline.

urham Wildlife Trust is calling upon all politicians and candidates standing for future elections to commit to a plan to finally halt and reverse this trend. Future policies must be targeted towards species recovery, tackling climate change, funding wildlife-friendly farming, and tackling the other environmental issues we are all facing.

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Abundant, diverse wildlife and a thriving natural environment can provide answers to many of the challenges society is facing today. Without a healthy environment we jeopardise the security of our food production and potential for economic growth, as shown in the Treasury’s recent Dasgupta Review. Why would we put our future at risk?

It has never been more evident that people care more about the state of their natural environment than ever before. With a general election on the horizon, it is time politicians heard that message.

And yet, we continue to see political manifestos and plans that sideline nature. Laws in place to protect nature are not burdens to be put aside. Do we want more sewage in our rivers, more plastics in our oceans and less wildlife across the landscape?

Decade after decade, we have continued to see declines in our wildlife – with 1 in 6 species in the UK now under threat from extinction. Numbers of iconic species, such as the hedgehog and water vole, have plummeted. This dramatic loss of nature has serious implications for our society.

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Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

With a general election on the horizon, now is the time to make our voices heard. Durham Wildlife Trust will be writing to all standing MPs in our region, setting out our concerns and inviting them to meet with us at a nature reserve in their constituency. We hope that will make a difference, but experience across the Wildlife Trust movement is that local opinions matter and that candidates, irrespective of party, are more interested in hearing from you, their voters, when they are out campaigning.

CAMPAIGNING

Candidates knocking at your door to seek your vote will be more inclined to listen to the views of constituents.

That is the moment to make your views known and put nature on the political map.

You can tell them why nature matters to you - share your experiences and your concerns for your local environment.

Robust environmental protection and legislation from Westminster is needed to halt and reverse the decline in nature across our region. Head to www.durhamwt.com/ nature-matters for our Nature Matters evidence base, including links to the State of Nature report, the Natural Health Service report and more.

You can ask them to pledge to meet with Durham Wildlife Trust once elected – imagine the impact if all our members encouraged their local candidates to find out why nature matters.

Don’t want to wait until they knock?

You can ask if they will commit to defending nature - our natural environment matters, and irrespective of political party preference, we know that people care. Does your candidate? Ask them to commit to defending nature and let’s hold them to account if they don’t.

Visit: www.durhamwt.com/actions/contact-your-mp

Winter Gifts

Find out more about writing to your MP and get their contact details online.

If you feel that you would like more support in speaking with your local MP or with candidates in your area, please do get in touch with our team at support@durhamwt.co.uk.

From our Durham Wildlife Shop, featuring our best sellers the Adopt an Animal packs which are £25 each.

How to order Concise Wildlife Guides £6.99

Teesdale’s Special Flora £14.99

Mini Buddies & Finger Puppets £4/£3 each

Order online at durhamwt.com/shop In-store at either Rainton Meadows or Low Barns Telephone our office to place an order on 0191 584 3112

Beanies/Caps £10.99/£12.99

Reusable Cup £8.50 each

Wildlife Trust 2024 Calendar £8.99

Please note Friday 15th December is the final day for Christmas orders.

Every effort will be made to prepare and send orders after this date, but due to seasonal post they may not arrive in time for Christmas.

Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

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NATIONAL

Saving water

for wildlife ILLUSTRATIONS BY HANNAH BAILEY, PHOTO © SARAH CUTTLE

We’ve all noticed the recent changes in weather patterns. More of us are experiencing drought more often, and can expect to more frequently in future. Winter is the perfect time to start preparing your garden for a parched spring and summer.

Wildlife suffers in drought. Birds like robins and blackbirds struggle to find worms and grubs to feed their chicks when the soil dries up. What’s more, leaves shrivel, putting caterpillars and other grubs that eat them at risk, while flowers produce less nectar, which has a knock-on effect on pollinators.

As gardeners, we should adapt to drier conditions by growing more drought-resilient plants, but we mustn’t neglect the wildlife that also uses our gardens. By topping up bird baths and ponds, using grey water to hydrate our plants and providing supplementary food when natural sources have (literally) dried up, we can make life easier for wildlife struggling to adjust to climate change.

Our reliance on mains water should be at the heart of dealing with drought. Aim to use less

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Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

tap water, which means saving more rainwater.

Collecting water in winter to use in spring and summer will not only keep your garden growing and your wildlife thriving, but will also reduce pressure on reservoirs and rivers when it’s dry, and sewerage systems when it’s wet. When reservoirs dry up our rivers are drained as back-up but, conversely, heavy showers can result in sewage discharges into rivers and the sea. Everything is connected – simply by saving rainwater and using less mains water we can save local species, save entire river ecosystems, and still have attractive, species-rich gardens.

Get more tips for growing in harmony with nature at mycoronationgarden.org

Kate Bradbury is passionate about wildlife-friendly gardening and the author of Wildlife Gardening for Everyone and Everything.

Recently, she has provided advice for the Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature website.

Save water Invest in water butts now to store up winter rain. Buy as many as you can afford and connect them to the downpipe of your house for maximum flow.

(Councils may offer cheaper versions or you might find a bargain at your local tip.)

Make a rain garden If budget allows, transform your space so that all rainwater soaks into the soil slowly, rather than going down the drain.

Create shade Grow tall plants or trees, or let your hedge grow taller rather than cutting it back this winter. Plants in shade are less likely to scorch and the soil remains wetter.

Use grey water Keep a bucket in your shower, a washing up bowl in your kitchen sink, and syphon water from your bath to hydrate your garden. Use eco detergents to reduce the impact on soil health and use the water immediately so it doesn’t go bad.

Add a pond Now’s a good time to dig a pond, which should fill naturally before spring. Ensure it has shallow margins and sloping sides, and consider running a pipe from your shed roof so it fills automatically when it rains.

Mulch the soil Cover bare areas of earth with bark chippings, home-made compost, gravel or even plant material to lock in moisture, which will help plants grow.

Grow more plants Cover every inch of space with plants, including climbers up walls and fences. The more plants you grow, the more humid your environment, the less dry the local atmosphere.

Grow drought-tolerant plants Replace thirsty plants like Astrantia, astilbe and persicaria with drought-resilient plants like lavender and salvia, but don’t stop growing natives as many species rely on them.

Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

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NATIONAL

6 places to see

FROSTY OAK TREE © GUY EDWARDES/2020VISION

terrific trees

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Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

rees are impressive at any time of year.

They can live for centuries, the shape of their trunks and branches telling the story of their long lives. Some grow tall, others wide and sprawling, creating natural, living statues.

Winter is a wonderful time to discover the UK’s old and unusual trees, as many have shed their leaves, revealing the unique shapes beneath. Here are six Wildlife Trust nature reserves where the trees have a story to tell.

See the spectacle

for yourself 1

Glenarm, Ulster Wildlife One of Europe’s best examples of wooded river valley and parkland, with large numbers of ancient and veteran oak trees. Keep an eye out for signs of mammals including red squirrels, pine martens and badgers.

Where: Glenarm, BT44 0BD

You can discover even more at wildlifetrusts.org/ancient-trees

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The Hollies, Shropshire Wildlife Trust A spellbinding grove of ancient hollies, perched on the edge of the Stiperstones. Each windswept tree is a unique character. Some are three or four centuries old, wizened and creaking with age.

Where: Snailbeach, SY5 0NS Moseley Bog, Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust Moseley Bog is a gateway to Middle Earth. The gnarled old trees were a favourite of author JRR Tolkien, who lived nearby. They provided the inspiration for the old forests in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

Where: Birmingham, B13 9JX 3

4

Hethel Old Thorn, Norfolk Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trusts’ smallest nature reserve is just large enough to protect a single, very special tree. Hethel Old Thorn is thought to be one of the oldest hawthorns in England. Legend has it that the tree grew from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea.

Where: Wymondham, NR14 8HE 5

Cwm Byddog, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust One of the top 20 ancient tree sites in Wales, with some trees thought to be up to 800 years old. One mighty oak has a girth of 6.3m, whilst there’s an alder with a 5m girth.

With so many old trees, it’s also a great place to see lichens.

Where: Powys, HR3 5SL Alderney Community Woodland, Alderney Wildlife Trust This may not be the oldest woodland on our list, but these trees tell a story. Many of Alderney’s trees were felled by the Nazi’s during WWII, so the Trust has planted over 12,000 trees to bring the woodland back. This history is evident in the Community Woodland, with several bunkers on the reserve.

Where: Les Rochers, Alderney 6

Did you spot any tree-mendous trees?

We’d love to know how your search went.

Please share your best photos! @wildlifetrusts

Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

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NATIONAL

WILD THOUGHTS

James Brittain-McVey @TheVampsJames

@jamesmcvey

Keep a wild heart in winter

FERAL PIGEON © JUAN MANUEL BORRERO, NATUREPL.COM

I love spending time in nature.

There’s just something special about getting outside, seeing wildlife, feeling like you’re part of something bigger. But we live busy lives, finding time isn’t always easy. When I’m in the studio, or on tour, it’s so easy to forget just how important time in nature is, and how it’s always just beyond the door.

That’s why I’m a huge fan of The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild challenge. It’s all about everyday actions. That’s the amazing thing about experiencing nature – it doesn’t have to be something big. Taking a few minutes outside, watching a bird or standing under a tree, can be just as powerful as spending a whole day exploring a forest or walking along a beach. It just gives you a rush of happiness that’s hard to find anywhere else.

In winter, we need that feeling more than ever. But it can sometimes seem harder to find. Days are shorter and darker. The leaves and flowers are mostly gone. Those sunny June memories of 30 Days Wild with bees, birdsong and butterflies seem like a lifetime ago. But remember the message: do one wild thing a day. It’s not always easy, but try to find the time and I promise you that you won’t regret it.

I live in a city, but even there I can head outside and find some mood-boosting wildlife. I can head to the park and see birds flying around the bare trees, or take a walk along the river. Watching the water flow by can give you an incredible sense of peace,

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Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

even on the gloomiest winter day. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, you don’t even have to go that far. We have so much wildlife on our doorstep, just waiting for us to enjoy it.

Earlier this year, I had surgery on my vocal cords. I couldn’t sing, couldn’t even talk for months. Spending time in nature really helped with my recovery. I even came up with the melody for my new single whilst walking around a park. The power that nature has to heal and inspire us is incredible.

There are definitely days when it feels harder. When it’s cold outside and the couch feels too comfy to leave. But make that effort, even if it’s just to step outside for a moment. See if you can hear a robin singing, or even just spot a pigeon. Feel the breeze on your skin, or touch a tree and trace the texture of the bark. Find that little something that reminds you that nature is all around us, that we’re connected to it. Take it in, let it fill your soul, ground you to our amazing world. It’s therapeutic and good for us on so many levels.

Just one little moment a day is all it takes to keep your heart wild, and a wild heart will make winter so much more wonderful.

Find out more about how nature can help our health and wellbeing at wildlifetrusts.org/wellbeing

A WINTER CHALLENGE

If, like James, you’re missing the fun of 30 Days Wild, why not take on our festive version – 12 Days Wild! Can you do one wild thing a day from the 25th December to the 5th January?

Find out more and get inspired at wildlifetrusts.org/ 12dayswild

James Brittain-McVey is a nature lover and musician, best known as the guitarist for The Vamps. He has been an ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts since 2021, inspiring his fans to think about their impact on the natural world.

James’s new solo single, Dancing on the Head of a Needle, is out now.

BLUE TIT © MARK HAMBLIN/2020VISION

WINTERING 7-SPOT LADYBIRDS © PREMAPHOTOS, NATUREPL.COM

NATIONAL

Insects have an incredible trick for surviving the harsh weather of winter, as entomologist Dr Ross Piper reveals.

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Magazine Name | Summer Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023 2023

H

uman ingenuity and technology have enabled us to thrive in every corner of the globe, from the chilly polar regions to the sweltering tropics and everywhere in between. Insects might lack our technology, but this hasn’t limited their own ability to colonise and thrive in just about every terrestrial and freshwater habitat there is.

How are these animals able to survive extremes of temperature: the cold winters of temperate locations and periods of intense heat and drought? These six-legged marvels have evolved a number of ways of dealing with extremes, from waxy exoskeletons that minimise water loss to behaviours such as migration. However, they also have an ability that makes them more-or-less immune to the vagaries of the environment. It is known as diapause. This phenomenon is easily overlooked and is as remarkable as it is subtle; a

period of seeming calm and inactivity that belies extreme changes at the cellular level.

In response to challenging environmental conditions, insects can stall their development, effectively pressing the pause button until conditions improve. The diapausing animal is still alive, but its cellular machinery shifts from cells dividing and organs developing to a state of ‘tick-over’ and maintenance. With that said, some diapausing insects may even remain active, but they feed less and their reproductive development will be slowed or halted.

How does this differ from the hibernation we see in mammals? In hibernation, metabolism slows and body temperature drops, but in essence, it is a very deep sleep. In contrast, diapause is a much more extreme form of inactivity, as the life of an insect in this state is effectively ‘paused’.

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Hide to survive In a deep state of diapause, the insect can’t respond to danger and flee from predators, but usually diapause takes place in the soil, behind flaking bark, deep within a plant stem or in some similar sheltered location, offering a degree of protection from these external threats. If you go out searching for insects in the depths of winter, it’s not difficult to find lots of examples of diapause. You might discover beetles, wasps and lots more besides under the bark of a dead tree, a whole community of diapausing species in a grassy tussock, or eggs and myriad larvae in the upper parts of the cold soil.

Across the vast diversity of insect life, diapause is extremely common; however, for any given insect species the phenomenon only typically occurs in a single stage of the life cycle. Often, diapause happens in the immature stages of the life cycle – the eggs or the larvae – but it can also occur in the pupae as well as the adults. Take, for example, the peacock butterflies you might find in your garden shed in the depths of winter. These are in diapause and in really cold snaps you can even see ice on them. Shutting down for the colder months, the bodies of these diapausing

butterflies will undergo some radical changes, such as the production of anti-freeze chemicals and the shrinkage of their flight muscles, which will grow back to normal size as diapause comes to an end.

How is this strange state triggered? It’s not as though a jaded insect suddenly decides one day that it needs a long rest. The actual triggers are environmental and rather subtle. In insects that need to survive the winter, it is falling temperatures and shorter day length that trigger the cellular changes needed for diapause. For example, blowfly maggots frantically feeding on a carcass in autumn will respond to the decreasing day length and falling temperatures by guzzling the decaying matter they need, before crawling out of the carcass and burrowing into the soil. Normally, the maggots would pupate straight away, but the physiological response to the shortening days and lower temperatures is stalled development, so the maggots don’t pupate until the following spring. The raft of changes that occur inside the body of the diapausing insect can include the production of compounds and proteins that protect delicate cellular structures from the ravages of extreme temperatures.

Dr Ross Piper is an entomologist, ecologist, author and presenter. His pursuit of insects, especially beetles, has taken him around the world.

ROOSTING PEACOCK BUTTERFLY © GARY K SMITH, NATUREPL.COM

In some insects, flight muscles get smaller at the onset of diapause and then increase in size again towards the end

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The UK’s insect populations have suffered drastic declines, with far-reaching consequences for wildlife and people. Find out how you can help reverse these declines at

EGGS ON A PUSS MOTH CATERPILLAR © ROSS PIPER

Biding their time With its life on pause, a diapausing insect is capable of some extremely impressive feats of survival.

Take the large copper butterfly (which was once found in the UK but is now sadly extinct here); the caterpillars of this fenland species can handle being completely submerged in fresh or brackish water for 28 days with no impact on survival. They can go on for much longer too, at least 84 days, but beyond 28 days fewer of them make it through the ordeal. This underscores just how little metabolism is going on in the diapausing insect; it must be using a vanishingly small amount of oxygen to survive underwater for such a long period of time.

Perhaps the most nefarious exhibition of diapause is in parasitoid wasps and flies. The female parasitoid will deposit her eggs, either singly or en masse, into or onto the unfortunate host. Depending on the species, the development of the eggs or young parasitoid larvae will be stalled until the host becomes acceptably plump and ripe for being devoured. As well as the normal triggers of diapause, these parasitoids may be able to pause their development by detecting levels of certain hormones in the host that indicate when development should be stalled and when it should be kickstarted.

The active larva of the remarkable, albeit ghoulish small-headed flies seek out their host, a spider, and tunnel into its body, often through the leg joints.

Once inside, the larva will make for the book lungs (the spider’s respiratory system) and there any further development will be halted, sometimes for many years, until the spider is sufficiently sized for the fly larva to grow and pupate. When the spider is pleasingly plump the larva jolts into action, swiftly consuming the innards of the doomed host.

Sometimes, and adding insult to injury, the larva induces the host to spin a protective web that will shelter it during pupation.

This ability to slow or halt development is one of the cornerstones in the success of the insects.

It allows them to sit out extreme conditions, sometimes for very long periods, waiting for the better times to return.

A parasitoid wasp (Netelia vinulae) laid these eggs on a puss moth caterpillar.

Development of the larvae within the eggs will be paused until after the host has spun a cocoon to pupate in

wildlifetrusts.org/action-for-insects

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“You don’t need to do a lot on the farm to make a big difference – it’s all about getting the right habitat in the right place”

LINNET ON A SUNFLOWER HEAD © ANDYWORKS, ISTOCK.COM

Robert Law, Jordans farmer

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Sowing Survival Farmland covers a vast area of the UK, around 70% of our land, so the way farms are managed has huge implications for our wildlife. As farmland developed, many animals adapted to take advantage of the habitats it provided. There were hedgerows to hide in, ponds to drink from, and a wide variety of plants to provide food. But as farming has intensified over the years, many of these features have been lost, with a big impact on the wildlife that has grown to rely on them. Nature was pushed to the margins, and in some places even those margins were lost.

But some farms are bucking the trend. Through the pioneering and industry-leading Jordans Farm Partnership, The Wildlife Trusts and Jordans work together to support the farmers that grow oats for Jordans cereals, helping them to farm in harmony with nature. Every farmer in the partnership is committed to managing at least 10% of their farmed land for wildlife, though many go well beyond that – the average is 27%!

These farms are full of conservation success stories, from rare nesting stone curlews to buzzing insect populations. In winter they provide vital food supplies, particularly for birds. There are finches and buntings mingling in mixed flocks in the fields, with yellowhammers adding a splash of colour.

Charms of goldfinches live up to their collective name, taking to the air with a chorus of soft, jingling calls. Larger birds like lapwings and golden plovers scour the soil for invertebrates, whilst redwings and fieldfares gorge themselves in berry-laden hedges.

In many cases, the work that Jordans farmers do throughout the year continues to pay off in winter.

The hedges, rough field margins, woodlands, ditches, and ponds they create and protect provide shelter and a natural food source. At Hatchepen Farm in Hertfordshire, 2.5 kilometres of hedgerow have recently been created, a welcome sight to the grey partridges, corn buntings, finches and thrushes that spend the winter on the farm.

But birds have a big appetite in winter, so many of the farmers take extra measures to feed their

feathered friends. They plant their very own bird buffet, known as a wild bird cover crop. This is an area of crops grown just for the birds, left unharvested to provide seeds that birds can feast on throughout the winter. The exact mix of plants varies from farm to farm. On Ragley Hall farm in Warwickshire, farmer Andrew Keyte sows a mix including linseed, millets, and sunflowers. Over winter this feeds finches, yellowhammers, sparrows and other birds. Many other Jordans farmers enjoy a similar selection of birds on their dedicated plots.

To provide even more of a helping hand, the farmers may also offer supplementary feeding, scattering seeds across their land to tide birds over until spring. A winter bird survey of Woodhall Farm in Hertfordshire recorded hundreds of bramblings and linnets taking advantage of the bird crops and extra seeds. Some of these bramblings may have flown over 2,000km from Fennoscandia to find enough food for the winter.

You can learn more about the Jordans Farm Partnership, and how the growers are helping wildlife thrive on their farms, at wildlifetrusts.org/jordans-farm-partnership Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

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LAPWING © DAVID TIPLING/2020VISION; FARMER AND ADVISOR © MATTHEW ROBERTS

Winter on a Jordans Farm

UK NEWS NATIONAL

UK UPDATE

Nature for the people

River restoration should be high on the agenda, with pollution threatening wildlife like kingfishers

he coming year will bring with it a general election, with the people of the UK given the opportunity to choose their representatives in government.

One thing is clear: whichever party forms the UK Government, they must make it a priority to tackle the nature and climate crisis.

The Wildlife Trusts have created a set of asks detailing what we want to see – and what nature needs – from the UK Government. Our asks are broken down into five key sections, each with three simple steps outlining how it can be achieved.

The Wildlife Trusts are calling for whomever makes the next UK Government to:

Bring back our lost wildlife

Nature is declining at a speed never previously seen and shows no signs of slowing. We need the Government to reverse this trend and put nature into recovery. They must ensure that at least 30% of land and sea is protected for it by 2030.

They must also stop the damage to our seas through sewage discharges and river pollution, as well as safeguarding Marine Protected Areas from development and destructive fishing methods. Finally, we want to see wild beavers in every major river catchment in England, Scotland and Wales – restoring wetlands and making space for nature.

End river pollution

Many of the UK’s rivers are polluted beyond legal limits, and less than half are in good condition ecologically – but the Government can take action. Firstly, they must ensure that environmental watchdogs have the powers and resources to enforce the law, with regular monitoring and commensurate penalties for parties who knowingly break it. They must halve nutrient pollution from sewage, wastewater and agriculture by 2030. Finally, we need stronger protection for chalk streams, one of the world’s rarest habitats.

Fund wildlife-friendly farming

Farming is one of the main causes of wildlife declines, but it doesn’t have to be. Government can support farmers to grow in harmony with nature and help bring wildlife back. They need to double the budget for wildlife-friendly farming, halve the use of pesticides and protect farming against climate change. The extreme heat and droughts in 2017 and 2022 provided a taste of the reality to come; farmers need more support to adapt to climate change.

Green our communities KINGFISHER © JOSHUA COPPING

Too many of us live in polluted, nature-deprived neighbourhoods. These poor quality living conditions are damaging people’s health and cutting lives short. We need a Natural Health Fund to reduce the strain on the NHS and public services. We need a legally mandated right to a clean and healthy environment, protecting nature and the health and wellbeing of us all. And we need all children to be given the opportunity to learn outdoors.

Tackle the climate emergency

Climate change is driving nature’s decline, whilst the loss of wildlife and wild places leaves us ill-equipped to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to change. It’s a vicious cycle that demands immediate action. We need the UK Government to help nature and people adapt to climate change, protect the blue carbon in our marine environments, and make our homes more energy efficient.

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UK HIGHLIGHTS

In hot water Summer saw global sea surface temperatures reach an all time high, with worrying implications for the world’s wildlife. In August, the Copernicus climate modelling service reported that the global average daily sea surface temperatures hit 20.96°C, breaking the record of 20.95°C set in 2016.

The changes to sea temperature we are already seeing as the climate warms are particularly dangerous to unique and threatened ecosystems, such as warm water coral reefs. This risk was demonstrated this summer in Florida, where corals were not only bleaching at alarming rates, but dying very quickly.

The UK’s seas will not be immune to the changes we are seeing now. June saw an extreme marine heatwave develop off our coasts. Sustained high temperatures can lead to the death and changes in behaviour of fish and other marine wildlife, with significant impacts on food webs.

Alongside the record sea surface and land surface temperatures, the last year has also seen unprecedented changes in the extent of Antarctic sea ice and wildfires. Other extreme weather was also widespread, with many catastrophic heatwaves and flooding incidents around the world.

As the impacts of a warming planet become more obvious, the Wildlife Trusts are urging this UK Government to accelerate action on climate change. It’s vital that we reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, but also that we do more to adapt to the changes we are already seeing. The impacts of climate change will keep getting worse until the world hits net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Global emissions are still increasing, and haven’t started to drop yet.

Find out more about combatting the climate and nature emergency at wildlifetrusts.org/emergency

Grey partridges are just one of the threatened species that will benefit

A model approach The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is growing a sustainable alternative to goose-feather down. BioPuff®, which can replace feathers in padded jackets, is made from the fluffy seadheads of bulrushes. The Trust plans to re-wet agricultural peatland to grow the bulrushes, protecting the carbon in the peat and reducing emissions. wtru.st/bulrush-clothing

The buffalo-down Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust has introduced a herd of water buffalo to improve rare fen habitat at Thorley Wash Nature Reserve. These hardy animals will graze the ditches and marshy areas that cows prefer to avoid, preventing the need for heavy machinery to clear scrub and improve the site for wildlife such as water voles. wtru.st/herts-buffalo

New fund for nature’s recovery The Wildlife Trusts are ramping up plans to combat the nature crisis thanks to a £6 million investment from the Ecological Restoration Fund. The money will support rewilding projects, the reintroduction of keystone species and better protections for marine and coastal habitats.

The programme will work towards creating bigger and more connected wild areas for nature’s recovery, which

Discover how The Wildlife Trusts are helping wildlife across the UK

are essential to protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030. Projects that will benefit include a coast-to-coast nature recovery programme along Hadrian’s Wall, peatland restoration in Northern Ireland, and wetland restoration across the River Severn catchment.

Find out more at wildlifetrusts.org/6-million-ERF

Seeing reddish Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has rediscovered one of the UK’s rarest moths. The reddish buff is only found on one site in the country, a Wildlife Trust nature reserve on the Isle of Wight, but had not been recorded since 2019. This year, the Trust’s annual survey revealed two adult moths. wtru.st/seeing-reddish

Wildlife Durham | Winter 2023

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GREY PARTRIDGE © DAVID TIPLING/2020VISION; WATER BUFFALO © ROBERT PHILLIPS

UK UPDATE

Protecting wildlife, a wonderful legacy On Monday,

Irene helped restore a wildflower meadow.

On Tuesday,

she surveyed a local stream for water voles.

On Wednesday,

Irene helped to inspire the next generation about the natural world.

On Thursday,

she helped move some Exmoor ponies to new pastures for grazing.

And on Friday,

Irene helped a young person gain the skills they need for a career in conservation.

For further information, visit our website: www.durhamwt.com/legacy

Charity number: 501038

Water vole image: Terry Whittaker/2020VISION

A gift in your will for Durham Wildlife Trust will do amazing things for wildlife, for years to come.