#30 Days Wild is The Wildlife Trusts' annual nature challenge throughout the 30 days in June, where all 46 UK Wildlife Trusts unite to encourage everybody to enjoy nature in their neighbourhoods through daily Random Acts of Wildness. 

From going on a bug hunt, switching to green energy, litter picking, bird watching - even having a sneaky gin in the back garden and watching the sun go down - the outdoors is wonderful for health and wellbeing.  At a time when poor mental health is on the rise and the decline of our wildlife shows no sign of slowing down, #30 Days Wild is a great way to start a much needed new relationship with nature.

As part of this year’s celebrations, Northumberland Wildlife Trust is launching a 30 Bird Challenge and asking people to spot 30 different birds, during the 30 Days of the national campaign. It could be one per day or 30 in one day it doesn’t matter - just as long as people take part and jot down what they’ve seen.

Once they’ve spotted 30, they can submit their sightings, together with their name, email address and contact number to the wildlife charity via an online form at www.nwt.org.uk/30-bird-challenge All entries will be entered into a prize draw to win a set of birdy goodies including a Garden Birds bamboo travel mug, Bloomsbury Concise Guide to Birds and for the younger bird enthusiasts, an i-SPY birds book.

The 30 Day Bird Challenge was the brainchild of polar explorer and Northumberland Wildlife Trust President Conrad Dickinson who realised that over the past two years, more people than ever before turned to nature and started studying birds in their gardens and green spaces. So what better way to keep the interest going, than with a bird challenge?

With over 60 Northumberland Wildlife Trust reserves around the region there are plenty of opportunities to go bird spotting. Reserves such as Holywell Pond in North Tyneside, Big Waters in Newcastle and Hauxley, East Chevington and Drurudge Pools at Druridge Bay are absolute havens for birds of kinds and well worth a visit.

Conrad, who has watched birds throughout all his artic explorations and in warmer climates says: “We are blessed in our region having such a diversity of birdlife, particularly on the east coast that is a hot spot for migration in both spring and autumn.

“I have many personal favourite areas in the region where you get regular sightings of short-eared owls, merlins, the iconic curlew, lapwings, snipe, redshanks and golden plovers. Everybody will have a favourite area, so why not head out there, see what you can spot and log down what you see?

“Equal pleasure is also achieved by simply watching birds coming and going onto a garden bird feeder and are a great way for people living in a city to watch birds at close quarters.

“Just taking 10 -15 minutes every day watching the antics of birds is a wonderful experience. I would encourage everyone to give bird-watching a go - you’ll be surprized by how much enjoyment can be had.”

Anybody interested in #30 Days Wild can sign up at www.wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild  and don’t forget to enter the bird spotting challenge at www.nwt.org.uk/30birdchallenge