Dynamic Druridge

The Dynamic Druridge project was the first step towards creating a connected mosaic of healthy habitats through Druridge Bay and, ultimately, a thriving landscape, rich in biodiversity, and well used by local people and visitors.

The project involved habitat works and access improvements to five nature reserves in this stunning area of Northumberland.

A key part of the project was the creation of an innovative and environmentally sound new visitor facility at Hauxley Nature Reserve, which began in early 2015 and officially opened on 23 June 2017. North Tyneside Architects Brightblue Studios designed an eco-build which is intended to be the ‘greenest’ building in the North East and is made using locally grown and traditional building materials, including straw bales and timber. The new facility hosts an exciting programme of recreational, educational and volunteering activities designed to reconnect people with nature and the wider landscape.

Other works at Hauxley included:

• creation of a new volunteer workshop in the existing building on the site,
• creation of a 2km circular pathway route around the nature reserve with new viewing points and seating,
• new meadow, woodland and hedgerow habitats on the extension to the reserve
• conservation grazing and managing grassland areas for wildlife.

We also implemented changes at our other nature reserves along the Bay:

• East Chevington – creation of new ponds and scrapes and re-profiling of drainage ditches.
• Druridge Pools -  major landform works around the pools to create new shallow feeding areas, installation of bird and bat boxes and use of conservation grazing in grassland areas.
• Cresswell Pond – events for the removal of marine litter
• Linton Lane – use of conservation grazing, improvement of hides and creation of new footpaths.

The work carried out has been made possible by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, charitable Trusts and private donations.

The work doesn’t stop there. Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s bold, challenging, but realistic aspiration is to make Druridge Bay the best year-round wildlife-watching destination in the North East. This will be achieved by:

• providing the best possible habitats for a wide variety of species to enhance the local landscape,
• creating innovative and accessible infrastructure to enable everyone to have access to nature and
• providing a varied and exciting programme of opportunities for people to learn about nature and actively participate in nature conservation.

We will do this through a series of future projects.

For further information on the Dynamic Druridge project or our future work within the Bay, please contact Elaine More, Druridge Bay Development Manager at the Trust on: (0191) 284 6884 or via email: elaine.more@northwt.org.uk