Local groups

Coquet Estuary Bird Spotting
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Local groups

Join a local wildlife group

Local groups are an external voice for the Trust and make a real difference, giving time, energy and enthusiasm to support and promote our work. Their meetings are a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and find out more about conservation issues and wildlife in the region.

We are proud to work alongside local groups of dedicated wildlife and conservation enthusiasts, and grateful for their fundraising efforts and support.

Many groups deliver a range of walks, talks and activities throughout the year, and are pleased to welcome newcomers. Have a look at the events section of our website to explore various upcoming events with different groups.

Please find information about each group below, including contact details for getting involved. Alternatively, if you are a member of a similar group that isn’t listed, or would like to discuss forming a group in your area please contact the Trust directly.

 

Meeting like-minded people, and sharing knowledge of our diverse landscape are what makes our programme worthwhile. From expert speakers to summer walks, we enjoy the best of our region.
Atholl Swanston
Chairman, Coquetmouth Group

Alnwick & District Natural History Society

The ADNHS Group has unfortunately ceased operation due to low attendance post-Covid.

Alnwick Wildlife Group

The Alnwick Wildlife Group is an independent group and not part of the formal NWT ‘family’.  But NWT kindly allows us to advertise our events in their What’s On leaflets and website pages.  Many of our members are also NWT members.  We hold monthly indoor meetings from September to May, each with a speaker supported by a visual presentation. We also produce a monthly members’ newsletter and hold occasional field trips. We encourage a friendly, social environment for all who attend, and indoor meeting always end with free refreshments.

When: Last Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm (in December it’s the second Wednesday)
Where: St James’s Church Centre, Pottergate, Alnwick, NE66 1JW.
Contact: Stewart Sexton (Secretary) via redsquirrel@alnwickwildlifegroup.co.uk
Website: www.alnwickwildlifegroup.co.uk

Berwick Wildlife Group

Berwick Wildlife Group is an independent group affiliated with Northumberland Wildlife Trust. We aim to study, records, protect and enjoy wildlife around Berwick-upon-Tweed. Monthly indoor and outdoor meetings are arranged, including walks, talks and surveys of various species. Individually we are not experts, but together we are learning and we would be delighted if you joined us. We meet on the last Thursday of each month at 7:30pm.

Where: William Elder Centre
Contact: Kate Dougal, katedougal666@gmail.com
Website: www.berwickwildlifegroup.uk

Border Natural History Society

The Border Natural History Society is long-established and has a programme of speakers from September to April each year. Meeting dates are included on the community events listing. All talks are held at Bellingham Middle School at 7.30pm prompt, with refreshments available afterwards.

The society is self-supporting and open to anyone who wants to come along. BNHS membership for the year is £7.50 (under 18s, £1). Non-members are welcome to any of the talks for a fee of £3.

Where: Bellingham Middle School, Bellingham
Contact: Anne Middleton at anne2middleton@gmail.com
Website: bordernats.wordpress.com

Coquetdale Group

The Coquetdale Group are affiliated to Northumberland Wildlife Trust but are a stand-alone group who arrange our own activities and fund them through our membership, guest fees and donations. There is no requirement to be a member of Northumberland Wildlife Trust and you can attend our talks as a guest (£3 per talk). Field visits are arranged in the Summer and are often related to talks we have had.

When: 1st Monday of each month at 7:30pm from September to April for illustrated talks on various wildlife-related topics.  Tea and coffee is available from 7pm.
Where: Jubilee Hall, Rothbury
Contact: Lorna Aiken, on (07970) 100 775 or email lornaholystone@gmail.com

Coquetmouth Group

The Coquetmouth Group has unfortunately ceased operation. We recommend contacting Hauxley Wildlife Group if based in the area on 01665 568324.

Friends of Brierdene

Friends of Brierdene manage the Brierdene Wildlife Site on the north side of Whitley Bay. This Green Flag (community) Site is managed by an active group of volunteer with management and conservation work on site every Wednesday and Saturday from 10.00 am to 12.00 am throughout the year. Our activities are open to all, but we can arrange specific days for a group of volunteers or a site visit. 

When: Committee usually meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month (except August) from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Where: The Kittiwake Public House in Whitley Lodge.
Contact: Steve Stone on (0191) 2512149, steve.stone2@btinternet.com
Website: friendsofbrierdene.org.uk

Friends of Red House Ramble

The Friends of Red House Ramble group came together to improve the biodiversity of the Red House area helping improve, develop and maintain the land running north/west and then west from the Red House Pub and Restaurant to Red House Drive in Whitley Bay. The group works with the local community and schools and has been planting wild flowers and maintaining the area for the benefit of wildlife. Be part of a growing community!

When: The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month during the winter to work on the Ramble. It meets weekly during the summer months.
Where: Meet at the corner of the flats’ carpark and the south end of the plantation
Contact: Cheryl Savage, (0191) 2972973, (07969) 714308, info@redhouseramble.org.uk
Website: www.redhouseramble.org.uk/about

Gateshead Group

Gateshead Wildlife Group welcomes everyone interested in wildlife and conservation. Winter meetings include illustrated talks on plants, insects, birds and mammals, wildlife in another country and a general conservation issue. All the talks are followed by tea/coffee and an opportunity to chat to other members. Members free, visitors £2. During the summer we organise free field trips according to the interests of the group.

When: 2nd Tuesday of each month from September to April at 7.15pm to 9pm
Where: St Helen’s Church Hall, Belle Vue Bank, Low Fell
Website: gatesheadwildlifegroup.weebly.com

Hauxley Wildlife Group

Hauxley Wildlife Group is back for 2023! The group meets monthly on with a suggested donation to cover costs of £3 (includes refreshments). Booking required please see our events listing for more details.  Forthcoming talks are as follows:

  • July - Nextdoor Nature with Natasha Hemsley
  • August - Beavers with Heather Devey from Wild Intrigue
  • September - Cresswell Curiosities with Barry Mead
  • October - Northumberland Rocks with Ian Jackson
  • November - Northumberland's Dark Skies with NASTRO

When: 3rd Wednesday of each month from 19:00-20:00 (meet at 18:30 for refreshments)
Where: Tynan Room, Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre
Contact: Frances Smiles (0191) 2846884

North Northumberland Bird Club

The club meet monthly for illustrated bird talks, exchange of news, raffles and refreshments. They also organise field trips, assistance with bird identification, and a monthly newsletter. Annual subscriptions range from individual membership at £10, or family membership at £15. Non-members £2 donation per meeting.

When: 2nd Friday of each month at 7:30pm
Where: Bamburgh Cricket Pavilion ( please note this closes from 1 January through to the end of March so the group meets in The Seahouses Hub Stone Close, Seahouses, NE68 7YT during this time)

Contact: Liz Harrison (01289) 302554

Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club

The Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club holds a range of free illustrated talks from local bird experts on a range of conservation issues.

Note: Due to Covid-19 normal meetings have been suspended but they are investigating online talks. Please  refer to the website for further information.

When: 2nd Thursday of each month from 7.00pm - 9.30pm
Where: Northern Rugby Club, Great North Road, Newcastle
Contact: Martin Davison, (07962) 720 616

Website: www.ntbc.orh.uk 

Ponteland Group

The Ponteland Group holds both indoor and outdoor meetings throughout the year, including one coach outing to a more distant reserve. Refreshments are provided after talks, alongside a raffle and sales stall. Entrance fee £2, includes coffee and cakes.

When: 1st Tuesday of each month (indoor) from September to April at 7.30pm, with outdoor meetings held monthly all year round
Where: St Mary’s Church Hall, Thornhill Road, Ponteland
Contact: Chris Wright (01661) 822 210 or pontelandwildlifegroup@gmail.com
Website: pontelandwildlife.wixsite.com/pontelandwildlife

Wansbeck Natural History Group

The Wansbeck Natural History Group are interested in the natural history of Northumberland and, in particular, the area around the upper Wansbeck river. We aim to learn more more about, and improve, the local environment. We held a programme of walks in the spring and summer months, and are in the process of planning our series of autumn and winter meetings which will be mostly via zoom but will include at least two face to face meetings in a large airy room (if COVID restrictions permit).

Outdoor visits have included a wildlife tour of a local stately home and lake, visits to a local farm-based regeneration project, Upper Wansbeck wetlands, Cresswell and Druridge Pools and East Chevington Nature Reserves, and the Spetchells in Prudhoe. We also held a “Moths and Croissants” morning!

Our winter talk series for 2021/22 will include talks on Coquet Island, the Restoring Ratty project, Northumberland bats, and pine martens.

When: Talks are announced in advance and usually run from 18.30 to 19.30. The day of the week may vary
Where: Talks are held via zoom or at Middleton Village Hall, Morpeth NE61 4RA
Contact: Hazel Nieuwkoop 07585505907 or hazeltinegate@hotmail.com
Website: wansbecknaturalhistorygroup.weebly.com