Their nature detecting has all been made possible thanks to a £2018 donation from The Ray Wind Fund.

The Ray Wind Farm, operated by Vattenfall, sits on the Ray Estate in Northumberland. For every year of its working life, Vattenfall has pledged to donate money to the rural communities that fall within its catchment area, and since 2018 has donated more than £250,000 per year.

Now in its fifth year, the Restoring Ratty project’s education programme has already seen the team working with schools in the Kielder and Bellingham area.

Now, thanks to the cash boost, the team is set to capture the hearts and minds of pupils from Cambo, Otterburn and Belsay First Schools, Wark Church of England Primary School, Chollerton Church of England Aided First School and Greenhaugh Primary School who will visit one of the water vole release sites at Ferny Knowe near Lewisburn.

Whilst there, the pupils will explore water vole habitats, search for tracks and signs of water vole activity, find out more about what water vole food chains, their life cycles and habitats as well as learning basic fieldwork skills and how to map wildlife sightings.

Speaking about the donation, Kelly Hollings, Restoring Ratty Project Officer said: “What a fabulous way to celebrate the further easing of lockdown restrictions. We cannot thank The Ray Fund enough for its generous donation which is guaranteed to put a smile on their faces and a spring in the step of the young people who are keen to learn more about ‘Ratty’ and his friends.”