Last summer, Northumberland Wildlife Trust had to drastically reduce the number of events at its Hauxley Wildlife Discover Centre due to social distancing rules.

At the time it promised that, once restrictions started to lift, it would host a whole series of events just for children and, true to its word, the wildlife charity has filled its calendar with events every Tuesday during the upcoming summer holidays.

During a year when most people are staying local, it’s well worth setting aside a few Tuesdays and heading up to Trust’s picturesque Hauxley nature reserve at Druridge Bay.

Visitors to the site are being enthralled by the sightings of rabbits and stoats speeding across the paths and through the meadows searching for prey to feed their young families. Tiny bank voles have are frequently being spotted searching for fruit, nuts and small insects, although they do have a particular fondness of hazelnuts and blackberries.

Open from 10:00 - 17:00 and with parking for 60 cars, the reserve is offering a takeaway service from The Lookout Café serving a selection of drinks, snacks and ice creams which can be enjoyed al fresco at the outdoor seats dotted around the reserve.

Minibeast safari

Tuesday 20^th July, 10:30 - 11:45
Tuesday 17^th August, 10:30 - 11:45
Nature lovers who are ready for an adventure this summer are invited to join the wildlife charity’s events team on a special safari to find the insects and bugs that make Hauxley their home.

Brilliant birds

Tuesday 20^th July, 14:00 - 15:15
Tuesday 3^rd August, 14:00 - 15:15
Join the events team to learn about the adaptations of birds and put your bird spotting skills into action. The reserve is currently packed with spectacular species of smaller birds including tree sparrows, tits, finches including beautiful bullfinches that are engaging visitors at the feeding stations and in the trees and meadows around the site.

Wild crafting

Tuesday 27^th July, 10:30 - 12:00
Get crafty using nature based materials and create something unique to take home.

Shelter building

Tuesday 27^th July, 14:00 - 15:25
Tuesday 31^st August, 10:30 - 11:45
Anybody ready for a challenge is invited to join the Trust’s shelter building activity where members of the family are put to the test seeing how many of the challenge criteria they can meet. Move over Bear Grylls! Time needs to be allowed to walk to and from the event location.

Animal tracks and trails

Tuesday 3^rd August, 10:30 - 11:45
Tuesday 17^th August, 14:00 - 15:15
Join the session to learn more about the clues left behind by animal and have fun being a nature detective spotting signs of wildlife.

Bird nest box making

Tuesday 10^th August, 10:30 - 11:45, 12:30 - 13:45 and 14:30 - 15:45
Get organised for next spring and make a wonderful nest box for the garden, yard or balcony or pass it on as present.

And finally, why not end the summer by giving the region’s insects a helping hand?

Insect home making

Tuesday 24^th August, 10:30 - 11:45, 12:30 - 13:45 and 14:30 - 15:45
Do your bit for the region’s minibeasts by making an insect home to take away and place in a garden or pass on as a present.

Places need to be booked. Visit www.nwt.org.uk/events to find out more about age restrictions and to make a booking. Anybody visiting the reserve on a Tuesday who hasn’t made a booking can ask reception staff at the Wildlife Discovery Centre if any places are still available.