Anthony Johnston, dubbed the 'Lone Ranger' by Trust staff, is working round the clock singlehandedly looking after the Flexigraze livestock - a role which, up until two months ago, would have involved a team of volunteers.

The sheep and Exmoor ponies which move from site to site as part of the wildlife charity’s grazing programme are vital to the conservation of the grassland and meadows along the Bay.

Accompanied by his guard dog Archie, Anthony, is checking the reserves: Cresswell Shore and Pond, Druridge Pools, East Chevington and Hauxley for signs of anti-social behaviour especially fly tipping which is on the rise around the county, looking for signs of disturbance or harm to nesting birds during breeding season and ensuring the Trust’s Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre hasn’t been targeted by vandals.

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of his day during these strange times is topping up the squirrel feeders for the radiant redheads that scamper up and down the trees adjacent to the Wildlife Discovery Centre car park.

Thanks to players of the charity lottery, the Trust was able to purchase new squirrel feeders and enough bags of squirrel mix to feed the incredibly cute animals through the summer - just before lockdown was announced.

The squirrels delight hundreds of visitors to the reserve each day and will be entertaining visitors returning to the reserve in the next few months.

Speaking about the support for its work at this time, Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive says: “The players of People’s Postcode Lottery are helping the Trust to keep going and ensuring even under lockdown we look after and protect wildlife and nature reserves along Druridge Bay.

“We need to make sure that after this health crisis is over, we can pick up where we left off in helping to people recover from the trauma of recent months via our natural health service and such support is making sure that this will happen.”