The decision follows a record-breaking public consultation earlier this year that attracted 478,531 responses, plus consultation with a panel of experts, including Ulster Wildlife Trust’s Katy Bell. 

The buff-tailed bumble bee is one of the UK’s biggest bumblebees. It is one of the first bumble bee species to emerge in early spring. They nest in underground in large groups and need nectar rich flowers throughout the spring and summer on which to feed. 

Like many pollinators they have suffered steep declines due to habitat loss, changes of land use and pesticide application. They have especially struggled in the drought this summer.

In this region, buff-tailed bumble bees can be found on all the wildlife charity’s lowland reserves including St Nicholas Park in Gosforth and Holywell Pond near Whitley Bay. They are also one of the UK’s most common species of bumble bee found in gardens, back yards, and balconies.

The second species chosen, the European hedgehog, is one of the UK’s best-loved mammals and unmistakable, thanks to a protective coat of spines. They are nocturnal and one of the few mammals in the UK that truly hibernates.

A household favourite made famous by Beatrix Potter’s Mrs Tiggy-Winkle storybook, hedgehogs are currently classed as vulnerable to extinction in Britain due to habitat loss, a reduction in food owing to insect loss and difficulty in moving between green spaces due to obstacles such as road and garden fences.

Hedgehogs can also be found in gardens across the region and prefer the Trust’s lowland reserves such as Holywell Pond, St Nicholas Park, Fencerhill Wood in Newcastle, Whittle Dene South, and Priestclose Wood in Northumberland.

As winter approaches, the wildlife charity is recommending people add a ‘hedgehog highway’ - a small hole in garden fences - to make it easier for hedgehogs to travel between gardens in search of food and hibernation spots.

Owls have always been popular with the public, so the Trust is delighted that the barn owl has been selected to appear on one of the new notes.

Relying on healthy grasslands with nearby hedgerows or scrub that support prey such as voles and mice, changes in land use and loss of suitable nesting sites have affected barn owl numbers.

Barn owls can usually be spotted hunting at dawn or dusk at several Northumberland Wildlife Trust reserves. Elsewhere they can be seen ‘quartering’ over farmland and grassland.

Hauxley and East Chevington reserves at Druridge Bay are great spots for barn owl sightings as they search for food, whilst its Haining holiday cottage in the Redesdale area of Northumberland

has been adapted to accommodate a barn owl nest box, and earlier this year a barn owl nest box was installed on the Whitelee Moor reserve and nested in almost immediately.

Although not a resident on any of the wildlife charity’s reserves, the fourth species, the Atlantic puffin can be seen on a cloudless day, from its Annstead Dunes reserve at Druridge Bay.

Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive says:

“I’m delighted that some of the UK’s best-loved wildlife species will be taking centre stage on our banknotes.

"The public's enthusiasm for these species shows just how much people value the wildlife around them. We hope seeing them on our banknotes will inspire even more people to take action for nature, whether that's creating a hedgehog highway, planting flowers for pollinators or supporting habitats where barn owls can thrive."