Lying on a strategic wildlife corridor, at the reserve’s hilltop there is a prominent drill head sculpture reminiscent of the site’s mining past and on a clear day it’s possible to view the North Sea, the Cheviots, and the city of Newcastle.

Working with a local contractor, the wildlife charity has overseen the clearing of one of the ponds of quickly growing vegetation. 

Having open, exposed patches of water in a pond offers several benefits including providing a safe watering hole for hedgehogs, foxes and birds, allowing them to drink without getting tangled in dense weed as well as allowing sunlight to reach plants that help the water breathe and bats to swoop down and scoop up newly hatched insects.

A three-metre margin has been left around the edge of the pond for birds such as pied wagtails, starlings and hen harriers to nest and take shelter.

Elsewhere on the reserve, a team of volunteers and estates staff created nesting islands on three of the other ponds to encourage the return of birds such as swans and reed buntings. 

At this time of year, the popular reserve is alive with the beautiful song of dozens of skylarks, whilst over the summer months, visitors can delight in the aerial shows of swallows, swifts, and martins. 

Peter Ernst, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Estates Officer says:

“Weetslade Colliery Park is an absolute gem of a reserve visited by thousands of people each year. Our volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year to keep it wonderful for visitors and the resident wildlife.”

The wildlife charity is hosting two free guided walks (courtesy of The Land Trust) on Friday 10^th July and Friday 7^th August when members of the public can enjoy a relaxed and informal tour of the site and discover interesting facts about how the site came into being and what is being done to help preserve the resident wildlife in the future.

For more information visit www.nwt.org.uk/events