Taking advantage of the peace, tranquillity and lack of visitors due to the reserve being closed for five months, a pair of tawny owls took up residence in a nest box in the car park area and, 30 days later, three chicks made an appearance.

Once the owlets were half grown, they went through the phase called 'branching', when they walked, climbed, jumped and fluttered around in the playground area and trees adjacent to the Wildlife Discovery Centre. The parent owls were able to locate them by their contact calls but to ensure they didn’t get distressed, the playground area was closed to members of the public who delighted at being able to watch the antics of the owlets.

Speaking about the addition to the Hauxley family, Alex Lister, Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre Manager says: “We really missed our visitors during lockdown earlier this year but the wildlife didn’t as they had free reign around the place.  Because it was so quiet, tawny owls bred in the car park area, so close to the car park for the first time.  Needless to say, we have been monitoring their progress and will continue to do so as they start to fly around the reserve.”

Likewise, the reserve’s new and flourishing hazel wood and surrounding fields, which were planted six years ago to provide additional habitat for a variety of species, are a great place to look for barn owls.

With parking for 60 cars, takeaway service from The Lookout Café, and outdoor seating area, serving a selection of drinks, snacks and ice creams, open from 10am - 5pm, the Hauxley reserve on Druridge Bay is well worth a visit.