As an island nation, the UK has 17,800 km of windswept coastlines that are never more than 80 miles from any location in the UK.
This year’s national theme shines a light on the extraordinary sea creatures and plants which are helping to fight climate change and water pollution or have amazing powers to help them survive.
In this region, Northumberland Wildlife Trust is encouraging everybody to try and have a day out along the North Sea coastline this summer to watch the seabirds, breathe in the salty air and listen to the waves crashing on the shore.
No stranger to amazing wildlife, the Trust’s coastal reserves host a number of seaside superheroes including limpets at Cresswell Foreshore, dark green fritillary butterflies at Druridge Pools and narrow boarded five spot burnet moths at Annstead Dunes. Eider ducks, commonly referred to as cuddy ducks after St Cuthbert, can be spotted floating on the North Sea from its Annstead Dunes and Hauxley reserves, with gannets and terns being be spotted from the Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre Lookout Café.
The wildlife charity’s education team will be hosting four events at its Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre at Druridge Bay - perfect for nature lovers of all ages and a great way to fill the summer holidays.
On Thursday 28th July, between 10:30am and 12 noon, enjoy a morning of seashore exploration and games on the beach at the Beach Explorer event, and then, on the afternoon of the same day, (Thursday 28th), there will be a Marine Crafts event between 1:30pm - 3:00pm. The session will run again on 4th August, between 1:30pm and 3:00pm.
To end the celebration of all things watery, join a Beach Wildlife Watch event on the beach at Hauxley on Thursday 4th August between 10:30am and 12 noon to learn more about the wonderful sea creatures that call the North East their home, while hopefully spotting them at the same time.
Julia Carr, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Education Officer says: “Our marine environment is simply extraordinary: a stunning interconnected network of habitats, with species living in finely-tuned balance with each other, together contributing to the health of the planet in a myriad of ways - from regulating weather patterns and the climate, to maintaining productive food webs.
“We want people to enjoy coastal wildlife watching while heading to the beach this summer and to have fun looking for our fantastic marine superheroes. Please be careful not to disturb birds, seals and other wild animals by keeping your distance and dogs on short leads.”
