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Wake up with The Big Wild Breakfast says wildlife president

Northumberland Wildlife Trust president Conrad Dickinson is encouraging everybody in the region to start their day the wild way on Tuesday 1st June with butterflies, bagels, worms and waffles and then keeping it wild as part of the UK’s biggest nature challenge.
Conrad Dickinson Breakfast - NWT

Breakfast al fresco for Conrad Dickinson. Image by: NWT.

All 46 wildlife trusts are inviting the nation to join The Big Wild Breakfast - a new, outdoor, celebration to kick-start the UK’s most popular nature extravaganza - 30 Days Wild.

The 30 Days Wild annual challenge from The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts has had more than a million participants to date, and last year a 650,000 people joined in.

Every year, people sign up to do a ‘random act of wildness’ every day for 30 days in June. With popular activities including listening to birdsong, taking wildlife photographs and planting seeds, 30 Days Wild is proven to boost your health, happiness and sense of connection to nature.

In 2021, all 46-nature charities across the UK, including Northumberland Wildlife Trust, are inviting everyone to see how much wildlife they can spot in just 30 minutes - it’s a breakfast bio-blitz and much better than breakfast TV.

So, who better to launch Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Big Wild Breakfast than its president Conrad Dickinson.

Conrad Dickinson Antarctic Breakfast - Walking with the Wounded

Conrad Dickinson making his breakfast in his tent in the Antarctic en route to the South Pole. Image by: Walking with the Wounded.

Polar guide Conrad has had some pretty unusual breakfast experiences during his expeditions including sitting on the frozen Arctic Ocean at -50ºC with the ice beneath him constantly moving, being served porridge gruel by Russian soldiers in a remote village in Siberia after skiing the length of Lake Biakal (700 km) and having Price Harry make his breakfast in a tent at the Antarctic with the British Walking with the Wounded team.

These days however, he’s more than happy with a salmon and egg breakfast sandwich sitting in the wild remote North Pennine hills and taking award winning wildlife photographs.

Conrad says: “Whatever you’re having for your breakfast on 1st June, try and eat it outside - it’s a great way to start your day - whether it’s in your garden, yard, balcony, on the way to work or school, or sitting outside your work place. And while you’re there, switch off your phone and take time to look around and see how much wildlife you can spot.”

As part of The Big Wild Breakfast, the kettle will be on from 8am onwards in the cafe at the Northumberlandia visitor centre on Blagdon Lane in Cramlington. So, if you’re driving to work or back from doing a night shift, call in, have a tea or coffee and enjoy some natural therapy all under the watchful eye of the Lady of the North.

There’s still time to take part in 30 Days Wild. Register at www.wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild and receive a free Big Wild Breakfast nature ‘bingo’ placemat and details on how to record your breakfast bio-blitz nature spots.

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