Image by Neil Aldridge.
Wake up symphony awaits everybody at Hauxley
Northumberland Wildlife Trust is inviting members of the public to mark the approaching end of spring with a rare early morning Dawn Chorus Walk at one of its most cherished reserves.
On Sunday 24 May, from 7:00am to 9:00am, bird enthusiasts aged 11 and over are welcome to join local bird expert Chris Wright for a guided walk around the Hauxley Nature Reserve at Druridge Bay.
Visitors will be treated to nature’s finest soundtrack as resident blackbirds, wrens, robins, blue tits, Cetti’s warblers, reed warblers, song thrushes, and reed buntings fill the air with their early‑morning chorus.
In 2025, an impressive 157 bird species visited the reserve, creating a symphony of sound that the Trust jokingly suggests rivals even Eurovision.
The event also highlights a conservation success story. Despite tree sparrows being listed as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: The Red List for Birds (2021), the Trust’s Druridge Bay reserves support one of the strongest populations in the North East. Hauxley is among the easiest places to spot them - whether flitting around the reserve or visiting the feeders beside the car park.
What makes this Dawn Chorus Walk particularly special is that it offers one of the very few opportunities each year for the public to explore the 26‑hectare reserve before its usual opening time, experiencing the landscape as it wakes and the birds emerge from their slumber.
For anyone seeking a peaceful, uplifting start to the day - and a chance to witness wildlife at its most magical - this event promises a memorable celebration of spring.
Alex Lister, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Druridge Bay Landscapes Manager says:
“Can you believe that this time six years ago we were all in lockdown and our 2020 Dawn Chorus event was live streamed from a back garden in Saltburn. We all thought that life would never be the same again, but the one thing that didn’t let us down were the birds that sang no matter what was happening in the rest of the world - this is why wildlife is so amazing.
“So, set your alarm clocks really early and come and join us on 24th May and bask in the sounds, sights and smells of the wonderful Hauxley reserve and Chris Wright as he walks around identifying each individual bird song.”
Places need to be booked at www.nwt.org.uk/events/2026-05-24-dawn-chorus A hot drink and bacon or vegetarian/veg/vegan alternative sandwich are also included as part of the event.