Catch My Drift

East Chevington North Pool - Sophie Webster

Image by: Sophie Webster

PROJECT

Catch My Drift

The Catch My Drift Project is currently in its final year of a  three-year delivery phase, following funding of a grant of £415,800 which was awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund during the summer of 2020. Thanks to National Lottery Players, this crucial funding has already enabled us to deliver a very successful initial phase of the project, which developed detailed plans to improve East Chevington Nature Reserve. Over the past three years the project has installed two new sluice gates and reinstated drainage ditches, allowing staff to easily control the water levels and better manage the reedbeds. 25 hectares of wildflower meadow have been sown and will develop into large blocks of species rich grassland benefiting pollinators, birds and mammals. Areas of the plantation woodland have been thinned creating space to plant shrub species such as holly and dog rose which are a great provider of food source for wildlife. A series of public events have allowed us to engage with over a 1,000 people through guided walks, family events and project talks, we have also carried on our ecological surveys building upon the 438 species recorded during the initial phase. In the autumn/winter of 2023, the three bird hides will be renovated to improve visitor experience as well as installation of the new interpretation panel which will aid visitors knowledge of the site.

The project name is a nod to the reserve’s history, as it was once the East Chevington Drift Mine (1882 - 1962) and East Chevington Opencast Coal Site from 1982 - 1994. The 185-hectare site was passed to Northumberland Wildlife Trust in 2003 and now contains lakes, ponds, reed beds, woodland, pasture and arable farming that are home to nationally significant species such as marsh harrier, red squirrels and great crested newts. It is also important to the local communities who use the site as an area for walking and access to the beach and it is estimated (in its current state) 10,000 visitors go onto the site each year.

In October 2019, two harvest mouse nests were discovered onsite, 15 years after they were introduced. In 2021, NWT released a further 300 mice as part of an augmentation project which has seen the Harvest Mouse population. Since then more and more nests have been found, with a record of 36 nests in 2022, along with two nests being discovered at Druridge Pools down the coast.

If you would like any further information on the project, or want to provide your input please email catchmydrift@northwt.org.uk.

Sophie, Chloe and Joel - Anthony Johnston

Sophie Webster, Catch My Drift Project Officer, with trainees Chloe and Joel. Image by: Anthony Johnston.

Catch My Drift Project Trainees

The first two project trainees, Chloe and Joel (pictured right and centre along with Sophie the CMD Project Officer) have now moved on to other things as their 12 month placements came to an end. Another Sophie, Sophie Irving has now joined the team and will be with us for the next 12 months as the third and final Catch My Drift trainee. She will continue the work of the previous trainees, leading volunteer days, carrying out ecological surveys, and engaging with the local community

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