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Durham Wildlife Trust

@durhamwildlife.bsky.social

Protecting wildlife and promoting nature conservation in County Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, South Tyneside & Darlington. Please support our work & become a member today: www.durhamwt.com

762 Posts2019 Follower 39 Folgt

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 2d ago

Spotted recently at Low Barns Nature Reserve. 🐛🦋😍

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 4d ago

🦊😍 📷 Paul Cleasby

Young red fox kit sitting alert in a sunlit wildflower meadow, surrounded by yellow buttercups and pink clover, gazing toward the camera.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 7d ago

The stonechat is named for its call, which sounds just like two small stones being hit together! It can be seen on heathland and boggy habitats. 📷 Mick Watson

Small brown-and-black songbird perched on dried grass stalks in a sunlit golden field, appearing alert and looking to the right.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · last wk.

🌊 Take a glimpse into the journeys of three incredible ocean wanderers 👉 durhamwt.com/blog/ocean-odysseys

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · last wk.

Like this hare, we're raring for the week ahead. 📷 Paul Cleasby

Wild brown hare captured mid-stride running toward the viewer on a sunlit dirt path, ears upright and alert and fur highlighted by warm side light.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · last wk.

When you hear someone say ‘free snacks’ outside your tree. 📷 Paul Cleasby

A young woodpecker with a red crown peeks out from a freshly carved hole in a tree trunk. The bird’s beak is slightly open, and the rough bark around the cavity shows fresh chisel marks from its nesting activity. The image captures a close, detailed view of the bird’s head framed by textured wood, highlighting its alert expression and the craftsmanship of its natural home.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 2w ago

As many people are aware, on Sunday 19th July, a vessel collision in the Port of Tyne resulted in an estimated 24-25 tonnes of plastic resin pellets (“nurdles”) being released into the River Tyne. (1/3)

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 2w ago

A scarce wader, the avocet is about the same size as an oystercatcher, but much more slender. It feeds on aquatic insects, worms and crustaceans, which it finds by sweeping its bill from side-to-side in shallow water. 📷 Mick Watson

A black‑and‑white avocet wading in calm, shallow water, its slender upturned bill dipping below the surface as it feeds. The bird’s reflection is clearly mirrored in the smooth water, with gentle ripples radiating outward. The scene is minimalist and serene, highlighting the avocet’s graceful posture and striking plumage. The photo credit “Mick Watson” appears in the bottom right corner.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 2w ago

Our Seasons of Connection sessions feature a range of fun and fascinating activities! July's session saw the group trying their hand at Thatching a new roof for a bug hotel that had been damaged. We harvested reeds , processed and tied them before attaching to the bug hotel 🐞🪲

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 2w ago

From rivers and drains to beaches and ocean currents, discarded waste embarks on a journey that spans miles and decades. Our amazing volunteers are working hard to prevent that journey from starting. Find out how 👉 durhamwt.com/blog/marine-litter #NationalMarineWeek

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 2w ago

As a family member, you could unlock a whole world of learning about local species and discover fun ways to help wildlife at home this summer 🦋 Receive your free book and wildflower seeds when you join as a family before the 1st of September!

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 2w ago

Take a nature tour of Rainton Meadows this summer. Stop, look and listen for the wildlife around you. Be inspired by the species displayed in our new information signs. 📍 durhamwt.com/visit

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 2w ago

The wonders of the ocean. Amazing. 🩵

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 2w ago

Goldcrest incoming! 📷 Hamish Paterson

Two tiny goldcrests among glossy green leaves and clusters of dark berries. One bird hovers mid-air with blurred wings and a bright orange crown stripe, while the other perches on a branch, facing away, near a bunch of ripe berries. Sunlight highlights the vivid greens and the birds’ golden plumage against a softly blurred woodland background.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 3w ago

National Marine Week (25th of July - 9th of August) is here! Join Durham Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers at our next evening beach clean and help to keep our coast litter free for wildlife 💙 Find out more at www.durhamwt.com/events/2026-...

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 3w ago

Striding into the weekend like this little owl. 🦉💪 📷 Mick Watson

A small brown-and-white mottled owl strides confidently along the edge of a shallow water pool, one leg lifted mid-step as if caught mid-walk. Its bright yellow eyes look focused, and the blurred golden background gives a warm, sunset glow. The reflection of the owl shimmers faintly in the water below.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 3w ago

🌿 Free summer nature explorers club! Four weeks of birds, bugs, ponds, trees and outdoor fun, plus a healthy lunch break in the park. For ages 8–14, open to eligible Sunderland families. 📍 Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve 📅 27–30 Jul • 3–6 Aug • 10–13 Aug • 17–20 Aug 🎫 eequ.org/book/durham-...

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 3w ago

📢 We're recruiting.👇 🌾 Community Ecologist, FT / fixed term, £30,633, apply by 30 July. 🌳 Reserves Officer, FT/ fixed term, £30,633, apply by 30 July. 💦 Great North Fen Project Development Manager, PT / fixed term, £22,056, apply by 31 July. 💻 More details online: durhamwt.com/jobs

Jobs

We are always looking for passionate people to join our team. If you have an interest in nature conservation, we would love to hear from you. Browse our current job opportunities.

durhamwt.com

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 3w ago

Musk thistle is an important food source for local pollinators and seed-eating birds, and its leaves serve as the larval food plant for the painted lady butterfly. While it has been classified as an invasive, aggressive plant in many parts of the world, 1/2

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 3w ago

Night falls and wildlife takes centre stage. 🌑🐾 #wildlife #northeastwildlife #durhamwildlife #durhamwildlifetrust #woodlandwildlife

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 4w ago

Things we love to see👉 avocet and chick at Rainton Meadows. 😍 📷 Brian Howes

Two avocets stand on muddy ground near the edge of a shallow body of water. The birds have long, thin, upturned black bills and slender grey legs. Their plumage is white with bold black markings on the wings and head. One bird appears slightly smaller and browner, possibly a juvenile. Stones and sparse vegetation dot the foreground, with calm water and distant reflections in the background.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 4w ago

A family nature trail, illustrated and written by local students, officially opened this week at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve near Houghton-le-Spring, with students from two Sunderland secondary schools leading the celebrations. Read more 👉 durhamwt.com/news/new-nature-trail

A group of people walk along a countryside path bordered by tall green grass and yellow wildflowers. The foreground focuses sharply on a single grass stem with seed heads, while the background shows the walkers slightly blurred, wearing casual outdoor clothing and backpacks. Rolling green hills and a partly cloudy blue sky stretch out in the distance, creating a peaceful, summery scene.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 4w ago

📢 Jobs alert, please share! We're recruiting for a number of roles within our conservation team. 👇 🌾 Community Ecologist, full time / fixed term, £30,633, apply by 30 July. 🌳 Reserves Officer, full time / fixed term, £30,633, apply by 30 July. 1/2

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 4w ago

The Connecting Through Nature team are supporting community members and residents to have their say on Penshaw Recreation Ground this summer. Find out more 👉 durhamwt.com/events

A colourful poster promoting Summer Events at Penshaw Recreation Ground. It lists free community activities including a Walk and Talk, a Teddy Bear’s Picnic, and a Coffee Morning. The design features cheerful illustrations of birds, a teddy bear, and a coffee cup, with green nature-themed graphics and logos from Durham Wildlife Trust, City of Sunderland, and Heritage Fund. Contact details, QR codes, and web links for more information are displayed throughout.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · 4w ago

A little owl working the camera. 😍 📷 Hamish Paterson

A little owl perched on a mossy tree stump, turning its head slightly with piercing yellow eyes. Its brown and white speckled feathers catch the sunlight as it preens, framed by soft green leaves and a pale sky in the background.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · last mo.

Little egret looking stunning and serene. 😍 📷 Mick Watson

A little egret stands poised on a small piece of driftwood in shallow water. Its pure white plumage is ruffled slightly by the breeze, with delicate breeding plumes trailing from its back. The bird’s long black legs and slender dark bill contrast sharply with its pale feathers, while its yellow feet grip the wood. Behind it, soft brown reeds and grasses blur into the background, evoking a calm wetland setting.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · last mo.

As moths get the Royal Mail stamp of approval, we celebrate the ten special species they’ve chosen to spotlight.🦋✨ Read more 👉 durhamwt.com/blog/moths-mail

A close-up of a Buff-tip moth resting on a branch. Its body perfectly mimics the texture and colour of the wood, with grey-brown bark-like wings and a rounded, buff-coloured head edged in rich brown. The moth’s camouflage makes it look almost like a broken twig, blending seamlessly into its surroundings.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · last mo.

Conifer v broadleaf woodland. 🌳🌲 Unbelievably these two images are not actually four stitched together. Or AI. Or colour corrected. What they show is the difference between an ancient woodland and conifer plantation. 1/2

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · last mo.

Orchid season delivered in style for our guided walk at Bishop Middleham Quarry Nature Reserve. We saw a brilliant mix of orchids, wildflowers, butterflies and moths. A snapshot of the rich biodiversity thriving across this very special wild place. 🌸🦋💚

Collage of meadow wildlife and flowers. Top left shows a dark green fritillary butterfly on a purple knapweed bloom. Top right features a common twayblade orchid with greenish flowers. Bottom left shows a fragrant orchid and wild thyme with purple blossoms. Centre image highlights a bright pink pyramidal orchid in close‑up, surrounded by green grass.

Collage of wildflowers and a moth in a sunny meadow. Top left shows a burnet moth with red‑spotted black wings on a purple thistle bloom. Top right features a dark‑red helleborine orchid on a grassy slope. Middle left shows bright yellow bird’s‑foot trefoil and pink common centaury flowers. Bottom left displays a bee orchid with its distinctive bee‑like bloom. Bottom right shows a tall spike of pale purple common spotted orchid flowers among green grass.

Durham Wildlife Trust @durhamwildlife.bsky.social · last mo.

Dragons and damsels spotted in our patch this week. 📷1️⃣ Black-tailed skimmer (male) at Low Barns Nature Reserve, by Paul Rodgers 📷2️⃣ Banded demoiselle (female) at The Whinnies, by Tim Davis 🌿 Keep watching — you never know what might dart past!