I have always shared a passion for natural history and the environment we share with our now declining wildlife. Much of the urban habitats I’ve wandered into are now so very different, with many disappearing altogether. Pollution and reduced diversity is now widespread and a growing concern. As the decades pass and I get older, so much has been lost.
Our Seabirds have experienced huge declines in their populations; whilst species such as Lapwings and Starlings which locally, numbered flocks in their thousands in the 80s are now reduced to gatherings of usually less than 50 or a handful. Water Voles are now so rare locally they have become a legend.
A Lapwing
This page will feature some environmental work which I’m passionate about and support. For those that have followed reports of my wanderings, will also know such outdoor exercise is also great for our health, mindfulness and well-being. Taking good care of our environment and the host of wildlife that feature and live with us; brings symbiotic benefits. Sharing my own experiences helps to raise awareness.
Kittiwakes
Along the riverside quaysides of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the Town of Gateshead you can find the furthest inland breeding colonies of Kittiwake. During the Spring and summer months, thousands of pairs return every year. I design and manage a website which tells the story of the Tyne Kittiwakes. In recent years, this development has evolved to include a sister website, which shares the story of other such inland colonies of Kittiwakes across the UK and beyond.
Birdwatching Sites in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland
As a teenager I began my journey engaging with Birdwatching. At first this very much involved urban habitats such as Walker Riverside Park and victorian central parks such as Leazes and Saltwell. This expanded however when I discovered my local wildlife trust as did my life list of bird species as I explored local nature reserves. As an adult, I explored deeper and I decided to write an online guide which links into my local bird clubs website, to share my own experiences. This also helps encourage more birders to widen their own adventures and travel to a greater variety of sites.
