Durham Wildlife Trust

@durhamwildlife

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

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Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· 20d

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· 21d

🌿 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· 22d

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· 22d

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

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· 26d

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· 27d

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· 28d

📢 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· 29d

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· Jul 14

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· Jul 12

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· Jul 11

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· Jul 10

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· Jul 5

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· Jul 4

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!

Close‑up of a male black‑tailed skimmer dragonfly resting on a light grey boardwalk rail. Its pale blue abdomen and transparent, veined wings are clearly visible, with dark tips on the hind wings. Green reeds blur in the background, suggesting a wetland habitat.

A close-up of a metallic green damselfly perched on a long, narrow leaf amid dense, spiky green foliage. The insect’s slender body and translucent wings blend with the surrounding vegetation, creating a vivid natural scene in bright daylight.

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jul 3

The exceedingly sweet 'drinker'. This large, fluffy-looking moth is on the wing in July and August, but you might spot a caterpillar at almost any time of year. 📷 Hayley Cook

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jul 2

🌊🌱 After months of planning, testing, and muddy perseverance, our Stronger Shores eelgrass trial at Alnmouth has reached its six‑month milestone 👉 durhamwt.com/blog/handful-green-hope

ow‑tide coastal scene at Alnmouth with wet sand reflecting a soft sunrise. The sun glows near the horizon, casting golden light across rippled mudflats and shallow pools. A few small posts stand in the centre foreground, with distant trees and headlands silhouetted against a partly cloudy sky.

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jul 1

We can’t believe #30DaysWild 2026 has officially wrapped up! 💚 What was your wildest moment this month? We’d love to hear your favourite memories, funny moments, or unexpected discoveries. 😊 And remember, the wild energy doesn’t have to end here. Who’s taking the adventure into July? 🌳🪲

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 30

Our Connecting Through Nature Officer, Pip, along with her seven-year-old cousin, Jacob, took on the #30DaysWild challenge this June. And what a wonderful, wild month they have had. Here’s a whirlwind tour of their wild adventures. 💚

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 29

Have you ever tried keeping a nature journal? There is something magical about putting pen to paper while sitting in nature. ✍️🌳 As we come to the end of #30DaysWild, why not start your own as a way to stay connected to the natural world around you. 1/2

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 27

Ghost mode: activated. 📷 Long-eared owlet by Paul Cleasby

A young long‑eared owl perched on a branch, its fluffy pale feathers giving it a ghost‑like appearance. It stares forward with bright orange eyes, framed by tall ear tufts, against a backdrop of soft green leaves.

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 26

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Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 26

Celebrate your #30DaysWild journey so far by taking a quiet moment to step outside and look up at the night sky. ⭐💫✨ Whether you’re in a garden, on a balcony, or at an open window, take a pause and look up. You might be surprised how much it changes your evening. 🌌 1/2

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 25

Some tips on how to help wildlife in hot weather! 🚨☀️ #30DaysWild 🐾 durhamwt.com/actions/help-wildlife-hot-weather

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 25

Spring energy incoming. 😬 #30DaysWild 📷 Hamish Paterson

Two brown hares in a grassy field, one leaping high into the air while the other stands upright with raised paws, as if boxing. The bright green background is softly blurred, highlighting their energetic springtime movement.

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 22

🧑‍🌾 durhamwt.com/actions/best-plants-bees-and-pollinators 2/2

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 22

Happy National Insect Week! 🐜🦗🐝 Choose the wild life this #30DaysWild and help these amazing creatures thrive. Use our guide to plant and create a nectar cafe for pollinators. 🌸 1/2

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 21

Happy summer solstice. ☀️🌅🌄 It's officially the longest day of the year. With a whopping 16 hours of sunlight today there is so much time to get outdoors for #30DaysWild! 😊

A vivid sunset scene over calm water, with the sun glowing near the horizon and casting golden reflections across the surface. The sky transitions from deep orange at the top to bright yellow near the sun, with a silhouetted coastline on the right. Large white text across the lower part reads “Happy Summer Solstice,” and a small credit “Niall Benvie/2020VISION” appears in the top left corner.

A graphic combining a bright orange circular design and a sunset photograph. The top section features text inside the orange circle reading “What is the summer solstice? It’s the longest day of the year, with the earliest sunrise and latest sunset.” Below, a vivid sunset shows the sun glowing orange through dark clouds. Text over the photo reads “Celebrate this #30DaysWild by watching the sunset and connecting with nature.” A small credit “Terry Whittaker/2020VISION” appears in the bottom left corner.

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 21

Another success story from our Links with Nature project. Bee orchids appearing and spreading to more spots at Elemore Park. #30DaysWild 📷 Hayley Cook

A Bee Orchid growing among tall grasses and wild plants in a meadow. The slender green stem bears several delicate flowers with pale pink petals and a central maroon and yellow pattern resembling a bee. Other greenery surrounds the orchid, with a softly blurred background of meadow vegetation under a bright sky.

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 20

Wildlife’s putting on a coastal show at Crimdon. 😍 Our work to restore wildlife across the region is vital. You can support us as a member, volunteer or simply by coming along to one of our events 👉 durhamwt.com #30DaysWild 📷 Caitlin Elwin

Close-up of a vivid magenta Bloody Crane’s-bill flower in bloom, surrounded by green foliage and other blurred purple flowers in the background. Text on the image reads “Durham Wildlife Trust – From Tees to Tyne,” “Bloody crane’s-bill,” and “Crimdon: Durham Heritage Coast.” A small credit “Caitlin Elwinow” appears in the bottom corner.

A collage showing three types of orchids found in the UK. The top image features a Bee Orchid with pale pink petals and a central section patterned like a bee. The bottom left shows a Pyramidal Orchid with a dense cluster of bright pink flowers forming a cone shape. The bottom right displays a Common Spotted Orchid with pale pink flowers marked with darker pink spots, set among yellow wildflowers. Text labels identify each species, and “Orchids” appears in a purple banner at the top.

Side‑by‑side photos showing male and female Common Blue butterflies resting among green grass and yellow flowers. The left image, labelled “Female,” shows a butterfly with brown wings tinged with blue near the body and orange spots along the edges. The right image, labelled “Male,” shows a butterfly with bright blue wings bordered in white. Text at the top reads “Common blue butterfly,” and a small credit “Caitlin Elwin” appears at the bottom.

Close‑up of a Six‑spot Burnet Moth caterpillar clinging to a grass stem among green leaves and yellow flowers. The caterpillar is bright yellow with rows of bold black spots and fine hairs along its body. Text on the image reads “Six‑spot burnet moth caterpillar” with an arrow pointing to it, and “Caitlin Elwin” appears in small white text at the bottom right.

Durham Wildlife Trust@durhamwildlife· Jun 19

🪺 Egg-citing nature happenings at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve. Great crested grebes nesting on Pond 2, captured on camera from the hide. #30dayswild 📷 Brian Howes