Latest news with #DruridgeBay
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Northumberland goats GPS tracker scheme to be expanded
A scheme tracking goats via GPS technology is expanding as part of efforts to prevent overgrazing.A herd of 13 goats spending the summer at the Druridge Bay reserve in Northumberland will wear collars with GPS trackers that can alert them to stop at certain Wildlife Trust said the collars help protect sensitive areas such as ground-nesting bird sites and ensure the goats are in the right area when they need to be scheme, which has been trialled on cattle and goats for the last two years, is expanding to West Chevington where a free roaming herd of cattle will be introduced later this summer. Staff can draw invisible GPS boundaries around grazing areas to control access and prevent overgrazing."The GPS collars allow staff and volunteers to monitor their movements from a distance, thereby allowing them to continue with the important job of grazing the reserve for the benefit of the flowers and grasses," said Alex Lister from the charity. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
21-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Six swans hatch at Druridge Bay nature reserve after five years
Six mute swan cygnets have hatched at a nature reserve for the first time in five Wildlife Trust (NWT) said the new family at the Hauxley haven in Druridge Bay was welcome news after a swan was shot dead weeks ago at another reserve. The chicks' parents set up home in the reserve last year, but failed to breed because they were too young. Alex Lister, NWT bay landscapes manager, said the "fluffy bundles" were a delight and he hoped for more chicks in the coming years. The last resident pair of swans moved on from the Druridge Bay reserve at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, having lived on the reserve for nine years and raising more than 40 at NWT were devastated after members of the public found a 16-year-old female mute swan with a fatal head wound on the East Chevington nature reserve earlier this month. Mr Lister said: "What great news so soon after the sad news that a swan had been killed at our East Chevington reserve. "It really is lovely to see them back at Hauxley after a five-year absence and if they stay as long as their predecessors, there will be plenty more cygnets hatching over the next few years to delight staff and visitors." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Dead swan found shot at Druridge Bay nature reserve
A dead swan has been found shot in the head at a popular beauty of the public found the female bird last week on the East Chevington nature reserve in Druridge Bay, grisly discovery was then reported to staff at the Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, who said the swan had been 16 years old when it was Wildlife Trust (NWT) called the death "senseless" and "terrible". Hatched in 2009, the mute swan had a numbered metal ring attached to its leg in February 2011 for scientific monitoring meant it was possible to check its history. And, although there is no record of where the bird was born, three other records show it living on the River Wansbeck in June 2011, July 2012, and August Hauxley team also suspect the swan had been a resident at East Chevington for some time. NWT said, like all wild birds, swans were protected by the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it illegal to harm charity stressed the killing of birds, or any other wildlife, would not be tolerated and would lead to "severe legal consequences" for those Alex Lister added: "It's terrible that a swan that had reached such a ripe old age should have their life ended in such a senseless way. "As a wildlife charity it is our job to protect and conserve wildlife and we are furious that this has happened at all, let alone in what's meant to be a safe and tranquil place to enjoy nature." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
