Goose Festival!!

           Come and join us for a week of Goose festivities at Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve!!

GOOSE GALA - 21st and 23rd October - 11am - 2pm. Come to the Window on Wild Lindisfarne building on Holy Island where we will have lots of information about the Geese that spend the winter here. There will also be lots of goose related fun and games for all the family.

DAWN CHORUS - 29th, 31st October and 2nd November - 7am - 9am. We will have staff and volunteers stationed at the Budle Bay platform along the white railings at the crack of dawn to view the spectacular flight of wintering geese as they leave their overnight roost to head to feeding grounds. Marvel at the sight and sounds of thousands of geese flying above your head. It is an amazing way to start the day!

GOOSE WATCH - 30th October and 1st November - 11am - 2pm. If the early morning is not your thing, you can join staff and volunteers at Harpers Heugh overlooking Budle Bay to view thousands of birds utilising the bay and surrounding farmland. Get great views with the provided telescopes and binoculars as well as expert knowledge.

                                                   Locations of events around Budle Bay

All events are free and don't require any booking.

Celebrating 60 years of Lindisfarne NNR - Festival Of Nature - 26th August

Looking for something to do on the bank holiday?

Come join the team from Lindisfarne NNR for a hunt around Holy Island, complete your question sheet and return for a prize.

Shorebird season update

It has been a really busy time for the Shorebirds on the Reserve. Little Terns and Ringed Plovers have been raising young for the past few weeks now and many of the chicks are now well on their way to fledgling. However, this is still an incredibly critical time for them as they become even more vulnerable instead of less.  Small chicks running around are more likely to draw the attention of predators such as Crows, Kestrels and Foxes amongst others. The chicks are also now freely roaming outside the netted areas and have resulted in us restricting access to the foreshore in certain areas to allow them time and space to feed and roost. It is incredibly important to give the birds this space as many have to make huge migrations to there wintering grounds to Africa and beyond. This is also true of the chicks whose first long flights might take them thousands of miles away from where they bred on the shores of the Reserve.

Little Tern chick. Can you spot it?

Fledgling Little Terns have been using the foreshore

Early indications are that it has been a good season. Despite the cool, wet start to spring and summer the tides have been kind and there was no tidal innundation of any of the nesting sites. We will give a full round up with all the breeding numbers at the end of the season

Poster you will see out and about on the Reserve

Fulmar Watch cancelled

 Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances the Fulmar watch that was scheduled for Saturday 13th July is cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience caused

Shorebird Season Starts

 

Over the last week the NNR team have been out putting up protective fencing around the reserve - Goswick, Ross Sands and Holy Island. We experienced sun, bitterly cold wind and hail. Over 200 posts have been erected at Goswick alone! 

The fenced areas provide a refuge area where Ringed Plover and Little Tern can feed, rest and breed in safety. The fences are a barrier to predators and also stop visitors from trampling on camouflaged nests.

There is currently no access beyond the Wide Open on Ross Back Sands to the Beacon, there are many Ringed Plovers on nests and this is also an important area for roosting waders and resting seals. Staff will be on-site and more than happy to show you the wildlife around.

Shorebird Awareness Festival!

 

Come and join us for a fantastic week of events highlighting the Shorebirds on the Reserve and the beginning of the breeding season. Find out all about how the different species breed, what we do on the Reserve to protect them and how you can help these red listed species come back from the brink.

WE ARE HIRING - Shorebird and Engagement Assistant Rangers

Contract: Fixed Term 1st May – 31st August

Location: Based at Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, Northumberland

Hours: 37.5 hours per week on rota and will include weekends and bank holidays

Salary: £23,108 pro rata

Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve is one of the most important sites for breeding shorebirds in north-east England covering 65km of coastline. This is an exciting opportunity to help protect this internationally important site through the education of visitors and extensive monitoring and management of nesting shorebirds across the Reserve.

Criteria:

• Knowledge of UK shorebird ecology and survey methods is beneficial but not essential; full training will be given. A keen eye for detail is more important.
• Personable and strong communication skills are vital – engaging with members of the public to improve their understanding of the Shorebird Protection Scheme and the associated sensitivities as well as ensuring that every visitor you meet is aware of and following the NNR bylaws.
• Initiative and flexibility – willingness to work outside in all conditions and adapt to quick changing situations.
• Due to the size of the site having a driving licence and access to your own car is desirable.
• Post holder will often be working alone in remote locations and so will be expected to adhere to strict health and safety protocols.

   
For more information please ring the Reserve office on 01289 381470 or email Andrew.craggs@naturalengland.org.uk

To apply for the role please send a CV and covering letter to Andrew.craggs@naturalengland.org.uk

This project is supported by EU Life funding: LIFE20NAT/UK/000277