Northumberland Coast Conservation Team

02/03/2026

07/01/2026

The Northumberland Coast National Landscape is excited to share an important update about the future of Warkworth Dunes. In the coming weeks, fencing will be installed across parts of the dunes to prepare for grazing cattle to return in the autumn. Read more here https://www.northumberlandcoast-nl.org.uk/news/fencing-coming-soon-warkworth-dunes

Photo by Dru Dodd

21/10/2025

This is Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia Palustrisa), also known as bog star or star flower, it is a little native plant but is now classed as nationally “vulnerable”. On the Northumberland coast its population is rapidly decreasing. We have recently located them surviving along the cliffsides at Sugar Sands, although they are in danger of disappearing due to shading out from more vigorous grasses.

There is also a special story in relation to this flower which is linked to the ancestry of Howick Hall.

Sue, Sheila, Jo and Alli joined us to help carefully to w**d out around these special plants so that they can get the space, light and nutrients they need to allow a good population to develop and thrive in the dunes. To thrive not just survive! We are looking foward to spring to return and survey these beautiful plants when in flower.

It was a beautiful day on the coast, a most enjoyable session!

21/10/2025

Thanks to our team who came out to RAF Boulmer to support Joanne Bevan, RAF Conservation Officer and the Squadrons on their ongoing pond restoration project. We were gently hand pulling the abundance of grasses and foliage, then leaving on the side of the pond for any wildlife to re-enter the water. Essential work to nurture the small colony of Great Crested Newts identified in the pond last year.

Joanne and her team treat us to a fascinating presentation giving us insight into the national and international importance of their operations, and also the developing Bee Hive project on their nature reserve. Brilliant work by all involved to increase biodiversity on the Operations Site on the peripherary of our National Landscape.

And no one fell in!

25/09/2025

The Northumberland Coast Conservation Team had a busy summer, particularly over the breeding season. Partnership working with Space for Shorebirds, English Heritage and the National Trust will continue this winter.

There's lots planned for the colder seasons, including practical tasks such as coppicing, hedge laying and beach cleans. Working in all weathers to help look after this protected landscape for everyone to enjoy, Conservation Team volunteers have completed 54 beach cleans during 2025 so far.

In total, 23 out of 26 beaches in the National Landscape (running between the Coquet Estuary at Amble to just below Berwick-upon-Tw**d) have been cleaned this year to date, and 3,390kg of weighable waste has been removed.

A huge thank you to all of our volunteers for their incredible efforts.

(Image by Dru Dodd)

hashtag hashtag hashtag

08/09/2025

Northumberland Coast Conservation Team volunteers have been using traditional haymaking techniques at Embleton Quarry Nature Reserve. This promotes greater species diversity in the grassland as well as providing fodder for the ponies who graze here in the winter. The site is becoming a haven for many species of plants, birds and other wildlife.

Funding from Defra programme Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) has also been used to help enhance and restore habitat at the site in recent years.

There are two friendly goats here too, who are great at helping to control scrub. By dispersing seeds through their droppings and selectively grazing on woody plants, habitat structure and biodiversity is enhanced.

01/09/2025

Northumberland Coast Conservation Team volunteers have been working hard to build and install bee homes at locations in and around the Northumberland Coast National Landscape.

The bee homes are designed to provide ideal nesting sites for solitary bees, such as the leafcutter and red mason bees, who are in serious decline, partly due to habitat loss. These bees are important and efficient pollinators that can visit many flowers per minute.

The homes will hopefully be used by bees next spring - we'll keep you posted on their progress!

(With special thanks to volunteer Shona Alexander for the brilliant first image)

19/08/2025

Northumberland Coast Conservation Team volunteers walk the Northumberland Coast Path every summer, enjoying its six stages. These brilliant pictures by volunteer Nick Roper capture stage three, the beautiful route from Craster to Seahouses.

Some volunteers have been getting their Northumberland Coast Path passports stamped along the way too. While walking the route, your Northumberland Coast Path Passport can be stamped by the accommodation where you spend a night, the places that you eat and drink at, or the shops you buy a souvenir in. A stamp from these welcome ports is a memento of a stay at a brilliant B&B or a tasty ice cream along the way. Order yours at Northumberlandcoast-nl.org.uk.

Are you planning to walk the Northumberland Coast Path soon?

All images by Nick Roper.

05/08/2025

The number of hours recorded by Conservation Team volunteers has now exceeded those seen at this time last year. These hard-working volunteers have logged a whopping 5,000 hours of work between them since January.

Lending their support to partners including Space for Shorebirds, English Heritage and the National Trust, this all-weather effort emphasises the importance of teamwork. Led by National Landscape Volunteer Officer Emma Wilson, Northumberland Coast Conservation Team volunteers make a vital contribution in looking after this area for present and future generations to enjoy.

A big thank you to each and every volunteer and lead volunteer for the difference you make to this protected landscape!

(Photo by Dru Dodd)