Nature Reserve
With winter approaching, we’ve started feeding the birds in the two feeding stations and will continue until May next year. Following current advice from the RSPB, we have removed the bird food tables to help reduce the spread of bird flu. Redwings and fieldfares have started to arrive from northern Europe. Many of the blackbirds we see in the winter are also from the continent. The weather has been relatively mild.and there is still plenty of natural food around. But already chaffinches, goldfinches, long-tailed tits and greenfinches are making use of the feeders. These days they are often joined by rose-ringed parakeets which are very colourful but very noisy! The jury is out on what impact they might have on native birds as their numbers increase. Even more colourful kingfishers that can be seen from the Alex West Hide on most days along with herons, occasional little egrets, moorhens and mallards. A pair of wigeon turned up recently, along with two woodcock. Watching wildlife from the hides is a bit like meditation. It’s very relaxing. A key for the hides, which also opens four other hides in Gateshead, costs £5. Contact Gordon on 0746302571.
Once again we are very fortunate to have Richard Barnes and the Northumbria Ringing Group visiting the reserve this winter demonstrating how they catch and ring birds. They will be based at the Woodland Hide on the first Saturday of the month between 9 and 11 am, weather permitting, until April. Next demonstration, Saturday December 5th. All welcome!
Roe deer are frequently seen in the Reserve. Groups of up to five have been seen this year. They seem to be less wary of people than in the past..Dave Howdon captured this picture with a camera trap.
Moths don’t get the same attention as butterflies. Dave Howdon led a fascinating moth trapping session for the Nature Club in September. The children and their parents were amazed by the many colours, shapes and sizes of our moths. Thanks Dave. And thank you to Penny and Colin for the use of their garden.
We’ve got some extra help this autumn: Many thanks to Alison and Claire for the loan of their horses, Hugo and Duke, to graze the paddock for a few weeks. It means a bit less for us to cut and rake.and is much appreciated.
Children’s Nature Club
The Clara Vale children’s nature club meets once a month on Sunday mornings. We usually meet in the nature reserve where we explore and observe all that is growing and living there. Sometimes we gather in the community orchard and in autumn we sweep leaves in the Centenary garden.
Over the past year we have focused on trees. We explored tree seeds and nuts; we learnt to identify trees; we learnt about conservation and the importance of trees. By June 2026, thirteen children had achieved their Green Tree Badges so we held an award celebration in the village hall. In true Clara Vale tradition, there was lots of tea and cake!
Our sessions are planned around seasonal changes and connecting with nature. Parents stay and engage in the activities alongside their children. We always make time to gather together in a circle to enjoy a story or poem before we go home.
When we recommenced in September, we were excited to welcome several new families. Nature club is for all Clara Vale children aged 4-11. If you would like to find out more get in touch with Rose on 07934869548.
Apple Day
What a pleasure it was to witness the celebration of Apple Day this year.
The orchard was established to celebrate the millennium, an idea from the late Tony Tynan of West View, who sought permission to use the derelict land and the grant aiding to support the venture. Many village residents who were around at the time will remember the mammoth task of clearing the area, and when the humans had done as much as they could manage, two Saddleback pigs from Bill Quay Community Farm came to finish the job, rootling through the undergrowth in impressive style. They were even supplied with a wallow pit by the local Fire Brigade to cool them off on hot summer days.
Since then, the orchard has gone from strength to strength, with additional trees, a wonderful bug hotel created by the children’s Nature Club, a pond full of wild life and an abundance of fruit.
It was a joyful sound to hear the procession of village residents approaching the orchard on a stunning autumn day to enjoy making the fruit juice and fritters and celebrate our wonderful orchard.
An amazing legacy Tony. Thank You.
We always welcome extra help ….
If you would like to help look after the Reserve and learn zero-carbon meadow mowing using a scythe and how to coppice, contact Don on 07709820907, or Gordon on 07946302571. No previous experience needed.
If you would like to make a donation to the Conservation Group towards running costs (bird food, tools etc) our bank details are:
Lloyds Bank, Sort code 30-19-54. A/c no. 01477367. Thank you.
