Natural History Society of Northumbria

Call Directions Website

Natural History Society of Northumbria Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Natural History Society of Northumbria, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Inspiring wonder in the natural world, from the Tees to the Tweed, since 1829 🏛️🌿

We protect and manage Gosforth Nature Reserve and, from our home at the Great North Museum: Hancock, help everyone discover and care for North East nature.

A big thank you to Co-Navigate! 💚🌿This week, we welcomed a couple of team members from Co-Navigate to Gosforth Nature Re...
16/10/2026

A big thank you to Co-Navigate! 💚🌿

This week, we welcomed a couple of team members from Co-Navigate to Gosforth Nature Reserve, where they rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into some practical conservation work.

Looking after a nature reserve takes plenty of teamwork, and we're always grateful for the people who give their time to help wildlife thrive.

Thank you both for your hard work and enthusiasm. We hope you enjoyed getting stuck in at GNR!

Join us for a pond wildlife survey this Saturday! 🐸We’re teaming up with Friends of Denton Dene to survey the wildlife p...
15/10/2026

Join us for a pond wildlife survey this Saturday! 🐸

We’re teaming up with Friends of Denton Dene to survey the wildlife ponds and woods in Denton Dene. We'll be recording the plants, invertebrates and with any luck a few amphibians!

Whether you’re an experienced naturalist or simply curious, you’re very welcome to join in.

📅 Saturday 17 October, 1.30 to 3.30 pm
📍 Meet at the path junction by the ponds in Denton Dene South, NE15 7HB (what3words ///dive.study.slices)

Our free NHSN and 1829 Talks start next Monday! 🌿Join us at Newcastle University’s Curtis Auditorium every Monday evenin...
14/10/2026

Our free NHSN and 1829 Talks start next Monday! 🌿

Join us at Newcastle University’s Curtis Auditorium every Monday evening from 19 October to 7 December for a new season of NHSN and 1829 Talks. Whether you’re curious about dragonflies, bats, Waxcaps or rewilding, there’s something for everyone.

Doors open at 6pm, with talks starting at 18:29 🌱

Jack Snipe spotted at Gosforth Nature Reserve! 📸NHSN member Brian Rutter recently spotted a Jack Snipe at Gosforth Natur...
12/10/2026

Jack Snipe spotted at Gosforth Nature Reserve! 📸

NHSN member Brian Rutter recently spotted a Jack Snipe at Gosforth Nature Reserve, a lovely find for the .

Smaller and even more secretive than the Common Snipe, Jack Snipe visit the UK in winter. Their superb camouflage helps them stay hidden among wet grassland and marsh vegetation, making them surprisingly difficult to spot.

A great record of one of the more elusive visitors to our wetland habitats 💚

Waxcaps are waking up! 🍄After a quiet start to the season, waxcaps are finally beginning to appear across the North East...
12/10/2026

Waxcaps are waking up! 🍄

After a quiet start to the season, waxcaps are finally beginning to appear across the North East. Here are three exciting finds shared with us last week.

Crimson Waxcap – a striking, deep-red species, listed as Vulnerable on the Global Fungal Red List and associated with high-quality grassland.

Scarlet Waxcap – a real splash of colour in the grassland, with its vivid red cap making it one of our most eye-catching waxcaps.

Oily Waxcap – another lovely find as more waxcaps begin to appear this autumn.

Have you spotted any waxcaps? Help us discover where they grow across the region by sharing your sightings as part of the .

📱 Find out more and record your sightings: https://ow.ly/xaSg50ZWIk7

11/10/2026

What is the Ouse Burn Wildlife Corridor, and why does it matter? 🐾🌳

From Gosforth Nature Reserve to the heart of urban Newcastle, the is home to an incredible variety of wildlife. But why is connecting these habitats so important, and how can we help wildlife thrive across the wider landscape?

Find out why the corridor matters, discover some of the wildlife living on your doorstep, and learn how you can get involved in recording the species that call the Ouse Burn Way home.

A huge thank you to the Reece Foundation for making all of this work possible! Find out more: https://www.nhsn.org.uk/ouse-burn-way/

10/10/2026

A tree that trembles in the breeze 🌳

Aspen is one of our native trees, and it’s almost impossible to miss when its leaves are moving. Its rounded, toothed leaves are held on long, flattened stalks, allowing them to twist and flutter in even the slightest breeze.

In the latest video from our tree trail series, NHSN Ouse Burn Naturalist, James, takes a closer look at Aspen and the features that can help you identify it.

One to watch for next time you’re exploring the 👣

A scarce winter visitor on our coast! 🐦A pair of Shore Larks has been spotted enjoying a winter break at Frenchman's Bay...
08/10/2026

A scarce winter visitor on our coast! 🐦

A pair of Shore Larks has been spotted enjoying a winter break at Frenchman's Bay in South Shields.

Shore Larks breed in the far north of Europe and only a small number reach Britain each winter, usually along the east coast. They're easy to recognise when showing well, with a pale yellow face and throat, a bold black mask and bib, and tiny black "horns" on its head.

📸 A huge thank you to Brian Rutter and Sam Hambly for these amazing photos!

Fancy more winter birding? Join NHSN Naturalist Matthew Harrison for a free walk around St Mary's Island on Friday 13 November, 1 to 3 pm.

🦆 Book your place:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/search-for-the-purple-sandpiper-tickets-2002624393470

Another new ladybird for North East England! 🐞Hot on the heels of the recent Bristly Ladybird discovery, NHSN Naturalist...
05/10/2026

Another new ladybird for North East England! 🐞

Hot on the heels of the recent Bristly Ladybird discovery, NHSN Naturalist Matthew Harrison has found another new species for the region: the tiny Ivy Ladybird at Jesmond Old Cemetery.

At just 1.5–2 mm long, this easily overlooked ladybird is associated with Ivy, where it feeds on scale insects and can be found throughout the year.

Two new ladybirds for the North East in two weeks! A great reminder of how much there is still to discover, even in familiar urban places.

📸 If you spot a ladybird in the North East, share your sighting with the .

03/10/2026

An Ash with a difference... 🌳🍃

Narrow-leaved Ash is one of the more unusual trees found along the Ouse Burn. Unlike our familiar Common Ash, it isn’t native to Britain and has much finer foliage, with long, narrow leaves.

In the latest video from our tree trail, NHSN Ouse Burn Naturalist, James, takes a closer look at this less familiar ash and the features that help you recognise it.

Address

Barras Bridge
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE24PT

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

0191 208 2790

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Natural History Society of Northumbria posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share