`Do One Thing` for wildlife.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to help wildlife. Here are our suggestions as to how you can help nature in Gateshead.
1) Be inspired … by Gateshead’s Breathing Places
Gateshead Council cares for over 30 Country Parks, Local Nature Reserves and Sites of Nature Conservation Importance. These woodlands, wetlands and wildflower meadows are packed with wildlife and most are just a bus ride away.
For more information download ‘Gateshead’s Countryside’ leaflet
2) Learn something new
Whether going on a Bat Walk, a Fungus Foray or a Mini-beast Safari you can always learn something new about wildlife. The Council runs a programme of over 100 wildlife events throughout the year and most are free or cost just £1. At our events Countryside Rangers and Officers are always willing to answer your wildlife questions.
You can download the ‘Outdoor Events’ leaflet
3) Discover wildlife... at the library
Get inspiration and advice on how to 'do One Thing' by visiting your local library - ask the librarian for advice on wildlife books and guides. You can also visit Whickham Library's Community Wildlife Garden. Tel 0191 433 6101.
4) Look up to the Red Kites
Go and see these magnificent birds in the wild in the northeast of England.
5) Spot the first signs of Spring … and Autumn
And send your records to Springwatch and Autumnwatch.
When people first started recording the signs of ‘nature’s calendar’ or phenology, no one knew just how useful this information was going to be, that was until global warming!
6) Survey your patch
Choose a favourite spot in your local area and try to identify all the plants and animals you see there. Record your findings at the Hancock Museum’s Exploring Your Environment web site at
7) Download FREE excellent wildlife gardening guides
Natural England has produced some brilliant free guides which can be downloaded at
8) Plant a Tree…. or a shrub, or a climber in a tub.
Trees in gardens help wildlife by providing food and shelter. But anything you can do, in your back yard or local area, to increase the number of different habitats found eg longer grass, boggy areas, wetlands or to improve the different heights or structures of plants in your garden, ie mature trees, shrubs, climbers, tall and shorter plants, will help wildlife.
Bare rooted native trees, as small whips, can be bought very cheaply (under £2) from northeast tree nurseries for planting in winter. Good suitable smaller native trees include species like hawthorn, crab apple and hazel.
9) Feed (and water) the Birds….
Grow trees, shrubs and flowers which provide seeds and berries for birds to feed on. In winter dig over an area of bare ground to help birds like robins look for insects.
When it comes to putting food out for the birds – this is now encouraged all year around. Birds certainly need a lot of energy when they are caring for their young. Once you start feeding the birds, don’t stop as they will come to depend on you! To get as many different species of birds into your garden see
Birds also need water for drinking and bathing, especially in winter if ponds are frozen – an old bin lid (if you can find one) makes an ideal bird bath!
Nut Allergies!
If feeding peanuts ensure they are behind a mesh otherwise the peanuts can choke baby birds. Peanuts should also be from a reputable source as the fungus found on some is poisonous to birds. Mesh bags should not be used because they may damage bird’s feet!
10) …. And the Butterflies
Help insects by providing food - nectar and pollen (ie flowers) for as long as possible in the year. This means growing flowers like aubrieta in early spring and plants like sedums in late autumn. Simple, old cottage garden plants which are easy for insect to get into are better sources of nectar then more complex highly bred flowers.
11) Build a Bird Box
See www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/nestboxes| or join one of our events in February
12) Build a Bug Hotel
Leave a pile of rotting logs for insects to live on. Leave piles of leaves under your hedge and leave an area of grass a little longer. This does not just help insects to live and survive winter but other animals like voles and hedgehogs as well. At last a perfect excuse for not being so tidy minded in the garden – tell your neighbours you are helping wildlife!
13) Go organic …. In the garden
Pesticides, Biocides do what they say on the tin, they kill things. What do you think happens to a song thrush or a hedgehog that eats a slug pellet?
Can your cabbages and hosta’s not stand a bit of munching for the sake of wildlife? Consider biological control first by building a habitat for animals that like to eat slugs....
14) Build a Pond
One of the most significant things you can do to encourage wildlife into your garden is to build a pond. Make sure you have a shallow end where frogs can easily exit and leave an area of long grass for them to live. And don’t add ornamental fish (or ducks) or they will eat your mini-beasts!
15) Ban Peat!
Commercial peat extraction has damaged fragile, wild habitats so buy peat free compost, or make your own!
16) Save the Rainforests!
Make sure that lovely new seating or decking didn’t come from a tropical rainforest. Avoid tropical hardwoods and look out for the Forest Stewardship Council logo for timber sourced from well managed forests.
17) Join a Wildlife Charity
Such as Durham Wildlife Trust which manages several wildlife reserves in the area.
18) Become a Gateshead Countryside Volunteer
If you are over 18 and would like to get stuck into really making a difference for wildlife in Gateshead, while learning new skills, meeting new people and having a really worthwhile and enjoyable time see
Or ring Jayne Calvert on 0191 433 3524
19) Join a Community Nature Conservation Group
Like the Friends of Blaydon Burn. If you would like to become a Friend of Blaydon Burn ring Lee Rankin on 0191 433 3525
20) Or form your own conservation group
For information on constitutions, funding and other advice on starting or running a community group contact Gateshead Voluntary Organisations Council at
For technical information contact Clare Ross on 0191 433 3443.
21) Pass it on….to the Next Generation
Children can learn a love and appreciation of wildlife. Show them how fascinating and wonderful the little creatures are (spiders, woodlice and snails etc) that hold up our life support systems and the whole web-of-life; if you do then the big creatures (red kites, tigers etc) will have a much brighter future.