Writing for Northumberland Wildlife Trust

For the select few readers of this blog who also follow me on social media, you may have noticed that I recently volunteered my services as a would-be nature writer to Northumberland Wildlife Trust. With the organisation, following a couple of very friendly and supportive meetings, gladly accepting my offer.

For the foreseeable future, I will be contributing regular blog posts to the NWT website under a self-titled column; one focused entirely on the wonderful sights to be seen around my home county. Hopefully, highlighting the wealth of wildlife to be seen at Wildlife Trust sites around the region – with over 60 to choose from, I may well be busy – but also giving mention to accessibility. All in the hope of encouraging people to get out and about and visit the sites that have enthralled me since childhood. Stay tuned for posts regarding Druridge Pools and East Chevington, sites most regional naturalists know very well, but also writing regarding less publicised sites – hidden gems such as Big Waters, Prestwick Carr and Holywell Pond. My first post, centred on Northumberlandia, can be found here.

While writing for the blog, I will also be contributing articles to the trusts regional magazine: Roebuck. A fantastic document released quarterly to NWT members which touches upon everything from local conservation to seasonal wildlife. I am, of course, very excited to contribute to the magazine, and my posts here will take a similar tone to the above; focussed on the wildlife to be seen on NWT reserves. The only difference, in this case, being a greater focus on more elusive or underappreciated species – butterflies, moths, beetles and botanicals.

I am very grateful to the trust for the chance to better my writing skills and, of course, am delighted at the exposure set to be gained from such. More importantly, however, I am thrilled to find myself actively promoting my own region and its fantastic wildlife. At the very least, I hope that someone, somewhere, will be encouraged to experience a new place or a seek out a new species as a result. Who knows!

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James Common

A botanist and invertebrate enthusiast from North East England

5 thoughts on “Writing for Northumberland Wildlife Trust”

  1. Tony – England – I love life. I wish to fathom what makes our natural world tick and how and why species interact the way they do. We need to cherish our natural world and not plunder it. Amongst all my differing interests, I would include blogging, participating in citizen science, ornithology, scientific study of biodiversity, climate change activities and so much more. The list goes on.
    Tony says:

    Apologies, James, as I haven’t made it past your first paragraph as I type this, but you state you are a “would-be nature writer”, I beg to differ, you are no wannabe or would-be?

    I’ll now read on.

    Best Wishes

    Tony

    Reply

    1. Hi Tony, thanks for the supportive comment! Still very much striving to get where I want to be and do feel a little like a “wannabe” at times. Perhaps I should be a little ore confident, however… 🙂 James.

      Reply
  2. ntbathskyline – Hi there! My name is Alice and I’m the new volunteer trainee countryside ranger here at the Bath Skyline. In 2015, I graduated from a bachelors and integrated masters in Zoology from University College London where I studied a wide range of biological disciplines, focusing on ecology, conservation and entomology. After my second year of university I undertook an internship that took me to North East China for two months, where I collected samples of ground beetles (Carabidae) across various stands of secondary woodland for a research project looking at indicator species for climate change. I spent the third year of my degree studying at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver where I was able to follow my particular interest in insects; studying their taxonomy, physiology and ecology. I remained in Vancouver for an extra couple of months to work as a field assistant on a project looking at the population dynamics of the Western Tent Caterpillar in the lower mainland of British Columbia. Returning to London for my masters year, I continued my education in ecology and conservation and carried out a research project at Queen Mary University of London in bumblebee behavioural ecology, looking at the effects of dietary nicotine on the foraging behaviour of the common social bee, Bombus terrestris. I spent the following year and a half working on short-term contracts as a tree surveyor for the Forestry Commission, surveying oak trees across Greater London and Surrey for the caterpillars of an invasive insect pest, the oak processionary moth. During this period, I fortified my own conviction that, while I find academic research very fascinating, I much prefer to be observing nature in its native, wild habitat rather than studying it through experimental research. I decided that I wanted to take a more hands on approach to building, maintaining and protecting healthy habitats for our wildlife. As a young person, I always loved to be outside and I grew up in an environment that encouraged lots of outdoor activities such as wild camping, nature walks, and bushcraft. All of this was essential to my development as a young person and in my learning to truly love and respect nature. I believe that everyone should have a similar access to safe, fun, wild outdoor learning environments in which they can be more interactive with nature. I think that, today, one of the most important aspects of conservation is public engagement and education so that we can learn to enjoy our natural spaces and wildlife while also respecting and protecting it. I chose to work with the National Trust because I feel that they are not only dedicated to wildlife conservation but also to facilitating these kinds of learning environments for people of all ages. I am excited to begin my training in countryside management and conservation with the National Trust and am very grateful for the opportunity to do so. I would like to share this journey with you in stories and pictures in the hope that it will not only intrigue and entertain but also inspire more people to get out into the wild outdoors, whether to learn, volunteer, or just to go for a lovely walk, and to appreciate all of the beauty and wonder that nature has to offer.
    ntbathskyline says:

    Such an great opportunity, how exciting for you. You’re an excellent writer – I have been very much enjoying your posts and will continue to do so! Im looking forward to reading your NTW blog too – see how the landscape and wildlife differs from ours down here at the Bath Skyline!
    Keep up the good work.
    Best wishes,
    Alice

    Reply

  3. Hi James,
    Saw you on Countryfile and you made such an impression that I Googled you. I now get your blog.Looking forward to what’s coming. Keep up your writing and encouraging the children to get into nature. It’s an amazing world.
    One hint if I may. It may sound a big picky but may I suggest to you that you proofread your writing and blogs. It looks quite professional when presented.
    Keep up the good work,
    Don

    Reply

    1. Hi Don,

      Thank you for the kind comment. Stemming from a background in the field, as opposed to writing, my skills are developing as I go. I try to proofread as I go but often mistakes slip through. I don’t see this as a terribly bad thing but aim to fix this wherever possible. I will, of course, take your advice on board. James.

      Reply

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