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!