About This Course

Course tutor: Mark Welfare

Course length: 6x trips, April-July 2026. Please check the program below.

Course structure: Six field sessions at different locations.

Course cost: £100 NHSN Members / £120 Non-Members

The River Wansbeck runs for approximately 50 km, from above Sweethope Lough to its mouth at the sea in Cambois. This course explores the wide variety of habitats within the river’s drainage system and the wildlife they support.

Participants will have the opportunity to observe and learn about the birds, invertebrates, and plants that are associated with these habitats. There will be a particular focus on dragonflies, bees, hoverflies, and butterflies, with likely highlights including Banded Demoiselle, Southern Hawker, and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, as well as scarce plants such as Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem and a variety of orchids. A wide range of bird species may be encountered, including Redstart, Dipper, Goshawk, and Osprey – and, with a little luck, even otter.

The course will also examine how geology, human activity, and history have shaped the Wansbeck and its surrounding landscapes. Habitats visited may include upland moorland and grassland, forestry plantation, a limestone quarry, the river itself with its various modifications, still waters such as Sweethope Lough, ancient woodland, the urban fringe, and the tidal zone.

A full programme, including meeting points and exact times, will be shared ahead of the course starting. All trips will start at either 10am or 11am and last until 1pm or 2pm.

For key dates, please see below.

Course Programme

• Morpeth to Mitford – Monday 20 April
• Wansbeck Riverside Park (Sheepwash to Sea) – Monday 18 May
• Morpeth to Bothal – Monday 7 June
• Greenleighton Quarry – Monday 15 June
• Angerton to Middleton – Monday 22 June
• Sweethope Lough – Monday 13 July

Accessibility

Many trips are planned with accessibility in mind and include areas of flat, even walking. However, some excursions will involve uneven ground, rough terrain, or steps, and at times we may cover several miles in a single session. While several sites are accessible by public transport, many will require personal transport. Parking is available at or near all locations, and car-sharing will be encouraged wherever possible. In most places, there are no toilet facilities

Additional Information

Questions (and identification queries) are welcome at any time by emailing james.common@newcastle.ac.uk.

Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.

Recommended Equipment:

During this course we will observe fauna and flora – bring botany lens and relevant book and binoculars if you possess them – although they are not necessary they will increase your enjoyment. A small camera or phone helps record and identify things using apps such as Obsidentify. The leader will also carry appropriate materials.

About the tutor:

Mark is a generalist naturalist and worked as a medical educator. He is passionate about the Wansbeck and biological recording locally.

About This Course

Course Tutor: James Common

Start Date: Thursday 30 April, 11 am-2 pm

Course Length: 1 Session

Location: Atlee Park carpark, Bedlington, NZ265813, theory.ropes.blatantly

Please ignore the automatic location given by Eventbrite. Find a grid reference: https://gridreferencefinder.com

Course cost: £7.50 NHSN Members / £10 Non-Members

Ancient woodlands can often be recognised by the presence of certain special plants known as Ancient Woodland Indicators. These plants vary from region to region, but across the UK, they provide vital clues that help us distinguish old woods from new. As a rule of thumb, the more species you spot, the richer and more valuable the woodland is.

In this beginner-friendly trip, we will explore one of Northumberland’s ancient woodlands, learning how to identify key species found in long-established woods and other plants regularly encountered in this interesting and beautiful habitat.

This session will include:

• An introduction to AWI species, with a focus on Northumberland

• Key identification features of common and scarce woodland plants

• Hands-on development of practical botanical skills in the field

In the event of poor weather, every effort will be taken to reschedule missed sessions.

Accessibility

Most trips are planned to include areas of flat, even walking. However, some visits may involve uneven ground, rough terrain, or steps. Parking is available at or close to all sites.

These field courses are designed to be chatty, friendly, and informal and are suitable for beginners, as well as for botanists looking to visit interesting places as part of a group.

Additional Information

Questions (and identification queries) are welcome at any time by emailing james.common@newcastle.ac.uk.

Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.

Recommended Equipment:

If you have one, please do bring a hand lens. Walking boots and a waterproof jacket are also recommended.

About the tutor:

James works as Senior Naturalist at NHSN. Outside of work, he is a passionate wildlife recorder with a focus on botany and invertebrates. As a botanist, he is a joint BSBI Vice-County Recorder for North Northumberland and an iRecord verifier for South Northumberland.

Essential Information

Course tutor: Gemma Gee

Course length: 1 session, Thursday 30 April, 10.00 am- 12.00 pm

Course structure: Field course

Meeting Point: Nelson Village, S Nelson Rd, Cramlington NE23 1WF, UK What3Words: https://what3words.com/tangling.subject.dweller

Notes on Accessibility: The route is over grass and through woodland. It is all level, but for most of the route, there is no formal path. The location is about a 15-minute walk from Cramlington train station, and there is on-street parking available at the meeting point.

Please note: please use the meeting instructions above, not those generated automatically via Eventbrite.

Course cost: £15 NHSN Members / £20 Non-Members

About this course

Come along to a Foraging and Herbal Medicine workshop and begin your own wild medicine journey! Explore the incredible abundance of wild herbs as we walk the land behind Nelson Village, an extensive area of woodland, meadow and hedgerows in Cramlington. This course is designed for complete beginners who are looking for an introduction to wild medicinal herbs, their benefits and how to use them.

What to Expect

🌱We’ll look at foraging basics, how to research and identify wild edibles, how to find them and best practices for gathering.

🌱How to forage safely and within the law.

🌱You will learn how to correctly identify around 10-12 wild medicinal herbs.

🌱We’ll look at the medicinal benefits of the wild herbs we come across and why it’s important to know your own body.

🌱You’ll learn about a few of the ways in which herbs can be prepared and applied, as well as how to store herbs for long-term storage.

🌱 How to use some of these herbs to treat common ailments like coughs, colds, aches and pains. –

What to Bring

Please dress for the unpredictable British weather, and wear whatever footwear you feel comfortable in. At this time of year, please expect the paths to be muddy. Feel free to bring a notepad and pen if you want to take notes along the way.

About the tutor

Hello, I’m Gemma, a foraging instructor based in Cramlington, Northumberland. The Cramlington Forager was born after I fell down the rabbit hole that is foraging for wild edibles. I began offering local foraging courses to challenge the idea that you need to live deep in the countryside to enjoy foraging. Once you start to look closer at the small pockets of green spaces hiding in plain sight, you’ll wonder why you never saw it all before!

I offer information about local green spaces and try to show them in a new light. I share information on foraging for wild foods, as well as help identify other wild plants, flowers and trees, home-crafted recipes made using seasonal ingredients, herbal remedies, and folklore.

Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.

Overview

Course tutor: Gordon Port

Course length: 5 weeks, Tuesday 5 May – Tuesday 9 June, 10am-4pm

Course structure: 5 sessions, indoor/outdoor at Gosforth Nature Reserve

Course cost: £100 NHSN Members / £100 Non-Members

About This Course

Join Gordon Port for a new course exploring the identification of insects.

Identifying something as an insect is possible for most of us, but how do you narrow it down to family or even species? Why are things like woodlice not insects, and what is the real difference between a bee and a wasp?

In this course, we will explore how to identify some common groups of insects using identification guides and apps. The course runs over a six-week period in May and June, a prime time for finding insects.

This course will include:

· Key identification features of major insect orders

· How to identify some common insect species using guides

· How to use identification apps (and to judge if the results are correct)

· Guidance on using a range of keys and other identification guides

· Hands-on development of practical entomological skills in the field

Please bring weatherproof clothing and sturdy footwear.

Accessibility Information

Accessible toilets are available. Our Field Studies Room is fully wheelchair accessible, and there are accessible field sites available at Gosforth Nature Reserve.

Course Programme:

• Tuesday 5 May
• Tuesday 12 May
• Tuesday 19 May
• [One-week break]
• Tuesday 2 June
• Tuesday 9 June

Questions (and identification queries) are welcome at any time by emailing james.common@newcastle.ac.uk. Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.

About the tutor:

Gordon volunteers with NHSN and is fascinated by a wide range of invertebrates. He worked at Newcastle University and elsewhere studying invertebrates throughout his career, but now realises he has much more to learn.

Essential Information

Course tutor: David Noble-Rollin

Start date: Tuesday 5 May, 10 am-12 pm

Course length: 10 weekly sessions, 5x indoor sessions, 5x field trips.

Course structure: This is an online course held via Zoom. Please ensure you have the right system requirements for accessing Zoom before booking, as we have a no-refund policy.

Course cost: £110 NHSN Members / £125 Non-Members

About this course

This course will cover bird song and breeding behaviour of species living in the North East. Particular emphasis will be placed on the identification and interpretation of songs, calls and territory. There will be five field meetings, which will cover a wide range of habitats including visits to woodland areas, hill valleys and the coast. Indoor meetings will start at 10.00 am on Zoom.

Attendees will be sent a Zoom link ahead of the first session. If you are new to Zoom, you can find more information about using it on their website here. Information on field trips will be shared in each Zoom session.

Please note that David’s morning course is often well-subscribed. If you would prefer a smaller group size, please consider booking the afternoon course.

Level/Accessibility

Field trips will involve walking a moderate distance over rough or uneven ground. Toilet facilities will not be present at several sites. In the event of poor weather, trips to more remote sites will be rescheduled.

This is a continuation of a long-running course and is most suitable for those with an existing knowledge of birds. It may be most suitable for those who have attended the course in the past.

Recommended Equipment

Binoculars, waterproofs and sturdy walking boots.

_______________________

Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.

Essential Information

Course tutor: David Noble-Rollin

Start date: Tuesday 5 May, 1 pm-3 pm

Course length: 10 weekly sessions, 5x indoor sessions, 5x field trips.

Course structure: This is an online course held via Zoom. Please ensure you have the right system requirements for accessing Zoom before booking, as we have a no-refund policy.

Course cost: £110 NHSN Members / £125 Non-Members

About this course

This course will cover bird song and breeding behaviour of species living in the North East. Particular emphasis will be placed on the identification and interpretation of songs, calls and territory. There will be five field meetings, which will cover a wide range of habitats including visits to woodland areas, hill valleys and the coast. Indoor meetings will start at 1.00 pm on Zoom.

Attendees will be sent a Zoom link ahead of the first session. If you are new to Zoom, you can find more information about using it on their website here. Information on field trips will be shared in each Zoom session.

Level/Accessibility

Field trips will involve walking a moderate distance over rough or uneven ground. Toilet facilities will not be present at several sites. In the event of poor weather, trips to more remote sites will be rescheduled.

This is a continuation of a long-running course and is most suitable for those with an existing knowledge of birds. It may be most suitable for those who have attended the course in the past.

Recommended Equipment

Binoculars, waterproofs and sturdy walking boots.

_______________________

Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.

Overview

Course tutor: James Common

Course length: Feb-August 2026. Please check the shortened programme below*

Course structure: 11 field sessions at different locations across the North East

Course cost: £75 NHSN Members / £100 Non-Members

* A full programme, including meeting instructions, will be sent to all attendees via email or can be requested in advance by emailing james.common@newcastle.ac.uk.

About This Course

Since Victorian times and the days of Pteridomania (fern fever), ferns have fascinated botanists across Britain. While the Victorian craze for collecting ferns has thankfully faded, this diverse and intriguing group of plants continues to capture interest, not only for their beauty but also for the challenge of identification and, in many cases, their habit of growing in exceptionally scenic places.

Here in the North East, we are fortunate to have an unusually high diversity of fern species, especially compared with southern England. Searching for them can be a rewarding pursuit. Some species are tricky to identify, while many are refreshingly straightforward.

In this new field course, we will set out to discover the region’s fabulous ferns, exploring exciting and beautiful locations as we work to identify as many species as possible over the season. Some will test our skills, and others will be easier to spot. Whether you are keen to encounter new species, learn the basics, or delve deeper, this programme is designed to inspire curiosity, appreciation, and a lasting interest in ferns and their habitats. It will also provide a strong foundation to continue your fern journey in the future.

This course will include:

• Key identification features of common ferns
• An introduction to some rarer ferns and their habitats
• Tips on distinguishing distinctive species and more complicated groups
• Hands-on development of practical botanical skills in the field

Accessibility Information

Due to the tendency of ferns to grow in remote, often rocky and uneven places, a reasonable degree of fitness is required for some trips. In some areas, there will be uneven ground, steep inclines, and steps. Where this is the case, we will endeavour to travel at a steady pace, pausing if needed.

While several sites are accessible by public transport, many will require personal transport. Parking is available at or close to all sites. These field courses are designed to be chatty, friendly, and informal. They should suit both intermediate botanists keen to develop their skills and explore new locations, as well as enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of the region’s flora.

Trip Programme:

• Jesmond Dene, Newcastle – Friday 22 May, 10 am-1 pm
• Gosforth Nature Reserve, Newcastle – Friday 12 June, 10 am-1 pm
• Hareshaw Linn, Bellingham – Friday 3 July, 10 am-2 pm
• Blaydon Burn, Blaydon – Friday 17 July, 10 am-2 pm
• Cow Green, Upper Teesdale – Friday 31 July, 10 am-4 pm
• Hen Hole, The Cheviots – Friday 21 August, 10 am-3.30 pm

Questions (and identification queries) are welcome at any time by emailing james.common@newcastle.ac.uk. Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.

Recommended Equipment:

If you have one, please bring a hand lens. If you have a favourite ID guide, please bring it. I would recommend either the FSC fold-out guide to ferns or Britain’s Ferns by James Merryweather.

About the tutor:

James works as Senior Naturalist at NHSN. Outside of work, he is a passionate wildlife recorder with a focus on botany and invertebrates. As a botanist, he is a joint BSBI Vice-County Recorder for North Northumberland and an iRecord verifier for South Northumberland.

About This Course

Course tutor: James Common

Course length: 5x weekly field trips, June 2026. Please check the program below.

Course structure: Five field sessions at different locations

Course cost: £50 NHSN Members / £60 Non-Members

Grasses can seem daunting, with countless species waiting to be discovered across the North East. Despite this, on a typical walk, you are only likely to encounter around 40 of them. This field course introduces the identification of common, familiar grasses found in meadows, woods and urban spaces. We’ll learn to recognise distinctive families, untangle confusing groups, and discover what grasses can reveal about specific habitats, from ancient woodland to neutral grassland. With the help of cultivated specimens, we’ll also explore a few rarer but distinctive species worth looking out for across the region.

Throughout the programme, we’ll study a wide range of lowland grasses across four key habitats: urban areas, industrial land, neutral grassland and ancient woodland. Using simplified guides free of unnecessary jargon, we’ll practice identifying abundant species and explore how grasses help define their environments. By the end, participants can expect to have encountered around 40 of the most abundant grass species, and perhaps a few unusual ones too.

In the event of poor weather, every effort will be made to reschedule any missed sessions.

This course will include:

• Key identification features of common grasses
• An introduction to a few more specialised grasses
• Tips on distinguishing distinctive species and more complicated groups
• Hands-on development of practical botanical skills in the field.

Accessibility

While several sites are accessible by public transport, some trips will require personal transport. Parking is available at or close to all sites. These field courses are designed to be chatty, friendly, and informal. They should suit both intermediate botanists keen to develop their skills and explore new locations, as well as enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of the region’s flora.

Course Programme

Please note that a full course programme, including meeting points and key species to look for, will be shared before the course commences.

• Iris Brickfield Park, Heaton – Thursday 4 June, 10am-12.30pm
• Pottery Bank, Walker – Thursday 11 June, 10am-12.30pm
• Plessy Woods, Bedlington – Thursday 18 June, 11am-1.30pm
• Havannah Nature Reserve, nr Dinnington – Thursday 25 June, 11am-1.30pm
• Gosforth Nature Reserve, Gosforth – Thursday 2 July, 11am-1.30pm

Additional Information

Questions (and identification queries) are welcome at any time by emailing james.common@newcastle.ac.uk.

Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.

Recommended Equipment:

A hand lens, if you have one and stout walking boots.

About the tutor:

James works as Senior Naturalist at NHSN. Outside of work, he is a passionate wildlife recorder with a focus on botany and invertebrates. As a botanist, he is a joint BSBI Vice-County Recorder for North Northumberland and an iRecord verifier for South Northumberland.

Overview

Course tutor: Sammy Mason

Course length: 2 weeks, Sunday 21 June – Sunday 5 July, 10am-1pm

Course structure: 2 sessions, indoor/outdoor at Gosforth Nature Reserve

Course cost: £60 NHSN Members / £70 Non-Members

About This Course

Discover how to use camera traps to monitor UK mammals in this two-part practical course at Gosforth Nature Reserve.

You’ll learn the principles behind remote wildlife monitoring, how camera traps work, and how to choose the right settings and locations for capturing elusive species. You’ll then head out into the reserve to set up and deploy cameras in suitable habitats, gaining hands-on experience in positioning and settings to maximise your chances of capturing wildlife.

In the second session, you’ll review and classify your images and videos captured on your camera traps at the reserve. Using the MammalWeb citizen science platform, you’ll gain skills in identifying species, managing your data, and understanding behaviour from camera-trap footage. You’ll also learn about how to contribute valuable species data from camera traps to local and national monitoring programmes.

Accessibility Information

Accessible toilets are available. Our Field Studies Room is fully wheelchair accessible, though the locations visited to place cameras may not be fully accessible.

Questions (and identification queries) are welcome at any time by emailing james.common@newcastle.ac.uk. Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.

About the tutor:

Dr Sammy Mason is a trustee of MammalWeb, a charity aiming to improve mammal monitoring through the use of camera traps and citizen science. Sammy completed her PhD on the MammalWeb project, particularly focusing on estimating mammal densities using camera traps and evaluating the benefits of engagement with schools. She now works as a freelance facilitator on different projects connecting people to nature through participatory science and art.

About This Course

Course Tutor: James Common

Start Date: Thursday 23 July, 10 am-1 pm

Course Length: 1 Session

Location: Big Waters Country Park, carpark, NZ 22972 73235, minivans.hazy.glossed)

Please ignore the automatic location given by Eventbrite. Find a grid reference: https://gridreferencefinder.com

Course cost: £7.50 NHSN Members / £10 Non-Members

Willows (Salix) can be a daunting group. Many species look remarkably similar, and their tendency to hybridise often leads botanists to overlook them altogether. Fortunately, in the lowland areas of the North East, only about ten species and hybrids are regularly encountered.

In this session, we’ll aim to find and identify a range of these willows, and perhaps some common hybrids as well. Extra time will be set aside for practising identification skills in pairs or small groups.

This session will include:

• An introduction to 7-10 familar willow species and hybrids

• Key identification features of common willows

• Hands-on development of practical botanical skills in the field

In the event of poor weather, every effort will be taken to reschedule.

Accessibility

Most trips are planned to include areas of flat, even walking. However, some visits may involve uneven ground, rough terrain, or steps. Parking is available at or close to all sites.

These field courses are designed to be chatty, friendly, and informal and are suitable for beginners, as well as for botanists looking to visit interesting places as part of a group.

Additional Information

Questions (and identification queries) are welcome at any time by emailing james.common@newcastle.ac.uk.

Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.

Recommended Equipment:

If you have one, please do bring a hand lens. Walking boots and a waterproof jacket are also recommended.

About the tutor:

James works as Senior Naturalist at NHSN. Outside of work, he is a passionate wildlife recorder with a focus on botany and invertebrates. As a botanist, he is a joint BSBI Vice-County Recorder for North Northumberland and an iRecord verifier for South Northumberland.