Growing up in the North East, the Ouseburn has always held a special place in my heart. A truly vibrant part of Newcastle, it’s brimming with independent pubs, restaurants and cafes, quirky markets, and a thriving art and music scene. Yet, it’s also a sanctuary for nature, boasting some fantastic green spaces where wildlife flourishes amid the urban sprawl.
My recent walk from Lower Ouseburn to Heaton Park marked the first of five planned walks to deepen my understanding of the Ouse Burn its ecology. I was joined by the NHSN’s Clare Freeman and James Common, whose knowledge and passion brought the landscape to life.
Starting at City Stadium: Wildflowers in Winter
Clare and I began the walk by meeting James near City Stadium. Our first stop was the wildflower areas planted by Urban Green Newcastle as part of Buglife’s B-Lines project. These flower-rich “insect pathways” are designed to create vital habitats for pollinators across urban areas. Despite the winter season, we were delighted to spot some blooms, including Greater Knapweed – a welcome splash of colour against the muted tones of the season.

Kestrels, Eyelash Fungus, and Woodland Sounds
As we headed towards Byker Viaduct, James pointed out a favourite spot for a pair of Kestrels. It’s amazing to see these magnificent birds thriving in an urban setting, a testament to the importance of preserving green corridors like the Ouse Burn.
I couldn’t resist a short detour to revisit one of my favourite mushrooms, the Eyelash Fungus, which I had spotted a couple of weeks earlier. Bright orange and fringed with delicate “hairs,” this bizarre looking mushroom is common through Britain and Ireland but often overlooked due to its small size. I first encountered it on Holy Island during the 2024 NHSN Field Skills Programme and couldn’t believe my eyes! It’s always a treat to stumble upon such an oddity in such an urban area like this.
The woodland here was an interesting mix dominated by Norway Maple, which unusually seems to be outcompeting Sycamore. Blue Tits, Great Tits, and Robins provided a cheerful soundtrack, and we were treated to a Pied Wagtail putting on a show for us.

Urban Farms and Moorhen Nests
Passing the friendly goats and sheep of Ouseburn Farm, we kept an eye out for the elusive Kingfisher. Although it wasn’t our lucky day, the Mute Swans and Mallards were much more cooperative. James also introduced us to the Sea Sang Song, a boat-turned-art-installation by Andy Comley. It’s not just a delight for people; it turns out Moorhens have been nesting there too!



Botanical Highlights and Shadow Woods
This stretch of the Ouseburn is rich in botanical treasures. We spotted Wild Mignonette, a rare chalkland species thriving unexpectedly here, as well as Hjelmqvist’s Cotoneaster, a non-native species first recorded in the North East in 2012. Another surprise was Polypody, a fern typically found growing on trees but seemed happy enough growing out of the Ouseburn’s masonry walls.
We followed the Ouse Burn to where it met the Tyne, and we took a left towards St Peter’s Basin. Along the way, we found an unexpected patch of Bracken – a common, often troublesome fern in rural Britain but much rarer in urban environments. Ecologists including Ian Rotherham have suggested patches of persistent Bracken could indicate remnants of lost ancient woodlands or “shadow woods,” making its presence here particularly intriguing.
We also paused at the sandstone wall just below the Tyne Bar, the site of Newcastle city centre’s first recorded breeding of Sand Martins in 2024. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Wild Intrigue, an artificial Sand Martin bank is to be installed nearby to support these migratory birds and hopefully safeguard their future here in the city.



Byker Link and a Cretaceous Surprise
We headed back to the city centre via Byker Link, a lovely urban green space with some unusual botany. Highlights included Field Madder, Japanese Larch, Wall Cotoneaster, Brooklime, and Black Horehound. The largest surprise, though, was a hidden T-Rex peeking out from the foliage – an art installation that brought a smile to us all! A perfect end to a lovely walk.



Looking Forward
This walk highlighted the diversity of species supported by the Ouse Burn corridor, even in winter. It’s clear that this area has so much to teach and inspire, and I look forward to continuing my exploration and sharing more stories from this remarkable urban oasis.
To read more about the work being done as part of the Ouse Burn Way, please click here.


