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Aug 19 2008 by Francesca Craggs, The Journal

EVENTS AT MOOR HOUSE – UPPER TEESDALE NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE

Moor House – Upper Teesdale, near Barnard Castle, is one of more than 200 national nature reserves (NNR) in England and is among the best wildlife and earth heritage sites in the country.

The reserve, which is managed by Natural England, is also part of a wider area containing habitat types and species which are rare or threatened internationally.

Booking is essential for all events. Most are free but visitors will have to pay for their own refreshments. Dress appropriately and prepare for all conditions.

For information about the reserve or events call (01833) 622374 or visit www.naturalengland.org.uk

August 23, 10am-4pm: Geology of Moor House at Knock. Geologist Eric Johnson will lead a walk to the Great Dun Fell radar station, looking at Swindale Beck and Knock Ore Gill and explaining the geological features and mining history. Find out what the rocks there tell you about the history of the area. Meet at the Reserve entrance. Grade = strenuous, seven miles

August 30, 1.30-5.30pm: Peatlands and climate change, Moor House. Ecological research and weather recording at Moor House go back 75 years. Join Rob Rose, scientist with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, on a walk to a variety of research locations and see a river gauging station and an automatic weather station. Find out what this research can tell us about climate change and our peatlands. Meet at Garrigill Post Office, in Garrigill near Alston. A minibus will take you to the start of the walk. Grade = moderate, two miles with some sections of the walk over rough and boggy ground

August 30, 9pm-midnight: Creatures of the Night

Discover the wonder of some night-time flyers with the aid of bat detectors and moth traps. The event will begin with a short talk at the visitor centre to set the scene. Refreshments will be available to buy during the evening. Meet at Bowlees carpark.

Grade = easy, but dark. Bring a torch and warm clothing.

September 7, 10.30am-4pm: Lovely lichens. Discover the mysterious world of lichens on this walk up to Cronkley Fell with Natural England lichen specialist Mike Sutcliffe. Learn about these unique, fascinating organisms, how they live, how to identify them and what they can tell us. Meet Hanging Shaw car park, Forest-in- Teesdale. Grade = strenuous, five miles. Bring a hand lens if you own one.

September 20, 10.30am-1pm: Messing about with rocks and fossils. A fun and messy morning of hands-on activities and crafts with David Nightingale of East Cumbria Countryside Project, exploring the worlds of rocks and fossils. Make your own erupting volcano, cast a fantastic fossil and discover more about the national nature reserve. Meet at Dufton Youth Hostel, Dufton, near Appleby. You will need indoor and outdoor clothing, Suitable for children 6-12 approx. and their parents to stay and supervise. No need to book.

September 28, 10am-4pm: Teesdale’s Ice Age Legacy – David Evans, geomorphologist, will help us to interpret the lumps and bumps left in the landscape by the ice that covered the North Pennines 20,000 years ago. An indoor talk will be followed by a tour by minibus around some sites in Upper Teesdale. Meet at Middleton in Teesdale Car Park.

Grade = easy except for one moderate section.

October 4, 10.30am-1pm: Juniper berry picking. The Teesdale juniper wood needs help – the trees are old and the seedlings are not growing. Martin Furness, assistant site manager for the reserve, will explain why. You can help the Juniper Regeneration Programme by picking ripe berries that will be grown into saplings and then be planted out again. Meet at High Force Car Park. Grade = moderate There is a short but steep walk to the woods. Wear old weatherproof clothing and strong boots or wellies. Bring tough gardening gloves if you have them. Suitable for accompanied children over five.

October 4, 2-5pm: Small mammals at High Force. A fun family event – come and meet the shy and secretive animals that live in the juniper woods at High Force. Find out what might be eating the juniper berries and nibbling young bushes. Meet High Force car park. Grade = moderate, well-defined path but with steep steps, 1.5 miles. Suitable for accompanied children over five.

EVENTS AT THE TEESMOUTH NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE

Teesmouth National Nature Reserve covers more than 350 hectares in two sections separated by Hartlepool Power Station. North Gare lies to the north and Seal Sands to the south. For information on the reserve contact the site manager on (01429) 853325 or the Teesmouth Field Centre on (01429) 264912.

September 28, 9-11am: Seal Watch. View the seals and waterbirds of the Teesmouth national nature reserve from the comfort of British Energy’s observation hide. Meet at: Teesmouth Field Centre, off Tees Road. Prior booking is essential by calling Natural England on (01429) 853325.

EVENTS AT CASTLE EDEN DENE NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE

Castle Eden Dene is at Stanhope Chase, near Peterlee. To book an event or for information about the reserve call (0191) 586-0004 or (0191) 518-2403.

August 23, 7.30pm- late: Bat Night. As part of National Bat Week join the Dene staff and bat expert Tina Wiffin for a fascinating talk and a nocturnal ramble around Castle Eden Dene NNR in search of the bats which live and hunt there. Booking essential

August 27, 11am-2pm: Dragons Den. The wildlife garden will be open for visitors to see some of the amazing dragonflies which inhabit the pond. Tea and coffee will be available and the Castle Eden Dene staff will be on hand to answer any questions, giving you an insight into the fascinating world of the dragonfly to mark National Insect Year.

August 30 and 31, 11am-5pm: Peterlee Show. Come and meet the staff of Castle Eden Dene NNR at the Showground, Helford Road. They will be showing you how to make your garden more wildlife friendly and providing you with some handy hints and tips.

TYNEDALE COUNCIL EVENTS

For more information or access details about these events, please call Tynedale Council’s Environmental Outreach Officer on 01434 652 438

August 19, 10.30-11.30am: Painting in the Park, Hexham Parks. Come along to Hexham Parks and create paintings of the plants and animals that live there. Meet at the Hexham House entrance, next to the bowling green. This event is aimed at children under 12.

August 21, 11am-noon: Environmental activities at Tyne Green. Join in with different environmental activities at Tyne Green to learn all about the park and its wildlife. Meet at café at Tyne Green.

GROUNDWORK EVENTS

Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle are running family events over the summer holidays that are free to most residents in South Tyneside. Children must be accompanied by an adult and booking is essential. Call (0191) 428-1144 and ask for the education team.

August 28, 10am-1pm: Family Fun Day. Bring along your favourite teddy and join in the forest trail to find Boldon Bear. Enjoy a picnic lunch and toasted marshmallows around the campfire with your teddy friends. Bring your own packed lunch. Meet at West Hall Scout Campsite, Moor Lane, Whitburn.

August 19, 10am-2pm: Family cookery. Learn about campfire cookery and how to prepare food for cooking in the outdoor environment. Many of the recipes can be replicated at home or used on a barbecue in the garden. Meet at West Hall Scout Campsite, Moor Lane, Whitburn.

August 21, 1-3pm: Wood Carving. Get some artistic inspiration around Tilesheds Local Nature Reserve, then with expert guidance from Bruce Tuckey you will carve an image into a wooden block and use it to print a giant collage. Meet at Tilesheds Local Nature Reserve carpark, Tileshed Lane, Cleadon.

FESTIVALS

August 30 and 31: Newcastle Green Gathering, Leazes Park. Environment-themed festival with music, arts, food and fun. For details phone 08448 848 626, visit www.newcastlegreengathering.com or email info@newcastlegreengathering.com

August 30, 10am-4pm: The Big Green Seaside Day, Whitley Bay Metro Station, North Tyneside. Entertainment and activities to teach families how to be more eco-friendly. Music, refreshments and entertainment. Call 0845 2000 101 or visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk for more info.