Nature

Baby hedgehog found in industrial estate dropped off at rescue centre in Greggs box

A badger rescued by Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary

A badger rescued by Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary

North Yorkshire sanctuary's £5k funding bid to help thousands of sick animals

The Flower Belt, located off the A61 between Ripon and Harrogate.

The Flower Belt, located off the A61 between Ripon and Harrogate.

Pick-your-own flower farm seeks longer opening after breaching rules in first season

From left, Tom Pattinson, Carl Stiansen, Tom Cadwallender and Steve Lowe

From left, Tom Pattinson, Carl Stiansen, Tom Cadwallender and Steve Lowe

North East podcast shortlisted for national award after reaching 127 countries

Locals are advised to avoid touching diseased or dead wild birds and report suspected cases through Defra.

Locals are advised to avoid touching diseased or dead wild birds and report suspected cases through Defra.

Bird flu confirmed at North East poultry farm as surveillance zone introduced

Chief Insp Kevin Lacks-Kelly, the outgoing Head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU)

Chief Insp Kevin Lacks-Kelly, the outgoing Head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU)

Police chief from 'rocky' start in council estates to battling war on animal crime

The Little Tern colony at Seaton Carew

The Little Tern colony at Seaton Carew

Rare birds that fly 3,000 miles to North East suffer 'devastating' year

A Marsh Harrier at RSPB Saltholme

A Marsh Harrier at RSPB Saltholme

Delight for birdwatchers as rare bird of prey spotted at North East nature reserve

A Bittern at RSPB Saltholme

A Bittern at RSPB Saltholme

Excitement as 'elusive' and 'rare' bird spotted at North East nature reserve

Centre Mayor Ben Houchen, Dr Huw Williams, and Nursery Manager Sarah Moon-Gatford

Centre Mayor Ben Houchen, Dr Huw Williams, and Nursery Manager Sarah Moon-Gatford

New nursery officially opens in Yarm with state-of-the-art facilities

Bollihope Burn Birch.

Bollihope Burn Birch.

County Durham birch misses out on Tree of the Year award

Escomb Nature Reserve, near Bishop Auckland, is up for sale.

Escomb Nature Reserve, near Bishop Auckland, is up for sale.

66-acre County Durham nature reserve with two lakes could be yours for £700k

Sparky the barn owl and Tracey Iceton

Sparky the barn owl and Tracey Iceton

Meet Sparky the barn owl and North East author at special family event

Historic architecture and autumn colours are among the features that continue to attract visitors to Durham during the autumn months.

Historic architecture and autumn colours are among the features that continue to attract visitors to Durham during the autumn months.

Durham named among UK's cosiest cities as travellers choose top autumn destinations

From roaring fires to hearty food: County Durham pubs to visit this autumn

Resident Phil Anthony at The Mayfield feeding the alpacas from Butterwick Alpaca Retreat

Resident Phil Anthony at The Mayfield feeding the alpacas from Butterwick Alpaca Retreat

North East care home residents enjoy cuddles as alpacas and rabbits make visit

Three years since the tree at Sycamore Gap was felled, the National Trust has shared images of a thick ring of new shoots around its stump.

Three years since the tree at Sycamore Gap was felled, the National Trust has shared images of a thick ring of new shoots around its stump.

'Flourishing shoots' growing at Sycamore Gap stump three years after illegal felling

Bleabeck Force, in upper Teesdale, by Northern Perspectives

Bleabeck Force, in upper Teesdale, by Northern Perspectives

NORTHERN PERSPECTIVES

The 'forgotten' Teesdale waterfall only a short stroll from riverside path

Barn owl chick.

Barn owl chick.

Animal conservation

Record-breaking year for barn owls as numbers soar across Tees Valley

File photo: A group of pilot whales off the Essex coast last week.

File photo: A group of pilot whales off the Essex coast last week.

Sadness as pilot whales found dead off North East coast after dozens seen in distress

A small bug found in the UK can cause intense itching if it latches onto humans and animals, a pharmacist warns

A small bug found in the UK can cause intense itching if it latches onto humans and animals, a pharmacist warns

Brits warned over tiny bugs causing 'intensely itchy red bumps' this autumn

Dolphins at Roker, Sunderland

Dolphins at Roker, Sunderland

Remarkable photos show moment dolphins appear to ‘kiss’ off North East coast

Connor Bradshaw has been sentenced to a year in prison, and banned from keeping animals for 15 years, following a series of animal cruelty incidents.

Connor Bradshaw has been sentenced to a year in prison, and banned from keeping animals for 15 years, following a series of animal cruelty incidents.

Sick man used dogs to 'play tug of war' with animals causing 'unfathomable' suffering

A dolphin in Redcar on Monday (September 14)

A dolphin in Redcar on Monday (September 14)

Dolphins spotted leaping from sea this morning in latest North East sighting

Experts have said that using this £2 item can help to deter spiders from your home this autumn

Experts have said that using this £2 item can help to deter spiders from your home this autumn

Homes and interiors

People urged to use £2 trick to help keep spiders out of UK homes this autumn

The site of Shincliffe Colliery, which closed in the 19th century, could soon become a nature reserve.

The site of Shincliffe Colliery, which closed in the 19th century, could soon become a nature reserve.

Ex County Durham coal mine could become valuable walking spot after 140 years

Illustration of the ecosystem in Antarctica around 90 million years ago. Research shows that wildfires regularly occurred near the South Pole at that time. Credit: James McKay (University of Leeds)

Illustration of the ecosystem in Antarctica around 90 million years ago. Research shows that wildfires regularly occurred near the South Pole at that time. Credit: James McKay (University of Leeds)

Wildfires near South Pole 90 million years ago created first ever peat bog

The Big Autumn Clean in County Durham is calling on residents to help tackle litter and keep communities tidy

The Big Autumn Clean in County Durham is calling on residents to help tackle litter and keep communities tidy

County Durham clean-up campaign calls for more volunteers to take part

This is the fourth time the species has been detected in the UK, but the first instance of confirmed breeding.

This is the fourth time the species has been detected in the UK, but the first instance of confirmed breeding.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

Invasive mosquito that can spread severe diseases found breeding in UK for first time

Spiders usually start to come out in early September, with their presence noticeable in homes until around mid-October.

Spiders usually start to come out in early September, with their presence noticeable in homes until around mid-October.

Thousands of mating spiders are set to invade UK homes this month

The rare birds over RSPB Saltholme

The rare birds over RSPB Saltholme

Collection of rare birds take flight over North East nature reserve

Left to right: Charlie Morrison, Hama Frank and Dan Boorsma.

Left to right: Charlie Morrison, Hama Frank and Dan Boorsma.

Teesside duo helping hundreds combat loneliness with a weekly walk-and-talk

Sedgefield or Sydney? A man was left in shock after spotting a wallaby on his morning commute.

Sedgefield or Sydney? A man was left in shock after spotting a wallaby on his morning commute.

County Durham man baffled as he 'funny-looking dog' turns out to be wallaby by road

Goshawk in Spennymoor, County Durham

Goshawk in Spennymoor, County Durham

Rare bird once on verge of extinction makes surprise visit to County Durham garden

Nurldes on beaches in County Durham

Nurldes on beaches in County Durham

Nurdles still washing up on County Durham beaches over a month after North Sea spill

The lunar eclipse will be visible all over the UK in the coming days

The lunar eclipse will be visible all over the UK in the coming days

What time the lunar eclipse will be visible in the UK this week and how to watch

Jess Mills at Simonside, taking part in a hiking fundraiser.

Jess Mills at Simonside, taking part in a hiking fundraiser.

Businesses and residents unite to save North East estate for nature and wildlife

Barn owl pellets reveal wildlife riches at North East nature reserve

Pictured at the official opening of the Westfield Farm Habitat Garden are, from left, Beyond Housing business administrator apprentice Josie Haley, employability manager Emma Grimes, Mayor of Redcar & Cleveland Cllr Ceri Cawley, Westfield Farm

Pictured at the official opening of the Westfield Farm Habitat Garden are, from left, Beyond Housing business administrator apprentice Josie Haley, employability manager Emma Grimes, Mayor of Redcar & Cleveland Cllr Ceri Cawley, Westfield Farm

Local government

Wildlife-friendly garden officially opens in North East community space

The exhausted barn owl attempts to land on board the Army Sailing Association's Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier

The exhausted barn owl attempts to land on board the Army Sailing Association's Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier

How stricken barn owl 'Little Reg' was rescued off North East coast by Army sailors

Tees Valley author Tracey Iceton and her barn owl Sparky will headline a Talks & Teas event at Lumley Castle in Chester-le-Street, featuring a book launch, author talk and live flying display celebrating the inspiration behind Sparky – My Barn Owl

Tees Valley author Tracey Iceton and her barn owl Sparky will headline a Talks & Teas event at Lumley Castle in Chester-le-Street, featuring a book launch, author talk and live flying display celebrating the inspiration behind Sparky – My Barn Owl

Meet Sparky the barn owl at County Durham event celebrating its bond with author

Adam Shanley, Clerk to City of Durham Parish Council, taking part in last weeks clean-up in the Viaduct area.

Adam Shanley, Clerk to City of Durham Parish Council, taking part in last weeks clean-up in the Viaduct area.

Abandoned bikes, half a bath and heaps of rubbish found in Durham litter crackdown

An exhibition exploring the connection between farming and nature has opened at Bowlees Visitor Centre in County Durham, featuring work by five artists

An exhibition exploring the connection between farming and nature has opened at Bowlees Visitor Centre in County Durham, featuring work by five artists

North Pennines exhibition explores farming and nature through art

Bird that was 'on brink of disappearing from Britain' spotted in North East

A killer whale in the Farne Islands

A killer whale in the Farne Islands

All the suspected killer whale sightings along the North East coast in 2026

Black-tailed godwit

Black-tailed godwit

Rare and red-listed breeding bird spotted in waters of the North East

The hidden North East beach with a fascinating link to Teesside's industrial past

The seagull struck in the front of the car

The seagull struck in the front of the car

Shock as seagull hit on A1(M) survives ride into Darlington stuck in car grill

A lunar eclipse will be visible from the UK in the coming weeks - see when

A lunar eclipse will be visible from the UK in the coming weeks - see when

When to see upcoming lunar eclipse in the UK after solar eclipse dazzles skies

What time to watch the peak of tonight's solar eclipse, and how to do it safely.

What time to watch the peak of tonight's solar eclipse, and how to do it safely.

Solar eclipse in the North East - How to protect your eyes and exact timings

Experts are warning those hoping to capture the solar eclipse to take extra precautions to avoid damaging the camera lens.

Experts are warning those hoping to capture the solar eclipse to take extra precautions to avoid damaging the camera lens.

Why taking photos of tonight's solar eclipse could damage your phone camera

Gregory Boyle, Revenue Manager with the beehives on the roof at Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland with Gareth Freeman, GM

Gregory Boyle, Revenue Manager with the beehives on the roof at Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland with Gareth Freeman, GM

North East hotel creates buzz with rooftop beehives for guests

Planetarium Astronomer Dr Carys Herbert demonstrates wearing Celestron solar eclipse glasses in front of Luke Jerram's 'Mirror Moon' sculpture at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, south east London, ahead of the Solar eclipse on August 12, which will be

Planetarium Astronomer Dr Carys Herbert demonstrates wearing Celestron solar eclipse glasses in front of Luke Jerram's 'Mirror Moon' sculpture at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, south east London, ahead of the Solar eclipse on August 12, which will be

Brits warned over dangerous ‘fake’ eclipse glasses ahead of Wednesday

With solar eclipse glasses increasingly harder to find, here is how you can make a pinhole projector to enjoy the event a different way

With solar eclipse glasses increasingly harder to find, here is how you can make a pinhole projector to enjoy the event a different way

How to make a pinhole projector to view the solar eclipse amid shortage of glasses