Natural History Society of Northumbria

Natural History Society of Northumbria NHSN is a registered charity working to inspire wonder in the natural world, from the Tees to the Tweed.

We manage and protect Gosforth Nature Reserve and, from our home in the GNM: Hancock, encourage all to discover North East nature.

💡 Did you know that the inventor of the light bulb helped light the Hancock Museum? Letters preserved in NHSN ‘s North E...
23/06/2026

💡 Did you know that the inventor of the light bulb helped light the Hancock Museum?

Letters preserved in NHSN ‘s North East Nature Archive (NENA) reveal how Sir Joseph Swan advised on plans to install electric lighting in the Museum in 1889.

From the Wren's Heart to the Curlew's Cry: An Evening with Malcolm GreenJoin us for a captivating evening of storytellin...
23/06/2026

From the Wren's Heart to the Curlew's Cry: An Evening with Malcolm Green

Join us for a captivating evening of storytelling as renowned storyteller Malcolm Green weaves together tales from his personal journals with folktales inspired by the wild world around us.

With a storytelling career spanning over 30 years, Malcolm has performed across the UK and Europe, taught at Newcastle University, and most recently delighted audiences at the Hancock with his acclaimed show Gone Cuckoo.

📅 Tuesday 7 July
🕕 6:00pm–7:30pm (doors open 5:45pm)
📍 NHSN Council Room, Level 2, Great North Museum: Hancock

Expect an enchanting journey through nature, folklore, and lived experience, brought to life by one of the region's most celebrated storytellers.

☕ Light refreshments provided.

Can you tell a Fork-tailed Flower Bee from a bumblebee? 🐝At first glance, these fast-flying bees look a lot like a small...
22/06/2026

Can you tell a Fork-tailed Flower Bee from a bumblebee? 🐝

At first glance, these fast-flying bees look a lot like a small brown bumblebee. But listen carefully, and you'll often hear their high-pitched buzz before you see them! They're also much zippier, darting and hovering around flower patches rather than bumbling from bloom to bloom.

Look out for them on dead-nettles, woundworts, and salvias throughout the summer. Males have a distinctive yellow face, while females have a ginger-orange tip to the abdomen.

This fascinating bee is one of our target species, and we'd love to know where you're seeing them...

22/06/2026

A magic moment caught on camera at ! 🦌

This handsome Roe Deer buck was filmed enjoying a stroll through the reedbed before spotting something unusual and stopping to investigate our hidden camera.

Fortunately for us, curiosity got the better of him!

It's always a treat to see these elegant mammals on the reserve, especially when they decide to pose for the camera.

🎥 Christopher Wren

This week, members of the Noor Friendship Group enjoyed a visit to Gosforth Nature Reserve, exploring woodland trails, s...
21/06/2026

This week, members of the Noor Friendship Group enjoyed a visit to Gosforth Nature Reserve, exploring woodland trails, spotting birds and discovering some of the wildlife that calls the reserve home.

It was wonderful to see people connecting with nature, sharing experiences and enjoying time outdoors together.

Exciting new!!👇You may have heard that this year, Gosforth Nature Reserve has its very first Artist in Residence, Kate M...
20/06/2026

Exciting new!!👇

You may have heard that this year, Gosforth Nature Reserve has its very first Artist in Residence, Kate Miller. From Friday 26 June to Tuesday 30 June Kate’s prints will be on display and available to purchase in the Field Studies Room!🎨

The exhibition will be free to enter and will be open from 9am – 4pm for you to enjoy the wonderful artwork.

A proportion of all sales will also be going towards NHSN’s Young North East Naturalist Appeal, helping young people connect and experience nature.🍃

Check out some of the pieces Kate has created so far.🪶

We have been having lots of fun at Gosforth Nature Reserve with visiting school groups!Children have been taking part in...
18/06/2026

We have been having lots of fun at Gosforth Nature Reserve with visiting school groups!

Children have been taking part in pond dipping, nature art, bird spotting and nature walks. Lots of wildlife has been discovered and memories created.🍃🦆

"It was exciting going into the bird hide and I really loved using the binoculars. It was so much fun!"

It is thanks to your member support that we are able to offer these opportunities for young children. Thank you for making this possible!🙌

Looking as grumpy as ever, but still managing to be remarkably graceful... 🩶🪶A huge thank you to one of our members for ...
17/06/2026

Looking as grumpy as ever, but still managing to be remarkably graceful... 🩶🪶

A huge thank you to one of our members for sharing this fantastic photo of a Grey Heron at . They always seem to wear a slightly disapproving expression, but there's no denying they're one of our most elegant wetland birds.

It features on the NHSN logo for a reason!

📷 Paige Jeffrey

Address

Barras Bridge
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE24PT

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

0191 208 2790

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Natural History Society of Northumbria posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share