Prestwick Carr - Short-eared owl, Damian Waters, Drumimages.co.uk
home to a rich diversity of wildlife
Work on this scheme is creating an interconnected chain of wildlife habitats that will also provide long-term benefits for the people of north Newcastle.
Prestwick Carr is located on the edge of Newcastle. At first glance it is an unprepossessing area of farmland and meadow but at the heart of this site is the last remaining lowland raised mire in south-east Northumberland. Designated a SSSI, this wetland is home to a rich diversity of wildlife.
This scheme will create a connected, flourishing series of wetlands, grasslands and hedgerow habitats that will act as a natural carbon store, help flood defences and provide a nature park on the northern edge of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Virtual tour by Mike McFarlane
What's happening?
- The marshlands will be improved by the planting of reeds and rushes to encourage wildlife and in particular threatened species such as the brown hare, great crested newt and water vole.
- We would manage the area to ensure that it becomes accessible for local people to enjoy and provide interpretation and possibly a visitor centre to help them understand more about the wildlife living here.
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Over the medium-term, it is our intention to reintroduce the water vole to this area.
Scheme area: 320 hectares
Trust reserves within the scheme
Big Waters, Weetslade Country Park
This scheme is helping species including...
Otters and all five native species of owl. There is also a wide range of wetland plant species and ground nesting birds such as snipe and redshank.
Current threats to the landscape
Development, inappropriate management of drainage systems
This scheme is also...
Improving water quality, reducing flood risk, storing carbon, improving access for people, providing recreational opportunities, supporting urban regeneration.
Partners
Ministry of Defence, local authorities.
To find out more
Email: mail@northwt.org.uk | Tel: 0191 2846884 | Prestwick Carr
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 Adam Cormack.JPG)