Exploring Nature in partnership with Northumbrian Water

Young people from Pottery Bank had a great day out at the Northumbrian Water nature reserve in Howdon, Wallsend with nature expert Ian Cole, finding out about local nature, water supplies and how we can protect the environment. 

"We saw lots of herons and got to put up our bug hotels. It was really fun.” -- Lottie, Pottery Bank participant

From a lookout point, the group went birdwatching, spotting lots of herons and even using a thermal camera to see birds hidden in the trees by their body heat. They also visited a butterfly area and talked with the Northumbrian Water staff about conservation, biodiversity, and being mindful of water use.

The young people constructed and decorated bug hotels at Kids Kabin, then explored the reserve to find the best places to put them. They learned that areas with good tree cover and nearby plants make the best homes for insects.

Northumbrian Water have got the brilliant and ambitious aim of making their thousands of sites, treatment plants and depots as nature friendly as possible. They are enlisting the help of schools, volunteers, and local organisations to do this.

Kids Kabin are happy to help and have constructed and decorated 10 bug hotels so far with more on the way! We're looking forward to work together more in 2026.

"It's great to see what Northumbrian Water are trying to do. As well as being great for nature, these are also really interesting learning opportunities for young people from Walker and Byker." -- Judy, International Volunteer

Kids Kabin Fever (2025)