Nature Rangers (5 - 11 year olds) Jubilee Hall, West Rainton 2 - 4pm. Swings and spiders. How wild is the rec?

Gateshead Wildlife Group. 7.15pm Denewell Avenue United Reformed Church Hall. If you go down to the woods today - Dave Mitchell, Natural England.

Charcoal Burn at Low Barns - The first in a series of events focusing on traditional charcoal making and the way in which centuries of managing woodlands to provide timber for charcoal has helped to create our landscape. Meet at Low Barns at 10 am. The event continues into Wednesday with the lighting of the charcoal kiln. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112.

Rainton Meadows Wildlife Group. Rainton Meadows 7pm. To be arranged

Darlington Wildlife Group. Cockerton Methodist Church 7.30pm. T.B.A.

History of Hylton Castle and Dene. 2.00 - 4.00pm. Join the Durham Wildlife Trust warden for an interesting session combining the history and future development of the castle and Dene. Donations appreciated. Booking required, for further details contact 0191 5480152. Parking available at Hylton Castle, Craigavon Road, Sunderland.

Bluebell Walk at Baal Hill - Meet at 10.30am at Wolsingham Market Place to be taken by Minibus to Baal Hill. Expected to be back to Market Place by 1.30 pm. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112, £3 for Durham Wildlife Trust members and £5 for non-members.

Charcoal Burn at Baal Hill - Learn the craft of charcoal making and see how traditional woodland management helps woodland biodiversity bloom. Meet at Low Barns at 10 am and be taken to Baal Hill by minibus. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112. £3 for Durham Wildlife Trust members and £5 for non-members.

Badger Watch - Meet at Low Barns at 6.30 pm and be taken by minibus to our badger watching site. Expected return to Low Barns 10 pm. We can't guarantee badgers, but your expert guides will explain all the other wildlife on view. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112. £5 for Durham Wildlife Trust members and £7.50 for non-members.

The DWT Big Bird Race - Enter a team and see how many birds you can spot across DWT reserves in 24 hours. There are prizes for the team spotting the most birds and a bonus prize for getting the super six - the rarest birds on our reserves. The race starts and finishes at Rainton Meadows and runs from noon Saturday to noon Sunday. Contact DWT for an entry form and a copy of the race rules. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112.

Gateshead Wildlife Group. 7.15pm Denewell Avenue United Reformed Church Hall. Birds of the Farne Islands. David Steel, National Trust Warden.

History of the Rocks. Join Jenny King to investigate the geology of the Bowlees area and a look at Gibson's Cave. 10.30 - 12.30. Booking essential please call 0191 5843112. £3 for Durham Wildlife Trust members and £5 for non-members. The friends and family of the late Denys Smith, a valued supporter of Durham Wildlife Trust, have kindly supported this event.

Hairstreaks at Hedleyhope Fell - Meet at Low Barns at 10 am and be taken to the fell by Minibus. DWT guides will lead the walk in search of the green hairstreak butterfly, a specialty of the fell. The guides will also explain the history of the fell and the other wildlife the fell has to offer. Expected return to Low Barns 2.30 pm. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112. £3 for Durham Wildlife Trust members and £5 for non-members.

Sunday Gang. Rainton Meadows 10am – 4pm. Practical conservation tasks around Rainton Meadows and Joe's Pond.

Wildflowers or Weeds. 11.00am - 2.00pm. Have you always wanted to tell the difference between a wildflower and a weed? Join the Durham Wildlife Trust warden for a stroll through Hylton Dene L. N. R to identify early summer wildflowers. Free - Booking essential, for further details contact 0191 5480152. Meet at Hylton Castle off Craigavon Road, Sunderland.

Nature Rangers (5 - 11 year olds) Jubilee Hall, West Rainton 2 - 4pm. Detectives skills needed for a scavenger hunt. We will be walking for the whole session, weather permitting, so please come dressed appropriately.

Red Squirrel Walk. Gosforth Park Nature Reserve 7.00am. Booking essential please call Stuart Will 0191 2326386 **

Family Day at Rainton Meadows - A fun filled day at Rainton Meadows, with lots of activities for all the family. The event starts at 10.30 am and finishes at 4 pm.

Lanchester Wildlife Group. Small Hall, Community Centre, 7.30pm. To be confirmed.

Northumbria Mammal Group. Walk & talk. Join Bob Wilkin, retired Jesmond Dene ranger and otter expert, for a fascinating evening finding out all about our local otters. 7pm, Jesmond Dene. Booking essential please call Stuart Will on 0191 2326386. **

The History of Hylton Castle and Hylton Dene. 11.00am - 1.00pm. Join the Durham Wildlife Trust warden for an interesting session combining the history and future development of the castle and Dene. Donations appreciated. Booking required, for further details contact 0191 5480152. Parking available at Hylton Castle, Craigavon Road, Sunderland .

Small Pearl Safari - Meet at Low Barns at 10.30 am for a mini bus tour in search of the stunning small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly. DWT manages sites specifically for this species, which is one of the rarest butterflies in the County. Expected return to Low Barns is 2.30 pm. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112. £5 for Durham Wildlife Trust members and £7.50 for non-members.

Pond dipping. Living Waterways and STC. Explore the Monkton Pond and discover what creatures are lurking in its depths! Adults and children welcome. 10am Monkton pond. Meet at the junction of Marine Drive and Colwyn Parade, Lukes Lane Estate, Monkton. NZ 325 628. Free event but please book by calling Jessica Grinsted on (0191) 284 6884

Sunday Gang. Rainton Meadows 10am – 4pm. Practical conservation tasks around Rainton Meadows and Joe's Pond.

Darlington Wildlife Group. Visit to Oakenshaw Reserve. Please meet at 10am Cockerton Car Park.

Charcoal Burn at Low Barns - The final burn of the season. Get hands on experience of this traditional craft. The event continues into Wednesday with the lighting of the kiln. Meet at Low Barns at 10 am. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112.

Northumbria Mammal Group. Walk & talk. Join Jonathan Pounder (Tees Valley Wildlife Trust) for a very interesting couple of hours watching the seals and their pups – and hopefully lots of other wildlife. Time tbc, Huntsman Tioxide at Greatlam Creek, Teeside. Booking essential please call Stuart Will on 0191 2326386. **

Flowers and Birds of the Riverbank. Cliff Evans, local naturalist, leads a stroll along the banks of the River Tees, and visits some of the best spots in Teesdale to see a wonderful range of wild flowers such as globe flowers, wood cranesbill and orchids. Birdlife abounds so bring binoculars. The walk will take you from the hamlet of Bowlees, across Wynch Bridge and will then follows the River Tees upstream, tea and cakes available at Bowlees Visitor Centre at the end of the walk. 10.30pm – 4pm. £3 per person. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112.

Darlington Wildlife Group. Visit to the Winnies Reserve. Please meet at 1pm at the reserve.

Pond Dipping in the Dene. 1.00 - 3.00pm. Join us to find out what creatures are found beneath the surface of the lake. The Durham Wildlife Trust warden will be on hand to answer your questions. Free - Booking required. For further details contact 01915480152

Water Vole Watch - A chance to try and get a glimpse of Britain 's fastest declining species of mammal. Meet at Low Barns at 1.30 pm. We can't guarantee water voles, but your expert guides will explain all the wildlife on view. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112. £3 for Durham Wildlife Trust members and £5 for non-members.

Red Squirrel Walk. Gosforth Park Nature Reserve 7.00am. Booking essential please call Stuart Will 0191 2326386 **

Pond Dipping in the Dene. 1.00 - 3.00pm. Join us to find out what creatures are found beneath the surface of the lake. The Durham Wildlife Trust warden will be on hand to answer your questions. Free - Booking required. For further details contact 01915480152

Nature Rangers (5 - 11 year olds) Jubilee Hall, West Rainton 2 - 4pm. Dare you hunt the mini-beasts? We're going to Rainton Meadows to hunt for the creepy-crawlies in the woodland - are you brave enough?

Nature Rangers (5 - 11 year olds) Jubilee Hall, West Rainton 2 - 4pm. Pea picking time!! Or is it? Find out what's happening down at the allotments and play some games.

Pond Dipping in the Dene. 1.00 - 3.00pm. Join us to find out what creatures are found beneath the surface of the lake. The Durham Wildlife Trust warden will be on hand to answer your questions. Free - Booking required. For further details contact 01915480152. Parking at Hylton Castle Fishing Lake, Castletown Road, Sunderland .

Pond Dipping in the Dene. 1.00 - 3.00pm. Join us to find out what creatures are found beneath the surface of the lake. The Durham Wildlife Trust warden will be on hand to answer your questions. Free - Booking required. For further details contact 01915480152. Parking at Hylton Castle Fishing Lake , Castletown Road , Sunderland .

Nature Rangers (5 - 11 year olds) Jubilee Hall, West Rainton 2 - 4pm. Bugs and ball games, running with rabbits, footalls and foxes. Come with us to the old bowling green area for fun-packed afternoon.

Nature Rangers (5 - 11 year olds) Jubilee Hall, West Rainton 2 - 4pm. What's lurkng in the Churchyard? Are you as tall as a tree?

Nature Rangers (5 - 11 year olds) Jubilee Hall, West Rainton 2 - 4pm. Ever been to Moor House Woods? Explorers needed for wild time and waling. We will be walking for the whole session, weather permitting, so please come dressed appropriately.

Moth & Bat evening. Bowlees Visitor Centre. 9pm to 12am. Talk and walk with bat detectors. Refreshments available. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112.

Wader watch at Derwent Reservoir - Join the DWT team at the Derwent Bird Hide between 10 am and 1 pm. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112.

Nature Rangers (5 - 11 year olds) Jubilee Hall, West Rainton 2 - 4pm. Can you catch flies? What flies apart from a fly? Can you catch those too? Come and find out at Middle Rainton.

Lanchester Wildlife Group. Small Hall, Community Centre, 7.30pm.

Friday 5th
Saturday 6th

Heritage Open Days. 10.00am - 2.00pm. Your chance to visit Hylton Castle and learn about the history of the Hylton family and plans for the future development of the castle. The castle will be open to visitors, with the warden from the Durham Wildlife Trust, supported by representatives from Castle in the Community, available to answer your questions. Free. For further details contact 01915480152. Parking at Hylton Castle, Craigavon Road, Sunderland

Batty about Bats. 7pm. Your chance to visit Hylton Castle and Hylton Dene, for an early evening stroll with the Durham Wildlife Trust warden, to discover the animals that emerge during the early hours of darkness. Free, Booking required. For further details contact 0191 5480152. Meet in Hylton Castle car park, Craigavon Road, Sunderland .

New members evening at Rainton Meadows.  6.30pm. Introduction and talk on Durham Wildlife Trust. Then a of the site. Booking is essential please call 0191 5843112.

Northumbria Mammal Group. Pelagic Cruise. Led by Graham Bell (North Northumberland Bird Club) the boat sails from Seahouses for a 4-5 hour pelagic cruise, (no landing). We may see whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals – no guarantees! Weather permitting. Guide price £25 plus mammal group membership fee for non-members (£5). 12.30, Seahouses harbour. Booking essential please call Stuart Will on 0191 2326386. **

Celebrate Your Stream. Living Waterways and STC. Join us for a fun family walk along the Monkton Burn. Games and activities along the way. Meet at 10am at the junction of Marine Drive and Colwyn Parade, Lukes Lane Estate, Monkton. NZ 325 628. Free event but please book by calling Jessica Grinsted on (0191) 284 6884

Red Squirrel Walk. Gosforth Park Nature Reserve 7.30am. Booking essential please call Stuart Will 0191 2326386 **

** Booking essential for all events except the winter lectures. For more info and to book: contact Stuart Will, NMG Membership secretary, Natural History Society of Northumbria. Tel 0191 232 6386