Notorious fugitive apprehended!

We were pleased to see on a recent visit to Jesmond Dene that Peter the Peacock is safely back in his enclosure with his girlfriend Perrie!

The striking pair escaped recently from Pets’ Corner – Perrie was soon found in Park Head Road, but Peter enjoyed a few weeks of freedom and was sighted in Jesmond Park West in gardens and looking in at windows! Fortunately he has now returned safely. Chronicle Live

PS You may be interested in a number of forthcoming events at Pets’ Corner and elsewhere in the Dene:

Peter the Peacock is apprehended

First Sunday of every month April – October: Meet the animals  at Pets’ Corner Suggested donation £1 per child This is a drop in event where you will be able to handle and meet some of the  animals in Pets’ Corner.

Monday 4 April 1 – 3.30pm Nature Area Open Day Jesmond Dene Donations welcome (Across the river from Pets Corner – look out for the signs) Come and explore our Nature Area, take part in pond dipping, mini beast hunts and watch the birds at the feeding station.  This is a drop in event and all children must be accompanied.  Please contact the Visitor Centre for more information 0191 281 2082.

Thursday 7 April 10.30 – 12.00pm Wiggly Worms Jesmond Dene (Look out for the big green gazebo by Pet’s Corner): £5  Build a wormery, and then join us for a look around the Dene to see if we can find some worms and see what other mini-beasts might be hiding. Please bring an empty, clean 2 litre plastic bottle for your wormery. All other materials will be provided. Dress appropriately for outdoors. All children must be accompanied. Please contact Northumberland Wildlife Trust for more information on 0191 284 6884. Tickets can be prebooked through www.nwt.org.uk/whats-on

Thursday 7 April 12.00 – 2.00pm Northumberland Wildlife Trust at the Park Jesmond Dene (Look out for the big green gazebo on the grass by Pet’s Corner) Donations welcome Come and find out more about the work we do at NWT to protect our region’s wildlife and have a go at some fun games and activities.  Donations are welcome to cover the cost of materials. Dress appropriately for the outdoors. All children must be accompanied. Please contact Northumberland Wildlife Trust for more information on 0191 284 6884.

Thursday 7 April 6 – 8pm Heaton Park Walk  £3 per person Explore the history of Heaton Park, on this guided walk in the company of volunteers who are passionate about the parks.  Meet at the Pavilion. Booking essential.  Please phone 0191 2812082 to book.

Friday 8 April 1 – 3.30pm Bushcraft, Campfire and Games Heaton Park £3 per child, £3 per adult   Join the Rangers for some fun games and activities followed by  learning to light a fire along with some campfire refreshments. Activities are aimed at 7-13 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear appropriate clothes for being outdoors in the woods. Booking essential, please call 0191 2812082 to book and for more information.

Saturday 9 April 11 – 3pm Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens comes to Pets Corner, Jesmond Dene Come and meet the team and some of the animals from the zoo. Chat to the team to find out how you can sign up for an animal care or land based course here at Jesmond Dene and Kirkley Hall Campus.

Sunday 17 April 1.30 – 3.30pm Jesmond Dene Walk £3 per person Explore the history of Jesmond Dene, on this guided walk in the company of volunteers who are passionate about the parks.  Meet at the Visitor Centre. Booking essential.  Please phone 0191 2812082 to book.

Friday 6 May (Evening – time tbc) Bats and Moths Ouseburn Parks Visitor Centre- Jesmond Dene  £5 per person:  Learn about the different species of bats that live in the UK with a short talk and then we’ll set out for a walk and see which ones we can find, so don’t forget your torch! We will also be running a moth trap throughout the evening and we will have a look to see what has been caught on our return to the Visitor Centre. Suggested age 8+, children must be accompanied.  Booking essential.  Please contact the Visitor Centre on 0191 2812082 to book your place and for access details.

Saturday 7 May 10am – 12pm Moth Morning and Pond Dipping Nature Area (Across the River from Pets Corner – look out for the signs) (Part of the Jesmond Community Festival) We’ll go through the moth trap from the night before to see what we’ve managed to catch and try our best to identify them before letting them go. You can also try some pond dipping to see what creatures live under water in the Nature Area. This is a drop in event and you can stay as long or as little as you like. Please contact the Visitor Centre for more information 0191 281 2082.

Sunday 8 May 4.30 – 7.30am (yes am! The walk will be about 2 hours.) Dawn Chorus Ouseburn Parks – Jesmond Dene £6 per person (Part of the Jesmond Community Festival) To celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day join the Rangers and Volunteer Rangers on this early morning walk through the Dene to listen to the delightful sounds of the birds.  We’ll come back to the Visitor Centre for a breakfast roll, a hot drink and show you some footage of other wildlife in the Dene. Suitable for adults and older children (12+).  Booking essential. Please contact the Visitor Centre on 0191 2812082 to book your place and for more information.

(Info provided by Friends of Jesmond Dene)