Editing North East England (section)

=== Biodiversity ===
The region has a diverse landscape that includes maritime cliffs and extensive [[moorland]] that contains a number of [[rare species]] of [[flora]] and [[fauna]]. Of particular importance are the saltmarshes of [[Lindisfarne]], the [[River Tees|Tees Estuary]], the [[Heath (habitat)|heaths]], [[bog]]s and traditional upland hay meadows of the North Pennines, and the Arctic-alpine flora of Upper Teesdale.

The beauty of the [[Northumberland Coast National Landscape|Northumbrian coastline]] has led to its designation as an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|area of outstanding natural beauty]] (AONB)
stretching 100 miles from [[Berwick-Upon-Tweed]] to the [[River Coquet]] estuary.<ref>{{cite web |title=Northumberland Coast ANOB |url=http://www.thisisnorthumberland.com/destinations/coast-aonb/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916024543/http://www.thisisnorthumberland.com/destinations/coast-aonb/ |archive-date=16 September 2013 |access-date=23 August 2013 |publisher=This is Northumberland Newcastle & the Borders}}</ref> Among the 290 bird species identified on the [[Farne Islands]], is the rare [[seabird]] the [[roseate tern]]. One of the foremost bird sanctuaries and observatory for migratory and wading birds in the UK is now operated at "Saltholme" which is part of a wider site of special scientific interest called [[Seal Sands]]. The Saltholme reserve is managed by the [[Royal Society for the Protection of Birds]] (RSPB). This project was pronounced as one of the best places to view birds by [[Bill Oddie]], the former host of the BBC's ''Spring Watch'' Programme. In December 2012 he also presented the project with a prize as the UK's favorite [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]] funded project.<ref>{{cite news |last=Woodcock |first=Laura |title=Bill Oddie presents Saltholme nature reserve volunteers with trophy |publisher=GazetteLive |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/bill-oddie-presents-saltholme-nature-3667847 |url-status=live |access-date=22 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714123905/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/bill-oddie-presents-saltholme-nature-3667847 |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref>

The seal colony at Seal Sands on the mouth of the River Tees is thriving and in 2013 had more than 60 [[harbour seals]]. This is the only breeding colony of this species on the northeast coast.<ref>{{cite web |title=Teesmouth NNR |url=http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006937.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713121116/http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006937.aspx |archive-date=13 July 2013 |access-date=22 August 2013 |publisher=Natural England}}</ref> "[[Rainton Meadows]]" is also a recently{{when|date=May 2023}} created bird-watching site.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rainton |url=http://www.durhamwildlifetrust.org.uk/visitor-centres/rainton/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202138/http://www.durhamwildlifetrust.org.uk/visitor-centres/rainton/ |archive-date=14 July 2014 |access-date=23 August 2013 |publisher=Durham Wildlife Trust}}</ref> The region is also the English stronghold of black grouse<ref>{{cite web |title=Northumberland Biodiversity Action Plan:Black Grouse |url=http://www.nwt.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/Black_Grouse.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714185029/http://www.nwt.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/Black_Grouse.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |access-date=23 August 2013 |url-status=usurped |publisher=Northeast Wildlife}}</ref> and contains 80–90% of the UK population of yellow marsh [[saxifraga|saxifrage]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Biodiversity in the North East:In the uplands |url=http://www.nebiodiversity.org.uk/biodiversity/default.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807013301/http://nebiodiversity.org.uk/biodiversity/default.asp |archive-date=7 August 2013 |access-date=23 August 2013 |publisher=Northeast Biodiversity Forum}}</ref>

The [[Magnesian Limestone]] grasslands of East Durham are a unique habitat not found anywhere else in the world which is particularly important to many species of butterfly and moths.<ref>{{cite book |first1=David |last1=Miller |first2=Brian |last2=Young |first3=David |last3=Butler |first4=Julie |last4=Stobbs |first5=John |last5=Durkin |first6=Dave |last6=Mitchell |first7=Terry |last7=Coult |first8=Sam |last8=Ellis |first9=Dave |last9=Wainwright |first10=John |last10=Olley |title=Magical Meadows and the Durham Magnesian Limestone |publisher=Durham Wildlife Trust |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-9555467-0-9}}</ref>

The Northeast of England also features woodland such as [[Kielder Forest]], the largest man-made forest in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kielder Forest and Border Mires |url=http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/living-landscape/living-landscape-schemes/scheme-directory/kielder-forest-and-border-mires |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427064826/http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/living-landscape/living-landscape-schemes/scheme-directory/kielder-forest-and-border-mires |archive-date=27 April 2014 |access-date=23 August 2013 |publisher=Wildlife Trusts}}</ref> This is located within Northumberland National Park and contains an important habitat for the [[endangered]] [[red squirrel]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Red Squirrels Northern England |url=http://www.rsne.org.uk/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815081919/http://www.rsne.org.uk/ |archive-date=15 August 2013 |access-date=23 August 2013 |publisher=RSNE}}</ref>