Wildlife technology event brings thermal imaging to Hauxley nature reserve

Members of the public are invited to discover how innovative technology is helping people connect with wildlife during a free Wildlife Technology Afternoon at Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Hauxley Nature Reserve this November.

Pulsar Wildlife, a leading manufacturer of thermal imaging equipment, will visit Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre on Tuesday 10 November as part of its 2026 UK wildlife tour.

Between 2pm and 7pm, visitors will have the opportunity to meet experts from the award-winning company and learn how thermal imaging technology can enhance wildlife watching and bird observation by helping to detect animals that are difficult to spot with the naked eye.

As part of the event, attendees can join a guided thermal nature walk around the reserve and try the equipment for themselves, experiencing how the technology can reveal hidden wildlife and reduce time spent searching for elusive species.

Technology already plays a key role at Hauxley Nature Reserve. Visitors to the Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre and Lookout Café can watch live footage from nest box cameras via Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Tynan TV system.

The cameras have recently captured a pair of blue tits investigating one nest box for a potential breeding site, while tree sparrows have been busy constructing a nest from moss, twigs, leaves, and feathers.

Elsewhere on the reserve, a night-vision camera overlooking the wildlife pond is providing fascinating insights into after-dark activity. Footage has revealed a range of creatures including newts, diving beetles, and water boatmen, all going about their lives under the cover of darkness.

Visitors can view both the nest box and pond camera footage on the centre’s large screens throughout their visit.

The Wildlife Technology Afternoon is free to attend, offering a unique opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and families alike to discover how modern technology is opening new windows into the natural world.

The event is free and limited to 40 spaces which need to be booked at: www.eventbrite.com/e/free-pulsar-wildlife-tour-2026-stop-3-hauxley-wildlife-discovery-centre-tickets-2003508240079

Alex Lister, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Druridge Bay Landscapes Manager, says: "Hauxley is already home to a range of technology that helps visitors get closer to nature, from our live-stream nest box cameras to our night-vision pond cameras. Hosting Pulsar Wildlife's thermal imaging event is a natural extension of that, giving people the chance to see how cutting-edge equipment can uncover wildlife activity that would otherwise remain hidden."