The Project
Facilitator
Funding Partner
The short version.
Nene Valley Watchers is an initiative designed to promote wildlife appreciation in Special Protected Areas.
We run group bird watches with an experienced facilitator to promote social interaction and awareness of the SPA message.
New and experienced bird watchers are equally encouraged to come along and share tips, tricks and knowledge!
Where can i watch the bird?
Hi. We're Nene Valley Watchers.
Who are Nene Valley Watchers?
Nene Valley Watchers is an initiative operated by Nene Rivers Trust that offers group social bird watching throughout the Nene Valley Special Protection Area. The programme has been in action since 2026 and is funded by the Wildlife Trust BCN.
Nene Valley Watchers is part of the Nene Valley Works project – a scheme comprised of three projects: Woofs (for dog ownership in the Nene Valley), Wanderers (for personal wellbeing and connecting with nature), and Watchers (for bird watching and wildlife appreciation).
Wait. Why does a river trust run a bird watching project?
It’s a good question. And the answer makes more sense once you know the history.
the history.
Here in the Nene Valley, we are home to the Upper Nene Valley gravel Pits Special Protection Area. This is an area of former gravel pits that are now home to thousands of internationally protected bird species that migrate thousands of miles here every winter between October and March to nest and feed.
These gravel pit lakes are perfect for these species due to extensive shallow and deep open waters, sparsely vegetated islands, gravel bars, and other “bird-friendly” habitats.
You might have experienced one of these special protection areas yourself, especially if you’ve ever been for a walk around Summer Leys, Rushden Lakes, Titchmarsh Nature Reserve, Northampton Washlands or Grendon Lakes. They’re beautiful, they’re serene – and so naturally, people see them as wonderful spots to meet, walk and socialise, potentially with their pups.
Are they not?
No, they are. The problem is that these already endangered species use up their precious energy supplies running away from a perceived threat – which might be you just being curious, but the birds don’t know that! Just by encroaching on their safe spaces, these birds can feel threatened and fly away, with each disturbance using their limited energy supply.
But if they’re only migrating here for the winter, that must mean it’s not a problem in the summer, right?
Not exactly. You see, during the spring and summer months, there are many breeds of ground nesting birds in these habitats that remain here throughout the year. Although undetectable to the human eye, these ground nesting birds will be less likely to reproduced if disturbed by unnatural “predators” which includes us (they can be easily sniffed out by dogs too, with their highly sensitive noses and inquisitive minds). These dangers to the already endangered bird species are what has the Wildlife Trust so concerned, which is why Wildlife Trust BCN wanted to raise awareness the public in general.
This is where Nene Rivers Trust comes in.
As a charity committed to delivering for people and nature around the Nene catchment, Nene Rivers Trust are uniquely qualified to handle raising of awareness around these issues, promoting socialising between people, building appreciation for wildlife, and helping people to engage with nature in their every day.
And so, Nene Valley Watchers was born.
