Bird Hides, East Chevington Nature Reserve 

This project relates to the structural modifications of 2 bird hides at East Chevington Nature Reserve in Northumberland. The existing Bird Hides are steel containers that are constructed with corrugated steel plates.

The roof is formed with steel box sections that support steel plates that span between. The proposal was to modify the existing Bird Hides to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly structure for the general public and bird watching enthusiasts.

The works were made possible as part of Northumberland Wildlife charity’s five-year ‘Catch My Drift’ project, an initiative backed by the National Lottery via The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The project outcomes were to improve habitat, biodiversity, and access to the East Chevington Reserve at Druridge Bay, Northumberland.

The main structural design considerations were to ensure stability of the Bird Hide structures following the modifications, whilst also developing and designing strengthening works that would be suitable for the permanent case.