Tyne Tees Wildlife News

Police are warning dog walkers in Darlington to take extra care after food which is thought to have been deliberately spiked with harmful objects was left in popular parks.

An apple with a metal screw pushed into it was left in The Denes park on Monday.

A month earlier, sausages with nails hidden inside were left in South Park.

Police say a dog in The Denes was close to eating the apple but its owner managed to spot the screw.

It's believed the food was left by someone intent on hurting dogs or wildlife.

• UK
• Darlington
• Dogs

Police are warning dog walkers in Darlington to take extra care after food which is thought to have been deliberately spiked with harmful objects was left in popular parks. An apple with a metal screw pushed into the flesh was left in The Denes park on Monday.

It comes a month after sausages with nails hidden inside were left in the town's South Park. Police say a dog being walked in The Denes was close to eating the apple but its owners managed to spot the screw.

Police believe the food was left by someone intent on hurting dogs or wildlife. They're warning dog owners to be extra vigilant when letting their pets off the lead and ask anyone with information to come forward.

• UK
• Darlington
• Dogs

Birdwatchers have been flocking to Sunderland to catch a glimpse of a rare type of bird.

A European Bee-eater was seen in a garden, and the tiny visitor attracted crowds from all over the country.

The species is rare in the UK, and mainly resides in southern Europe. This time of year the birds usually migrate to north Africa.

One birdwatcher - Steve Bailey - had come from Manchester to see it:

• UK
• Birds
• Wildlife

Avid bird-watchers from around the country have been flocking to a quiet residential area of Sunderland to see a very special visitor.

Bee-eater birds are normally expected to be in Africa at this time of year, but this bird appears to have braved the cooler North East.

• UK
• Wildlife
• Sunderland

• UK
• Wildlife
• Sunderland

A rare European Bee-eater has been spotted in a garden in Sunderland, attracting a crowd of eager birdwatchers.

The birds usually live in Southern Europe and at this time of year should be in Africa.

Twitchers from as far away as London and Manchester have been travelling to Wearside to see the special visitor.

• UK
• Wildlife
• Sunderland