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Brierdene is formed by a burn that runs into the sea at The Links of Whitley Bay. It comprises a valley (a "deep declivity" of some 12 metres) with mixed grassland, scrub and trees, and a comparatively flat separate area of grassland. This area was for many years a golf course, with holes one, six, seven and nine crossing the valley. The original club house still exists and is currently used and maintained mainly by the Scouts. Whitley Bay Golf Club has since migrated to a site West of Claremont Road and now has a prestigious club house and other facilities.
Brierdene is an area undisturbed by agriculture and urban development and one of the best examples of grassland in North Tyneside, supporting over 100 species of plants. Brierdene also supports some 25 species of bird. Following a recent survey into bird population spread by Steve Stone of the Open University, it was stated that Brierdene came in the top 4% of all sites surveyed in the UK, with a greater diversity of bird species than anywhere else in the UK at this time. The dene has a resident dog fox, and has even witnessed the arrival of the occasional deer.
The area is recognised as an important wildlife site in the Tyne & Wear Nature Conservation Strategy and is designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). The "Friends of Brierdene" Committee is working with North Tyneside Council to ensure that Brierdene does not lose this status, indeed works towards becoming a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).
A Management Plan has been produced by North Tyneside Council and the area is maintained by the authority as an informal countryside area. Work is ongoing to lessen the propensity for flooding and improve accessibility. This includes replacing steps into, and bridges over, the dene. A hard path is being constructed, and willows that have grown from stakes are being removed to limit damage to the immediate banks of the dene, much of which are constructed of stone. The bed of the burn is also being systematically cleared.
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