Visiting the coast of Northumberland

Ragtime · #1 (**permalink**) 14-10-2008, 01:08 PM

I am from the Midlands, and a recent convert to bird watching.
I will be spending 4 days with my family on the coast of Northumberland, so it will be the first time I have done any bird watching on the coast.

I was wondering what species I would be best to be looking out for? It's a huge question I know, but I havent seen any waders yet, or any seabirds other than the usual gulls that come in land.

Also, we are unlikely to travel too far from the immediate area which is near Alnwick. The kids you see....they don't like bird watching

Anyway, any help from the people of the North East would be so welcome.

Jim Ford · #2 (**permalink**) 14-10-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragtime

Also, we are unlikely to travel too far from the immediate area which is near Alnwick. The kids you see....they don't like bird watching

Drive out to Lindisfarne - it's a lovely place. The kids will be impressed that you get cut-off by the tide (only for a few hours tho'). Walk out to the castle on the island it's quite dramatic, and again the kids will like it. Plenty of bird watching on the coast at Budle Bay.

Jim

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 14-10-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Drive out to Lindisfarne - it's a lovely place. The kids will be impressed that you get cut-off by the tide (only for a few hours tho'). Walk out to the castle on the island it's quite dramatic, and again the kids will like it. Plenty of bird watching on the coast at Budle Bay.

Jim

Wonderful area- I went to uni at Newcastle + had many visits to Lindisfarne/ Budle Bay. The largest flock of Pale-bellied Brent Geese away from Northern Ireland + large flocks of Wigeon as well as other duck, waders + a good selection of raptors.

Ragtime · #4 (**permalink**) 15-10-2008, 02:48 PM

Thank you for the input guys.
I like the idea of fooling the kids into thinking Lindisfarne is more than a birding exercise!

The Woodman · #5 (**permalink**) 15-10-2008, 03:13 PM

Hi Ragtime
We stayed at Alnmouth at the New Year. If you are in self catering with an open fire, collect as much sea coal as you can. It's usually at the top of the beach where the tide dumps the stuff on the strand line, big black rounded flat lighweight stones that burn well when wet!

I know this has nothing to do with birds but I went to see birds and got absorbed with sea coal!

Lovely area, enjoy it.