Northumberland coast - birding spots

[Emma S]

I'm off to the lovely Northumberland coast in late March for a week, and would appreciate any birding tips for the area.

Not sure what I'll see there - I assume it's a bit early for many things.

There are some spots where there are bird hides, I hear?

I would particularly like to see some Turnstones....will they be around at that time of year? And are there any places where they are fairly tame? I heard they could be seen at close quarters at Amble harbour, don't know about anywhere else?

Thanks

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong forum section.

[aeshna5]

Turnstones should be around virtually everywhere on rocky parts of the coast. I've not been to Amble, but Seahouses should be good too. Though early for the main Farnes season there should be plenty of returning seabirds such as auks, Gannets, etc (too early for terns apart from maybe the odd Sandwich) in the area. Eiders should be confiding at Seahouses + almost anywhere along the coast may reveal seaduck, divers or a scarce grebe if you're lucky.

Lindisfarne/ Budle Bay should be good for wildfowl- especially large numbers of Wigeon + the biggest mainland flock of Light-bellied Brent Geese. Also plenty of waders + look out for birds of prey such as Merlin, Peregrine, Short-eared Owl. Snow Buntings may also still be around.

I'm sure other more local members can suggest other spots too. Have fun + take plenty of warm clothing.

[ChrisJB]

Aeshna has covered a lot of the sites I go to when we stay up there. We usually stay on a camp-site near Budle Bay, which is an excellent place for waders and the odd little egret if you are lucky. The coast around Low Newton can be good too and the ale-house there, The Ship, is a great pub with good beer and food. Not much of a drive further north is St Abb's, just in Scotland, where the seabirds should be returning to the cliffs in March. Other places to visit include Chillingham, where the white cattle live and if you take the drive over to Wooler, from Belford, look out for red squirrels in suitable places.

Chris

[Emma S]

Many thanks for your replies. Some very useful pointers there.

Chris, Ship Inn duly noted! Almost certainly will be visited

[galanthophile]

Have a look on the Northumberland Wildlife Trust website as all of their reserves are listed there. There are some great coastal spots anywhere along the Northumberland coast. I often go to Druridge, Hauxley and Cresswell. Short Eared owls can be seen on the dunes just opposite the Cresswell NWT bird hide. Amble, Seahouses, Newton and Holy Island are all good places. Enjoy and let us know how you get on