Keilder Northumberland

[mick_g]

I'm having a short break in Keilder forest during Febuary. Does anybody know any decent spots for wildlife?

I'm keen on seeing & possibly photographing red squirrels, crossbills, raptors, deer, anything really.

Cheers Mick

[cannylad]

Hi Mick Crossbills can turn up any where in Kielder but Bakethin Raptor viewpoint is as good a place as any, also there is a hide at the Bakethin end of the reservoir that can give good views of the nature reserve and possibly otter.

Red Squirrels are possible around Kielder castle, and if the day is right you could have good views of birds of prey Buzzards, Goshawks, Peregrine, are all possible.

A stop at Falstone Bridge and a view east downriver can be worthwhile as a colony of Mandarin ducks can sometimes be seen from here.

The viaduct at Bakethin is also worth the short walk as Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Siskin, Crossbill,Gossander,Long tail duck have all been seen from here.

Info available at the East end of the reservoir at the visitor center, and at Kielder castle itself.

regards Brian.

[Nicola Main]

Hi Mick. Have a look at this link ...

Forestry Commission - Kielder - Kielder

it has some useful information on wildlife-watching in the Kielder area and also places to visit. Regards, Nicola.

[mick_g]

Thanks very much. Very useful replies.

[carlos_dfc]

Hope this isn't too late for you..

There's an awful lot of wildlife-related stuff at the castle, an interesting little 'walk' through the castle, which combines some castle history, with quite a bit of info on local wildlife.
Also - in one of the rooms, there's a 'squirrel-watch' camera, pointed at a little den with squirrels living in it.
As well as a camera that you can control by joystick - pan-tilt-and zoom (mounted on the castle roof) good for looking around treetops etc for birds.
The castle shop also has tons of leaflets about local attractions - one that I can remember is the Bird of Prey centre (about halfway along the South-West side of the 'lake')

And if anyone is interested in astronomy - they have probably the best skies in England - no light-pollution whatsoever - the Milky Way is an awesome sight on a clear Kielder night.
Two organised astronomy events at the campsite - the 2007 spring event is 16th-18th March - autumn event is in either Sept or Oct (varies from year to year)

[mick_g]

Thanks Carlos.
Not too late. We go this Wednesday.
I'll report back in this thread with any sightings.

Cheers Mick

[Blackdog]

Have a top trip Mick. Oh, how I wish I was going too. Instead, I've got work, work and even more work. Bah

[mick_g]

Hi. Had a lovely break. As promised I'll list some of the wildlife we saw:

Crossbills- several on Bull Crag.
Long-tailed duck, Mandarin duck, Little grebe, Goldeneye (males displaying well) Teal- all seen from the hide at Bakethin as well as more common species.
Buzzards-several sites.
Treecreeper & Dippers- from balcony of chalet(Calvert Trust).
Great Spotted Woodpeckers & Siskin-on Bull Crag & at Leaplish.

Sadly no Red Squirrels(will have to pay a visit to Formby Point later in year).

Thanks again for all the help & Carlos you were right about the stars. The most I've ever seen!

Cheers Mick

[cannylad]

Originally Posted by mick_g

Hi. Had a lovely break. As promised I'll list some of the wildlife we saw:

Crossbills- several on Bull Crag.
Long-tailed duck, Mandarin duck, Little grebe, Goldeneye (males displaying well) Teal- all seen from the hide at Bakethin as well as more common species.
Buzzards-several sites.
Treecreeper & Dippers- from balcony of chalet(Calvert Trust).
Great Spotted Woodpeckers & Siskin-on Bull Crag & at Leaplish.

Sadly no Red Squirrels(will have to pay a visit to Formby Point later in year).

Thanks again for all the help & Carlos you were right about the stars. The most I've ever seen!

Cheers Mick

Hi Mick glad you enjoyed your break, you seem to have hit quite a few species.

[carlos_dfc]

Glad you had a good time Mick

I'm up there myself in a couple of weeks time - the Spring 'Star Camp' event at the campsite near the castle (16th - 18th Mar)

Telescopes at the ready - and raring to go