Northumberland Guided Bird Walks

14/10/2022

We trialled a short half-day walk between Howick and Craster today. A warm sunny day with a light breeze it was a very pleasant stroll. Bird highlights included migrant Brambling, Redwing and Fieldfare and a flyover adult Mediterranean Gull.

19/11/2021

Thought it would be an idea to feature some of the regular birds we see when walking various stretches of the Northumberland Coast. Feel free to share.

Birds of the Northumberland Coast #1 Pied Wagtail
Jaywalking the tideline searching for food, occasionally performing aerial acrobatic captures of Sand Flies but mostly just doing tail-wagging Pied Wagtails can be found along most of our coast in every month of the year. They're usually fairly approachable and despite the obvious black and white plumage sometimes heard before they're seen with their characteristic 'tsli-vitt' call. You'll find them on short grassy areas, sandy beaches and even running along the prom if the feeling takes them.

18/11/2021

Blustery but mild conditions for this morning’s Newbiggin walk didn’t detract from some fine bird and cetacean sightings.
Some distant Common Scoter and Red-throated Divers kicked us off before we quickly got stuck into all three ages of the ever-delightful Mediterranean Gulls. Craig (one of our walkers) picked up some passing Bottle-nose Dolphins very close offshore and we enjoyed watching them move north. A sizeable flock of Sanderlings fed on tidal wrack along with several Redshank, Turnstone and three Dunlin.
North of Newbiggin Point we added 4 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and several Grey Plovers into the walk list as well as Stonechat and Linnet. A juvenile Puffin was close inshore on the rising tide as we traced our steps back south.

11/11/2021

Stunning late Autumn morning for our first Wansbeck walk and some superb birds and wildlife on offer.
A couple of Little Grebes off our meeting place were just the first of 28 counted over a 2km stretch of river. Three Little Egrets were noted including an acrobatic individual tightrope walking the safety fence above the weir. Duck highlights included Scaup, 15 Goldeneye and Goosander. Waders were thin on the ground but a single Black-tailed Godwit and Curlew were noted as well as a Dunlin on the estuary. A Kingfisher was seen in flight and three Otters cavorted in the morning sun. Offshore a winter plumage Puffin was a good find in a loose flock of Common Scoter and 2-3 Red-throated Divers were close inshore.

28/09/2021

Out and about along one of our favourite stretches of coast just before the rain hit today. Lots of activity included 3 migrant Northern Wheatears and eight species of wader offering great views feeding along the shore. Away from the beach a small number of Meadow Pipits were loosely associating with a big 100-strong flock of Goldfinches feeding on wildflower seed heads. Such underrated birds Meadow Pipits, we think they're subtly beautiful!

22/09/2021

We're back! Looking forward to a new programme of regular Guided Bird Walks for Winter around some great Northumberland birding sites. We'll be announcing dates and locations in the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled on the page.

05/07/2018

Thursday's trek around Newbiggin on another hot morning offered a good variety of typical mid-summer birds (and butterflies). Gulls and terns featured prominently and we were able to see not only Mediterranean Gulls alongside the commoner Black-headed Gulls but a Little Gull feeding alongside them too. At another stop adult and juvenile Kittiwakes offered good side by side comparisons as did three species of tern (Sandwich, Common & Arctic). Returning waders included Curlews, Golden Plovers & Oystercatchers. Offshore two Puffins fed close inshore but there was a noticeable absence of Gannets.
On the inland return walk there were few small birds aside Dunnock and Linnet, butterflies made up for this with Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Ringlet, Small Skipper and Meadow Brown noted on the wing.

02/07/2018

Our Guided Walk Event from Newbiggin Maritime Centre planned for Wednesday 4th July will now take place on Thursday 5th July (10:15) instead, apologies for any inconvenience.

18/06/2018

Wednesday's Drift Cafe walk was full of sunshine and summer! We were accompanied by a constant stream of House Martins over the dunes their white rumps gleaming against the blue sky. Great views of hunting Kestrel and some good opportunities to talk about some obvious ways to pick out Black-headed Gulls in flight. Meadow Pipits played parachute in several locations. On the inland section we had great views of the local Avocets, picked out a single Little Stint and three very unseasonal Goldeneye before typically close views of the local male Stonechat just before coffees back at The Drift. Why not join us on our next Drift cafe walk on 11 July.

08/06/2018

Despite an occasionally chilly NE breeze on Wednesday our Guided Walk from Newbiggin Maritime Centre produced lots of birds!
The summer gathering of Eiders in the area was in full swing with over 60 seen including some nice close drakes just in front of the Maritime Centre Cafe. Pied Wagtails fed young on the beach here too. House Martins and Sand Martins accompanied us as we walked north. We spent some time checking a high tide roost with great views of Grey Plovers, Sandwich Terns, summer-plumaged Sanderling, Oystercatchers, Ringed Plover and an adult Grey Heron.
Linnets and the occasional singing Skylark were noted on land. A little inland we found Common Whitethroats, had great views of Song Thrush and Dunnock as well as Gadwall and Lapwing in a wet area.

19/04/2018

There's no bird guide on board (yet) but if you don't fancy the walk across....

Read about Hop aboard the Holy Island Shuttle at northumberlandcoastaonb.org

13/04/2018

Worth keeping an eye out for these if you're on the Northumberland coast this weekend.

The University of Oldenburg are researching marine macroplastics, mapping the movement of marine debris. This drifter was found on North Shore, Holy Island on Saturday by one of our volunteers. Keep your eyes peeled and log any drifters you find to support their data collection.