Birdwatching along the Northumberland Coast

The Northumberland Coast offers birdwatchers something special all year round. Below is a guide to the bird-watching hotspots along the coast, from Berwick-upon-Tweed and the border country in the North, to Druridge Bay in the south.

Tweed Estuary to the Scottish Border

Large numbers of seabirds breed on the cliffs at Needles Eye, north of Berwick-upon-Tweed, including Puffin. Waders use the north shore of the Tweed Estuary during migration whilst Divers, Grebes and Seaduck can be found offshore during the winter months. Berwick is famous for it's large herd of Mute Swans which can be seen on the river at most times of the year, whilst Goldeneye can also be seen in large numbers over winter on the same stretch of river.

Holy Island & Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve

Famous for the wintering flock of pale-bellied brent geese, large numbers of wigeon and assorted other waterfowl that occupy the mudflats, the area is also renowned for large numbers of small birds, including occasional rarities, which can be found almost anywhere on the island and near the mainland at migration times. Large numbers of waterfowl can be seen during the winter at Budle Bay.

Bamburgh, Seahouses and the Farne Islands

The Farne Islands are internationally famous for their population of Breeding Seabirds, including large numbers of Puffins, Guillemots, Eiders, Shags and Terns. On the mainland, the area north of Bamburgh, known locally as Stag Rocks but on the map as Harkess Rocks, holds large numbers of wintering Sea duck, including Common Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Divers and Grebes. South of Bamburgh Castle, the woods and dunes often hold migrants during spring and autumn.

Low Newton and Beadnell Bay

The Long Nanny Estuary is home to breeding colonies of Terns, including Little and Arctic, whilst the freshwater Newton Pool can be great for Waders. The wooded areas adjacent to the pool and at High Newton often hold large numbers of migrating songbirds, making this area of Northumberland of interest to birdwatchers all year round.

Craster and Dunstanburgh

The stretch of coastline from Craster up to Dunstanburgh consists of coastal grassland and some scrub with wooded areas. Seabirds, including Kittiwakes and Razorbills breed on the cliffs near Dunstanburgh Castle. The woods north of the tourist information centre at Craster often hold good numbers of migrating passerines, whilst the Northumberland Wildlife Trust Arnold Memorial Reserve to the south of the TIC is also worth a check.

Alnmouth, Boulmer and Howick Area

The sandy shores and duneland around the Aln Estuary are home to large numbers of Grey Plovers during winter, whilst to the south of the estuary, large numbers of Terns, including Roseates, roost on the beach during early autumn. Many waders, including Curlews and Redshank are found on the shore at Boulmer, whilst the wooded dene running down to the shore at Howick is excellent for songbirds during early spring and migration periods.

Coquet Estuary and Coquet Island

Coquet Island is an RSPB reserve, famous as an important breeding colony for many seabirds, including Eider Ducks, Puffins and Terns, particularly Roseate Terns. No landing is allowed on the island, though boat trips run daily during the summer from Amble. The Coquet Estuary's mudflats, saltmarsh and sand dunes are an important migration staging post and winter quarters. Waders and waterfowl can be found in the estuary during spring, autumn and winter, including Redshank, Oystercatchers and Wigeon. Short-eared Owls and Twite can also be found in the dunes and saltmarsh during the winter months.

Druridge Bay

Druridge Bay provides excellent birdwatching opportunities all year round. Woodland and scrubby areas next to the bay's golden sandy beach, brackish lagoons, freshwater ponds of varying depth and reedbeds near to the coast make for a full day's birdwatching. Situated at the north end of Druridge Bay, Hauxley Nature Reserve is good for wading birds during migration time and roosting terns, including occasional roseate terns in late summer. There are several hides from which to birdwatch here, along with a visitor centre. Further south, Druridge Bay Country Park is good for wintering waterfowl, with woodland worth exploring for migrant songbirds, whilst nearby, East Chevington is home to two areas of water and reedbeds with an excellent record for attracting unusual species all year round.The combination of deep ponds and flooded fields at Druridge Pools are recognised for breeding birds and Cresswell Pond, situated at the south end of the bay has attracted a range of unusual species and good numbers of waders and wildfowl.