Northumberland Wildlife

Northumberland abounds with wildlife, with more than 60 nature reserves throughout the county and unspoilt coast and countryside providing a haven for rare and unusual animals and plantlife.

Breeding sea birds thrive on the Farne Islands, one of Europe's most important nature reserves, with puffins, terns, guillemots, shags and eider ducks amongst the 20 species nesting each year. Take a boat trip from Seahouses to land on Inner Farne or Staple Island, weaving your way amongst the acrobatic aerial displays of arctic, common andsandwich terns. The Outer Farnes are home to some slightly larger residents - over 4,000 Atlantic grey seals - one of the most important colonies in Britain. After 800 years on the islands, the seals are completely unfazed by visitors on boat trips and the diving enthusiasts who come to see them underwater. Closer to the mainland, Lindisfarne is internationally renowned for wilfowl during the winter months and is home to Lindisfarne Hellebore, a plant found nowhere else in the world.

The Northumberland coast features wide expanses of beach, mudflats and sand dunes that create a bird watcher's paradise. The hides on Druridge Bay at Hauxley and East Chevington Nature Reserves make particularly good spots from which to watch rare and diverse birdlife whilst Coquet Island is home to the largest colony of Roseate Terns in Britain. Inland, our pine forests are one of the last bastions in Britain for red squirrel. Otters can be found on the Tyne, Coquet and Tweed rivers and healthy populations of badgers and foxes inhabit the surrounding countryside. Substantial herds of roe deer populate the county, with 6,000 in Kielder Water & Forest Park alone. Birds of prey such as red kite are beginning to thrive here again and, with a bit of luck, you may spot a golden eagle near the Scottish border.

The North Pennines is home to most of England's black grouse, together with wading birds and rare alpine plants, whilst Upper Coquetdale in the Northumberland National Park provides ancient woodland habitat for woodcock and warblers. Harbottle Crags shelters large heath butterflies and emperor dragonflies and, for something really special, the Cheviot Hills are home to three herds of feral goat whilst Chillingham is residence to the unique, pure blood Chillingham Wild Cattle. Find the time too, to visit the unique Sanctuary Wildlife Care Centre near Morpeth, which provides a great opportunity to see most species of British wildlife, including owls, foxes, badgers and deer.

Useful Links

Wildlife & Birdwatching Activity Providers


Northumberland Wildlife Trust